As the more than 350 Reform Party delegates arrived in Dearborn, Michigan, they were anticipating a showdown between the party's past and what some say is its future, and most delegates were excited with the prospect of seeing the man of the hour. It is my pleasure to introduce the first but not last elected Reform Party statewide candidate, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. And Ventura did address the convention, but not in person. This is a great opportunity for the Reform Party.
Voters are very suspicious of the two major parties.
Bad weather grounded Ventura's plane, so he had to talk to delegates via speaker phone. Abraham Lincoln, remember, was a third party candidate. Now, it's our turn to elect a third-party candidate. Thank you very much. The former professional wrestler was sworn in, in January, after getting more votes than any statewide Reform candidate since the party was founded in 1996.