When O'Daniel actually got into office it became apparent that he had no business there, indeed that he had no business doing much other than crooning into the radio. O'Daniel ran on what was basically an anti-government platform, so when he got into the Governorship all he had to do to maintain his popularity was make demands and issue ultimatums at the legislature. Never mind that he was abusive and profoundly unconstructive. O'Daniel didn't just pass the biscuits, he passed the buck, and managed to maintain his popularity at a high level. So high that he was later elected to the US Senate, where he was finally identified as the clown that he was.
The Governor that came after O'Daniel was another Texas legend, Coke Stevenson. Stevenson was a real Abe Lincoln story. He hauled heavy wagons up and down muddy dirt roads during his teen years to make some money so that he could study law, and when he passed the bar exam he only stayed in practice long enough to build his own ranch which he kept until his death. Stevenson was a throw-back to the tradition of waiting for the 'call of the people.' When he was asked to serve as a judge, he was reluctant, but agreed to serve one term. In 1928 he began his political career in the Texas House, and became one of the most powerful and respected political figures that Texas has ever known. Stevenson was the embodiment of the cowboy mythos, of that frontier ideal of self-sufficiency and honesty. His reputation has not been in any way impugned to this day.
Now: Kinky Friedman. Kinky Friedman would seem to be an unlikely candidate for public office. He headed a band called, of all things, 'The Texas Jewboys' and penned such gems as "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore" and "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed" (meant satirically, of course). He self-admittedly spent a decade in a drug-induced haze. According to the New Yorker article, which I found here, Friedman makes it a point to insult whichever group he happens to be speaking to. When he is in the company of white-collar, college-educated types, he uses red-neck vocabulary and coarse language. When he is among red-necks, he uses larger words. Friedman thrives as an outsider: as a Jewish country singer in Texas, and then a Texan country singer in New York. From looking at Kinky's campaign website, it can be difficult to tell whether or not he is really serious. Here are a few selections from the site.
Article comments
1 - Nancy
No more outrageous than having former B-actors, wrestlers, or anyone else as governor. Actually, I'd rather have a REAL person be governor than a professional politician.
2 - Leoniceno
I don't think that I said it was outrageous. And I certainly agree with you, Nancy. I like Kinky a lot.
3 - Leoniceno
Say, I just noticed that this piece has been linked from the Kinky Friedman campaign site.
4 - Eric Berlin
So a profile on him on This Week. I say, Go for it -- why the hell not?
5 - wil
Kinky for President!
6 - Leoniceno
Why not? We've had Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt, not to mention William Henry Harrison.
7 - Dave Nalle
The Kinkster still has to qualify and get on the ballot, of course - it's not an easy thing here in Texas.
The democrats are effectively dead in this election, so the big question is the Republican primary. Perry thinks he has a lock on reelection, but everyone I know who's a Republican is voting for Carol Keaton Rylander McClellan Strayhorn or whatever name she has this week. If she gets the nomination the election might well come down to her vs. Kinky, and he could well get most of the Democrat votes.
An interesting struggle, because Carol Strayhorn is a kind of an outsider too, a moderate Republican with some unusual ideas and a reputation for being a fiscal hardass. Between her and Kinky we can't go wrong, so long as Rick Perry gets buried along the way.
Dave
8 - Leoniceno
That's good to hear, Dave.
9 - Sarah
I usually dislike blogs, but this caught my attention. And you're damned thorough. Personally, I love Kinky Friedman, And I hope he wins, i'll sure as hell vote for him.
And you're absolutely right. Texans hate politicians, And we love outsiders. The state was BUILD on outsiders, and we never really shot for the 'law abiding citezen' routine. :D
10 - Brian
doesn't have a chance w/ his no exception anti-hunting sentiment
11 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
The no-bullshit ticket, huh?
I remember Jesse Ventura when he ran for governor in Minnesota. He was the candidate of the little guy, the bartender, the foodie with no health insurance, etc. The fact that he was a millionaire was not important to the folks who backed him.
He won on a total surprise and was a lousy governor helped by the fact that he had a great economy. We got all sorts of tax rebates whiel there was money in the treasury. the year IU left was the first year the gov had trouble. When it came to the inevitable budget cutting, Ventura had a bad time. He realized that he didn't want the headaches - and didn't run for a second term.
So much for no-bullshit candidates.