The accelerating momentum of a Jesse Ventura and Howard Stern ticket in 2016 continues to be a laughing matter for some but the more I consider it the more convinced I am that if things keep heading the way they are, the two could attract a critical mass large enough to – at the very least – elevate an issue or two to national prominence.
Why?
Because this motley crew may already be closer to the center of American politics than either of the two major political parties.
As indicated previously, I define the new center as the Wanniski-Tamny tripod – the three major areas of concern for the electorate. Those being Economic Growth, Social Tolerance and Less Entanglement in Foreign Affairs. The latter two of the three figured prominently in last week’s interview of Governor Ventura by Mr. Stern.
When you listen to Ventura in various forums the clear voice of a Populist-Libertarian emerges and not only that a shrewd strategist’s mind informed by years of experience 1) in pop culture, providing entertainment as a professional wrestler 2) political experience (as Mayor of Brooklyn Park Minnesota and then Governor of the state) and 3) investigative journalism (as host of the popular Tru TV series, “Conspiracy Theory”).
The finished product is a still physically-imposing man capable of defeating anyone politician in debate. But his greatest insight maybe the ongoing wooing of Stern as running mate, which would bring with it hours of free advertising (the same that NBC’s America’s Got Talent enjoys thanks to Stern being one of its judges) with little regulatory restriction since Stern’s show is broadcast on Sirius-XM which escapes onerous FCC rules.
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