Ventura Choice Adds to Senate Uncertainty

Washington Post ^ | 11/5/02 | Helen Dewar

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's choice of longtime ally Dean Barkley as temporary successor to the late Sen. Paul D. Wellstone (D-Minn.) gives the Senate a second independent member and adds to the uncertainty over which party is likely to control the narrowly divided Senate in a post-election session scheduled to start Nov. 12.

Barkley, 52, is one of Ventura's closest advisers and a co-founder of the state's third-party movement. He helped persuade Ventura to run for governor in 1998 and managed his campaign. He ran twice for the Senate as an independent and, while losing, drew enough votes to put Ventura's Independence Party -- which grew out of Ross Perot's Reform Party -- on the ballot.

An attorney who describes himself as a fiscal conservative with a libertarian bent on social issues, Barkley in the past has supported public financing of campaigns, tighter controls on entitlement spending, constraints on government growth, a "flat" income tax with a surtax on high incomes, abortion rights and recognition for gay marriages. He has been head of the state's planning office...

[Dog Gone]

There's really no point worrying about it until we have the election results. It might be incredibly important, or it might be entirely moot.

[alloysteel]

This sounds like ol' Jesse just aimed a kick right to the scrotum on Tom Daschle and the Democrat Senate leadership. They must have really p*ssed the Guv off, but good, with their orgastic display of partisanship at the "memorial" for Paul Wellstone.

[COBOL2Java]

This sounds like ol' Jesse just aimed a kick right to the scrotum on Tom Daschle and the Democrat Senate leadership.

Didn't need to aim very high.

[The Person]

Maybe this is unlike MO. Here the new guy serves til January. If this guy caucuses with the Republicans, then Bush can push through the judges in Nov. & December, even if the Republicans lose the election.

Don't put it past the Dems to refuse to seat him.

[Sonar5]

I think he will Caucus with the Republican party. Here is why.

Yesterday on Fox News, John Gibson asked him a few questions. He said he was fiscally conservative, but liberal on some social issues.

Here is the inportant part. When Gibson asked him about Judges, he said he would not support activist judges, and belived in struct constructionists. Those that would follow the constitution.

Of course, it may all be moot tomorrow, but who knows, maybe our President will be able to appoint starting Nov 12th.

Regards,

[Sonar5]

Ok my spelling stinks today, it should have said strict constructionist.

BTW - In Illinois, its raining and I had to wait in line. Last time it rained was when Fitzgerald be mosley-braun.

GI JIM RYAN for Gov. In Illinois. Our AG Race is also tight as the demorat madigan tried to link Joe Birkett with the sniper in an ad. Some leap.