MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minnesota environmentalist is publishing a book this week about Gov. Jesse Ventura -- "Always Cheat: The Philosophy of Jesse Ventura."
Leslie Davis, of Minneapolis, a frequent candidate for higher office, has been a persistent critic of Ventura.
According to promotional material, much of the self-published book is devoted to arguing a case that Davis has sought to prove for years: that Ventura and his top aides acted illegally when they persuaded a Reform Party primary opponent to withdraw his candidacy against Ventura in 1998. (The Reform Party later became the Independence Party in Minnesota.)
In his book, Davis tries to show that Ventura, spokesman John Wodele and top adviser Dean Barkley, among others, conspired to prevent the allegation from being investigated or prosecuted.
Wodele said that Davis lacks credibility and that his charges amount to "unfounded accusations."
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The title of the book is taken from a slogan Ventura used in his wrestling days, when he played the part of a villain or "heel" and offered the advice: "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat."
