So I just got done watching Wrestlemania 20. Jesse Ventura came out and did an interview with Donald Trump. They babbled on about The Apprentice for a few minutes, and then Ventura ended it by (what sounded to me like) declaring his candidacy for President of the U.S. in 2008.
From what I’ve picked up, it seems that most thought he did a pretty good job as governor of Minnesota. I’m assuming he would run as an independant. Could we actually end up with a decent three way race?
He went to his Inaugaral Party wearing a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt and a shocking pink feather boa. That was cool. Beyond that, he didn’t fuck up real bad. But you have to keep in mind that MN is one of those “weak governor” states, where power is misappropriated by the legislature, rather than the trust being misplaced in the governor. The governor has the soveriegn power to declare the Rutabaga Festival officially open. He also would have the right to commute death sentences, if we had such. That’s pretty much it.
If Jesse Venture were elected President of the US I wouldn’t know whether to shit, go blind, or join Hairy Krishna.
Hell, I’d vote for him, but I think his announcement was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. He might just feel that he ought to be the first member of the Predator cast to make it to the White House, and now that Arnold is breathing down his neck…
Ventura didn’t run for a second term as governor because it was clear he had no chance. His approval ratings were under 30%. His party also pretty much tanked and only picked up something like 15% of the vote in the governor’s race and has won a grand total of 1 legislative seat in MN.
In addition, Ventura only picked up 37% of the vote in a three-way race in the first place.
“AND THE OHIO SENATOR IS UP ON THE ROPES! IT’S A FULL SWING AROUND FOR JESSE AND OOOOOH LOOK AT THAT!!! RIGHT TO THE MAT! 1…2…3… ding-ding-ding…” Crowd goes wild.
Maybe he could run with a wrestling VP as well. I can see it now: “2009 Federal Budget Steel Cage Match”
A caller to a radio station summed it up well. He said something like:
“One candidate wanted to take my money and give it to the poor. The other wanted to take my money and give it to the rich. In the middle, not wanting to take my money and using tax money to benefit me was Jesse. That’s why I voted for him”
I didn’t vote for Jesse but I wasn’t displeased that he won at the time.
National election? I don’t think he stands a chance as his competition will not be so flawed.
However, again, he ran a very effective and strong campaign. That is why he won. He also was extremely good (EXTREMELY) at getting out the youth vote.
Thanks to Arrested Development Carl Weathers has gotten more exposure lately than Jesse. It could be an interesting three-man Death Match–I mean, race.
I voted for him in 1998 and I’d vote for him again today. 8^)
You’ve never seen bi-partisan politics like the kind in MN of the Senate Dems and the House Repubs working together to fight a third party tooth and nail. Between his constant battles with the press and the stonewalling by the legistlators, Jesse hated the job by the end. He won’t run again.
I voted for Ventura and would again. I tended to agree with a lot of his viewpoints. He tended to be fiscally conservative, socially liberal, and pro-gun which I would think would attract a lot of national voters (IMO, only). I’m surprised that he would even joke about re-entering politics what with all of the “jackals” still in the wings.
I’m sad to see him gone, especially since we’ve got Pawlenty whose word has reveresed about Native American Casinos or the oft voted down stadium taxes.