Does anyone know anything about Jesse Ventura?

[UALRBSofL]

I know he was the Gov of Minnesota but he is talking like he might throw his hat in the ring? Listening to him talk he sounds like he doesn't like either party and he is pretty radical sounding. He's against the war, he thinks Clinton and Obama will be traditional beltway insiders. He was with the Reform Party but changed to Independent. He calls the current party of Bush as "chicken hawks", LOL.

[Maddy McCall]

1. He was a wrestler.

That's about all I know. :D

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. He's a libertarian for the most part.

He's been very critical of the war and supportive of the troops. I also loved it when he called religion a "crutch for weak-minded people". Obviously, that was the end of his political career.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. His vocal inflections are those of someone who is hard of hearing.

[MercutioATC]

4. Ever seen "Idiocracy"?

Jesse is just too "Idiocracy" for me.


(you'll understand if you've seen the movie)

[VolcanoJen]

11. That movie was HYSTERICAL

And, uncomfortable. Not so "futuristic" as it claimed to be. :-)

[MercutioATC]

20. It was filmed as political satire...and it does it well.

The backstory is great...

Mike Judge, the guy who did Office Space, wrote and directed it. With Office Space's cult following, Idiocracy should have been a shoo-in for decent box-office sales.

Depending on the rumor you listen to, either Judge got into a fight with the studio or the movie just offended too many big companies (CostCo, Starbucks (we don't have time for a handjob), Fuddruckers) and the studio cut off funding before postproduction was done. Judge had friends finish editing and the studio honored the absolute minimum requirements by contract...it was released in something like 22 theatres...all in the desert southwest...with zero promotion by the studio.

I think it's brilliance is in its spooky possibility. It's a modern comedic 1984.

[Pernambuco]

5. Yes. He seemed very independent

Ventura reminded me of Bloomberg, a candidate who followed his own beliefs, and had no strings attached to any parties.

[charlie]

6. The gum-chewing fathead

who stormed theatrically out of Wellstone's memorial as pretext for appointing anyone but a Democrat to the vacant seat? That guy?

[Swamp Rat]

9. LOL!

:D

[charlie]

19. The guy was a weirdo

To his credit, he was pretty straightforward and transparent, very unusual in a pol. But gawd, it seemed like he spent the bulk of his governorship merchandising and defending his intellectual property -- namely himself. He had a ceaseless fear that someone somewhere was making coin off his image, name, speeches, fashion sense, whatever.

And that big dustup with tweedy, nerdy Garrison Keillor. It was funny as hell, but I couldn't believe the galoot was dumb enough to get roped into that.

[ericgtr]

7. For better or worse the guy is brutally honest

and that's something you will never see from any candidate, at least not to that extent. I find him to be at least entertaining, he's a straight shooter.

[Forkboy]

8. "Jesse Ventura is basically proof that the people of Minnesota are not social drinkers."

Lewis Black

:rofl:

[LTR]

15. I lived in Minnesota during the Ventura years

He likely won in '98 due to his competition. When the other choices include Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey, Jesse Ventura looked pretty appealing.

[Forkboy]

17. Yeah, I know...it was still funny.

"But the event also points out whats great about our brand of democracy...anyone can be elected to any office. On the flip side, it also highlights what stinks about our democracy...anyone can be elected to any office."

Lewis kills me. :)

I can think of worse than Jesse though, so it's all in good fun.

[Maddy McCall]

18. LOL!

:rofl:

[LTR]

10. He has no love for either party

Though he did wind up endorsing Kerry in '04.

Often refers to the Republicans and Democrats as "the Bloods and the Crips.' Very much into third party politics. Had famously stormy relations with both parties while serving as governor. Also not too friendly with the media.

Not a very effective governor, but I've always kinda liked his candor and bluntness. It is kind of refreshing in this era of stiff kiss-ass politicians. Nobody can say the guy's a fraud.

[bilgewaterbill]

12. Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Pro wrestler. Starred in "Predator" w/ Schwarzenegger.

[Johnny__Motown]

13. Former Navy Seal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ventura

[dbonds]

14. He would probably take a chunk of the republican votes.

Which would give Dems a large advantage.

[anigbrowl]

16. There's this thing called google...

so I typed his name into it, and look what came up on top - an article about Jesse Ventura!!!!

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/01/america/Jesse-Ventura.php

also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ventura

He says he's not so impressed with the senate candidates in Minnesota, Norm Coleman (who he defeated in the governor's race) and Al Franken. I haven't been keeping up with Franken's run, I don't know how well his comedy schtick prepares him for serious politicking.

I have a high opinion of him - he did a good job as governor.

[Alii]

21. Agree, I too have a high opinion of him.

If you're able to listen, much of what he says makes sense.

And, he did say - VENTURA ON OBAMA: "Too me the best of what they're offering...new ideas."

Sometimes, though maybe undemocratic, I think that all voters should be able to pass the test required by those applying for citizenship and be able to pass a simple test based on the qualifications of all candidates. Books, biographies, debates, polls, etc. But, this is America, even the unintelligent have the right to vote...for Hillary.

Too many lemmings,

Go Barack Obama...