As someone who voted for Ventura in 1998, let me remind Eastern media types that Ventura ran a serious campaign for governor and won because he absolutely killed both Skip Humphrey (a remarkably dim bulb) and Norm Coleman (an absolute snake) in debate after debate. It was, and remains, a novelty to hear a candidate for office respond to a question with a simple, "I don't know, but I'll look into it and get back to you," instead of some canned, off-subject BS. Ventura did that from time to time, as on one memorable question about the I-triple-R-B. And in Ventura's case, he regularly did come back in the next debate to address anything he didn't feel comfortable answering at the previous debate, and in nearly all cases he was better-informed and offered more sensible proposals than his opponents after just a day or two of study. In short, the guy did his homework, took the campaign seriously, and paid the voting public a lot more respect than they're used to.

Sadly, Ventura didn't have a political party in the legislature, and didn't have the stamina for a four-year administration. But he needs to be taken seriously if he gets into the race, not only in horse-race terms.

my guess is that if Ventura throws his steroid enlarged hat into the ring, Coleman's re election is assured.

Third party candidates almost always benefit the GOP, except in rare instances.

jaunty, Ventura's candidacy in 1998 hurt the GOP a lot more than it hurt Democrats, even though Ventura probably drew more votes away from the Democrat than he drew away from the Republican. The Democratic candidate was going to get his ass handed to him in that race with or without Ventura. So Ventura may have cost the Democrats more votes, but he cost the Republicans the election, which is what matters. Since he enters with a pretty solid 25 percent base of support, I think Ventura has a decent shot of doing the same in 2008 -- or even the reverse. He might offer Minnesota's many anti-Bush voters who are unwilling to back Franken somewhere else to go, and thereby either give Ventura the win or depress Coleman's support enough for Franken to win. As either outcome gets Norm freakin' Coleman out of the Senate, and as Franken probably can't defeat Coleman on his own, it's hard to see Ventura's candidacy as a negative for Democrats.

Rhubarbs you are an enigma wrapped in a riddle; You'd be the last person I would have expected to vote for Ventura, though I know you not at all.

Maybe Jesse can talk Vern Gagne into running as well.

They also call me "the body", but that's only because I look more dead than alive.

rhubs,,

I hope you're right. Rasmussen just has released a poll that has The Body with 24% and both Franken and Coleman reduced almost purportionately.

As mentioned, I hope you're right.

I keep confusing Jesse Ventura with Hulk Hogan, for which I should be sued for mental slander.

If Jesse's in, Al can start preparing his victory speech.

If Jesse's in, Al can start preparing his victory speech.

"Third party candidates almost always benefit the GOP, except in rare instances."

...such as Ross Perot?