Mike Gravel - What's he been smokin'?

From the Chicago Tribune:

Former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska hasn't been heard from for quite some time in his quixotic quest for the Democratic presidential nomination and perhaps there's a reason why.

In the days when he was invited to debates, detractors likened the 77-year-old former senator to the cranky uncle who lives in the attic.

No longer invited to debates, Gravel on Sunday night appeared at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter to speak to its high school students and showed no sign his campaign had gone up in smoke. Indeed, in a contest of booze versus pot, Gravel said light 'em up.

"I'm sure a lot of you have tripped out on alcohol," Gravel told the students. "It's a lot safer to do it on marijuana."

As if that wasn't enough, according to a tape of the appearance shown by WMUR-TV in New Hampshire, Gravel advised, "And with respect to other drugs, if you've got a problem with coke, go to a doctor, get a prescription and get it filled at a drug store.

According to WMUR, Gravel told the high school students that buying drugs legally will help them stay away from becoming a criminal.