Ice Cream Sundaes and Disability Talk with Mike Gravel

I had the opportunity today to attend the Libertarian National Convention, along with some of my colleagues, on Disaboom's behalf. After the candidates' debate, a press conference was held, and I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Senator Mike Gravel.

Senator Gravel entered the media room before the other candidates and asked jovially, "What's this? A press conference? For anyone? For me?" and stepped up to the podium to take a few questions before anyone else had arrived.

I raised my hand to ask Mr. Gravel about the Libertarian Party and disability, particularly in light of the reference to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Gravel's announcement of his switch to the Libertarian party. As I stood up, a Libertarian Party official (pictured right) cut Senator Gravel off, saying, "We have to give everyone equal time."

Gravel protested, "I want to answer this young lady's question."

The offical refused to allow him to answer, and hustled Gravel to the sidelines, saying, "Will all the other candidates please come up?"

Senator Gravel, frustrated, pointed out that squabbles like this are "The problem with bureaucracy." If one thing can be said about Gravel, it's that he's not afraid to criticize his own party; he did so as a Democrat, and he'll certainly do so as a Libertarian.

Senator Gravel remained seated away from the stage and to the side as the other candidates took questions from the audience, including, "Would you pardon all non-violent drug offenders?" and "Are you in this race to build the party, or to win?"

The press conference was drawing to a close when the official who sidelined Gravel stepped in and apologized profusely, asking the Senator to, "Please come back up." Mr. Gravel politely declined, prompting the official to say, "I would consider it a great honor if you would come back up." Mr. Gravel relented and took his place beside George Phillies for the last few questions.

After the press conference ended and most candidates had left for their hospitality suites, Sen. Gravel offered to answer the question I'd wanted to ask. I explained Disaboom's mission, and asked, "What do you think the Libertarian Party can do to empower individuals with disabilities?"

Gravel, who had three surgeries in 2003 for back pain and neuropathy, thought for a moment, and remarked, "There is no simple solution. It's a complex problem." After a little further consideration, he continued, "I don't buy the no more taxes, do away with the IRS, and have no revenue for the government. Government is a tool." Calling solutions that would eliminate taxation "oversimplified," Gravel said that, "Too many lobbyists are focusing only on the economic rewards," and not on helping people.

Senator Gravel reiterated that there are no simple solutions, and then said he'd like me to meet his niece, who is an Autism advocate. Her daughter, who is Autistic, recently gave a presentation to Congress, and received a standing ovation. Gravel turned me over to a friendly woman and directed her to introduce me to his niece, but after racing up the escalator, we found she'd already gone home. I left my card for her, and I'm hoping to speak with her about her advocacy tomorrow.

When I returned to the media room, I had one more question for Mr. Gravel: "Did you secure the endorsement of Obama Girl?"

Gravel chuckled and replied, "No, but I have hope," and invited everyone in the room to join him in George Phillies' hospitality suite for ice cream sundaes, which Phillies calls, "The Libertarian Dessert."

I accepted the invitation, and chatted with Senator Gravel and his wife, Whitney Stewart Gravel, over "Libertarian Desserts." As it turns out, she, too, is interested in disability activism, which she considers, "Another civil rights movement." She's worked with children with disabilities in the educational system, and is very proud of Mike's niece's daughter, and of Mike's niece for helping her to maximize her abilities and talents.

Whitney said that, after watching children with special needs blossom, she related the experience of people with disabilities to the Christmas carol, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," in that Rudolph was thought to be less able because of a very obvious difference, but in the end, it becomes clear that his difference makes him more able in some ways than the other reindeer.

I'm looking forward to more adventures at the Libertarian National Convention tomorrow, and hoping for a chance to attend the Democratic and  Republican National Conventions as well.