StrictConstruct

With the Republican Primaries winding down, and Ron Paul dismissing the idea of running third party, many Ron Paul supporters are looking for a different third party candidate to throw their support behind. With Jesse Ventura emerging onto talk shows and commentary shows, plugging his latest book, many see him as perhaps the next person to carry the torch. While he has spoken kindly of Ron Paul in multiple interviews, and unlike Paul has stated that he would run third party if people get him on the ballot, he is no Ron Paul.

No doubt, they do have areas of agreement, for instance both support non-interventionism, both support fiscal responsibility. And added to that, Ventura is a well known celebrity, a former Navy Seal, and a former governor. However, these seem to be about the only positives.

Jesse Ventura has appeared on several programs expressing his belief that the government orchestrated the September 11th terrorist attacks, using the same tired old arguments that have floated around the internet for years. Whether it be that the fire couldn’t have melted steel, disregarding the fact the fire could (and did) weaken the steals structural integrity, or stating that two planes couldn’t take down three buildings, disregarding the debris from the North Tower which significantly damaged WTC-7, he says it all.

But it gets even worse - he even manages to sully what could be a positive by constantly bringing up the fact he was in the navy seal, using it both as an appeal to authority and an ad hominem attack against others (”Were you a navy seal?”) While he is often described as “charismatic” by proponents, he didn’t come off that way. Maybe I just was not watching or listening to the right clips of him, but they seemed pretty consistently abrasive and confrontational.

And then there is the issue of abortion. Like many people who lean libertarian, Ventura is in favor of keeping abortion legal. This view simply does not coincide with Ron Paul’s view, nor is it a view I am willing to support. While people have the right, and should have the freedom to determine what they do with their own lives, they cannot take this so far as to violate the rights of another. If taking the life of another for your own convenience does not fall into this category, I don’t know what would.

Jesse Ventura is right about some things, no doubt, but as a package deal I simply fail to see any real backing behind all the hype. Further, this is without even looking at the logistical reality of a Ventura campaign. Any third party effort would split the supporters of a limited, constitutional government up and divert their focus. The job of restoring the Republican party to its ideal is not over, even as the Republican primaries wind down. There are state conventions, and ultimately a national convention, where party platforms can be set and the process of reform continued. This effort is one which is truly worthwhile, and this is where people should be looking - not to a third party.

(Photo credit to moleofproduction.)