Jesse Ventura down-to-
earth, Cayetano says

During the recent National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., Gov. Ben Cayetano had "a very, very long talk" with Jesse Ventura, the former professional wrestler who, as an independent, won the Minnesota governorship last year.

Cayetano learned that Ventura once lived in the isles for seven months.

"Very interesting man," Cayetano, a Democrat, said, referring to Ventura. "I have a feeling that in his heart he's probably a Democrat because he's kind of a liberal on many social issues, more conservative on fiscal matters. But quite independent about many things. I think all of the governors really liked him.

"We talked about when he was here and his friendship with Lord Blears (the pro wrestler who was popular in the isles during the 1960s) and his days as a (Navy) SEAL.

"He asked me a little bit about where I was from and all of that. I had a very long talk with him. We sat next to each other. We traveled on the bus together. I can see why he won. He seems like a very genuine and down-to-earth person."

And Ventura knows what the shaka sign is, Cayetano added.

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By Star-Bulletin staff

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