Ventura Spends Night at White House

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura spent a night at the White House, staying up with President Clinton until 4 a.m. talking about cigars.
Ventura was in Washington on Thursday and testified before Congress on international trade, then gave a speech at Georgetown University. As he prepared to spend a ``quiet night'' in his hotel room, he got an invitation from the White House.
``So I slept in the White House last night - the Lincoln Bedroom - and it didn't cost me a dime,'' he said, making light of the fund-raising controversy involving the Clintons letting some major donors sleep in the bedroom.
``I didn't contribute anything, just had great conversation with the president. We were up 'til four in the morning. He's a night owl.''
The White House confirmed Ventura was a guest but declined to provide any details, calling it ``private time.''
``We talked about cigars,'' Ventura said. ``He has a good collection in his office. ... It is kind of fun to hang out with the president.''
The governor said he and Clinton also watched a tape of Ventura's Georgetown speech on C-SPAN.
``He was most interested in what the kids asked me,'' Ventura told listened to his weekly radio show, which was broadcast Friday from a Georgetown restaurant.

Ventura has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. He has denied any interest in the job, but intimated the overnight accommodations may make him reconsider.
``I could hang out there for a year or two, or three or four. ... I could live there,'' Ventura said.