GRAVEL. Thinking about Sam's post yesterday, why is Mike Gravel included in the debates? Dennis Kucinich, at least, is a sitting congressman, and a leading member of an important caucus in the House of Representatives. Mike Gravel was a Senator from Alaska. In the 70s.. And unlike the threat Sharpton posed -- or was assumed to pose -- in 2004, Gravel's exclusion will not lead aging white men to believe the Democratic Party is hostile towards their involvement. So why not take this guy out? He's running a single issue candidacy on a platform that may well be unconstitutional and he takes time that could be used for more serious candidates to disseminate their message. What merits his inclusion? --Ezra Klein
