Gravel tells Senate Dems to "stop showboating"

Seems like Presidential hopeful Gravel has had enough of the half-assed Congressional chess game they've been playing in Senate chambers.

Read the whole thing HERE but below is an excerpt. You may only know Gravel as a old guy with a sharp tongue and "why you silly whipper snappers" attitude during the past few debates, but he's been around the block or two, most notably for his interesting role as Senator/whistleblower during the outing of "The Pentagon Papers", which documented a series of deceptions regarding the Vietnam War's escalation (and was a deep blow to the Nixon Administration). Anyway, here's a bit of tough love for the Democratic Senators and their recent all-nighter over Iraq:

"I am glad to see that you have finally used the powers of the Senate to try to stop the war, but frankly I agree with the Republicans: this week's Senate sleepover was more theater than substance."

"Harry, it's time to get serious about forcing a constitutional confrontation with Bush even if it means canceling the Congress' summer recess. Can you do anything less after a number of Senators have publicly ridiculed the Iraqi parliament for not canceling their summer recess. But why should vacations matter when American and Iraqi blood is being needlessly spilled? We Democrats need real leadership right now - not political showboating. Your colleagues in the Congress are not going to like the tough leadership I am suggesting. But believe me if you're successful, and you will be successful, your leadership will make Senate history."

I have to say this guy makes sense. I think I'll drop $25 in his campaign till, if only to stand up for someone who isn't afraid to say something that isn't run through 20 polls first.

By the way, I highly recommend you give a listen to the very interesting story of how the Pentagon Papers were released to the public as told by Gravel and Robert West to Democracy Now. CLICK HERE.

We've spent years trying to collectively forget Vietnam, and this really intense story shows how much was on the line back then, though now all we think of hippie protesting and Credence ClearWater Revival tunes.

RIGHT: Mike Gravel in younger days.