Who needs Gov. Jesse Ventura, when you've got the "Three Musketeers?"

Who needs the

charismatic governor, when you've got Minnesota's "golden child of politics?

The Independence Party sent three endorsed candidates to Austin Monday: U.S. Senate candidate Jim Moore, State Auditor candidate Dave Hutcheson and Secretary of State candidate Dean Alger.

On Thursday, the Independence Party's gubernatorial candidate, Tim Penny visits Austin.

Expect to hear "money special interest groups" frequently when the Independence Party comes to town. The party's candidates are against them and they will tell you why … often and in a few thousand words or more.

Moore, Hutcheson and Alger are traveling the state, meeting with local media, in preparation for an intensive campaign in the months ahead.

This year, Minnesotans will have four distinct choices topping the general election ballots: the familiar DFL and GOP as well as the Green Party and the Independence Party. The latter two have gained momentum since the year 2000 elections.

Auditor candidate

Born at Red Wing, Hutcheson grew up on a farm in Goodhue County, served 23 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger and member of an airborne unit, worked for Honeywell and Hughes Aircraft for 15 years and most recently taught at College of St. Benedict and St. John's University.

As the Independence Party's candidate for State Auditor, Hutcheson promised a "fresh, non-partisan, common-sense approach to the job.

U.S. Senate candidate

Moore is a commercial banker, who has specialized in helping struggling companies get back on their financial feet..

A native of Chicago, Ill., he and his wife, Shari, a doctor of pediatrics medicine, have two children.

His policy focuses begins with campaign finance reform. "I want to eliminate the leverage that money special interests now hold," he said.

Secretary of State

Alger has the highest profile of the trio of Independence Party candidates.

His landmark election study "Crosstalk" ensured his fame as a writer, media and election reform leader and pubic affairs consultant.

His book "MegaMedia" ensured him of Bill Moyers' support. "Dean Alger has written the most important book about democracy this year," Moyers observed.

Alger is also a skilled musician. The CD "Dr. D & Friends" contains the popular "Election Day Blues" and "Your Cheatin' Heart In Those Campaign Ads." Despite the campaign comic relief songs, Alger is a serious, blues guitarist and vocalist.

His classes as a professor of political science -- currently on sabbatical from Moorhead State University -- underline the Independence party's credo "not political as usual."

There is nothing usual about Alger. Witness his guitar string tie he wears. Witness also the photocopy of Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer's advertisement labeled "Integrity Counts" and announcing Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris coming to Minnesota to raise money for Kiffmeyer's campaign.

Yes, that Katherine Harris of the 2000 Florida election results infamy and dangling chad fame.

Don't get Alger started on this topic.

Hutcheson said there is "more depth" to the Independence Party endorsed candidates than meets the political eye. He said the 10-year-old party has been building momentum with the commitment made year after year of Dean Barclay and others.

Moore said the party is not the "one dollar, one vote" kind. The highly quotable Moore also said, "The power needs to be taken back to the people"

All three said, the gloves come off soon and they will fine-tune their campaign message to show the distinction between the Independence party and everyone else.

Alger put it this way: "People are sick until death of politics as usual. We can change that."

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com