How the 2000 tag team of Donald Trump and Jesse Ventura set the stage for a "wrestler in the White House"

Wrestler CM Punk from the indies to the "Big League".
Trump, teasing a run in 2000 to officially announcing his Presidential bid in 2015.

Wrestlers hone their stagecraft as they develop, perfecting their lines and shaping their personas. As they move up the ranks from the indie circuit to the big stage, storylines may get rehashed as they reintroduce themselves to bigger and bigger audiences. The same goes for politics.
Presidential candidates who may have been popular or influential in their districts or States, mount campaigns using the playbook that served them well on the regional stage. Deploying familiar lines and refining their message, a look into one's Gubernatorial or Senate races might telegraph a candidate's arc.
That being said, often times the wider public only see the latest and grander incarnation. Unaware of the recycled messaging and the winding road to becoming the character they see in front of them.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Trump left no such trail as he became the first person to assume the Presidency with no prior political or military experience. Donald Trump has been a public figure for several decades and has hinted at becoming President as early as 1988 and signaling serious bids from 2000.

That Time Donald Trump And Jesse Ventura Talked Campaign Strategy
Donald Trump's "outsider" campaign for president is nothing new to Minnesota voters — it's very similar to the one that elected former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in 1998.

In fact, Trump once came to Minnesota to find out from Ventura himself exactly how he did it while he was considering a run for public office himself.

"It's almost like he's reading our playbook," said Dean Barkley, Ventura's campaign chairman, who Ventura later appointed to the U.S. Senate. "Ventura had very, very high negatives. Nobody took him seriously. What he had going for him was his personality, and his ability to connect with people."

VIDEO: Donald Trump Jesse Ventura press conference

Watching Trump and Ventura's news conference on the Reform Party presidential race of 2000, you'll find talking points that foretell storylines for Trump's winning campaign 16 years later. Those who followed the campaign closely might recognise now-familiar phrases from this event, including the iconic Trumpism - "Big League".

Below are selected transcripts of that 2000 speech accompanied by mirroring headlines from 2016.

MSNBC: Trump campaign a cover for moneymaking scheme

Trump addressing the charge that his Presidential campaign is a publicity stunt, a glorified book tour

REPORTER: (17m 06s) Is this more of a book tour promotion than a Presidential Campaign?
DONALD TRUMP: ... All 3 of my books have been No.1 Bestsellers. I don't need this for that. New York City's the hottest selling city in the World. I'm selling condominiums and buildings like crazy. I don't need it for that. I'm doing this very seriously. The book whether it goes to No.1 as the other 3 have or whether it doesn't is not a major factor economically. It's not a lot of money in a book no matter how successful it is.

I am looking very seriously as to whether or not it can be won. Very much like Jesse, you go out and you run. If I go out and get 20% of the vote. Big deal! People say "Great Job" for 24 hours, Great Job. And not that its a bad place I'm back in my office at Trump Tower the following Wednesday. So I'm looking as to whether or not I can win. If I can win I believe I can do a very good job otherwise I wouldn't be running. It's as simple as that.

HARTFORD COURANT: Trump brings fiery message to thousands in Hartford

Donald Trump on the support he's gotten by way of the thousands in attendance at his rallies

REPORTER: Mr Trump, on that point you had a packed house here today. How have you done elsewhere in the Country. What kind of feelings are you getting, what kind of vibe...?

TRUMP: Well its been amazing. As I think you know its been amazing. We've had 17,000 people show up in California. We had 14,000 show up in Hartford, Connecticut you know its a little disconcerting when you leave and you say "How many people am I speaking in front of?", your secretary says "17,500 people". And you never sort of heard of that.
We have had a tremendous response. On television we've gotten the highest ratings, on Larry King and virtually every show. 60 Minutes is doing a big piece on January 11th where I speak very brilliantly of him [Jesse Ventura]... so its been very strong.

POLITICO: How did everyone get it so wrong?

Jesse Ventura describing how the voters defied unanimous polls that pegged him to lose his 3-way Gubernatorial race in 1998. Echoing Donald Trump's unlikely Presidential win of 2016.

JESSE VENTURA: ... You can't focus on a particular market but certainly if you can have a dynamic campaign that inspires young people. Those are voters that aren't polled which is another great disservice to the 15% we're talking about that we're supposed to get because I never once -- to show you how fraudulent polling can be. I never once, not at one point in my election was I polled to be the winner. There was not one poll that indicated that Jesse Ventura would be the next Governor of the state of Minnesota yet when that November 3rd came, who won? And the polls didn't dictate who won, the voters dictated it and I ended up winning that election when no poll indicated that in the first place and that's why it was fraudulent that they would set that type of thing up based upon polling results

WASHINGTON POST: Here's why Trump's attacks on 'fake news' succeed

Donald Trump and Jesse Ventura pushing back on reporters who were mischaracterizing them

REPORTER: (15m 31s) Governor,  Donald Trump said earlier that he thinks if he decided to run for President that you would probably endorse him
TRUMP: I didn't say that. When did I say that?!
VENTURA: Aah you see, we caught you Press
TRUMP: He's the New York Post, don't worry. It's the New York Post (pointing lightheartedly)
VENTURA: You see if Donald wasn't here now, they would have gotten away with that question.
TRUMP: Now look at him, he just hides his head. He doesn't even dispute it. That's alright, New York Post
*room laughs*

REPORTER: (26m 15) Do you seen anyone else, do you know of any other [candidate you could endorse]?
VENTURA: I haven't been searching for anyone
REPORTER: Has anyone spoke to you and asked for your endorsement?
VENTURA: No
REPORTER: So you're probably going to endorse Donald Trump if he runs?
TRUMP: (interjects) Again -- New York Post Governor. Don't worry about it.
VENTURA: I know, I like the New York Post. They write all sorts of fabrications
*laughs*

Its worth noting how cordial the press' relationship with Trump is was, known then as a political freelancer and folksy celebrity businessman. Compared to today, where President Trump has a sub 40% approval rating and is resisted by a large swathe of the population despite retaining his populist appeal.
The conference was held 4 years prior to the success of NBC's 'The Apprentice' and Jesse Ventura declaring "we may need a Wrestler in the White House" alongside the Donald at WrestleMania XX.
Jesse had coaxed Trump ringside that day to endorse him but it would be Trump who would go on to occupy the highest office in the land 12 years later.

'The Obama Deception' documentary: Jesse Ventura says American Politics is "Identical to Pro-wrestling"

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura in 'The Obama Deception'  

The Obama Deception: The Mask comes Off (2009)
JESSE VENTURA: Politics in America today is identical to Pro-wrestling. What I mean by that, is in front of the Cameras and the public we all hate each other. "I'm gonna kick my opponents' butt. I'm gonna wail him from here to high water and beat the crap out of him" yet behind the scenes
WILLIE NELSON: ... You're all friends
VENTURA: We all go out to dinner together. It's all a work (Wrestling jargon: Charade). We're intermarried.
NELSON: Its showbiz
VENTURA: Its showbiz and that's what you have in America today. Democrats and Republicans aren't really opposed to each other
cut to
WEBSTER TARPLEY: Left and right mean nothing. The only thing that counts is are you working for Wall Street

Other Jesse Ventura wrestling posts
- Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator
-  Saturday Night Live characters: Past Presidents, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin

Fox News featuring Bill O'Reilly, Brian Kilmeade and wrestlers Kurt Angle and Jesse Ventura

Three separate videos surrounding a remarkable claim that accusses Former Governor Jesse Ventura of disparaging the military and a young SEAL Sniper supposedly teaching him a lesson.

The Videos feature some of the APF's greatest stars
- Bill O'Reilly, arguably the greatest PunditFighter of them all
- Jesse Ventura, Former wrestler turned Politician
- Brian Kilmeade, Fox personality and former UFC commentator
- Kurt Angle, one of the greatest wrestler of all time

VIDEO: Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle Tells O'Reilly: I Decked Jesse Ventura

BILL O'REILLY: So once he [Ventura] said "You deserve to lose a few guys" you popped him? (punching motion)
CHRIS KYLE: Yes Sir
O'REILLY: Did he fight back?
KYLE: He went down, The cops were there. I took off running.

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura Responds on the Alex Jones Radio Show - Chris Kyle Navy Seal Punch (Full Interview)

JESSE VENTURA: I have never supported the Iraq War. And let me say this clearly. Wars are not cause by the soldiers, the sailors or the airman. Wars are caused by politicians. Politicians take us to war and I have been so critical of the politicians that took us to the Iraq War...

I have all the sympathy in the world for the soldiers having been one and anyone who questions my patriotism, that I would behave in this manner that is a direct insult to me, my family. Its a direct insult to my mother and father. My father had 6 Bronze Battle stars in WWII, my mother is a WWII veteran, a nurse in North Africa... my entirely family are veterans, we were all enlisted men. We were at the bottom rung...

So for someone to state that I would take joy and pleasure -and especially one of my SEAL teammates would die - that I would enjoy that? Is despicable, its wrong and this never happened...

VIDEO: Wrestling BADASS Kurt Angle takes down Brian Kilmeade

KURT ANGLE: Yeah I mean, Jesse had his own viewpoint. I don't-- I love Jesse Ventura, he's a great guy but his choice of words and what he said I think was wrong so I don't blame this SEAL sniper for what he did. But with Jesse Ventura you never know how tough he really is. I'm glad the guy ran (laughter)

Former wrestler Jesse Ventura appearing on 'Hannity', 'Larry King Live' and 'The View'

Former wrestler, Navy SEAL and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has been doing the rounds to promote the paperback release of his book, 'Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!'. A book I have previously noted for it's exceptional account of how Jesse planned to run for American President using a "wrestling angle" (storyline).

Below are videos of Jesse Ventura's appearances on 'The View', 'Larry King Live', and 'Hannity' with partial transcripts included. It's also worth noting the playful ways presenters act macho or incorporate wrestling terms when speaking to 'The Body'.

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura interview with Hannity On FOX - May 18, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: I think he's [President Obama] very intelligent, I think its far too early to be judgmental because let's face it he inherited a mess. He inherited two wars. He inherited an economy in the tank
SEAN HANNITY: You can't stop yourself
VENTURA: I wouldn't have wished that on my worst enemy
HANNITY: Well George Bush inherited a recession. He inherited the negative impacts of 9/11... Do you wanna arm wrestle (jokingly)
VENTURA: You're telling me that the United States was better off before George Bush or after
HANNITY: After
VENTURA: My God!...

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura on 'The View' - May 18, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: The point is this -- Alright, wait a minute if waterboarding is OK
ELISABETH HASSELBECK: Do you want me to put you in a full-nelson?
(audience laughter)
VENTURA: Wait, if waterboarding is OK then why don't we let our police do it to suspects so we can learn what they know... if waterboarding is OK then why didn't we waterboard McVeigh and Nichols, the Oklahoma City bombers to find out if there were more people involved

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura on Larry King Live - May 11, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: I don't have a lot of respect for Dick Cheney, here's a guy who got five deferments from the Vietnam war. clearly he's a coward. He wouldn't gp when it was his time to go. Now he's a chickenhawk. Here's this big tough guy who wants this hardcore policy and he's the guy who sanctioned this torture by calling it "enhanced interrogation:
LARRY KING: Do you think Rush Limbaugh is a better Republican than Colin Powell
VENTURA: No not at all. In fact if you compare the two, let's look at Colin Powell who's a war hero. Who's strapped it on for his country and didn't run and hide. Then you look at Dick Cheney who ran and hid. Well I have no respect fro Dick Cheney. I have tremendous respect for General Powell

Indian-American Actor Kal Penn accepts a job in Barack Obama's White House

Kumar Goes to Washington
We've had actors-turned-mayors, and actors-turned-governors... but actors-turned-White House staffers? That's a new one!

"House" star Kal Penn -- whose character was killed off on Monday's episode -- is taking a sabbatical from acting to work for President Obama.

Actors like Fred Thompson, Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and Arnold Schwarzenegger all come to mind. 31yr-old Indian-American actor Kal Penn is breaking some interesting ground by sacrificing a lucrative lifestyle in the spotlight for his political convictions. Celebrities are often ridiculed for their political activism as they are caricatured for being out of touch from mainstream society.

Kal Penn is best known as Kumar from the Harold and Kumar movies and serious turns in the TV series 'House' and drama 'The Namesake'

Conservative Ed Morrissey gives Kal Penn kudos for his principled transition

Kumar goes to the West Wing?
I give kudos to Penn for pursuing public service at a large personal cost, at least financially. Public service can be honorable, and Penn deserves credit for choosing to work in that arena, even if I don’t necessarily agree with Penn on politics. I felt the same way when Tony Snow gave up his financially lucrative talk-show career to bring order back to the Bush press office, giving service to his country.

- Sean Hannity is not so impressed, snarkily boxing Kal Penn as the "star from the stoner movies"

Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator

I've talked in the past about hyperreality and the surreal in politics. It's a hurdle Celebrity candidates often need to overcome. As it is a logical point of attack, candidates will often build the critique into their messaging. Hoping to turn a perceived weaknesses to their advantage.

Al Franken - a satirist, SNL alum and former Air America Radio Host has always traveled in Democratic circles. His bid for the Minnesota Senate however has been met with skepticism by voters and every bit of press Franken has received has an underlying arc of "Is he serious?".
a) New York Times - Al Franken, Seriously So
b) The Atlantic Magazine - He’s Not Joking
c) Time Magazine - Not So Funny

Al Franken has effectively used the predictable charge of his "seriousness" by Jujitsu-ing it into a string of talking points.

Those delegates knew that I'm serious... the people of Minnesota are going to get to know me and know that I'm real serious about this. I'm serious about having an Apollo program for renewable energy and energy efficiency. I'm serious about getting to universal health care and I'm serious about getting early childhood education for every kid who needs it.

VIDEO: Al Franken with CNN's Campbell Brown

Arnold Swarchenegger in his bid to be California Governor in 2003 was met with incredulity and much international fanfare. Arnold had originally built his reputation as the Action King of Hollywood, hoping to convert his name into a Governorship under the Republican banner. Though political life might seem an incongruous proposition for the musclebound Austrian, Arnold had married into American Political royalty. His wife Maria Shriver is a member of the storied Kennedy family.

Arnold successfully became Governor by deploying lines that proudly embraced his Action-hero persona. In a debate with fellow Celebrity candidate Arianna Huffington (running as an Independent) Arnold had quips like:

1. "Arianna. Your personal income tax is the biggest loophole. I could drive my Hummer through it." (calling attention to the hypocrisy of Arianna's proposed tax plan)
2. "I have a perfect part for you in 'Terminator 4'" (referencing his popular Action movie serial where he demolishes the opposition)

Read the full article from the New York Times - Live, the 'Arnold and Arianna Show'
Update: Watch Arnold proudly integrating his Bodybuilding and Hollywood past whilst stumping for John McCain

Though never actioned, the award for most audacious use of a candidate's celebrity past goes to Jesse Ventura. One might expect an ex-wrestler to distance themselves from their frivolous past if they were running for President, but Jesse isn't your conventional politician.

In his latest book - Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! - the former Minnesota Governor had planned to run for President by enlisting the help of an unlikely political source. He would run as an independent, planning to get ballot access on all 50 states by using a "fake" Wrestling storyline on WWE television to spawn a "real" presidential bid.



Jesse Ventura explains his ambitious wrestling plot for the Presidency

... the WWE who had been involved in the 'Get out the Vote' movement... would be dissatisfied with both candidates and they were going to run their own candidate which of course would be (WWE owner) Vince [McMahon] ... I would come onto the scene representing the people saying McMahon represents corporate America, he's never held office. I'm a legitimate candidate, I'll take him on... all this time Vince is sending his people out gaining ballot access for his new party across America... at the time of WrestleMania I would announce that this was for real. I am now a candidate for President.

Listen and Download the full Jesse Ventura interview from Wrestling-Radio.com

Saturday Night Live characters: Past Presidents, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin

In a revealing panel discussion for The Museum of the Moving Image, key members of the SNL staff spoke on the role the show has played during the Presidential races of the last 30 years.

They recounted SNL Presidential characterizations of the past and touched on various subjects familiar to readers of this blog; The bending of reality when politics and satire collide, charisma and even a Jesse Ventura wrestling reference.

The panel consists of Lorne Michaels (Series creator and executive producer), James Downey (veteran SNL writer), Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers (cast members and Weekend Update co-anchors).

- Listen and Download the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics panel discussion
- View the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics transcript

Selected highlights:
On partisanship and SNL's influence on elections

...You can't think about the fate of Western civilization. You know, we're part of it, but we're not—honestly, nobody's going into the booth, and [saying], "You know I watched SNL and now I'm clear (Laughter) on what to do...
We don't try and deal with it in that grandiose way of what's best for the country. And again, none of this stuff works unless it hits pretty close. You can't go out there and just do a partisan rant. I mean, you can do that if you're on MSNBC (Laughter) but you can't really do it in comedy, because if you lose the audience, you lose them really fast.

On SNL enlisting Jesse Ventura to fill in for Al Gore

[Al] Gore was very much tougher to convince than Bush. Bush was like, "Yeah, I'll do it (Laughter)". Gore... needed a lot of hand holding. Franken interceded because Franken knew him very well, and so we were able to talk him into doing the stuff.

But then we didn't have a "Live from New York" thing... but [Gore thought] "I just don't feel this would be dignified"... we got Jesse Ventura to do the "Live from New York."

... one of our producers, calls the Minnesota governor's office. Jesse's in the background... "They want you to do, 'Live from New York.'" (Gruffly) "Yeah, fine!" (Laughter)... I just knew that if Jesse Ventura could do anything, he could do a "Live from New York." But he did the perfect professional wrestler kind of thing...

On the difficulty comedians may have satirizing Obama

Yes, because he's so fucking smooth! (Laughter) He's like a master jewel thief, like in a 1950's movie, who never leaves any finger prints. No one ever saw anything. No one heard anything. I'm saying he's just really impressive as a figure. I talk to people from other—the South Park guys say the same thing. Other comics and stuff, they go, "Wow. He doesn't have many handles, does he?"

For someone like me, Al Gore was a gift that would keep on giving. (Laughter)... I thought Gore was a much richer thing. Whereas Obama is just—he's tough. And I don't know any one... I've seen people who think they have the handle, but I don't think it's that good...

'Saturday Night Live' Presidential Bash

Image made with the aid of brilliant SNL resource - SNL Archives
- Watch a video collection of SNL's Presidential impersonations

Political life imitates art: Stephen Colbert for President and Al Franken for Senate

In a recent issue of Time Magazine, Joel Stein wrote an intriguing piece on Comedian Al Franken running for Senate in Minnesota.

There was one particularly interesting passage:

Not So Funny by Joel Stein
Back when he was trying to be the Bill O'Reilly of the left, ranting as a host on Air America... Franken didn't have to modulate his personality. Now he has cut way back on the joking and has become a little more boring than people are used to... He won't, for instance, appear on Saturday Night Live this season. "We have to do everything so people understand that this is a real campaign and not just a conceptual-art piece" he says.

The great thing about American Democracy is that almost anybody can become a leader. Granted, you'll need a hefty amount of money and good name recognition, superficially those two things arguably trump experience. But after all is said and done it comes down to convincing voters of your sincerity and that you relate to them.

As far as "conceptual" pieces go you don't have to look any further than Action figures Arnold Swarchenegger and Jesse Ventura. Arnold became Governor of California seemingly on name recognition alone. He was an actor his entire Hollywood career, having never led as a director. To make things more hyperreal there was an infamous scene in the Sylvester Stallone movie 'Demolition Man' (1993) where they satirically alluded to Schwarnegger - Stallone's real life action star rival - as President

STALLONE: "Hold it! The Schwarzenegger Library?"
BULLOCK: "Yes, the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor?"
STALLONE: "Stop! He was President?"
BULLOCK: "Yes. Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment…"

Jesse Ventura, a former wrestler and Navy Seal was voted in as Governor of Minnesota, where Franken is running for Senate. Jesse in recent months has flirted with joining the race for Senate and entertained a bid for the Presidency. What makes Jesse a compelling "conceptual" piece besides his unorthodox resume prior to entering politics is the way he's redefined the bounds of what a credible politician and serious commentator can look like. Its worth noting that both Action Stars-cum-politician, Swarchenegger and Ventura starred alongside each other in 'Predator' (1987).

The most telling account on the absurdity of politics bending reality comes from satirist Stephen Colbert. In conversation with comedian RadioTalker Pete Dominick (also Colbert's warm-up act), the fake Right Wing commentator muses on his fake bid for Presidency which faked everyone out including himself

STEPHEN COLBERT: ...I came close to believing my own line of crap - [but] I did not! When was running for President. Because I had to sincerely engage with people...
PETE DOMINICK: That was an interesting time because I don't think anybody in the staff even knew what was going on with you and nobody wanted to ask "What are your intentions here sir?"...
STEPHEN COLBERT: My publicist even asked at one point "Stephen people are confused, is this a joke or is this real?"... and I said "I don't understand the difference"

Listen to the full excerpt of Pete Dominick's conversation with Stephen Colbert on reality

Update:
When it comes to hyper-reality, Jesse Ventura is the undisputed champion. In his latest book 'Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!' (2008), Jesse speaks on his failed play to run for President as an independent. He intended to achieve this by parlaying a wrestling storyline where "he was running for president" into a real campaign that would get him ballot access to make him eligible for a real presidential bid in the 2008 election.
Read the full post - Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator

Sarah Palin and political action figures

This blog is slowly becoming 'All Palin, all the time". Forgive me, but just like in wrestling you need to give audiences what they want and there's no denying she is getting a monster push at the moment.

This isn't the first time I've posted about about the nexus between action figures and and politics. Action figures are merely toy representations of the larger-than-life personas of our favorite heroes and villains. Movies, comics and wrestling are usually mined but we've come to see the our politicians cast in the same light, look no further than the George W Bush 'Flight suit doll'.













The Hollywood Presidency continues with the introduction of the new Sarah Palin dolls, to go with the McCain and Obama action figures.

The best use of a doll in politics goes to Conservative talker Michael Reagan, for presenting a Jesse Ventura action doll during a panel discussion with the former statesman.

Relevant segment from the 7m 12s mark

The moment was incredibly 'meta':
The doll was made for the action movie 'Predator (1987)'. Jesse Ventura played the role of a soldier years after being a real 'Navy Seal'. In the movie, Jesse starred alongside Arnold Swarchenegger. Interestingly both moved on to serve office as Governor, Jesse for Minnesota and Arnold for California. Arnold would have appeared as countless dolls for his many action roles. Jesse as a Hall of Fame wrestler also features as countless dolls.

As absurd as it is to have esteemed politicians become immortalized as dolls. What's arguably more bizarre, are finding people who originally built there careers as action figures becoming esteemed politicians.

Find the new Sarah Palin, Obama and Mccain action figure here
Find Presidential action figures - G.W Bush, Reagan and Bill Clinton dolls.

Jesse Ventura on Hannity and Colmes

On this morning's Hannity radio, Sean spoke glowingly of Jesse Ventura and announced he would be a guest on this evening's show. Speaking with a Minnesottan caller he described how he expected to not like Jesse prior to meeting him due to his arrogant persona. Hannity came out finding points of agreement and conceded Jesse was very knowledgeable on the issues. He segued into a monologue about term limits thereafter. Below you'll find video of Jesse's first appearance with Hannity.

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura on Hannity and Colmes - April 08, 2008

During this interview Hannity sets up a question by quoting from Jesse who has had experience as talk show host

All the stories come from upstairs, even though the hosts pretend it's them. You know peole need to understand Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and the rest of them - they're not these individual rogues setting their own agenda. These guys will deny it and say they have their own artistic freedom.

Jesse offers this statement as evidence for his charge.

So in other words you chose to talk about Anna Nicole Smith for one and a half months.

Updated:

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura VS Sean Hannity - Round 2. July 29, 2008

A Republican, a comedian and a Wrestler-cum-Governor run for the Minnesota Senate

APF pundit AL Franken has another person to contend with besides Republican Norm Coleman in his bid for Minessota's Senate seat, former wrestler Jesse Ventura.
Listen to news audio from NPR: Ventura would shake up Minnesota Senate Race

Former Wrestler/Governor Jesse Ventura to enter Minnesota Senate Race

Jesse Ventura has beaten Norm Coleman and a democrat once before, winning the governorship in 1998 as an independent. In the NPR piece, political scientist Laurence Jacobs speaks of Ventura's popularity, "I think Ventura could well win... he's coming in with about a quarter of the vote and he's not even declared his candidacy. That is much better than where he was in 1998 where he started off in single digits and frankly was a joke candidate".

Make no mistake, not everyone is a fan. In a recent post for HotAir.com Ed Morrissey doesn't mince his words speaking of Ventura.

Get ready for more Minnesota madness. Six years after last making the state a national laughingstock as governor, Jesse Ventura may enter the race for US Senate. ...Ventura did manage one signal accomplishment: bipartisanship. By the end of his term, Republicans and Democrats both hated him so much that they began overriding a slew of his vetoes, rendering The Body impotent. By the time he slunk out of office, he couldn’t have been elected dog-catcher in a one-man race.

Read Ed Morrissey's full post and reader comments here:
Jesse to make it a 3-way race?

Jesse Ventura on CNN's 'Larry King Live'
Go to 'Voters 4 Ventura', petitioning Ventura for a 2008 Presidential Run
Read Ventura's political stances compiled by resource 'On the Issues'.
Read Ventura's wrestling bio from WWE's Hall of Fame page
Read Al Franken's bio from their official site
Read Norm Coleman's bio from their official site

Presidential endorsements - Pundits, Wrestlers and Chuck Norris show their support

The US election Season is heating up so its time to round up the thoughts and Presidential endorsements from the people that matter most. At least the people that matter in the APF universe: the pundit class, wrestlers and the one and only Chuck Norris.

We'll start with the pundit class. Conservative columnist Ramesh Ponnuru has written a piece for National Review contending that Conservative pundits have voted Rudy Giuliani as winner of the 'Pundit Primary'. He listed several prominent Conservative commentators who have declared support for Rudy, this includes the likes of John Podhoretz of the New York Post and the editors of the New York Sun. However he did provide a cautionary note based on the winner of the last Presidential 'Pundit Primary', John McCain who incidentally Ramesh endorses for '08.

Rudy Wins the Pundit Primary
Rooting too heavily for a candidate can be self-defeating. The less detached a pundit, the less persuasive his advocacy. There is a precedent for backfiring commentary. In 2000, the scribblers behind McCain helped to define his candidacy as an attack on the conservative movement and the Republican establishment, which responded by joining forces to crush him. McCain won the pundit primary, but he lost the nomination.

Read Ramesh' full NRO post here
Laura Ingraham briefly discusses this piece with Byron York. Listen to the audio here.

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Now for a wrestler's perspective. I won't have to convince APF supporters of the nexus between politics and wrestling. Heck this whole blog is a living document that proves wrestling and politics are inextricably linked. You won't need to be convinced that a wrestler cannot only hold influence by endorsing someone for President, they could in fact run themselves'. That's what Governor Jesse Ventura's popular supporters would have us believe.

As far as wrestler endorsements go, it doesn't get any better than 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair. A living legend in the ring and undisputed Champion has endorsed Mike Huckabee for president. He will be making his endorsement official by appearing at a tailgate party with Huckabee before a football game in Columbia, S.C.
In a statement Flair said

It's a tremendous honor to offer my support to such an outstanding leader as Mike Huckabee," Flair said in a statement issued by the former Arkansas governor's campaign. "His authentic conservative qualifications and level of executive leadership experience are unmatched by his opponents...And like I always say, to be the man, you've got to beat the man and Mike Huckabee is the man. Whoooooooo!

Huckabee as a fan returns the compliment with a nice wrestling reference of his own

Ric's endorsement will help us put a figure-four leglock on our opponents

Read the CNN Political Ticker's story on the endorsement
Read the Boston Globe's story on the Ric Flair endorsement

VIDEO: The 'incumbent President' Ric Flair

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Lastly we can't forget the Mother of all endorsements ,Chuck Norris. The APF has already said that Mr Norris is our favourite celebrity pundit for being the sometime fill-in for Sean Hannity. Kickass!

VIDEO: We'll let Huck and Chuck give you the facts

Read the Huckabee Blog on Chuck's endorsement.
Read HotAir's take on the endorsement

Mr Pundit goes to Washington (Mr Wrestler goes to Hollywood)

I never made mention of this at the time, but Al Franken is no longer on fulltime duty as a pundit on the APF roster. January of this year, Franken announced his departure from Air America Radio and formally announced that he would run for Minnesota's Senate seat in 2008.

In wrestling its not surprising to see a successful personality leave the squared circle for the bright lights of Hollywood. Trading in their status gained from wrestling, the fanbase they've garnered and converting it into mainstream success.

Many wrestlers didn't always start off on their current career path. Duane Johnson was defensive tackle for the University of Miami. He went on to the NFL signing a 3yr contract with the Denver Broncos. He didn't play a game and was cut after 3 months. Duane then followed the paths of his father and grandfather before him and entered the wrestling business. Duane Johnson would come to be known as 'The Rock'. He would dominate the industry gaining many fans with his charisma and electric personality. He became a household name as a wrestler and moved on to the larger stage of Hollywood to headline blockbuster movies.

Al Franken started his career as one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live. He also starred on the show creating popular characters like self-help guru Stuart Smalley. Al Franken wrote many lighthearted books on Politics starting with "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations" (1996), a fictional Franken campaign for President in "Why Not Me?" (1999) and the best-selling "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" (2003). Al Franken became a mainstream celebrity as a comedic political commentator. He signed on to headline Air America Radio's flagship show early 2004. During this time Al consolidated his place as the entertainment world's 'Face' of the political left.

Al became immersed in the world of politics, traveling the country representing liberal viewpoints, rubbing shoulders with political and media players on his show and at fundraisers. As well getting accustomed to daily attacks from his opponents.

Wrestlers at the end of the day are entertainers. Its only natural they would go to Hollywood if the opportunity presented itself. They are perfectly equipped for it. Wrestlers write and recite their own lines, they're versed in timing, drama and comedy. They act live in front of packed audiences and they perform their own stunts.

Pundits/Talk Radio personalities are similarly equipped for politics. The fan base they've established can be converted easily into their voting bloc. The intimacy of the talk radio format helps in creating a feeling of trust and kinship. Radio hosts are accustomed to talking about and researching the issues as part of their daily duties. They have honed their presentation and are practiced in debating, as they engage daily with callers (aka voters) and studio guests. Its a natural transition, rather than using their influence to champion their beliefs from the sidelines. They can run for office and affect policy directly.

Besides Al Franken running for Senate. Other noteable pundits who have had political aspirations include: Michael Savage teasing a run for President. Boston radio talk-show host Chuck Morse running for congress. Former Air America host Jerry Springer nixes a run for Senate. Progressive Tony Trupiano and sometimes Ed Schultz fill-in runs for Michigan's 11th District House seat.

While Al Franken hopes Minnesota turns the comedian-cum-pundit into their next Senator. Stranger things things have happened. Minnesota after all was the place where they turned a Wrestler into a Politician.