Jesse Ventura Eyes 2008 Presidential Bid

[Guest Vitamin X]

Jesse Ventura Eyes 2008 Presidential Bid

By KAREN TESTA, AP

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (April 15) - Refreshed from a semester as a visiting professor at Harvard University, former pro wrestler and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura says he's considering an independent run for the White House in 2008, although he acknowledges that being leader of the free world might be too confining for him.

 

"That's an issue with me. I love my freedom," Ventura said in an interview with The Associated Press at his office at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. "The part that would bug me is I wouldn't be able to get up in the night and drive to the 7-11 for a Slurpee, not without them blocking off the roads, welding the manhole covers shut, and everything else that goes along with it."

 

Ventura has not made a firm decision on a presidential run. He is weighing the concerns of his wife, Terry, who has told him she won't go with him if he wins the White House. His solution: move the White House to Minnesota.

 

"What would hold me back would be my family. The brutality of the campaign, the ruthlessness of the Democrats and Republicans," he said. "If it looks like I might win, there's no telling what they would do. They're very desperate people when it comes to third parties."

 

Still, Ventura speaks like a man preparing to be a candidate. He said he'll decide next year because he'll need plenty of time to get on the ballot. And he won't have a political affiliation - "No party, no nothing," he said.

 

He's already come up with a campaign message: "Elect someone who truly is not controlled by special-interest money. With me, you would get a true check and balance," Ventura said.

 

One of his first acts would be to try to abolish the income tax in favor of a sales tax, which Ventura says is a better indicator of wealth.

 

Ventura, 52, shocked the political establishment in 1998 when he used his message of social liberalism and fiscal conservatism - and his sizable personality - to defeat two better-known and better-funded candidates to become the first third-party governor of Minnesota.

 

But he left office four years later, disillusioned and discouraged after a frustrating final year.

 

His semester at Harvard - including parties until the wee hours - has renewed his faith in America and his political ambitions, he said.

 

"The best way I can describe it is rehab," Ventura said. "For someone getting out of office like me, even though I've been out for over a year now, it's equivalent I think to an alcoholic or the drug addict going to the Betty Ford clinic."

 

Harvard took a calculated risk in inviting the boisterous Ventura, a former Navy SEAL, talk-show host and movie star with only a high school diploma. In his pro wrestling persona, The Body, he draped himself in a pink feather boa.

 

Harvard Institute of Politics director Dan Glickman, the former congressman and Clinton administration agriculture secretary, said he knew some people privately questioned whether Ventura belonged. Yet by the end of the semester, which concludes Friday, some faculty poked around Ventura's office, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man whose study groups were unconventional but always well attended.

 

"Quite frankly, he's an important historical force in American politics," Glickman said.

 

 

Motherfucker looks like Castro now. He loses South Florida immediately.

[Guest Nanks]

Jesse Ventura Eyes 2008 Presidential Bid

although he acknowledges that being leader of the free world might be too confining for him.

 

"That's an issue with me. I love my freedom," Ventura said in an interview with The Associated Press at his office at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. "The part that would bug me is I wouldn't be able to get up in the night and drive to the 7-11 for a Slurpee, not without them blocking off the roads, welding the manhole covers shut, and everything else that goes along with it."

 

I get the feeling that he could probably convince someone to get a slurpee for him if he were President....

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

This November, I wouldn't support him.

 

But, I wouldn't mind voting for him in 2008

[Styles 0]

So, will Vince fund his campaign if he runs on that inane "I think we need a wrestler in the White House in 08" platform?

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Last time I saw him he had a Bic'd head and a silver moustache. Now he's the posterchild for Just for Men.

[Guest thebigjig]

But he left office four years later, disillusioned and discouraged after a frustrating final year.

So he couldn't handle the heat as a GOVERNOR but somehow he thinks he can handle being president??

 

yeah right

[Guest Smues]

I'd vote for him.

[NoCalMike 0]

He is a better canidate then Kerry or Bush, IMO. For 2008, well he is easily better then Jeb Bush, if that who is lined up next.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I'd vote for him too.

 

He better start campaigning right after this election though. He has to get a lot of young people to register to vote if he's to have a prayer.

 

He won in Minnesota because you could register to vote at the booth...and first time voters did that in force.

[Vyce 0]

He is a better canidate then Kerry or Bush, IMO. For 2008, well he is easily better then Jeb Bush, if that who is lined up next.

I have no idea where the Jeb Bush idea started, but I can tell you that not even the most insane Republicans would think of nominating him for 2008.

 

I'm not sure who will get picked. People throw Rice's name out, but I find that silly too, because no matter how much we like to pretend that we've come a long way in this country, the chances of America voting a black woman into the White House can be summed up in three words: slim and none.

 

If I had to pull names out of my ass, I suppose that people would consider McCain again (although he's acting a little too much like a RINO these days to really count on support from the base). I think Bill Frist would maybe have a shot. Rudy Guiliani is another possibility. And who knows? Maybe someone will actually convince Powell to give it a go.

 

But Jeb Bush? Naw. No one's that crazy.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Frist and Owens are the favorites for 2008.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

I'm not saying anything is definate, but if Kerry wins, George W. could try running in 2008. Take that Grover Cleveland!

 

But, if Bush wins, i'm sure the GOP race will be interesting

[Vern Gagne 0]

I think Bush is done with politics if he loses. He's gone through more his first term, than most Presidents do in 2 terms.

[Secret Agent 0]

I'd be surprised in Hillary Clinton didn't try for it in 2008.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

Hilary Clinton and Jeb Bush would be the absolute worst possible nominees for their respective parties in 2008.

 

Right now I'm betting on Frist for the GOP and Edwards for the Dems (if Bush beats Kerry). Of course, plenty could happen between now and 2008.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Motherfucker looks like Castro now. He loses South Florida immediately.

But he'll win the Berkeley vote.

 

California's electoral votes > Florida's electoral votes...

[Mole 0]

Is he holding a blunt?

[Guest Choken One]

no...thats called a CIGAR.

[Guest Choken One]

no...thats called a CIGAR.

[Guest thebigjig]

What's Venturas record as governor? I have no idea, but I know he wasnt exactly PRAISED much for anything he did... I heard someone call him a "failure" back when he announced he would not seek a second term

 

I'm a fan of Jesse's work in wrestling... but I think it's INSANE to vote for a failed fluke governor of a state no one cares about, especially if he couldn't take the pressure

[Guest Vitamin X]

Motherfucker looks like Castro now. He loses South Florida immediately.

But he'll win the Berkeley vote.

 

California's electoral votes > Florida's electoral votes...

But what state made the difference last time?

[NoCalMike 0]

What's Venturas record as governor? I have no idea, but I know he wasnt exactly PRAISED much for anything he did... I heard someone call him a "failure" back when he announced he would not seek a second term

 

I'm a fan of Jesse's work in wrestling... but I think it's INSANE to vote for a failed fluke governor of a state no one cares about, especially if he couldn't take the pressure

I don't know details, but I remember him saying he wasn't running again because he was fed up with the system and he thought after you serve you should go back to getting a regular job instead of trying to be a career politician.

[Guest thebigjig]

What's Venturas record as governor? I have no idea, but I know he wasnt exactly PRAISED much for anything he did... I heard someone call him a "failure" back when he announced he would not seek a second term

 

I'm a fan of Jesse's work in wrestling... but I think it's INSANE to vote for a failed fluke governor of a state no one cares about, especially if he couldn't take the pressure

I don't know details, but I remember him saying he wasn't running again because he was fed up with the system and he thought after you serve you should go back to getting a regular job instead of trying to be a career politician.

I dont blame him for being fed up with the system... but come on! Washington has gotta be 500X WORSE

[Mole 0]

no...thats called a CIGAR.

It looks more like a blunt.

[Highland 0]

He's definately using the right grip for a blunt...

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I don't know details, but I remember him saying he wasn't running again because he was fed up with the system and he thought after you serve you should go back to getting a regular job instead of trying to be a career politician.

Basically, being an independant meant both parties' propaganda machines were working against him.

 

The first smark I met was a guy in MN who voted for him as a joke, was regretful after he actually won.

[Vyce 0]

I think Bush is done with politics if he loses. He's gone through more his first term, than most Presidents do in 2 terms.

Here's the thing about being an ex-president - you're fucking set for life.

 

It doesn't matter if you get one term or not, you win either way. You pretty much get to chill out in your nice little presidential library and go around the country making public speeches for tens of thousands of dollars a pop.

 

If I was Bush, and I lost - I wouldn't even dream of running again. I'd enjoy my early retirement and go drink tequila down in my Texas ranch.

[Guest MikeSC]

I think Bush is done with politics if he loses. He's gone through more his first term, than most Presidents do in 2 terms.

Here's the thing about being an ex-president - you're fucking set for life.

 

It doesn't matter if you get one term or not, you win either way. You pretty much get to chill out in your nice little presidential library and go around the country making public speeches for tens of thousands of dollars a pop.

 

If I was Bush, and I lost - I wouldn't even dream of running again. I'd enjoy my early retirement and go drink tequila down in my Texas ranch.

Even if you do nothing, you get, what, well over $100,000/year plus security for the rest of your life?

 

Not a bad gig.

-=Mike

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Motherfucker looks like Castro now. He loses South Florida immediately.

But he'll win the Berkeley vote.

 

California's electoral votes > Florida's electoral votes...

But what state made the difference last time?

Well, if Bush had won California the answer would be neither.

 

I guess Florida's far-sighted Jew population is dumber than Cali's...

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

The real question is, who here would vote for him?