Humorist and gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman wandered around the University of Texas campus Wednesday, a walking cloud of cigar smoke that was part vaudeville, part news conference, part campaign stop



Humorist and gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman wandered around the University of Texas campus Wednesday, a walking cloud of cigar smoke that was part vaudeville, part news conference, part campaign stop

Friedman stumps with a stogie

Kinky's quixotic quest for governor starts with UT campaign stop

08:25 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – Humorist and gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman wandered around the University of Texas campus Wednesday, a walking cloud of cigar smoke that was part vaudeville, part news conference, part campaign stop.

"It's a circus with a purpose," he said.

Mr. Friedman, who announced his independent candidacy for governor Feb. 3 at the Alamo, is a 1965 graduate of UT's Plan II honors program.

The author and singer said he selected his alma mater for his first campaign rally – one of many expected to be staged on campuses in coming months – to send a message.

"Everybody's disaffected," he said. "Young people sense they can't make any change anyway, so why even bother? ... We want to change that."

Mr. Friedman expressed concern but stopped short of promising students that he'd limit tuition increases or remove the sales tax from textbook purchases.

"We're fresh out of promises," he said.

Then he made one: "Young people, when I'm elected, they will be running the state. God knows I won't."

About 30 people tagged along as Mr. Friedman walked some 200 yards among UT campus landmarks, pausing regularly to relight his trademark cigar. Six young admirers – all male – also fired up stogies.

Ajai Raj, 19, an English major from Plano, was one.

"We're almost raised to be cynical," Mr. Raj said. "It's refreshing to see a candidate that has a real voice."

Mr. Friedman, scorning politicians, predicted that they will feel "shivers up the spine" after he shocks the establishment by getting on the ballot and winning next year.

He lambasted members of Congress for trying to prevent removal of a feeding tube from Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who recently died, 15 years after cardiac arrest had destroyed much of her brain.

"They have no business getting involved," he said. "I'm running for governor, not God."

E-mail rtgarrett@dallasnews.com

When this story was posted in April 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:


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April 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories The Coyne Column: A Peace Corps Writer Discovery 17 Apr Chris Van Hollen supports Peace Corps budget 17 Apr Joseph Goldstein founded Forest Refuge 17 Apr Judge Flemming Norcott wins community service award 16 Apr Wangari Maathai meets with Kenya Country Director 15 Apr Simon James says corps' days numbered in Uzbekistan 15 Apr Peace Corps not heard anything about Uzbekistan 15 Apr Novak says Chris Dodd attacking anti-Castro officials 14 Apr Taylor Hackford not pleased with content editing 14 Apr Activist W. Retta Gilliam dies in DC 13 Apr Alberto Ibargüen studying newspaper options 13 Apr Christopher Hill says Korea nuclear talks can work 12 Apr DNA undercuts verdict against Jerry Marks 11 Apr Tom Bissell discusses recent events in Kyrgyzstan 11 Apr Chris Gobrecht named Basketball Coach at Yale 11 Apr Glenn Ivers does "Splash for Cash" in icy waters 11 Apr Chris Shays says Delay should step down 10 Apr

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April 17, 2005: Special RPCV Events RPCV Kent Island Family Weekend on May 6 - 8 Joseph Opala speaks in Rhode Island on April 19 South Carolina RPCVs to see off PCVs on April 18 Terry Deshler speaks in Wyoming on April 18 Cameroon RPCVs selling special Pagne Bush proclaims National Volunteer Week RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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RPCVs and Friends remember Pope John Paul II Tony Hall found the pope to be courageous and capable of forgiving the man who shot him in 1981, Mark Gearan said the pope was as dynamic in person as he appears on television, Maria Shriver said he was a beacon of virtue, strength and goodness, and an RPCV who met the pope while serving in the Solomon Islands said he possessed the holiness of a man filled with a deep love and concern for humanity. Leave your thoughts here.

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