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CNN Live Today

Governor Ventura Not Seeking Re-election

Aired June 19, 2002 - 10:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now he is one of the most colorful characters to come out of his generation. When Jesse Ventura tossed had his hat in the political arena, people were stunned. Well, now Minnesota's sometimes controversial but always colorful governor is calling it quits.

CNN's Bruce Morton takes a look at the Ventura legacy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRUCE MORTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Minnesota's independent and independent-minded governor, Jesse Ventura, won't seek a second term.

JESSE VENTURA, MINNESOTA GOVERNOR: I'm going to announce on your show right now that I am not seeking reelection again. I will not run again.

MORTON: You've got to have your heart and soul in these types of jobs, Ventura said, adding that his decision was partly tied to news reports his son had used the governor's mansion for parties. He's had a lot of careers, professional wrestling:

WRESTLING ANNOUNCER: The referee has Rocky Johnson out of the ring and awards this contest to Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

MORTON: He was a Navy Seal, and an author. The book's title, "I Ain't Got Time to Bleed", comes from a line he had in an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, and dolls made in his image. But he got elected governor because he figured out a basic political fact, at least in Minnesota in 1998.

VENTURA: The Democrat and Republican parties are minorities. It's that simple. When you look, you've maybe 20 percent on the left, 20 percent on the right. The majority, the 60 percent in the middle, do not align with either party.

MORTON: He won four years ago with 37 percent of the vote, Republican Norm Coleman second with 34. As governor, Ventura has had some successes -- tax cut, a sales tax rebate, though smaller than he wanted.

VENTURA: If there is one liberating thing that has come from being a third party governor, it is that my cabinet can ask new questions that have nothing to do with politics. MORTON: He got elected, actually, as a Reform Party candidate, went independent after falling out with Ross Perot and Pat Buchanan. Voters liked him, but he was criticized for refereeing a wrestling match and working as a football commentator. Now he says it's time to go back to the private sector. He once tried to make reporters at the state house wear badges labeled "Official Jackal." But they'll probably miss him. Wouldn't you?

WRESTLING ANNOUNCER: Thank you for your time, Mr. Ventura.

VENTURA: The pleasure was yours.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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