John Shumway Pins Jesse Ventura
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - Jesse Ventura is former governor of Minnesota, a U.S. Navy SEAL, a wrestling legend, author, and movie actor, but even he can be bested by KDKA's John Shumway in the arena of ideas.
In Ventura's new book, "DemoCRIPS and ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government," he talks about how he feels both national parties are at fault for our country's current woes, and also criticizes the mainstream media for not being more critical of candidates and elected officials.
"The solution is as simple as the nose on your face, but it's as difficult as climbing Mount Everest," says Ventura. "Stop listening to mainstream media and stop voting for Democrats and Republicans."
KDKA-AM's John Shumway took offense to Ventura's charge that the mainstream media is at fault for what Ventura perceives are the problems in politics.
"You would consider this radio station to be mainstream media - why is the media responsible for this? Why do you blame the mainstream media for basically reporting what's going on?," Shumway said.
Ventura responded that media companies are owned by corporations, who have their own agendas and use their media outlets to profess those agendas. He also blames the media for not reporting on third-party candidates.
"Mainstream media marginalizes any third candidate," said Ventura. "They do not support third candidates participating. If they did, we'd see a third voice in the debates. We haven't heard a third voice in a debate for over 20 years."
He went on to say that when he ran for governor in Minnesota as an independent, he started with less than 10 percent of the vote, but after good outings in public debates, he went from last to winning the election.
Shumway pointed out that in the recent mayoral debate on KDKA Radio, all four candidates were included, despite two of them being marginalized in the polls.
"You go out there and brand the mainstream media that they're all awful, and the reality is that just like all third-party candidates aren't crazy, there are good candidates," said Shumway.
"Alright, I correct myself, they're not all awful," said Ventura.
Hear more of Ventura and Shumway's conversation by listening to the interview below:
