March 23, 2004
Presidential Politics, it's "FANtastic!"
Jesse “The Body” Ventura, former Minnesota governor and pro wrestler has all but thrown his hat in the ring for the 2008 presidential election. Ventura said yesterday, “It’s time to put a wrestler in the White House.”
Ventura also announced that his intended running mate is former NBA superstar Charles Barkley. Barkley has expressed interest in holding elected office previously, including rumors he might run for governor of Alabama.
Do they stand a shot in 2008? Did anyone think Ventura could be elected governor before he won, or that action star Arnold Schwarzenegger could become governor of California? What could this ticket do to the race?
My super liberal law school prof said he would support Jesse for president because he thinks that “the body” is perhaps the only person who could break through the 2party dominant system we have. Consider ventura has many libertarian leanings, I might join in that support, although i would obviously want to see more from him in terms of his proposal and who he plans to put on his staff ect.
Posted by: Misha Tseytlin at March 23, 2004 07:54 PMMy feeling is, you got to have a candidate that’s more than just window dressing for the cause. Put up someone who is both the most interesting spokesman and the most competent representative for your cause.
Heck, going for name recognition is what got us in trouble with Bush in the first place.
Posted by: Stephen Daugherty at March 23, 2004 10:38 PMStephen, I agree with you for the most part in regards to a candidate being both an “interesting spokesman and the most competent representative.” I have been highly critical of both Arnold Schwarzenegger’s election in California and Ralph Nader’s presidential runs.
While both of these gentlement may be the interesting spokesmen, they have not demonstrated their competency in governing. Ideas and platforms are one thing, but do tha have the ability to maneuver the system to see them through?
This makes Ventura an interesting candidate in that he has a more traditional political track record and a level of success. Having served in the military, as a mayor and a governor, Ventura has a background I’d feel comfortable with for a candidate and thus could take his seriously as a third party candidate.
As for Barkley, well I’m not so sure about his resume, but he’d sure be a fun VP!
Posted by: blipsman at March 23, 2004 10:48 PMventura going to get the votes cause hes articulate and well spoken ilove his voice and every thing about him cheers ventura!!!!
Posted by: tina at April 7, 2004 12:55 AM
