Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura brings to politics something that has been lacking.
"Clearly, the governor has a great deal of charisma and that's not in high supply in the Republican Party if you've been watching it lately," Buchanan said Wednesday after a brief courtesy visit with Ventura.
Buchanan, who was in town for a fund raiser, said Ventura would be an unlikely running mate for him in the presidential race.
"I think the governor has ruled that out because he said he is a Reform Party candidate," Buchanan said. "We would probably have some disagreements on social and cultural issues."
Before the meeting, Ventura had left open the slightest possibility of running with Buchanan by declining to say no immediately.
"I think he's a fellow that speaks his mind," Ventura said of the outspoken conservative.
Buchanan finished second in Iowa's precinct caucuses in the last election cycle, and went on to win the New Hampshire primary before fading from the race.
