US Senator From Minnesota: Jesse Ventura vs. Al Franken?

May 19, 2008

Jesse Ventura is hinting at a run to be the US Senator from Minnesota this fall. Only problem, there is already an eccentric and popular personality with his hat in the ring — satirist Al Franken!

Let's compare credentials. Franken has worked on Saturday Night Live, and written books like Lies and the Liars Who Tell Them. He is also a pioneer of progressive talk radio.

Jesse "The Body" Ventura is a former governor of Minnesota, Navy veteran, and radio and TV host. Oh and don't forget — he's also a veteran of professional wrestling.

Who would you like to see in the Senate — the wrestler or the comedian? Are both skills equally suited to Congress?

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22 Comments

Paul Rozycki 5 years 21 h

Franken is taking political attacks for his tax troubles and Playboy satire. Jesse and his loose but straight about the 38DD bra won't bring dignity and sensible discussion on the issues and needs of the people.The one candidate that brings straight sensible and courageous talk about the issues and the needs of the people is Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. He's the only one of the above who, right now, is electable too.

Paul Rozycki 5 years 21 h

Franken is taking political attacks for his tax troubles and Playboy satire. Jesse and his loose but straight about the 38DD bra won't bring dignity and sensible discussion on the issues and needs of the people. The one candidate that brings straight sensible and courageous talk about the issues and the needs of the people is Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. He's the only one of the above who, right now, is electable too.

janneth 5 years 3 days

Franken throws his hat in the ring. Ventura throws his whole body in the ring.

fuzzles 5 years 3 days

Just remembered the great bumper sticker that I saw on many a car on my trips back home...."My Governor Can Kick Your Governor's Ass!"

fuzzles 5 years 3 days

Holy shite! I agree with UnDave! ;) Although I am a native Minnesooootan, I was living on the East Coast when Jesse was elected. I can't even begin to tell you about the world of shit I got from even perfect strangers when they saw my "Land of 10,000 Lakes" license plates! That being said, he did do a lot for education. His delivery, however, was very rough around the edges and at times quite abrasive. He did shake things up, and I have no doubt that Al would do the same.

fuzzles 5 years 3 days

stephley 5 years 3 days

If Jesse runs, how do you think voters will view his saying that he thought controlled demolitions brought down the WTC? He'd be a major player bringing that idea out for discussion.

MarinerMandy 5 years 3 days

I can't say I always agree with Al, but an article on his senate run in the Atlantic made me want to run for office. I think comedians and satarists look at things in a slightly different way, which is a good thing in my book.

hypnoticmix 5 years 3 days

Ventura has been tried and tested and I like his perspective on things even though I don't always agree on his implementation. Franken is a wild card and they're both comedians.

UnDave35 5 years 3 days

I wasn't in MN, but I was just across the river. It was a very difficult term for him, because he was an independant. He did a lot of great things, like get more money into the budget yearly for education, but he fought both the republicans and the democrats on almost every issue. It was great for the news though.

raciccarone 5 years 3 days

I have met the people who "run the place" and let me say that I know I could do a better job. Most of them are not very bright but they have the money and connections to run for office. Seriously, Nancy Pelosi? Ron Paul? These are people who are struggling under the ballast of their intellect?

CitizenSugar 5 years 3 days

I just like the idea of having a "nuttier side." Nice point, Stephley :)And I'm with cabaker — I'd love to know what it was like in MN during "The Body" years.

CitizenSugar 5 years 3 days

I just like the idea of having a "nuttier side." Nice point, Stephley :) And I'm with cabaker — I'd love to know what it was like in MN during "The Body" years.

hausfrau 5 years 3 days

If there's any Minnestotans who wanna speak up, did you like Ventura when he was the governor?

hausfrau 5 years 3 days

Housewives Steph?!?!You mean I have a chance??? ;)

hausfrau 5 years 3 days

Housewives Steph?!?! You mean I have a chance??? ;)

bellaressa 5 years 3 days

I agree with you stephley. Ventura started somewhere, he just didn't roll up on the scene with experience.

UnDave35 5 years 3 days

Go Jesse. He could affect some real change in congress. I loved his comment when he was governor, and one of the press pool hinted at needing a new stadium for the vikings. He replied: "Their stadium is only 15 years old. We don't replace any schools after only 15 years. Let's work on our school systems first."

stephley 5 years 3 days

Members of Congress don't 'run the place', and don't all have legal or political backgrounds. That's why there are college professors, doctors and housewives on Capitol Hill today. Before running for governor of Minnesota, Ventura was briefly a mayor, a professional wrestler and a Navy seal - not exactly heavy on political experience and probably not really representative of the average Minnesotan. Franken's been politically active for decades, he's not just rolling off the SNL set. They'd probably be evenly matched intellectually and their nuttier sides line up pretty well too.

stephley 5 years 3 days