The Hiller Instinct: Ventura on Third-Party Politics

Bush
"Senator Kerry's been in Washington long enough to take both sides on just about every issue."

Kerry
"A deficit reduction promise from George W. Bush is not exactly a gilt edged bond."

As George Bush and John Kerry try to define their differences, Jesse Ventura says they're both the same…

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"It's like if you walked in to the grocery store and you went to the soft drink department and the only two things you could buy was Coke and Pepsi... There's no choice."

Ventura doesn't blame Bush and Kerry... he raps the Republican and Democratic parties, comparing them to gangs…

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"I used to call them the ‘democryps’ and ‘rebloodicans’. You know, they're like the crypts and bloods, only these guys wear Brooks Brothers suits."

Running as a third-party candidate, Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998, and no one argued on election night when he declared, "we shocked the world…"

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"I'm probably the only candidate, who had a two hour mosh pit going (laughter)."

Now Ventura is teaching third-party politics at Harvard.

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"The way the third party has to win is to be centrist, or as we like to call it, the 'radical center’."

So Ventura thinks Ralph Nader has no chance against Bush and Kerry…

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"See, right now Ralph Nader is farther left than the democrats, he'll never win."

Before Ventura was a governor or a professor, he was a pro wrestler, which he says schooled him for politics…

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"It prepared me by being very comfortable in front of a crowd… Because in my day of wrestling you were paid by percentage of the gate. So it was how many people you could put into the seats. Well what's the difference between putting people in seats and getting them to vote for you?"

Ventura's mix of politics and celebrity has brought him into contact with presidents and presidential candidates and he's long thought he could win the White House.

Andy Hiller
"I read a quote talking about running for president, and you said, ‘I could win if I wanted it.’ You believe that?"

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"Yeah. Yes, I do."

Andy Hiller
"Do you still believe you could be elected president?"

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"Absolutely."

Andy Hiller
"Why?"

Jesse Ventura, Former Minnesota Governor
"Because over 50 percent of Americans have been alienated and don't even vote."

Ventura says the most important thing he has learned at Harvard is that to make an educated decision, all sides of a political issue must be heard. So hear his.