The apparently independent candidate for Texas governor, Kinky Friedman, has decided to do what no other politician or would-be office holder has dared to try - to tell the truth and see if people like it. With some polls showing him gaining on incumbent governor Rick Perry while the other two candidates in the race are slipping back a bit, and others showing bizarre variations which suggest that factors are at work in the election that can't be effectively polled for, Friedman appears to have decided to go for broke with some controversial statements. They don't sound at all like politics as usual, but may win him some support for saying what a lot of people are thinking.
He started out last week with a comment about Hurricane Katrina victims currently living in Houston. It outraged some Democrat politicians, who are perhaps dismayed that Friedman is taking a lot of votes from their uninspiring gubernatorial candidate, Chris Bell. State Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus commented that "he has demonstrated a total lack of human sensitivity" and continued in lecture mode to conclude "Kinky Friedman has called himself a 'compassionate redneck. He would do well henceforth to highlight his compassion while de-emphasizing his redneck tendencies."
Yet the truth is that Friedman's comment was factually accurate, if stated in colorful language. There has been a significant rise in crime directly associated with Katrina victims — many with criminal backgrounds — who appear to have taken up permanent residence in Houston. He said: "The musicians and artists have mostly moved back to New Orleans now. The crackheads and the thugs have decided to stay here. They want to stay here. I think they got their hustle on, and we need to get ours." And he was just stating a known fact.
And he did go on to propose $100 million in additional police funding to deal with the problem. Politicians like Rep. Thompson who have attempted to capitalize on the statement for political advantage are overlooking the possibility that it may be clear to the public that Friedman is telling the truth and those who are criticizing him are being transparently politically disingenuous.
More significant, and certainly more calculated are Friedman's recent statements on decriminalization of marijuana. In the past week he commented on the issue a number of times and made a strong, sensible case for decriminalization and releasing non-violent drug offenders from prison. On Thursday he commented:
"We've got to clear some of the room out of the prisons so we can put the bad guys in there, like the pedophiles and the politicians," and said ""I agree with (U.S. Sen.) John McCain that we've lost the drug war... It's clear to me, if you've lost the war on drugs then you've got to go some other direction. You can't keep banging your head against the wall."
This position might get him some real mileage with voters who polls show opposing the war on drugs by as much as 70%. Even the most conservative polls show a strong majority favoring medical marijuana and reduction in prosecution and incarceration of non-violent offenders. On this issue Friedman might really catch the public's attention, and it's a position none of the other candidates have been bold enough to even consider.
Article comments
1 - Clavos
Damn! I wish we had a Friedman clone in Florida!
Maybe Kinky's success in the polls is a harbinger of the public's building dissatisfaction with traditional pols. He's a breath of fresh air, and definitely not an Establishment candidate.
I hesitate to say this, because I think Kinky is by far the better man, but his campaign so far is very reminescent (in terms of his success with the voters) of Ventura's campaign in MN a few years back.
Think of it--you could have a governor who could give his speeches as concerts! Hell, people might actually listen!
2 - Dave Nalle
I imagine the Ventura campaign is the model which he's trying to follow. If I ever manage to get his campaign manager to schedule an interview for me I plan to ask exactly that question.
Dave
3 - Lumpy
Kinky has some interesting ideas, but he seems just a little unrealistic. I wonder how serious he really is and if he's prepared for the responsibilities of the job he's running for.
Those videos from WFAA you linked to were less than inspiring.
4 - Dave Nalle
I think the reporter at WFAA makes way too much of the fact that Kinky doesn't have an instant answer for every question. I find it refreshing that he admits to not knowing everything but being willing to learn and to be advised.
Dave
5 - Clavos
I also like that he's got a sense of humor--too many pols are so full of themselves and can't be self-deprecating at all.
But I especially like that he's willing to think innovatively in searching for solutions.
6 - Dave Nalle
I also like that he's got a sense of humor--too many pols are so full of themselves and can't be self-deprecating at all.
That would pretty much be a definition of Rick Perry. Of course, being gay and in the closet, he can't afford to let his facade waver at all.
Dave
7 - RJ Elliott
Kinky in 2012!
8 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Dave,
I want to your link about an interview where the reporter has trouble with Kinky being a member of the Tribe, only to find out that it was a real interview, not something to be read...
The kids keep grabbing up the speakers on my computer aso they can play their, er, entertainment (that's a 14 letter word for shit, boys) on the other computer.
Dave, my uncle, may he rest in peace, changed his name from Moses Rosenberg so he could sell furniture in El Paso. They didn't like buying from Jew-boys in those days... Are you telling me it's any different now?
9 - Trouble
I think people from all walks of life are tired of the beautiful hair, wonderful teeth and perfect answers from the professional politicians who have sold us down the river so many times.
Example: Amnesty 1986 was a miserable failure because of no enforcement. Amnesty 2006 looks identical. They have no intention of actually doing enforcement because it would affect the finances of their cronies.
Besides, I can not think of a better message to send to all politicans and can you imaginge the look on Karl Roves face when Perry gets trounced by Kinky.
Trouble
10 - RJ Elliott
"being gay and in the closet, he can't afford to let his facade waver at all."
Losts of people say that about Charlie Crist, too! :-)
11 - Clavos
RJ,
Crist's gay? Didn't know that.
You're right, he is pretty stiff on camera. So's Davis.
12 - Dave Nalle
Example: Amnesty 1986 was a miserable failure because of no enforcement. Amnesty 2006 looks identical.
Identical except for the fact that it IS NOT AMNESTY.
Do you people not know what amnesty is? Amnesty is writing off the crime and holding no one accountable in any way. How is fining them and making them go to the back of the line for any future immigration the same as just instantly making them citizens with no penalty at all?
Dave
13 - RJ Elliott
I'm not claiming that Charlie Crist is gay. But there have been a lot of rumors.
He is a single 50-year old man. He was "married" once, but it was very brief. No kids.
I'll vote for him no matter what his sexual orientation is, but I'm just saying...
14 - Sal Costello
I thought you might want to see this popular online animated cartoon of GOV. PERRY KICKING TEXANS out of their homes for the Trans Texas Corridor Land Grab
15 - Dave Nalle
Thanks, Sal. That's some funny shit. I saw a bit of it on TV and had been looking for the full video.
Pity all that creativity is wasted on a Strayhorn ad. She's lagging behind in most of the polls and I'm now leaning towards thinking that the only way to beat Perry is for her to drop out.
Dave
16 - MCH
Re #10, 13;
"Losts of people say that about Charlie Crist, too! :-)...I'm not claiming that Charlie Crist is gay. But there have been a lot of rumors. He is a single 50-year old man. He was "married" once, but it was very brief. No kids."
- RJ Elliott
A little gossip-mongering, eh RJ? So much for only liberals spreading unsubstantiated rumors.
BTW, you've never married and have no children, either...right?
17 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Dave,
I did watch that interview, by the way. It says volumes about America that even today, "Kinky Friedman" felt the need to say "I see Jesus in everybody." I understand why my Uncle Moe changed his name...
18 - Dave Nalle
I think Kinky's seeing Jesus in everybody because he did too much acid in the 60s. As far as I can tell the man appears to be a complete agnostic. But he's enough of a politician to sling at least that much pure Texas Longhorn bullshit.
Dave
19 - RJ Elliott
"BTW, you've never married and have no children, either...right?"
Never been married. No kids (that I know of, ha-ha).
But then again, I'm not 50 years old and running for high political office. That's why it's an issue for Crist, one that has been brought up (by others) quite a few times. And that's why I mentioned it...
Anyway, why would I be "gossip-mongering" about a guy I said I was gonna vote for? In fact, I even donated to his campaign!
20 - Jewels
Kinky is at the very least an interesting addition to the Texas gov's race. I like his blunt honesty.
I'm sick of plastic pated Perry, as well as the "One-Tough Grandma", forget about the Dem hopeful, no interest for me there.
Texas politics, hell, politics/politicians in general, a change in philosophy and theory is needed - I'm jaded by the same old lies and the rote politico speeches of rambling rhetoric that mean nothing and say less. The fact he can come out and make statements that create some uproar and doesn't toe the now very boring politically correct line, without apologies or backtracking is refreshing.
The Ventura campaign mode is what he's obviously fashioning with the hiring of Ventura's previous campaign manager. Kinky's further ahead in the polls than Ventura was at this point in the campaign.
Well he's at least sporting an appropriate hat.
21 - Clavos
Excellent video, Jewels.
Wished I still lived in Texas--I'd vote for the Kinkster in a heartbeat!
22 - Dave Nalle
That Ventura comparison is fascinating, Jewel. You don't by any chance know how that election went int he last month or two? I wonder what it would take for Kinky to pull it out from here.
Dave
23 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
I remember the Ventura election very well, because I was working for a young woman in the DFL to get elected to a position somewhere and went to her victory party that Tuesday evening after picking up the poll numbers from my precinct.
Ventura had been given an outside chance by pollsters of making it in, with the DFL candidate having a light lead in the polls.
But I watched the kids mixing drinks at the bar, who were also watching the poll results... Every time Ventura's name as mentioned, I could see them raise their fists in victory. It was a long night, but I saw how the result would be from the looks on those kids faces. These were your typical slackers who could care less about elections. They had voted, and they had voted
Ventura in over the stale farts the GOP and DFL offered the voters.
Of course, as soon as Minnesota's economy headed south in 2000 and Ventura had to deal with budget cuts, he took his gravelly voice and skinhead 'do and headed home, but that's another story. Actually, thinking about it, that is the real question that Friedman enthusiasts should be thinking about and the real question they should be tossing his way now - "what do you do when Texas' economy heads south and the Feds screw you over?"
24 - Kent
Kinky has been a friend of mine for more than 30 years.
I've never met a more honest man.
He is brilliant (degree in Sociology, U of Texas, 16 successful books, nearly bat the world champion chess player at age 11 - there's a lot of positive stuff that hasn't been published.)
Kinky is not money motivated, and he lives a frugal life on his ranch with 5 dogs in the house ("the Friedmans"), and another 100 dogs and other animals which he's rescued quietly from euthanasia at public animal shelters.)
He could be governor in a few months. What a concept: someone who doesn't owe a single businessman any favors, winning a political office. Probably too good to be true.
25 - Dave Nalle
It sure is an appealng picture, Kent.
Dave