Ventura dangles idea of 2016 presidential bid

[TexasTowelie]

Source: AP

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Just back from his part-time home in Mexico, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura dangled the idea Friday that he could run for the U.S. presidency in 2016.

Ventura eagerly volunteered the possibility while at Minnesota's Capitol — and pushed back against skepticism that he would re-enter the political fray after being out of office since 2003. It's hardly the first time the publicity savvy Ventura has broached the idea he would run for the White House or Senate, only to pass on a campaign.

He said the next race is "an opportune time" for an independent like him to run because there will be no incumbent. He said he's approached radio shock jock Howard Stern about being his running mate, and Stern expressed interest.

-snip-

"The key to this next election I think will be a candidate who doesn't belong to a political party and who has the ability to rise above the mainstream and get the press, which I've never had a problem doing," Ventura said.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Ventura-dangles-idea-of-2016-presidential-bid-4567031.php

[MADem]

1. Oh, good gravy! nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Well, we needed someone to provide comic relief

since Michele Bachmann announced her departure. Jesse is always great for entertainment.

[TexasTowelie]

3. I usually don't do comic relief on Friday night.

However, I'm planning on posting some Friday Night Catnip in the Music Appreciation group in a little while--more psychedelic music from the 60s.

[tavalon]

4. Rilly? Rilly?!

Oh, yes, do that, Jesse.

[Iliyah]

5. Oh hell, Rand Paul,

got some competition. Is it me or for the past two presidential cycles the crazier potential candidates are coming forth?

[naaman fletcher]

6. If he is against the too big to indcit banks, I will vote for him

Last edited Fri May 31, 2013, 11:54 PM - Edit history (1)

There are three BIG issues in the world:

The drug war/police state: Ventura is on the right side
The overseas wars: Ventura is on the right side
The too big to indict banks: I think he is on the right side, but I'm not sure


I will vote for the person who is on the right side of those issues. Hopefully it will be Elizabeth Warren, but if she doesn't run and it is Ventura, well so be it.

[ruffburr]

18. +1

[H2O Man]

24. I agree.

Those are what good democrats are in favor of.

I would vote for Warren or Ventura, without a doubt.

[newmember]

27. That would be one hell of a ticket

[Ikonoklast]

49. Ventura believes "Global Warming" is a conspiracy.

FFS.

He's a complete fraud, and fools gullible people who only hear him bloviate in a loud voice about subjects that he is totally ignorant about.

[demosincebirth]

76. I do agree.

[arcane1]

77. No attack ads needed, just clips of his absurd TV show

He went all-in on the "2012" madness, after all

[bbgrunt]

41. yes! time to stop the snark and look at issues

[Zoeisright]

43. If you would ever vote for Venture, then you don't know much about him.

He's a complete bully and a conspiracy nut. The guy has the intellectual capacity of a grapefruit. I live in MN and the years under that dipshit were horrible. Plus, his ego is the size of Mars. If you'd vote for him, you are NOT a Democrat.

[naaman fletcher]

48. You're right

I guess I will vote for someone who is for:

The drug war

The afghan war

Too big to indict banks.

Now THAT will make me a democrat!

[snot]

50. I'd be interested in specific examples of his mistakes as Gov.

The main thing I see against him as far as the Wikipedia entry goes is that he was anti-union. But he got public school education and mass transit via light rail funded, supported gay rights and abortion rights, and opposed the death penalty.

[Brickbat]

72. He was not a good governor.

While he liked the idea of making statements and having opinions, he really hated the idea of governing. He was contemptuous of the state House and Senate and seemed disappointed he wasn't king.

He ran on many ideas that sounded great: reducing class sizes, increased funding for secondary education, gay rights, and so on -- lots of things I believe in. In office, though, he was an embarrassment -- whining about the media, demanding extra security for his family, shutting down the governor's mansion (putting many state workers out of a job), abandoning the class-size idea, overhauling property taxes in a way that was devastating for school districts in vacation areas, running down the surplus by giving citizens tax refunds, and so on.

He very much came across as a "governing is harrrrrrrrd!" type person and for all his "I'M A NAVY SEAL!" swagger, he is very thin-skinned and defensive. The tone he set as a king on a throne made it difficult for either party in the Legislature to put something together.

[snot]

89. Thanks.

[Corey_Baker08]

69. His Candidacy Could Prove Fatal To The Democratic Nominee For President...

I think it is extremely important to recognize that while Jesse Ventura ran for Governor as an Independent Candidate, it was Democrats & Independent voters who made up a majority of his voting base thus winning the election.

Now think about this, Should Gov Ventura become the Independent 3rd party's nominee for President I fear that in the general election independents and disinfranchised Democrats, to whom usually vote for the Democratic Candidates, perhaps these voters will turn out to vote for Gov Ventura & even in the smallest percentile these voters could effectively Ralph Nader our Democratic nominee for President just like in the 2000 election....

[Ikonoklast]

47. Ventura is an idiot. You would vote for Rand Paul, using your reasoning.

Read up on how much Minnesota despises that loud-mouthed do-nothing blowhard.

[cstanleytech]

67. But, wouldnt voting for an idiot actually be an improvement over voting for Rand Paul?

[SkyDaddy7]

56. He is also a climate change DENIER...

Not to mention all the other NUT JOB ideas he has!! Jesse Ventura is no different than Alex Jones.

I would NEVER EVER vote for him...He is for allowing anyone & everyone to own assault weapons because we might need to overthrow the NWO!! LOL!! NO NO NO I would nEVER EVER vote for such an incompetent TOOL!!

[Brickbat]

71. The only thing Jesse Ventura is on "the right side of" is Jesse Ventura.

It's all about him.

[struggle4progress]

7. I guess he might still have all the eight-year-old voters in his pocket

[newmember]

8. He could do a lot better than people think

He could even win.

People are fed up with congress and the senate being bought and sold to the highest bidder.
They are tired of Presidents saying one thing during campaigns and doing another when they win office.

And that includes Obama.

I don't know if he would be any different than the current President and the former one.

But if he walks the walk like he speaks then I would vote for him

I also think his cabinet choices would be very interesting

[Hoyt]

17. You would vote for hiM over a Democrat?

[newmember]

20. I would vote for anyone that will get us out of these endless wars

[Hoyt]

25. Too bad you don't feel same way about domestic arms industry.

[Iliyah]

21. Nope.

Divided we fall. Together we stand. One thing I do remember about Jesse, he stands with the people, the 47%ers. He may be for MaryJane, no more wars, and getting the big arse banks, but he also realizes reality. Nope to bringing the big banks to justice. Wars probably, become isolation nope - we feed on other economies, as to weed, finally Americans understand that the Native Indians knew something wonderful.

[Brickbat]

73. He wanted the state of Minnesota to reimburse his wife $25,000 when she had to close down her horse-

breeding business to be the First Lady of the state. Quite a man of the people, that one.

[Tarheel_Dem]

60. Ventura is Rand Paul, with more name recognition. Anyone who would even entertain.....

this is as ridiculous as they are. I can only wonder if this is what Skinner had in mind when he founded DU? Putting Alex Jones, or a reasonable facsimile, in the White House couldn't have been Skinner's ultimate goal for DU.

Vote for Democrats.

Winning elections is important — therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

You may have taken a wrong turn?

[naaman fletcher]

75. Whatever

Ventura certainly isn't perfect, but do you think he is for abolishing social security and medicaid, etc? That is what it would take to say that he is Rand Paul

[Tarheel_Dem]

81. Climate change is a hoax? I thought that was one of the purity tests for liberals?

And as far SS & Medicaid, you tell me.

[naaman fletcher]

82. What did I say about climate change?

I think ventura is ok on SS& medicaid, but I'm not sure. I'm not saying i like the guy,

I simply pointed out that the three biggest issues facing us today (in my opinion) are:

1. The security state/drug war
2. foreign wars
3. too big to indict.

It's not my fault that the party is wrong on all these issues.

[Tarheel_Dem]

83. The three biggest according to whom?

And yes, Ventura is a climate change denier, which internet liberals "claim" is a huge priority to be a progressive these days. Of course, I think you're all full of crap. You blame Obama & Democrats for everything, and credit them for nothing. Yet you seemingly don't have a problem with those outside the party who may differ with you on some issues you "claim" to be important. Talk about counterproductive.

[naaman fletcher]

85. WTF are you talking about?

The three biggest according to whom?

According to me, I said that clearly.

And yes, Ventura is a climate change denier, which internet liberals "claim" is a huge priority to be a progressive these days

OK, I didn't know Ventura was a climate change denier.


. Of course, I think you're all full of crap. You blame Obama & Democrats for everything, and credit them for nothing.

What are you talking about? When did I say ANY such thing? Are you responding to the wrong post?

Yet you seemingly don't have a problem with those outside the party who may differ with you on some issues you "claim" to be important. Talk about counterproductive.

Again, WTF are you talking about? Did I say ANYTHING that in any way reflects what you are claiming I supposedly believe?

[davidpdx]

9. He's going to give up "living off the grid" to campaign?

Yeah right!

[Mz Pip]

10. Oh FFS.

I can see it now. Ventura/Trump, because you can never have too much crazy.

[newmember]

13. Was Ventura a birth certificate truther?

Tell me he wasn't please.

[alp227]

16. Ventura no, Trump yes. n/t

[Mz Pip]

19. I don't know about birther stuff

But I seem to remember he's kind of into conspiracy theory stuff. Can't remember the specifics right now. I'll try to find something on it.
On edit: Here it is. He had a TV show on conspiracy theories.

http://www.trutv.com/shows/conspiracy-theory/index.html

[newmember]

23. He had a show about it

Some of the stuff proved to be real and not just conspiracies
He's an anti war guy which I like ( a lot)

He's also very much against the patriot act and the drone strikes that happen .

There's a lot about him I like.

You just never know how the highest office in the land can change a person once they have it ?

[Iliyah]

28. I think you already know the answers.

Nice try, but . ..

[newmember]

29. Answers about what ? I posted he had a show

I never heard him mention anything about Obamas birth certificate on the show or in any interview.

If you have something about it post it.

[JustAnotherGen]

51. +1

it would make for an interesting side show - wouldn't it?

[CBHagman]

11. Because America needs one more embarrassing public figure.

Donald Trump. Michele Bachmann. Seriously, is it open season for chewing through the restraints or something?

[TygrBright]

12. Thank heavens! For a coupla days there, MN was in danger of losing its "crazy cred!" n/t

[TexasTowelie]

14. LOL!

Well according to the 10th amendment, each state has the right to set it's own standards.

[calimary]

39. LOL!!!

[alp227]

15. Minneapolis Star Tribune article

Jesse Ventura says 2016 offers best shot for independent presidential candidate

He showed up at a State Capitol reception Friday in a tie-dyed shirt and bluejeans, showing off his “six-pack” abs to reporters and suggesting that he is in fighting shape should his nation come calling.

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who rarely returns to the Capitol offices he occupied from 1999 to 2003, took the opportunity to say that an independent fellow like him would make an excellent candidate for president in 2016.

Is he saying he’s running? Of course not. But he likes to dangle the possibility.

At a gathering that included three other governors — Gov. Mark Dayton and former Govs. Arne Carlson and Tim Pawlenty celebrating the retirement of State Patrol Sgt. Tony Policano, who helped protect them all — Ventura mentioned his expansive vision.

“I said that 2016 is an opportune moment because there’ll be no incumbent,” he told reporters after the reception. “I believe one issue that would carry me to victory … I would give the people of America to their first opportunity to elect a president who doesn’t belong to either party, since George Washington.”

[midnight]

22. I have been told he is responsible for Minnesota getting their high speed rail, and even though

walker gave away Wisconsin's money to be part of the rail system, Minnesota is building it for Wisconsin.... Thank you Minnesota.... Now I know where Minnesota nice comes from....

[SugarShack]

26. I love Jesse but the Stern thing has already hurt him. So he can't be serious, as last time.

[BlueStreak]

30. If Stern turns him down, I think PeeWee Herman might be available

If he had mentioned a credible name, I might have taken this seriously. I do think he is not afraid to ask questions that make both parties uncomfortable. My guess is that would play well with the teabaggers.

[newmember]

31. He would do well with them , he would also

do well with many progressives , with the occupy crowd , with people against the war on drugs...
which are many . He would also do well with unions because he believes in people being paid a living wage.

He would do well with a whole lot of people

[BlueStreak]

32. Maybe we need a voice like that in the process.

There surely isn't much motivations today for a Democratic candidate to take any risks. They all shadow the right wing positions as closely as they can, always trying to be just slightly left of the GOP's most extreme position.

If nothing else, Maybe Jesse's voice would force the Democratic candidate to actually speak about traditional Democratic principles. Correction, Obama spoke about them, but rarely actually stands up for them. Maybe a voice like Ventura's would give the Democratic candidate the cover he or she needs to carve out a more progressive vision -- with real proposals for action -- than we would ever hear without Ventura in the process.

I think it is way too early to trash Jesse Ventura.

[newmember]

34. He seems genuine enough and it would for sure force them during the debate

if he ever got that far in the process.

A lot of people don't know this but he was the very first person to push for a union in professional wrestling
some 25 or 30 years ago .

[Iliyah]

37. Tell me more about Unions

Please

[BlueStreak]

38. Our one-party system really fights any intrusions in the process

The powers that be are OK with having two people on the stage, ostensibly representing two different parties, but actually representing only small gradations of the far right policies the Moneyed Elite want to see. The last thing they want in any of these campaigns is a person who will call a spade a spade. And you see them conspire to erect huge barriers to being slated and being included in the debates.

I agree that a debate format that included every tiny fringe element would be unwieldy, but if a candidate is given serious consideration by millions of Americans, then he or she should be a voice that gets heard.

The test I would like to see is that if polls show a particular candidate is the first OR SECOND choice of at least 10% of the people, that candidate should be included. On that basis, I believe both an independent Jesse Ventura and an independent Rand Paul would make the cut -- and should be included.

[JustAnotherGen]

52. Showing my age here

Could you imagine the VP's Press Conferences?

The word of the day is "terror"! Onle the VP knows it. The Press Corps runs screaming from the room!

[yodermon]

68. what "Stern thing" ? n/t

[Turborama]

87. Howard Stern is mentioned as his possible running mate in the OP n/t

[Iliyah]

33. Nope.

I support Pres O.

[newmember]

35. he won't be running again

in 2016

[OnyxCollie]

36. The Paultards gotta go somewhere.

[BootinUp]

40. HA HA HA HA...HO HO HO HO. ROFL nt

[Zoeisright]

42. That asshole is just as batshit crazy as Bachmann.

I am ashamed of my state that Ventura was ever governor. He's a small minded, stupid bully with no intellectual curiosity at all. I hate his guts.

[freshwest]

44. He'll get all the Alex Jones, Patriot Movement, Tea Party and Libertarian vote.

I've listened to Jesse and Alex for years. And this is where this ends up. These are not my beliefs, but this is what they say:

Social security is a scam, a ponzi scheme. Environmental laws are for the benefit of the UN. Get rid of the DOE, EPA, NLRB, etc. Free market capitalism is the only freedom.

Don't pay taxes, the money is all part of the theft of America. Public workers are all thugs and the enemy of patriots, all public schools are indoctrination camps and government must be starved until there is nothing.

There is no global warming, it's a liberal plot for government control to reduce the number of humans. Women should be stay home mothers, and give birth at home so the government can't keep track. No vaccines, no school, no social security #s.

Child welfare laws exist to provide young children for sex rings and satanic sacrifices. The government uses mind control to stage false flag mass murders and brainwash the public into giving up their freedoms.

Abortion is murder, and BPA in plastics are part of a plot to turn straight men gay to reduce the population, says Alex Jones. Vaccinations are intended to cause cancer, sterilize and inject nanobots to control the human mind like robots.

All Democrats and progressives are Fabian decievers, part of an ancient plot to take over the world and destroy the human race. Obama is a Zionist ready to take over the world, a servant to Israel and part of the plot to kill the gentiles.

The above is what I have heard and read from these people over a decade. A vote for Jesse is a vote for a gun in every pocket and every man for himself, and dissolution of government as we know it. They want a tribal society with the only governance being family and local militias.

Their ideology is genocide for the poor, sick, unpopular and elderly. In their world their is no provision for government to help anyone with anything. All of that is theft to them.

You either have money or beg from the rich or church, get into a family even if it's an abusive religious cult to survive. If you can't , you deserve to die, it's the price of liberty, and besides, with Earth changes in the offing, you're in the way.

Plenty of people will go for it, but I'm not, since I know the Ron Paul, Patriot Movement, Alex Jones and Jesse Ventura crowd too well. This is said to be a website for liberals and progressives, but Jesse is neither, no matter how attractive his positions may appear.

[JustAnotherGen]

53. This could be good then

If he can get on the ballot in all 50 states - he pulls from the Right. He would have to campaign on those beliefs - which will trump anything he tries to highlight that would appeal to progressives.

Up against Biden, Warren, Clinton, etc etc he couldn't pull from the left. And I would love the following in a debate:

Biden - Well my friend . . . That thing he said to Ryan to pat him on the head and send him on his way.

Or Warren - that sweet smile she gave against Brown prior to going in for the kill in their deate.

Or Clinton - laughs hysterically and retaliates.

He says something stupid we know damn well any one of those three will point it out to him in their own special way.

[Mnpaul]

64. Jesse is pro choice

You apparently haven't been listening to Jesse

Illegalizing abortions won't stop abortions

My views on abortion come from my mom. She was a nurse in surgery for her entire adult life, and used to tell me how terrible it was before Roe v Wade--when back-alley abortions often placed the woman's life in danger. Today, some people live under a false premise that, if the government makes something illegal, it will go away. But then the illegal activity is simply controlled by an underground or criminal element. And, in the case of abortion, you will not receive the safety and precautions necessary.

Vetoed 4-hour waiting period for abortions

The Democratic Senate passed the 24-hour notification bill only a few days after the Republican House; my office was literally besieged with phone calls from both sides of the issue.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Jesse_Ventura_Abortion.htm

[TRoN33]

45. No. Just hell no.

I am traditionally blue and I have to tell you all that most of Minnesotans are still ashamed for elected Ventura as our Governor. We were desperate in need of radical new kind of outsider and we thought Ventura would have been that guy. But no no no, he is practically a joke. I met his wife and daughter and they are very nice and beautiful family but I just simply can't stand Ventura's governorship.

No but thanks. Mexico home would be a lot better for Ventura than the White House.

[tclambert]

46. Then he can get the FBI to investigate all those conspiracy theories he believes in.

Finally, the truth will come out!

[mn9driver]

54. His picture is frightening.

He isn't aging well, or maybe he's spending too much time with Toronto's mayor.

[Ter]

55. Imagine if it's Rand Paul vs. Jesse Ventura vs. Hillary Clinton

The only one for the Patriot Act, drones, and unnecessary wars will be the Democrat.

[Turborama]

86. Which wars?

You and a poster above mention "unending" and "unnecessary" wars.

Iraq has been over for years now (thanks to Obama standing by his pledge and pulling out), and Afghanistan is drawing down for the withdrawal next year.

It's time to change that broken stylus.

[Joey Liberal]

57. Will Bobby the Brain Heenan be his campaign manager?

LOL

[SDjack]

58. I hope he runs -- as GOPer. Their clown car always has room for one more. nt

[olddots]

59. No none here saw his TV shows ?

please this guy is toxic and not a public servant anymore than any sociopath is.

[Tarheel_Dem]

61. I think it's pretty clear from some of the responses that DU has strayed far from....

its initial goals. This has been apparent for quite awhile, but the third party advocacy is pretty glaring. I don't think these people are even serious. Just more divide & conquer bullshit.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

90. In our three-party system, I think most here are still Democrats.

Three parties: Democratic Party, Old-School Republican Party, New Batshit Crazy Teabagging Republican Party.

Wake me up when Jesse Ventura gets more than ten percent of the votes in a primary. Unless he runs as a Democrat, then maybe I'll take a look.

[Tarheel_Dem]

93. If he does get in, let's hope he's the Democrats' Ross Perot to the Republicans' GWH Bush.

If you think about it, Ross Perot helped elect Bill Clinton.

[treestar]

62. Can they at least wait until 2015?

The Presidential election campaigns are already way too long.

[blkmusclmachine]

63. Well,

Hopefully there'll be a much better choice besides the usual Corporate Blue Dog DLC/Third Way "New Democrat" wanna-be's like Clinton and Obama.

[RebelOne]

65. I like Jesse, but Howard Stern no way. n/t

[CK_John]

66. He is probably broke and looking for matching funds, old Nader trick.

[Brickbat]

70. Oh God no.

[sofa king]

74. Duverger's Law

For those of you wondering what the implications of a third-party candidate might be in a general election, one place to start may be Duverger's Law:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duverger%27s_law

The bottom line is that in a system like ours, a third party can only sustain itself by feeding off of one of the two established parties, and the one the third party siphons the most votes from is the other loser (no third-party candidate has ever threatened to act as anything more than a spoiler in a Presidential race, with the possible exceptions of Huey Long and perhaps some sectionalist elections of the first half of the 19th Century).

Often, the radical party is the one that survives unscathed, but right now I would point out that the GOP is by far the weaker and more fractionated of the two parties, already in the midst of a Stupid Schism where the least educated voters are breaking heavily for an equally incompetent sub-party within the GOP.

A candidate with the resume of Ventura seems well positioned to siphon votes from both the stupid and evil wings of the GOP--he might actually be in a better position to capture the Republican nomination than some Republican hopefuls currently are. However, I still do not think that a third-party candidate is in our own best interests.

[demosincebirth]

78. I don't believe anyone who tried to con people most of his life (rasslin') is credible.

[Auggie]

79. This is one freak show the public won't buy

[jberryhill]

80. Donald Trump in wrestling tights

[bigworld]

84. Don't underestimate Howard Stern's appeal

Politically progressive yet certainly not PC, he could attract a large number of voters. He's not the clown that the media makes him out to be.

[Turborama]

88. I can see it now, Hulk Hogan stepping in at the last minute and we have Idiocracy for real n/t

[LiberalFighter]

91. He spends part of his time living in Mexico?

And wants to run for President?

[MrSlayer]

92. I'd vote for him, Jesse tells ugly truths.

Sure he's a little off the wall sometimes but he's more honest than any professional politician out there.

Howard would never run with him, he has no interest in the financial disclosure.

This isn't going to happen but it would be fun.

[LanternWaste]

94. Vote for Vetura: Because Two-Thirds of the World Laughing at Us Isn't Quite Enough

Vote for Ventura: Because Two-Thirds of the World Laughing at Us Isn't Quite Enough.

A Vote for Ventura: Not the Only Person Who Brought a Defamation Lawsuit Against a Navy Seal.

Ventura: Because the world isn't bat-shit crazy enough yet.

Ventura: Because He's Man Enough to Deny Understanding Keillor's Satire.





I'm sure a bunch of sub-literate, half-educated, knuckle-dragging Tea Bagger will vote for him... a few may even pretend to be DUers in the here and now.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

95. Ace???!!

Oh, I guess I should have read mor ethan the headline

[Malikshah]

96. Brawndo's got what plants crave. Electrolytes!!!!

[telclaven]

97. Is there room in the clown car?

I believe his own ego requires an additional trailer.

[canonfodder]

98. A joke.

Ventura is a joke that should never be repeated.

[Sunlei]

99. sure win for R with this 'divide and conquer' strategy'

even a romney-palin ticket would win if Ds divide their votes.