The former senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the congressional record in 1971 tells a small group after his failed bids for the 2008 Democratic and Libertarian nominations: “This is the end of my political career.” But don’t worry about Mike Gravel. He certainly doesn’t: “What’s the worst thing that’s happened to me? I go back to a normal life? At my age? This is terrible?”

Related: Truthdig interviewed Gravel more than a year ago when he first launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Watch it:

Your support matters…

Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.

You can help level the playing field. Become a member.

Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.

Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG