This editorial piece was published by both Twin Cities major newspapers, the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, on November 5, 1998. Part of the text was also quoted in an Associated Press article on the election of Jesse Ventura.

Good morning, Minnesota. I thought I'd take some time on this post-election day to share some thoughts with everyone who voted for Jesse Ventura for governor to "send a message."

Congratulations! You have sent a message to the nation that Minnesotans value celebrity over substance and showmanship over experience. You have said you believe that bluster outweighs thoughtfulness and that our public servants should despise their calling.

However, you are sending more than a message. You are sending a man to Saint Paul to work with legislators whom he has disparaged as leeches on the body public, or at least on the public payroll. You are setting up a figurehead to represent us to business and political interests who is proud of his ability to irritate others. You will be sending a man to Washington to petition for the funds to clean up after our next weather emergency who will face questions about his stance against public aid. You are appointing a spokesman for our state who has proved himself one of the least articulate candidates in this last election. You are sending a man to shape and support legislative initiatives who was unable to take a position in the campaign without qualifying his stance with the words "maybe", "necessarily", or "probably".

To those of you who assume that I am writing in support of "politics as usual," please be aware that in the 1994 gubernatorial election, I voted for a third party candidate. However, before casting my vote, I made sure that the man I was voting for was thoughtful, well informed, and interested in the business of governing our state. I wish everyone had done the same this year.

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