From saying religion is a "crutch" to being an announcer for a now-defunct football league to proclaiming that he wants to be reincarnated into a size-38DD bra, Ventura has provided plenty of fodder for the state's citizens to discuss.

How proud we must feel.

And those were just his words. His actions have been another story.

Many taxpayers were pleased to get rebate checks for a few years because of a state budget surplus. Now, Ventura is leaving office with a $4.56 billion deficit for incoming Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Thanks Jesse.

It's also unlikely Ventura will fade off into the sunset. At least quietly, anyway. There has been discussion that he'll end up on some sort of talk show.

Some of Ventura's defenders will say that right or wrong, Ventura stuck to his guns and did what he believed in -- without political influence.

Maybe.

Regardless, we're glad that Ventura's circus is leaving town. Let's hope Pawlenty and his team can help this state get out this fiscal mess -- along with bringing some respect back to the office of governor for the state of Minnesota.to pack up