"What better place to win as an independent than here in Texas," Kinky asked in response to a reporter's inquiry. "It's an antiquated law which has kept things the status quo for 146 years. In order to get on the ballot I have to have 45,539 signatures of registered voters in Texas in 30 days beginning March 8. If you look at my Website you'll see that I already have 25,000 registered volunteers." Author, Musician, and candidate for Governor of Texas, Kinky Friedman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia in the 1960's.
Kinky Friedman makes campaign appearance in Texarkana
Kinky candidate makes area appearance
Monday, June 27, 2005 9:23 AM CDT
By ANTHONY DAVIS
Texarkana Gazette
The heat bore down on the patient "Friends of Kinky" who couldn't find a little piece of shade Sunday in front of Kathy Patrick's Beauty and The Book store in historic downtown Jefferson, Texas, but none gave in to the urge to leave.
It isn't every day one gets to meet an author of more than 20 fiction novels, a rock 'n' roll recording relic from the '60s, and a grassroots candidate for the governorship of Texas all rolled into one.
And Kinky Friedman looked every bit the part as he sat at a small table in the back room of the beauty shop while Pulpwood Queens freshened his beverage and his longtime sidekick, Little Jewford, manned the campaign and merchandise table.
"What better place to win as an independent than here in Texas," Kinky asked in response to a reporter's inquiry. "It's an antiquated law which has kept things the status quo for 146 years. In order to get on the ballot I have to have 45,539 signatures of registered voters in Texas in 30 days beginning March 8. If you look at my Website you'll see that I already have 25,000 registered volunteers."
Kinky also spoke highly of the team of campaign advisors who have already or are planning to offer their services. His campaign manager is Sen. Dean Barkley, I-Minn., and Bill Hillman who was Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's chief consultant when the wrestler turned politician.
"If this sort of team can't do it, I don't know who can," said Friedman.
Occasionally one could overhear Kinky's comments to fans who bought copies of his latest book, "Texas Hold 'Em," which offers the readers a more detailed account concerning Kinky's decision to run for the Texas governor's office.
"You know, some of the best unsolicited advice I ever got was from a man I met in Houston who told me, 'Never re-elect anyone,'" could be heard from across the room.
As one couple approached, extending their hands simultaneously, Kinky stood, leaned forward and grabbed a hand of each as he explained to the female half of the couple that this was his "Bob Dole handshake."
Tommy and Marie Driver paused in the hallway toward the exit inspecting the Kinkster's signature and comments. Asked what brought them to the book signing, the couple was of like mind.
"Actually, I agree with a lot of his philosophies," said Tommy. "He may have a little offbeat personality, but he's straightforward, and, I believe, honest."
Just as Mary was about to unload on "those other guys," Tommy steered her out the door.
In the final passages of "Texas Hold 'Em," Friedman pretty well sums up his intentions if he qualifies for the ballot and is allowed to run for governor as a very independent independent.
"If the petition drive to get on the ballot in March 2006 is successful, I will be the first independent candidate for governor since they dragged a heavily monstered Sam Houston out from under a bridge. At the very least, I plan to give people to vote for, rather than against, somebody. And what of the ribbon-cutters? They see the governorship as a comfortable job. I see it as an opportunity to make that Lone Star shine again," he writes.
That's pretty much the man's message, and he seldom strays from it except when discussing particular policy stances.
But those questions can be tricky too.
As Kinky's oldest friend and only ambulatory survivor of the rock 'n' roll days, Little Jewford cautioned the reporter not to ask about his position.
"I'm afraid he'd say, 'Prone.'"
