The Libertarian Party wrapped up their largely ignored nomination process this weekend with former Republican Bob Barr taking the top spot. Barr beat out another party freshman, ex-Democrat Mike Gravel.

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While the Democratic presidential candidates are releasing limp responses to California's gay marriage ruling, former party member and newly minted Libertarian contender Mike Gravel took an extra step and used a word we love to hear: "Congratulations."

Here are the ever-tenacious Gravel's remarks, which he passed along exclusively to Queerty:

I congratulate the California Supreme Court for recognizing a self-evident truth: Marriage is a fundamental constitutional right that ALL Americans share! Anything short of marriage equality means second-class citizenship for gays and lesbians. Obama, Clinton and McCain choose to deny this truth but California just made their obstinate opposition much more difficult.

The California court dismissed the argument that “tradition” precludes same-sex marriage. Opponents of interracial marriage once shared this view. They were dead wrong just like opponents of gay marriage. As I said during the HRC/Logo debate, marriage is not about tradition but about love and what this world needs is more LOVE.

Next we must get all states to recognize the same sex marriages granted in California and other enlightened states. This is not a states rights issue, as many of my opponents argue.

Gay marriage, like civil rights for blacks, is a constitutional issue and individual rights must always trump states rights when they are in conflict. My fellow Libertarians who disagree ought to check the definition of libertarianism.

During the HRC/Logo debate I predicted that in five years the nation would embrace gay marriage. Thanks to California we have taken a giant leap toward that glorious day!

We've included footage of Gravel's "loving" remarks after the jump.

Before you dive in, however, consider the Libertarian dilemma. They could nominate Gravel, who proudly supports gay marriage and trans rights. Or they could nominate Bob Barr, the former Republican congressman Bob Barr, a backer of the Defense of Marriage Act. Decisions, decisions…

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Mike Gravel's not going down without a fight!

The former Alaska governor, who this week jumped from Democratic party to the Libertarians, sent us an exclusive letter pledging to fight for gay marriage. The issue, he says, has been ignored during this campaign, an absence he blames on both corporate media and his former colleagues in the Democratic party.

Read what adorable Gravel wrote, after the jump…

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Mike Gravel may have some competition! The presidential candidate, who yesterday ditched the Democrats for the Libertarian party, will now have to face off against former Congressman Bob Barr.

Georgian-based Barr told voters that he's "very seriously considering" throwing his name into the ring:

There’s been a tremendous expressed to me both directly and indirectly on the Internet. I take that support very seriously, and I think it also reflects a great deal of dissatisfaction with the current candidates and the current two-party system. So it is something, to be honest with you, that I’m looking very seriously at.

The move's a bit of a queer decision for former Republican Barr…

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Mike Gravel reminded the world of his presidential candidacy today when he announced he'll run as a Libertarian, rather than a Democrat. And he adorably cantankerous politico took the occasion to blast his former colleagues:

The fact is, the Democratic Party today is no longer the party of FDR. It is a party that continues to sustain war, the military-industrial complex and imperialism — all of which I find anathema to my views.

By and large, I have been repeatedly marginalized in both national debates and in media exposure by the Democratic leadership, which works in tandem with the corporate interests that control what we read and hear in the media.

I look forward to advancing my presidential candidacy within the Libertarian Party, which is considerably closer to my values, my foreign policy views and my domestic views.

Good for you, Mike! We appreciate your gumption, party criticism and civi dedication. As for your grasp of reality? Well, that's something else entirely.

Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel are the only Democratic presidential candidates that support gay marriage. Then why aren't these men garnering more pink partners? We'd say "pragmatism".

Kucinich disagrees: a vote for him is not "wasted".

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• Yeah, Christ's birth isn't big on our list of religious celebrations, but we do love Mariah Carey's carnal enthusiasm for the holiday!

• British gays taking advantage of civil partnerships.

• Did Beyonce and Jay-Z get married? Sources say "Yes!" Other sources say "No!"

• Adrian L. Acosta talks - and talks! - about taking his mother to a gay bar.

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Presidential candidate Mike Gravel would like to share a few words on Barack Obama's recent gay drama. Read what the gay-marriage supporting Democrat has to say for himself, after the jump.

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Are we having a flashback?

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel - one of the only candidates to support gay marriage - has not been invited to MSNBC's forthcoming presidential debate. Why? His bank account's not big enough.

In a move reminiscent of HRC's failed attempt to restrain Gravel, MSNBC says Gravel's simply not worth their time.

Read NBC director of campaigns Chuck Todd's explanation, after the jump…

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Mike Gravel may not be a front runner for the Democratic presidential ticket, but he's one of the most honest candidates out there.

And, as always, Gravel had lots to say during yesterday's Huffington Post, Yahoo! and Slate forum:

I am prepared to tell you that Americans are getting fatter and dumber. I have no problem saying that. I've also said that the Americans are going to get the government they deserve.

If only we'd get the government we need…

Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Gravel popped over to Real Time With Bill Maher this weekend. And, of coruse, the outspoken former Alaska Senator had something to say about Larry Craig's fall from grace.

Pragmatism and politics don't always blend, says Andrew Sullivan. The conservative journo spilled some virtual ink yesterday to take on the Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart, who participated in the gay forum.

…Capehart was selected as a questioner of the Democratic candidates by the Human Rights Campaign. He did a good job, I thought. He also fit the bill: a Democrat, and a pliant member of the gay establishment. But it seems to me that he represents something that plagues gay elites. To put it bluntly, they have limited conviction about their own equality, especially if it means challenging those who give them access to power.

After battling our many internal voices, we've got to agree with Sullivan - not necessarily about Capehart in particular, but definitely many mainstream gays' inability to stand up for what's actually right, rather than what's right for now. And, more importantly, dig into their candidates.

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Mike Gravel pulls no punches in his latest attack on arch-nemesis Senator Hillary Clinton.

Comparing Clinton to historic haters like Strom Thurmond, the Democratic presidential hopeful digs into Clinton's religious-like espousal of state's rights…

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Who wants to give Dennis Kucinich a big bear hug? The Ohio-born Congressman definitely "felt the love" last night at the Logo/HRC gay forum.

The diminutive Kucinich left the crowd wanting more, Senator Hillary Clinton left people cheering and poor Governor Bill Richardson, meanwhile, left us scratching our heads.

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Perhaps you don't get Logo. Perhaps you thought it'd be a bust. Perhaps you were getting laid for all two hours of it. Either way, we've condensed last night's HRC-Logo Democratic presidential candidate forum to a mere 11-minutes. Still sorta long, we know, but so were some Cliff's Notes in high school. That, and it's worth watching the whole clip. As you might've guessed, we did plenty of editing, but didn't take anything out of context (to our knowledge). But surely you'll find something awry.

At the very least: You can skip all the discussion threads on DailyKos.com and still feel like you're in tune with politics.