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Friedman makes stop in Lufkin
If an independent candidate with a penchant for saying exactly what's on his mind manages to get enough signatures to get on the ballot for the 2006 election, the Texas governor's race may get a little "Kinky." Author, Musician, and candidate for Governor of Texas, Kinky Friedman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia in the 1960's.
Friedman makes stop in Lufkin
Candidate Friedman makes stop in Lufkin
By GARY BASS, The Lufkin Daily News
Saturday, August 20, 2005
If an independent candidate with a penchant for saying exactly what's on his mind manages to get enough signatures to get on the ballot for the 2006 election, the Texas governor's race may get a little "Kinky."
Trademark stogie in hand, Kinky Friedman — a humorist, musician, mystery writer, former Texas Monthly columnist and independent candidate for governor of Texas — made a campaign stop in Lufkin Friday afternoon, and talked about education, the border and the need to switch to clean fuels such as bio-diesel.
"The reason I'm running for governor is that I've been able to achieve a lot of things in my lifetime, and I'd like to see Texas' youngsters get a chance to realize theirs," Friedman said. "Besides ... I need the closet space.
"Once I get the closet, I'm going to need a new wardrobe, too."
Friedman made an appearance at Bob Inselman's law office on Lufkin Avenue. About 30 people packed into one of the business' rooms to listen to what the independent candidate had to say. Others perused his campaign staff's table of T-shirts and bumper stickers with slogans like "Kinky Friedman: Why the hell not?" "How hard can it be?" or "My boss is a Jewish Cowboy."
During a brief interview, Friedman, who sported a black cowboy hat, a fringed vest and a black Western shirt, acknowledged that because he's an independent, it's going to be tough for him to even get on the ballot for the November election.
He said what makes that difficult is the fact that Texas is the only state that has a law that says an independent candidate has to get 50,000 names on a petition within 60 days of the primary election. To sign the petition, voters can't have taken part in either the Democratic or Republican primaries.
"That's why I'm saying, 'Save yourself for Kinky; don't vote in the March primary," Friedman said with a grin.
Friedman quoted President Ronald Reagan, who is said to have answered a question about his lack of political experience during his campaign for governor of California by saying, "Of course the other guy's got more experience — that's why I'm running" He said politicians in Austin are owned by the parties and by special-interest groups.
"An independent governor is exactly what Texas needs," he said.
Friedman said when Gov. Rick Perry ran against Tony Sanchez, the two candidates spent a combined $100 million on the race. Then, only 29 percent of the registered voters showed up at the polls, he said.
'Seventy-one percent of us didn't like the choice — paper or plastic?" Friedman said. "We're going after a big turnout in November '06, and believe me, that's the last thing that Perry wants."
Friedman said he was so serious about winning the governor's race that he hired the man that ran Jessie Ventura's successful campaign for the Minnesota governorship. He added the situation in Texas is exactly the same as it was there.
"Texans are mad as hell, and they're not going to take it any more," Friedman said. "People don't think my candidacy is a joke any more. Now, they think the Texas Legislature is a joke."
Friedman went on to say that he feels that a musician can run the Lone Star State better than the politicians in Austin.
"Texas was founded by independent, courageous, honorable citizens," Friedman said on his Web site. "The last great independent elected governor of Texas was Sam Houston, over a hundred and fifty years ago.
"Texas needs a strong independent voice, if it is ever to regain its greatness. If you elect me, I'll be the first governor in Texas history with a listed phone number."
When the topic switched to education, Friedman said, "My motto is 'No teacher left behind.' I want us to stop teaching to the test, and get rid of the TAKS test.
"As governor I would appoint people who have actually been in a classroom instead of a bunch of cronies."
On his Web site, Friedman said Texas' young people are the future, and that they need to be treated as such.
"The current government seems to prefer Band-Aids over solid planning for the next generations of Texas," Friedman said.
On his Web site, Friedman said in addition to teachers, his heroes are police officers, soldiers, firefighters and cowboys. He said almost everyone can name a teacher that made an impact on their lives.
Friedman's Web site asserts that Texas' drop out rate is ranked No. 1 in the nation, and its education spending is ranked No. 48.
"The Austin American Statesman is correct: 'It's Texas vs. Mississippi in a race to the bottom,'" Friedman said.
During the interview, Friedman also said that he would push for non-denominational prayer to be allowed back in Texas schools, adding that there's nothing wrong with a little spirituality and common sense. He said that Texas needs both.
"Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King gave us our moral values, and they all died broke," Friedman said.
Friedman touched on a cause championed by his friend, country musician Willie Nelson. He said Texas needs to take the lead in switching to clean fuels like bio-diesel, which is produced from agricultural products and reclaimed grease.
"We need to stop letting the Saudis play the songs on the jukebox and leaving the rest of us to dance to their tune," he said.
On "de-wussification," Friedman said on his Web site, "Our icons are being demeaned. Cowboys are no longer heroes for our children, but subject to derision. We are being laughed at instead of respected in the rest of the country. What has happened to our glorious heritage?"
He added the people of this state, are "not wusses, we are Texans."
Friedman's Web site also touches on topics such as the creation of a Texas version of the Peace Corps, criminal justice reform and the need to abolish political correctness.
Friedman's Web site can be found at www.kinkyfriedman.com.
Gary Bass' e-mail address is gbass@coxnews.com.
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Story Source: Lufkin Daily News
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