"I started stating that maybe I should run for governor. Well, it caught on like wildfire. I felt Id boxed myself into a corner—if I didnt attempt to do this, I would lose my credibility. And in the world of talk radio, once that happens, youre finished."
Jesse Ventura is an American politician, Vietnam veteran, actor, and retired professional wrestler. After achieving fame in the World Wrestling Federation, he served as the 38th governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He was elected governor with the Reform Party and is the party's only candidate to win a major government office.
"Over the past few decades, weve gotten into the bad habit of looking to the government to solve every personal and social crisis that comes along. People have really come to misunderstand governments scope. Theres only so much it can do. For one thing, its a terrible social regulator. And morals and values arent things that legislation can even touch. You cant legislate morality. It doesnt work."
"They could care less about the public. The public comes in third. Number one is keeping their power. Number two are the special interests, the people footing the bill. Finally, the public good might be third — if they can profit from it. If theres no profit, they could care less."
"The Christian right wing in America is a polarizing force when it comes to gay rights, abortion, and patriotism. To me, these arent "issues," they are matters of individual freedom of choice. But the militant Christians … especially dont like anything beyond their idea of the "normal"—like the percentage of our population who happen to be gay. To me, gay rights is simple: its about equality. Were all supposed to be equal under the Constitution, which doesnt say anything about the "Hetero States of America."
"Pro wrestling had heroes and villains, and Id already decided I was going to be a "bad guy" like "Superstar" Billy Graham. Thats why I grew the blond mane, to look like a California beach bum. I knew people in the Midwest would hate that. In a sport where Gorgeous George, Gorilla Monsoon, and The Crusher were some of the big names, I knew that plain old Jim Janos wasnt going to cut the mustard. Id always liked the name Jesse, maybe because of Jesse James. I looked on a map of California and my eyes landed on a highway that ran north of L.A. called Ventura. Jesse Ventura, the Surfer. Now that had a ring to it."
"Every fat person says its not their fault, that they have gland trouble. You know which gland? The saliva gland. They cant push away from the table."
"Whenever you take a stand on an issue, people will line up around the block to kick your ass over it. By having an opinion, you make yourself a target. Why do you think Congress likes to hide behind closed doors at decision-making time? I put all the city council meetings on public TV, over the good old boys objections. Exposure creates an educated, involved public, which isnt in the interests of the old-boy network."