Former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) dismissed many of the candidates still in the 2020 Democratic race during an interview that aired on Tuesday.
“There’s just a lot of empty shirts,” Gravel told Hill.TV in reference to the crowded primary.
Gravel also doubled down on his criticism of South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, pointing to him as a prime example.
“Buttigieg is an example of an empty shirt — that’s the reason why mainstream media likes him because he’s not threatening,” he said.
Buttigieg’s campaign didn’t immediately return Hill.TV’s request for comment.
Gravel maintained that there are only three candidates that should stay in the race: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
Since suspending his own presidential campaign in August, Gravel has thrown his support behind both Sanders and Gabbard.
The former Alaska senator acknowledged during his interview with Hill.TV that he had a “bias” for Gabbard even before she jumped into the race, citing the Iraq war veteran’s position on foreign policy.
“I like her position on ending wars — that’s not the strength of the Democratic Party,” he told Hill.TV. “The Democratic Party is just as much a war party as the Republicans.”
Gravel’s comments come as 12 White House hopefuls prepare to take the debate stage in Ohio on Tuesday night, where they are expected to go head-to-head on a number of issues.
—Tess Bonn
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