MPR: Ventura proves his popularity

Ventura proves his popularity
By Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio
September 7, 2001

Gov. Jesse Ventura wrapped up his tour of southwestern Minnesota in New Ulm Friday. Ventura sampled beer, got close to the town's famous monument and broadcast his weekly radio show from German Park. The visit almost felt like a campaign swing, but Ventura insists he's putting off a decision on whether to run for re-election until next year.

Gov. Ventura signs autographs while doing his radio show Friday from New Ulm.
(MPR Photo/Laura McCallum)

WHENEVER GOV. VENTURA HITS THE ROAD, he's usually mobbed by people wanting handshakes, autographs and photos, and New Ulm was no exception. A short walk through downtown brought out a crowd of citizens holding out Ventura dolls, pictures, even flowers. It appears Ventura's celebrity status has not diminished. Case in point: Melissa Chisel,12, who came to the microphone during Ventura's radio show.

"First of all, I want to say something: you are so cool," a giggling Chisel told Ventura.

About 500 people gathered at the town's popular German Park for the radio show. Several citizens urged Ventura to run for re-election, but he repeated that he won't make that decision until next summer, and the crowd sided with him.

"How many people think I should wait, do my work, get to the end of the session, and then pay attention to it when the session's over?" Ventura asked a cheering audience. "Did you hear that, media? Where's the jackals? All right, there's your answer so quit asking me."

Ventura spent most of his time in New Ulm playing tourist. He started with a stop at the Schell Brewing Company, where he poured hops and sampled the wares.
(MPR Photo/Laura McCallum)

Ventura's indecision has not deterred a full slate of candidates from jumping into the race for governor in 2002. Ventura took a couple of jabs at two of them, Republicans Brian Sullivan and Tim Pawlenty. But politics did not rule the day; Ventura spent most of his time in New Ulm playing tourist. He started with a stop at the Schell Brewing Company, where he poured hops and sampled the wares.

Ventura then visited Hermann the German, the 35-foot monument overlooking the town, and climbed to the top of the 100-foot tower to see Hermann close up.

"I had no idea. It was described to me as a guy on top of a gazebo. When you get here and see it, and you get up here, you know, it's a gorgeous monument," Ventura said.

Ironically, Hermann the German apparently convinced Ventura to run for governor in 1998, but not because he was impressed with the monument. Ventura railed on his talk radio show about a $400,000 legislative appropriation to help restore Hermann to his full glory, and cited it as an example of wasteful state spending in his autobiography.

New Ulm Mayor Arnold Koelpin says some local residents weren't happy when Ventura took on their beloved monument. "But I think that that upsettedness, if you will, has been overcome, and he himself said he wanted to visit Hermann, and when he was there he realized, that it was much more than he thought it was," Koelpin said.

Ventura visited Hermann the German, the 35-foot monument overlooking the town, and climbed to the top of the 100-foot tower to see Hermann close up.
(MPR Photo/Laura McCallum)

Koelpin says judging from the town's reaction to Ventura's visit, the independent governor may have quite a bit of support in the mostly-conservative community. As Ventura strolled Main Street, wearing a Schell's Brewing cap and smoking a cigar, he received the usual 'thank-you's' for the rebate checks the state recently sent to citizens.

The owner of the Country Loft and Doll House, Nancy Kokesch, held up a sign that read Jesse, spend your rebate check here!. She says most people call them the "Jesse checks."

Ventura clearly enjoys his time away from the Capitol, and says road trips like this are one of the highlights of his job. "How could you not feel great? It's so much fun, and the people are so genuine. I think it's just a case that they appreciate the fact that you will take time and come out here. I love it. I'd rather be out on these trips than sitting in the office," Ventura said.

Ventura will likely make several more outstate visits this year, including one Monday to the Iron Range.

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