Linda McMahon can’t count on the support of a very notable ex-performer from World Wrestling Entertainment, where she was once CEO: Jesse Ventura, who served one term as governor of Minnesota with the state’s centrist/libertarian Independence Party. But that said, it doesn’t seem to be personal.
Ventura appeared on Good Morning America, and was asked by George Stephanopoulos whether he would vote for McMahon if he were in Connecticut. “No, because I don’t vote for Democrats or Republicans,” said Ventura. “If she ran as an independent she could possibly get my endorsement, but I refuse.”
Ventura then explained that he regards the whole party system as thoroughly corrupt — so much so that he no longer even supports the third-party movement. Instead, he believes all elections should be held on a non-partisan basis in terms of how candidates are listed on the ballot, with the parties existing only as political action committees to support candidates.
[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon’s Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]
Ventura also said that he worked more closely with Vince McMahon on the talent end of WWE, rather than with Linda who headed up the business side, though he was acquainted with her. C’est la vie.
The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal a lead of 51.3%-43.2%.
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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