Pair o' Dime Props: Minnesota Politics

Just a quick raise of the glass to our friends in Minnesota. These folks know how to entertain us. This goes beyond Lake Wobegon or Fran Tarkenton infomercials. This is about politics and government.

After spending most of his life in the WWF, Jessie "The Body" Ventura left the wrestling ring and threw his hat into the political ring. A pro wrestler running for Governor of the State of Minnesota? That's insane. Actors and Athletes are one thing, but someone who has made his living being over-the-top arrogant, violent, fake and actually a "bad guy" in wrestling? That would never fly. The guy was sure to get body slammed in the election, right? Nope, not in Minnesota. In 1998, Ventura was elected governor of the state. (I must admit here, I sort of liked his style. I personally wouldn't mess with Jesse).

A decade passed and Minnesota was at it again. This time it was comedian Al "Stuart Smalley" Franken running for Senator. A comedian who rose to fame through Saturday Night Live running for Senator? The guy best known for wearing pastel sweaters and sweetly counseling people as Stuart Smalley? Surely he had no chance, right? Nope, he had a chance, and by just over 300 votes Franken is now the junior senator from Minnesota. Of course, lawyers and recounts were needed to secure the victory, but apparently, he was good enough, smart enough, and dog-gone it, people liked him.

Oh, and poor Norm Coleman. The former mayor of St. Paul lost to Franken....and Ventura! I wonder how that feels?!

(NOTE: I thought about discussing the 2002 Senate Race too, but that one wasn't quite as amusing...it was just sad.