`Body' politics

0 Comments | Insight on the News, June 21, 1999 | by Eli Lehrer

A new poll from Fox News and Opinion Dynamics threw in a number of questions about former World Wrestling Federation superstar turned Minnesota governor Jesse "The Body" Ventura. According to the poll, Ventura seems like he's a lot more fun than the competition, particularly when the competition is Vice President Al Gore. By a score of 44 percent to 22 percent (with 34 percent unsure or unwilling to opt for either), Americans said they would choose to spend their summer vacation with Ventura rather than Gore. Even registered Democrats picked Ventura by a score of 40 percent to 31 percent.

The poll also shows that Ventura might think about running for national political office. He lands only 9 points behind GOP front-runner George W. Bush in a two-way race, with 27 percent undecided or unwilling to choose. In fact, Ventura actually beats Bush convincingly among independents and Democrats. Maybe we should get ready for those T-shirts reading: "Our president can beat up your president!"