Jesse Ventura

Vetoes Past

tptadmin — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:57:54 -0500

The veto is not a tool that Governor Pawlenty has used often. But Jesse Ventura was a pro with vetoes. And back in 2002, legislator Tim Pawlenty was involved in a rare Minnesota veto override. Take a look.

My Top Ten

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 2 Jan 2009 12:32:00 -0600

Returning from vacation and looking back at the year, I decided to put together my Minnesota Top Ten Political Stories of 2008.

1. The Recount: It may be the top story of this year too if it keeps going. The most expensive and ugly political race in state history has continued, and continued, and continued. It seems the state was split and rather lukewarm about Coleman and Franken. I'll make no predictions about who "wins" and when.

2. Pawlenty Almost VP: Keeping track of where and when VP candidate Pawlenty would surface was tough work for local political reporters. He was everywhere. He nearly got the number two job. After not getting the nod, Pawlenty said he "doesn't get disappointed." He might be super steady, but c'mon he is human. The question is if he'll run again for gov. (I doubt it) and if he gains traction as a presidential candidate?

3. Transportation Override: For the first time lawmakers overrode Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto. A bridge fell down. Dems crafted a deal and did the impossible. Republicans suffered for it.

4. RNC: The world did watch our wonderful Twin Cities shine (generally). The protests got more local news than national play, so overall the country seemed to think St. Paul did a fine job hosting a huge event. Republicans got the convention bounce they needed, but it didn't last.

5. Obama in St. Paul: He might not have made many campaign visits here, but the biggest day of the campaign happened in a packed Xcel in St. Paul. Obama secured the Democratic nomination in the place Republicans would officially choose their nominee. It was the loudest and most emotional political rally I have ever covered.

6. Palin Shopping Spree: Hey maybe it was a good economic stimulus for the local economy. The hockey mom's big ticket suits and spending spree at Neiman Marcus created a big problem for her Average Joe image. And that may could the memory of the solid speech she delivered in St. Paul that had quieted her skeptics.

7. Bachmann Bashes Obama/Media: Later calling it an "urban myth" Congresswoman Michele Bachmann made big news after questioning Obama and members of congress for "un-American" views, though she says she didn't say that. We've all seen the tape. She did damage control and won.

8. Republicans Retention: Going into the election, with the economy down, a Republican president's dismal approval ratings, and the GOP ticket topper behind, few Republicans really thought they would hold on to all of their congressional seats. Most betting people thought either Bachmann or Paulsen were going to lose. Paulsen's margin of victory surprised most observers.

9. DFLers Do Well: Dems fell short of an override majority in the House, but picked up a couple of seats. The Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher probably deserves the most improved politician award this year. Her level headed leadership helped guide a session-ending deal that seemed unlikely and gained praise from all involved. The question is will she run for governor?

10. Jesse Surfaces: Remember when the nation was watching that odd appearance on Larry King to see if former Gov. Jesse Ventura would run for Senate. He seemed to love the attention, but again cited his family for the reason to stay away from politics. In his only local interview, Ventura told me how his Mexican retreat has help his wife Terry's health. They are still Minnesota residents. He's also sure 911 was a conspiracy...

Barkley-Ventura Team?

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:02:25 -0500

All week long we've been catching up with the Senate candidates on the campaign trail. Today, we were in Owatonna with Dean Barkley. He told me Jesse Ventura may appear with him this weekend, he hasn't heard if Jesse will be in town yet. In 1998 the final weekend before the election was the magical time for Ventura, but Barkley is not trying to replicate that knowing he can't draw the same crowds. Barkley is just talking to regular folks, he says it isn't about the political celebrities but the person you vote for.

The regular folks we saw seemed pretty fed up with this race. The lawsuits, what's true and what's not; and of course the nasty ads that seemed to hit a new low for our state. Barkley is trying to capitalize on the distaste for the tone of this election saying he's not suing anyone and he "couldn't ask for two better opponents, how much worse can it get?"

Jesse's Final Interview

tptadmin — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 14:48:41 -0500

The Ventura administration was a tumultuous ride. As he talked to fewer and fewer members of the media, tpt became an outlet for the outspoken governor. Many of our long and spirited one-on-one interviews were fun, but always challenging. None was more challenging than his final interview, where he announced he would not seek re-election.

Campaign Notebook

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:15:14 -0500

Looking back at the week in politics, the U.S. Senate race was the story. From Jesse Ventura's announcement with Larry King on CNN that he wasn't running to 7 Independence Party members jumping in from former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley and former IP Chair Jack Uldrich. Getting less press is the fact there are also 7 DFLers in this race, most notably Priscilla Lord Faris who is challenging Al Franken. It was a madhouse outside the secretary of state's office for candidate filing.

The other story I'm watching is Pawlenty slipping a bit in the national buzz. The Washington Post moved him down from #1 in the veepstakes for the first time. But the buzz about his hair continues, MSNBC said the shaving of the mullet means he's serious about being VP. We documented the disappearing mullet back in May. MSNBC also says Pawlenty dodged questions about whether he is now being vetted. But our governor's biggest honor has to be making a hilarious viral hit from Jib Jab (notice him tucked into McCain's Straight Talk Express).

A Political Science Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:52:54 -0500

They are back for their monthly campaign visit. This week's group of political scientists include Guy Charles, David Schultz and Kathryn Pearson.

Mary's Campaign Notebook

tptadmin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:48:03 -0500

A wild and wacky filing deadline day forms the basis of Mary Lahammer's look at the week in politics.

The Monologue

tptadmin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:46:34 -0500

It's Dominic Papotola's turn.

Jesse Not Running

Mary Lahammer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:23:08 -0500

Here's what Jesse had to say: "This is an agonizing decision...felt like '98...my personal life...my family...my children were attacked by Minnesota media...do I want to put my family on the firing line again...maybe I'm not religious enough...God has never spoken to me...maybe at 5:00 God will send me to file...I came close...my daughter feared....won't put my family through that again...I don't see how Al Franken can win."

Jesse wanted to delay but Larry King pushed him along. Ventura ripped the local media again, essentially blaming the local press for a reason not to run. Jesse looked the same (clean shaven and died long hair) when we sat down back in May for an interview (despite erroneous reports that he won't talk to any Minnesota political reporters). He cited a poll done by Ch.5 in Minneapolis so there was a slightly positive reference to local media.

The most ironic part of the broadcast had to be an Al Franken commerical in one of the breaks between Jesse's segment. He had to keep the door open a tiny bit, by saying maybe God would talk to him like President Bush.

The Political Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:37:22 -0500

Issues Senatorial and Presidential occupy the time with this week's political panelists. Democrats Jane Ranum and Mike Hatch share the couch with Republicans Fritz Knaak and Andy Brehm.