After years in the Army and the state legislature, Mike Gravel went to Washington.

He represented Alaska in the Senate from 1969-1981.

In 1971, he entered more than 4000 pages of the Pentagon Papers into the record of his subcommittee, making public, secrets about U.S. military involvement in Vietnam before the war.

Former Sen. Gravel says the U.S. military invasion of Iraq was against America's interests.

He wants an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Gravel advocates using diplomatic channels to tackle sectarian violence.

He believes the North American Free Trade Act is the real cause of illegal immigration, and that the construction of a fence between the U.S. and Mexico would simply be a cosmetic solution.

On health care, Gravel favors universal coverage through a sinlge-payer free voucher.

He proposes funding the program through a retail sales tax, also known as "fair tax."