Former Sen. Mike Gravel Slams 'Empty Shirts' in 2020 Dem Field

Former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, bashed many of the Democratic presidential candidates on Tuesday — just hours ahead of the debate.

"There's just a lot of empty shirts," Gravel told Hill.TV during an interview shown on Tuesday.

Gravel, who suspended his own presidential campaign in August, singled out South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

"Buttigieg is an example of an empty shirt — that's the reason why mainstream media likes him because he's not threatening," he said.

Gravel claimed there were only three candidates who should remain in the race: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

• Warren Rips Dem Hopefuls for 'Hobnobbing' With the Rich
• Poll: Warren Expected to Do the Best in Dem Debate