Gov. Jesse Ventura (I-Minnesota) Considering Senate Bid To Unseat Incumbent Democrat Paul Wellstone

The Sunday New York Times ^ | December 2, 2001 | Election/Government Section

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To hear the political buzz in Minnesota-and that is all it is-Gov. Jesse Ventura is giving some thought to trying to unseat Sen. Paul Wellstone next year instead of seeking re-election.

Governor Ventura, a famously vocal independent, usually has a comment on just about everything.

But of his political future, he has said nothing definitive, refusing not only to address the Senate rumour but also to say whether he will run for a second term as governor.

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Comments are in the middile of the article if you are registered with the news service.

[JZoback]

Sen. Paul Wellstone needs to be defeated, even by Jesse "The Mindless" Ventura.

Jesse, sure would be an interesting Senator.

Think of the photo opps with Little Tommy Dashole.

He would need three phone books to sit on

Do you think feather boas would be in style? Condit might even take to wearing on in the House floor

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Jeese would get along good with Ben 'Nighthorse' Campbell.

[Balding_Eagle]

That puts him well ahead of Wellstone

[GreatOne]

Won't happen. Even though Jesse is adored by the national press, and he hates the Minnesota pundits, he wants to be The Man wherever he goes. Being one of 50 Senators and not being able to go off on someone are not his style. Plus, although no dummy, mastering the rules of the Senate regarding passing bills, debate, etc. is a bit much for him to handle.

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Anything to get more 'rats out of the Senate is OK by me..

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It would be absolutely hilarious, Jesse and Strom photo ops, Jesse and Orrin Hatch-the possibilites boggle the mind.

[RJayneJ]

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[Oldeconomybuyer]

I would LOVE to see Wellstone get his arse kicked by Jesse. Go Jesse Go!

[tpaine]

Better a clown than a clone.

-- Gotta love having one more [semi-independant] clown in the senate, instead of the usual clones from either party.

And as we can see, this is a big threat to party hacks.

[Jethro Tull]

Question: What has Paul Wellstone done that a RINO Senator from Minnesota would have done differently?

Wellstone is my example of an honest liberal, and for that I'm greatful.

Honest liberals, although political light years away from true conservatives on some issues,
are OK in my book.

PS: Many non Pubbies would vote for Wellstone over, lets say,,,Liddy Dole....

[GreatOne]

I agree with that. Jesse would definitely go off on anyone who tried to tell him what to do, and he's powerful enough with the national media that he could go to them if someone tried to twist his arm. He'd be an independent, so he wouldn't necessarily be beholden to either side. However, since his staff now is entirely made up of disaffected DemoRats, that's probably who he'd caucus with.

As he has done with the governorship, he'd make it interesting.

[mbb bill]

Ventura does not follow Dashole and leahy around drooling!!

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I think Jesse may turn Republican if Ben Campbell would work on him a little bit.

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I'm not so sure he would caucus with the 'rats, most of his positions seem Pubbie to Libertarian,

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I think that race between Wellstone and Jesse would be a lot closer than most think.

[Theodore R.]

No, Jesse Ventura would get along well with the liberals in the Senate, for he is a total social liberal who sometimes hates to see public funds "wasted." Just because he claims to have been a Navy SEAL (this claim, as I understand it, is disputed), asdoes not make this egomaniac a conservative. He would work well with Daschle and Feinstein and the other liberals. He could even be Daschle's nonpaid bodyguard. I don't think the Bush "pick," Norm Coleman, is "up" (in the preposition of that other Jesse -- Jesse Helms) to run again against Ventura. Look for Coleman to pull out of the Senate race if Ventura enters!

[Dane]

Look for Coleman to pull out of the Senate race if Ventura enters!

Huh, no way. It would turn into a three way race just like the 98 governors race. With Ventura taking more voters away from Wellstone than Coleman, IMHO.

[Clara Lou]

Well... since it's Wellstone he wants to replace.