Ventura’s Interview Brings Demand That He Quit Party

Reform Party Chairman Russell Verney demanded Friday that Gov. Jesse Ventura resign from the party, saying the former wrestler had “brought shame” to himself with a bombastic interview. Ventura says his remarks were taken out of context.

The Minnesota governor, whose frank talk got him elected in a November upset, told Playboy magazine that organized religion “is a sham,” the Navy Tailhook scandal was “much ado about nothing” and fat people “can’t push away from the table.”

“In just one interview you have managed to severely damage the credibility and integrity of thousands of Reform Party members,” Verney, an adversary of the governor, wrote in a letter to Ventura. “You have brought shame to yourself and disgrace to the members of the Reform Party.”

Verney’s letter reflects rising bitterness inside the Reform Party as its fractious members seek a presidential nominee for 2000.

Ventura helped orchestrate Verney’s ouster from the Reform Party chairmanship last July and he is scheduled to be replaced soon by Jack Gargan, an ally of the Minnesota governor. Verney is allied with Reform Party founder Ross Perot, who has been leaning toward supporting Republican Patrick J. Buchanan for the party’s presidential nomination.

The list of other potential presidential candidates is long and colorful, including New York real estate tycoon Donald Trump, former Connecticut Gov. Lowell P. Weicker, Perot and Ventura himself.

“I don’t know why Russ Verney is concerned,” said John Wodele, a Ventura spokesman. “He never supported the governor when he ran for office and he isn’t supporting him now.”