Mike Gravel in 2007 Democratic primary debate in South Carolina

On Energy & Oil: I started the nuclear critique in this country

A: No, not at all. I think there had to be a maturation process. And I’m the one that started the nuclear critique in this country. And I’m also the one that brought about the Alaska pipeline by one vote in the Congress. So when you ask about the energy issues, let me just tell you....

On Foreign Policy: US has no important enemies, so treat world as equals

A: We have no important enemies. What we need to do is to begin to deal with the rest of the world as equals. And we don’t do that. We spend more as a nation on defense than all the rest of the world put together. Who are we afraid of? Iraq has never been a threat to us. We invaded them. The military industrial complex not only controls our government, lock, stock and barrel, but they control our culture.

On Homeland Security: Threatening nukes is immoral foreign policy

On Homeland Security: Fighting terrorism with a war doesn’t work

On Homeland Security: US is the greatest violator of the non-proliferation treaty

GRAVEL: With respect to Iran, we’ve sanctioned them for 26 years. We scared the bejesus out of them when the president says, “They’re evil.” Well, you know something? These things don’t work. They don’t work. We need to recognize them. And you know something? Who is the greatest violator of the non-proliferation treaty The United States of America. We signed a pledge that we would begin to disarm, and we’re not doing it. We’re expanding our nukes. Who the hell are we going to nuke? Tell me, Barack. Barack, who do you want to nuke?

OBAMA: I’m not planning to nuke anybody right now, Mike, I promise.

GRAVEL: Good. Good. We’re safe then, for a while.

On Principles & Values: Did not plan on presidency, but candidates are frightening

A: You’re right. I made that statement. But that’s before I had a chance to stand with [the other presidential candidates] three times. It’s like going into the Senate. You know, the first time you get there, you’re all excited, “My God, how did I ever get here?” Then, about six months later, you say, “How the hell did the rest of them get here?” And I got to tell you, after standing up with them, some of these people frighten me. When you have mainline candidates that turn around and say that there’s nothing off the table with respect to Iran, that’s code for using nuclear devices.

Q: Who on this stage exactly tonight worries you so much?

A: Well, I would say the top tier ones. They’ve made statements.

On War & Peace: Soldiers in Iraq are dying in vain; so just get out

On War & Peace: Iraq war was lost the day Bush invaded-make it illegal

A: Well, first off, understand that this war was lost the day that George Bush invaded Iraq on a fraudulent basis. Now with respect to what’s going on in the Congress, I’m really embarrassed. What has been passed? George Bush communicated over a year ago that he would not get out of Iraq until he left office. Do we not believe him? We need to find another way. I would hope the other senators would focus on, how do you get out? You pass the law, not a resolution, a law making it a felony to stay there. We’ve got the votes there. Let the American people see clearly who’s keeping the war going and who’s not. And that’s just the beginning of the tactic, if they’re tough enough to do it.