Fellow Texans, let's get Kinky.

spa ced · 02-03-2005, 08:54 PM

Kinky Friedman Launches Independent Bid For Governor

SAN ANTONIO -- With the Alamo as his backdrop, musician-turned-mystery author Kinky Friedman launched an independent and unconventional campaign Thursday to run for Texas governor in 2006.

Wearing blue jeans, a black fringed Western jacket and smoking a cigar, Friedman told a crowd of supporters, "it's not a political campaign, it's a spiritual calling."

Friedman is campaigning against what he calls the "wussification" of Texas , which he defines as political correctness run amok. He favors legalized casino gambling to finance education and would push for life without parole as an alternative to the death penalty.

"We're No. 1 in executions and no. 49 in education funding," Friedman said. "We're behind Mississippi. You've got a problem when you're behind Mississippi."

Friedman also called for the "unconditional surrender" of Gov. Rick Perry, who Friedman claimed, "appears to be more interested in ironing his shirts than ironing out Texas education."

His humor often plays on his Jewish background, and he quotes Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, both friends. Campaign bumper stickers use his longtime nickname to proclaim: "Why Not Kinky?"

Friedman, 60, views the successes of Jesse Ventura in Minnesota and Arnold Schwarzenegger in California as signs he can be elected, but getting on the ballot as an independent will be a hurdle.

After the March party primaries next year, he has two months to collect 45,540 valid signatures, which is 1 percent of the votes cast in the 2002 race. If a runoff follows the primaries, the signature period shrinks to 30 days.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry is expected to seek a second full term next November. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn also are possible GOP candidates.

Friedman, whose real name is Richard, had some modest success on the entertainment circuit with his band, The Texas Jewboys, and toured with the all-star Bob Dylan Rolling Thunder Revue in the 1970s.

More recently, he has written 17 mysteries, counting both President Bush and former President Clinton among his readers. Among his books are "Greenwich Killing Time" "Kill Two Birds & Get Stoned" and "A Case of Lone Star."

His only previous bid for public office was an unsuccessful try for justice of the peace in 1986 in Kerrville, near his ranch.

spa ced · 10:56 PM

I had never even heard of Kinky Friedman until today. I happened to catch the news at noon and saw him on and when he made the crack about Mississipi I knew this wasn't your atypical politician.
I found him to be a breath of fresh air.
I still need to learn more about his stance on certain issues but he's definitely piqued my interest. I just thought I'd share this with you guys.

Corganist · 02-03-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spa ced

Friedman is campaigning against what he calls the "wussification" of Texas, which he defines as political correctness run amok. He favors legalized casino gambling to finance education and would push for life without parole as an alternative to the death penalty.

How ironic. Fighting wussification and political correctness by advocating wussiness and political correctness.

sppunk · 02-04-2005, 03:13 AM

His books are very good, and he's a nice man. A governor? No. A nice man and good writer? Yes.

Although, my headline for this story was originally: Texas Politics Getting A Little Kinky.

I had to scrap it due to fear of being fired.

Junebug · 02-04-2005, 10:09 PM

heh. He runs a kids camp or something, doesn't he? I always see his bumper stickers on people's cars.

Bob · 02-05-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spa ced
I had never even heard of Kinky Friedman until today.

You just lost 126 cool points. You're still high up on the cool list, but I'm upset by this revelation.

Bob · 02-05-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sppunk
His books are very good, and he's a nice man. A governor? No. A nice man and good writer? Yes.

Although, my headline for this story was originally: Texas Politics Getting A Little Kinky.

I had to scrap it due to fear of being fired.

Fired? I'd be shocked if some Texas daily if not more than one uses the same headline.

I don't understand why this is just a story now. He said and began advertising for this gubenatorial campaign at least a yer ago. Did he just make some sort of formal announcement.

spa ced · 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob

You just lost 126 cool points. You're still high up on the cool list, but I'm upset by this revelation.

Darn well...my brother witnessed the Branch Davidian compound burn to the ground from a roof on a building in Waco when he was attending Baylor.
How many cool points does that get him? And can I have those tranferred to me since he is my sibling?

spa ced · 02-05-2005, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob

Did he just make some sort of formal announcement.

Yeah he held a press conference in front of the Alamo the other day smoking a cigar and looking all pimp.

sppunk · 02-05-2005, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob

Did he just make some sort of formal announcement.

Yes, Wednesday.

Brute Squad · 02-07-2005, 01:53 AM

I'd rather just get Lloyd Doggett for governor. Rick Perry can fucking eat me.

Junebug · 02-11-2005, 07:09 PM

"Texas is the lone star state. We didn't get there by being politically correct."

hah, he was just on CNN with Wolf Blitzer and said that. He also said teachers are getting "screwed, blued and tattoed" with No Child Left Behind. Besides the cigar shtick, I kinda like this guy.

Lie · 02-13-2005, 04:14 AM

That's so weird, I was just reading one of his stories in the bathroom today.

Nimrod's Son · 02-13-2005, 02:09 PM

Anti death penalty and running for governor of Texas, huh? GOOD FUCKING LUCK DUDE

Lie · 02-19-2005, 12:26 AM

I'm so disappointed that none of you bothered to inquire into the nature of my bathroom habits.

DeviousJ · 02-20-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lie
I'm so disappointed that none of you bothered to inquire into the nature of my bathroom habits.

You know, one of the first things I remember you saying is that people should keep their toothbrushes at least 6 feet from the toilet

Mason R Butler · 03-13-2005, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spa ced
I had never even heard of Kinky Friedman until today. I happened to catch the news at noon and saw him on and when he made the crack about Mississipi I knew this wasn't your atypical politician.

You mean typical.

spa ced · 03-13-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gallows humor

You mean typical.

yeah.

02-03-2005, 08:54 PM	#1
spa ced Braindead Location: Machu Picchu Posts: 15,291	Fellow Texans, let's get Kinky. Kinky Friedman Launches Independent Bid For Governor SAN ANTONIO -- With the Alamo as his backdrop, musician-turned-mystery author Kinky Friedman launched an independent and unconventional campaign Thursday to run for Texas governor in 2006. Wearing blue jeans, a black fringed Western jacket and smoking a cigar, Friedman told a crowd of supporters, "it's not a political campaign, it's a spiritual calling." Friedman is campaigning against what he calls the "wussification" of Texas , which he defines as political correctness run amok. He favors legalized casino gambling to finance education and would push for life without parole as an alternative to the death penalty. "We're No. 1 in executions and no. 49 in education funding," Friedman said. "We're behind Mississippi. You've got a problem when you're behind Mississippi." Friedman also called for the "unconditional surrender" of Gov. Rick Perry, who Friedman claimed, "appears to be more interested in ironing his shirts than ironing out Texas education." His humor often plays on his Jewish background, and he quotes Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, both friends. Campaign bumper stickers use his longtime nickname to proclaim: "Why Not Kinky?" Friedman, 60, views the successes of Jesse Ventura in Minnesota and Arnold Schwarzenegger in California as signs he can be elected, but getting on the ballot as an independent will be a hurdle. After the March party primaries next year, he has two months to collect 45,540 valid signatures, which is 1 percent of the votes cast in the 2002 race. If a runoff follows the primaries, the signature period shrinks to 30 days. Republican Gov. Rick Perry is expected to seek a second full term next November. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn also are possible GOP candidates. Friedman, whose real name is Richard, had some modest success on the entertainment circuit with his band, The Texas Jewboys, and toured with the all-star Bob Dylan Rolling Thunder Revue in the 1970s. More recently, he has written 17 mysteries, counting both President Bush and former President Clinton among his readers. Among his books are "Greenwich Killing Time" "Kill Two Birds & Get Stoned" and "A Case of Lone Star." His only previous bid for public office was an unsuccessful try for justice of the peace in 1986 in Kerrville, near his ranch. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. No contaban con mi astucia!

02-03-2005, 09:00 PM	#2
spa ced Braindead Location: Machu Picchu Posts: 15,291	I had never even heard of Kinky Friedman until today. I happened to catch the news at noon and saw him on and when he made the crack about Mississipi I knew this wasn't your atypical politician. I found him to be a breath of fresh air. I still need to learn more about his stance on certain issues but he's definitely piqued my interest. I just thought I'd share this with you guys. Last edited by spa ced : 02-03-2005 at 10:56 PM.

02-04-2005, 03:13 AM	#4
sppunk Netphoria's George Will Location: Fenway Park Posts: 37,125	His books are very good, and he's a nice man. A governor? No. A nice man and good writer? Yes. Although, my headline for this story was originally: Texas Politics Getting A Little Kinky. I had to scrap it due to fear of being fired.

02-04-2005, 10:09 PM	#5
Junebug Minion of Satan Posts: 7,072	heh. He runs a kids camp or something, doesn't he? I always see his bumper stickers on people's cars.

02-07-2005, 01:53 AM	#11
Brute Squad oh for fuck's sake Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,506	I'd rather just get Lloyd Doggett for governor. Rick Perry can fucking eat me.

02-11-2005, 07:09 PM	#12
Junebug Minion of Satan Posts: 7,072	"Texas is the lone star state. We didn't get there by being politically correct." hah, he was just on CNN with Wolf Blitzer and said that. He also said teachers are getting "screwed, blued and tattoed" with No Child Left Behind. Besides the cigar shtick, I kinda like this guy.

02-13-2005, 04:14 AM	#13
Lie Socialphobic Location: Goin' out West where they'll appreciate me Posts: 10,001	That's so weird, I was just reading one of his stories in the bathroom today.

02-13-2005, 02:09 PM	#14
Nimrod's Son Master of Karate and Friendship Location: in your butt Posts: 72,943	Anti death penalty and running for governor of Texas, huh? GOOD FUCKING LUCK DUDE

02-19-2005, 12:26 AM	#15
Lie Socialphobic Location: Goin' out West where they'll appreciate me Posts: 10,001	I'm so disappointed that none of you bothered to inquire into the nature of my bathroom habits.