Wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura all but threw his hat into the 2008 presidential ring yesterday - and said he's already decided to tap basketball star Charles Barkley as a running mate.
And he said he's not kidding. ``Everyone laughs,'' he said. ``They told me in Minnesota a wrestler couldn't become governor, and I proved them wrong.''
The foray came as Ventura, the former governor of Minnesota, came to the State House to lobby for gay marriage.
Bragging he bucked the old-school political system by appointing 73 judges without knowing a single one, Ventura said he's ``setting up for 2008.''
``It's time to put a wrestler in the White House,'' said Ventura, who's known as ``The Body'' from his professional body-slamming days.
At age 52, Ventura said he's ``learned to never say never.''
The former Navy SEAL doesn't like President Bush [related, bio] or Democrat John F. Kerry [related, bio], saying he wants an option besides ``Pepsi or Coke.''
An independent, Ventura admitted it would be hard to gain nationwide ballot access - but added he's interested enough to have already tapped Barkley, the outspoken retired NBA star.
Ventura had a shot in '00 when the public still thought he was a cute little novelty. Now, he has the added XFL stigma, he knew he wasn't getting re-elected in Minnesota so he didn't run again, his TV show on MSNBC had the shelf life of McClain Stevenson show that wasn't MASH, and people think he's a clown again. At this point, Barkley would be the strong part of the ticket, and he'd probably try dumping Jesse because he'd be deadweight.
(edited by redsoxnation on 23.3.04 1522) Why is TVLand stealing my ideas from DEAN's Workrate Report's? They had to be stealing, as I thought I had the only demented mind that could put Bea Arthur and Abe Vigoda in a sex scene.
Jesse Ventura would be a much more entertaining non-threat then Al Sharpton...
Ventura and Barkley would create for some interesting debates and probably raise some good issues. I doubt they actually think they'd have a chance in hell of getting elected but if they could get people to pay attention to whatever their main issue/agenda is, then it's worth it.
Originally posted by fuelinjectedJesse Ventura would be a much more entertaining non-threat then Al Sharpton...
Ventura and Barkley would create for some interesting debates and probably raise some good issues. I doubt they actually think they'd have a chance in hell of getting elected but if they could get people to pay attention to whatever their main issue/agenda is, then it's worth it.
It wouldn't be right however unless Chuck uses the phrase "We're Goin' Fishin" in his concession speech.
By the way, you think Vince would take the Secretary of State post, or would that be better suited to Kenny Smith?
....no I'm NOT serious...but if we're gonna talk about it, let's have some fun with it :)
Originally posted by Blanket Jackson....no I'm NOT serious...but if we're gonna talk about it, let's have some fun with it :)
Agreed...
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Sergeant Slaughter
Secretary of Treasury - Ted DiBiase
FBI Chief - Stone Cold (the man can interrogate a suspect!!)
Head of the IRS - Irwin R. Shyster (obviously)
Special Envoy to the Middle East - The Iron Sheik
Man, we could do this for days... :-)
While Ed Leslie has made quite the push for Drug Czar in recent weeks, I think we'd have to honor Jake Roberts' lifetime achievements and give him the nod.
Pat Patterson for Secretary of the Interior?
*rimshot*
-- Asteroid Boy
Wiener of the day: 23.7.02, 3.12.03
"In addition, my tickets weren’t really what you’d expect from the webmaster of the internet’s largest independent pro-wrestling website." - Widro
"My brother saw the Undertaker walking through an airport." - Rex "Was he no-selling?" - Me
Originally posted by Blanket Jackson....no I'm NOT serious...but if we're gonna talk about it, let's have some fun with it :)
Agreed...
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Sergeant Slaughter
Secretary of Treasury - Ted DiBiase
FBI Chief - Stone Cold (the man can interrogate a suspect!!)
Head of the IRS - Irwin R. Shyster (obviously)
Special Envoy to the Middle East - The Iron Sheik
Man, we could do this for days... :-)
While Ed Leslie has made quite the push for Drug Czar in recent weeks, I think we'd have to honor Jake Roberts' lifetime achievements and give him the nod.
Pat Patterson for Secretary of the Interior?
*rimshot*
Cover Barkley's boys too:
Secretary of the Air Force - Michael Jordan Secretary of the Navy - the Admiral David Robinson Secretary of the Army - The General Bobby Knight Secretary of Transportation - Allen Iverson (I think he travels a lot...) Secretary of Defense - Joe Dumars Surgeon General - Dr. J
Secretary of State: David Stern. If he can deal with those NBA labor agreements, how hard can foreign relations be?
Commerce Secretary: Vince McMahon. Who knows how to be a salesman better than he does?
Head of the CIA: Pat Riley. That sneaky sonofabitch would be perfect. And as a bonus, you'd have the best motivated spies EVER.
Secretary of the Interior: Anthony Mason. Showed his love of trees when he was quoted after being arrested for statuatory rape, "what was I supposed to do, cut her leg open and count the rings?"
Secretary of Transportation: Bill Goldberg. Because of his mastery of all things motorized.
U.N. Ambassador: Don Nelson. Has previous experience dealing and delegating with many people of different origins at once.
I hope he doesn't leave out "I aint got time to bleed" and "You're all a buncha slack jawed faggots" from his ads. It will grab your attention at least.
"Huard, gonna go back to throw the ball. Sets up, looks, throws towards the corner of the endzone...it is INTERCEPTED INTERCEPTED, THE DUCKS HAVE THE BALL! Down to the 35, the 40. Kenny Wheaton's gonna score! Kenny Wheaton is gonna score! 20, the 10, Touchdown! Kenny Wheaton on the interception, the most incredible finish to the football game!"