So, here’s the thing. Norm Coleman is a spineless, self-serving shell of a human being with no redeeming qualities and, to be fair, no offensive qualities. I suppose the two in combination are, in fact, offensive, but let’s ignore that little paradox.

Al Franken, on the other hand, is a capable comedian. And that’s about it.

And then there’s Jesse.

I am damn near giddy at the prospect of Jesse Ventura running for senate. I was just coming into political awareness when Jesse was in office, so I don’t have many of my own opinions on him, but I do know that every time I bring him up, my dad says, “He’s got a big mouth, but you know what? He knows how to get things done.” (He finds reasons to inject this into conversations, too. I’ll say I voted for Norm Coleman in 2002 because I thought he would get things done and I’m kicking myself for it now and my dad will interject with “You know who can get things done?”)

Quoth MPR:

But what might be the most intriguing result of the poll is when survey participants were asked their opinions in a three-way race former Governor Jesse Ventura polled 24 percent even though he’s not running yet.

I will say, for extremely selfish and nonpolitical reasons, that I would rather see Dean Barkley run. This is because, when I worked on an independent gubernatorial campaign in Boston, one of the consultants (who actually stayed with me for a few months) is close personal friends with him. I’d be in the middle of a conversation with him, and he’d say “Hold on, Art, I’m getting a call from your former senator…. Hey, Dean-o!”

But either way, please please please let an independent run in this campaign so I have someone to get at least an emotion about.

Related posts:

1. Jesse’s In
2. Al Franken running for Senate?
3. Jesse Watch
4. Uh, Yeah. Good Question.
5. That freaky Norm Coleman