This is very bad, Jesse will take more liberal hippie votes away from Franken than he take conservatives away from  Coleman.

He is like Nader not Bob Barr.

I think you're wrong in labeling the MN Independence Party as "libertarian" and in arguing that Ventura entering the race would help Franken.  The DFL in MN has traditionally gotten screwed when a strong candidate has run under the independence party banner because the party is socially liberal and fiscally "conservative."  Those candidates have picked off primarily Center-left voters that you have to get to win in MN.  Barkeley would not be as dangerous, if only because I doubt he would be able to raise much cash or attract free media the way Ventura could.  

but if I were, I think Ventura's walking out of Wellstone's memorial service and comments about the event would disqualify him from consideration for my vote.

I'll admit I've still got a soft spot for Jesse. He had absolutely no filter on his mouth, which was really fun, but also incredibly thin skinned, which was puzzling. Economically conservative and socially liberal is a pretty good description of me. I voted for him in '98 for gov, and thought he did an ok job as gov.  

I don't see him taking away more votes from Franken than Coleman. He is adored in the exurbs, especially Anoka County, which are Repub friendly territories.

an embarrassment to American Political discourse.

What sucks is for some reason he is given a voice when he has no expertise on the American political system and in many interviews dismisses it as cliche and not as cool as his hard knock life in Baja, Mexico.

I hope when his book deal is over he panhandles enough change to fly his un-patriotic ass back to Mexico.

After watching this video I realized just how done I was with ventura:

Wow, that was brilliant Jesse!

Pat on the back

I answered No to the poll as I cannot stand this man , not for his policies but his lack of respect of public service when he is so hungry of a piece of it himself.

Now the conversation here is not if we like or don't like him, it is will his possible senate run help or hurt Al Franken.

Personaly I think it would be safer if he didn't run and went back to his vacation home, just like all the celebrities who think they are too cool for America but can speak on it (talking to you kevin spacey)

If he does run, are the grass roots activists ready to pile the attack on Ventura and Coleman?

Do the Minn voters hear think Franken would have a stronger ticket attacking both Coleman and Ventura in the same breath?

Hooray for Jesse!  If elected, we can expect him to offer up bills that guarantee the right to jet ski on all public waters without restriction.  And you can be sure that the Federal Government will get involved in capping the license fees for SUV's.  (Jesse hates paying big fees for his Hummer.)

I will say this:  He managed to get the light rail done.  And despite the fact that he's a clownish buffoon, (I think that local talk radio asshat Joe Soucheray called him "Governor Turnbuckle", a perfect moniker if you ask me), he'd be a hell of an improvement over Norm "The Music Man" Coleman.  (Or if you prefer, Norm "Mayor Quimby" Coleman.)

"Dean Barkley, who then-Governor Jesse Ventura appointed to fill Paul Wellstone's seat prior to the 2002 election, has challenged his old boss to a golf game tomorrow"

Actually, the appointment came after the election.