A couple of days ago, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura announced he would not mount a 3rd party candidacy for Minnesota's US Senate seat currently held by Norm Coleman. As a journalist, I was disappointed.

 Keep in mind, I am not a political guy in the sense that I am not active in politics. I am not registered to vote and I don't vote because I frequently cover politics and I never want anyone thinking I talk about politics with a specific agenda in mind.

 Having said that, Jesse Ventura is kind of a breath of fresh air in the political world. I had a chance about eight years ago to interview Ventura at the Minnesota state capitol in St. Paul. In person he is a big guy but what impressed me so during the interview was his political acumen. He would discuss his beliefs and then poke political holes in those beliefs. It was an unusual exercise to witness but it underscored to me his understanding of the political world. When it comes to solving problems, there is no one, specific omnibus solution which will leave everyone satisfied. He knew this but I think he, more times than not, shot for the solution which would benefit the most people without bowing too much to special interests. He frequently would stare down the Minnesota Legislature on the issues of taxes and fees. He did not want to place any more of a financial burden on the people of Minnesota if it could be helped. When he saw a need that money could solve he would support a tax or fee increase.

 Some call his leadership a lesson in being stubborn. They say he was naive as a politician and as a result ineffective. I remind people who say that about the message of the Founding Fathers. When they first framed the Constitution and created the building blocks of the republic, their intent was to create a system of government based on the everyman: where farmers, truck drivers, doctors, janitors, everyone would be able to serve and represent their people back home. It was never meant to become a wheel of job security for people who wanted to hold the jobs for several terms, some for decades. It was designed to bring new blood into the process and to allow different voices to become part of the system. Jesse Ventura certainly lived up to that.

 Quote Of The Day: "I believe in the American people's ability to govern themselves. If government would just get out of the way and allow them to lead their lives as they choose, they will succeed." Jesse Ventura

 This Day In History: Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California on this date, July 17th, 1955.

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