Posted on 05/16/2008 8:27:13 AM PDT by seanmerc
Former Gov. Jesse Ventura said he "may" file the necessary papers to run for the U.S. Senate in the November election.
If he doesn't, his former campaign manager will.
Both are hinting at a run against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and likely Democratic candidate Al Franken this fall. The only question seems to be: Will it be Ventura, or the man who helped him become governor?
Ventura's former campaign manager, Dean Barkley, now works as a bus driver and gardens as a hobby.
"Ear to the dirt, listening to the pulse of the people," he joked Thursday.
But Barkley, who was appointed to the Senate for 62 days after Paul Wellstone died in 2002, said he is serious about going to Washignton again.
"I don't like either of the candidates out there," he said. "And if no one else will do it, I will."
As for Ventura, he refused to answer questions Thursday from reporters who showed up for his public book signing at Mall of America.
"Are you running for Senate?" a reporter asked.
"You're the media," Ventura mouthed before taking a question from someone else.
He eventually talked about his plans anyway.
"Now you're asking me to stop my latest quest, which is surfing," he said when asked about running for office again.
Ventura told the crowd that "none of the above" would be a better choice than Norm Coleman or Al Franken.
"I may go down and file," he added. "I will be "none of the above, and if I win, I'll go to Washington.
The Humprhey Institute's Larry Jacobs said the timing just might be right ... again.
"If it's Ventura, all bets are off," he said. "Voters are angry. And they're not very happy with the parties and the candidates in front of them."
He noted Ventura beat Coleman once before: Coleman was Ventura's Republican opponent when Ventura was elected governor, as an independent, in 1998.
Barkley said he and Ventura will talk to each other and then decide which one of them will run. He said they'll make the decision sometime before the filing deadline of July 15.
"Jesse's got first dibs," Barkley said.
As for Ventura's refusal to talk to the local media, he explained he felt he was treated unfairly when he was governor, and by not commenting now, "then it doesn't make you money."
He added: "And by stopping you from making money, that makes my heart feel good."
Ventura may well win this if he runs, but does he have the juice to put the hours and then the years in? The other guy seems more interested. If he (the campaign manager) runs who will he hurt more, Coleman or Funnyboy?
scary when this is the best we can muster up for washington....
I don’t think he has a chance of winning this time. Alot of idiots voted for him because of the novelty, or because he wasn’t part of the political scene. Most people here can’t stand “I was a Navy Seal” Janos.
That is a great picture! So damaging to Franken.
Ping
I was thinking he should go “hunting man” again and find that vandal.
This would torpedo Coleman either way. Pity, as this was one in my “GOP Win” column.
hehe. What a moron. Did you ever listen to him when he was on the radio show with Barbara? What a hoot that was.
His participation in the Senate race would bring some excitement. Even though I don’t agree with some of Ventura’s positions, getting rid of Senate incumbents on both sides of the aisle is worthwhile...
As nutty as Ventura is, if he runs against Franken, he’ll win.
One of two admitted steroid abusers elected governor of a state.
Go Jessie. Knock this pitiful so called comedian out of the race.
Ventura is a ‘Truther’.
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Jesse, you will still be "none of the above".
You're a beautiful dreamer via personal mindset however.
Jesse, you will still be "none of the above".
You're a beautiful dreamer via personal mindset however.
"Ain't gonna'" happen.
MSM fodder only.
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