I think that Kinky will do well, and other politicians in the race will not be able to ignore him. Texans vote for outsiders, and they hate politicians. Kinky is not a politician. He is a former-addict member of a band called the 'Texas Jewboys' who writes mystery novels and sings about being 'High on Jesus'. But, as the motto of the campaign says, why the hell not?
-Leoniceno
(Visit my blog.)
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.