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?"

S. A summer job as a soda jerk led to Gravel handing out campaign fliers for local candidates on behalf of his boss; Gravel was immediately impressed with "the awesomeness of political office. F.

Born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts to French-Canadian immigrant parents Gravel served in the United States Army in West Germany and graduated from Columbia University. Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel (pron. His campaign gained an Internet following and national attention due to forceful humorous and politically unorthodox debate appearances during 2007 but showed very little support in national polls or in 2008 caucuses and primaries.