A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 8, 1999

Sometimes it just takes one pioneer to silence the naysayers and open the doors of opportunity. Presidential candidates Shirley Chisholm and Margaret Chase Smith opened the door for Elizabeth Dole. Now, following the election of Jesse "The Body" Ventura, wrestlers seem to be coming out of the woodworks to run for office.

"The big thing about him if he faces Hillary is that the black and Hispanic vote, which will come out in historic numbers against Giuliani, will stay home if Lazio is our candidate." – Two allies of New York Gov. George Pataki, explaining the merits of Rep. Rick Lazio's Senate candidacy. (Daily News, New York, July 8))

The latest grappler to throw his hat into the, uh, ring is Jerry "The King" Lawler, who became a Memphis mayoral candidate on Wednesday. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan may have been half-joking when he said that he would run for president, but there has been semi-serious talk that "Nature Boy" Ric Flair would like to run for North Carolina governor someday.
• Lawler Flexes His Celebrity Muscle in Mayoral Race (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, July 8)
• Jerry "The Mayor" Lawler? (World Wrestling Federation, July 7)
• Gov. Nature Boy? (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 1)

But, we all know that Ventura was an anomaly. He probably won't open any more doors than Ronald "Bedtime for Bonzo" Reagan did for Reps. Ben "Cooter" Jones, Fred "Gopher" Grandy or the late Sonny "And Cher" Bono.
• Elizabeth's Ronald Reagan Homepage (ReelClassics.com)
• Ben Jones (Macrenaris Productions)
• Fred Grandy (Rick Portes's Unofficial Loveboat Homepage)
• Sonny Bono Virtual Memorial Web Site (MAS Enterprises)

Verney Says Ventura Didn't Force Him Out
Ventura is at the center of a national battle over the future of the Reform Party. On Wednesday, party chairman Russell Verney said he would not seek reelection to his post. He also said his decision was not related to Ventura's endorsement of his opponent.
• Verney Won't Seek Reelection as Reform Party Chairman (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, July 8)

Rep. McDermott: Surgery Won't Affect Decision on Senate Race
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) is resting following Wednesday's surgery to replace a defective heart valve. McDermott, who is considering a Senate race against incumbent Republican Slade Gorton, hopes to be back at work by August.
• McDermott Has Heart Surgery (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 8)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com