Obama's getting behind the National Iniative!

I just saw this story. This is big news.

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel has announced his intention to drop out of the presidential race after meeting with Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama. Gravel, who switched parties to run as a Libertarian on March 26th, stated that his decision was the result of a pledge from Obama to adopt the National Initiative for Democracy. The National Initiative, which would allow citizens to propose, alter, or nullify laws in conjunction with traditional legislative bodies, has been the cornerstone of Gravel's presidential run.

During his run for the Democratic nomination, Senator Gravel had accused Obama of being beholden to "corporatocracy" and "the military-industrial complex". While downplaying his previous denunciations as water under the bridge, Gravel did admit that strong disagreements still exist between him and the Senator from Illinois. This apparent chasm was highlighted by Gravel's insistence that he would turn down any offer to be in Barack Obama's cabinet should he become president.

Unlikely on the face of it, right? But stranger things have happened - often. And the Obama campaign isn't denying it:

A senior aide to the Obama campaign, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was premature to comment on the specific role Gravel would play in an Obama administration, but did state that the former senator from Alaska would be involved in creating an agency called The United States Electoral Trust, which would administer the legislative power of citizens at the federal level.

The aide also stressed the importance of the National Initiative in setting the Obama campaign apart from that of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. "Countries like Switzerland have shown that federal ballot initiatives can produce sound lawmaking," she said. "It's time that a major candidate for president got behind a serious proposal to entrust the people with the same power we place in the hands of our elected leaders. By adopting the National Initiative, Senator Obama is sending a clear signal that he trusts the American people to have a more direct role in their government."

This is major. I'm not entirely sure the National Initiative would really work, but it's certainly something we should all take a long look at. I mean, we're bigger than Switzerland, and some Californians I know think there needs to be a better way to make sure the propositions don't end up undercutting each other and the ability of the government to work at all, but Obama's a reasonably savvy guy and with some retooling - power to the people, eh?

Moreover, if Gravel can sell the libertarians on Obama, it's looking bleak for Clinton. Sure, there aren't a lot of them, but still. Her only chance, more and more, looks like gaming the delegates.

Anyway, there's more - and a video clip - over at Manila Ryce's blog - check it out.