A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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September 14, 2006Republicans Afraid to Get KinkyIf there is anything in politics right now that is exciting, it is the possibility of Governor Kinky Friedman. What was once thought to be a joke is now getting serious and Texas Republicans are starting to worry. The state GOP points out on their website that a former country music singer smoked pot and *gasp* had sex with women, and I emphasize the use of the letters "en" rather than "an." The current Guv, the telegenic but unsubstantive Rick Perry, is doing his best to label the Kinkster a typical politician and using the we can't trust an entertainer with the serious problems line. I don't know, but it seems to me that a guy nicknamed Kinky is anything but typical. In the spirit of the great Sam Houston, Friedman is a Texas original. Look, I am not telling Texans how to vote, and I certainly understand experience is important; however, in a state where the Governor wields little executive power maybe a colorful figure head that represents the frustration voters have with the current two party system isn't such a bad thing. Kinky's campaign gets it right when they say: Texans are the most independent people in America, and if we're going to be inspired, the inspiration will come from someone unafraid to deal in new ideas and honest answers, an independent leader who lets the people call the plays instead of dancing to the tune of the money men. Not only Texans, but Americans. One must wonder, on a day she is being remembered, if a free spirit like Ann Richards doesn't look down on Kinky Friedman and smirk even just a little bit. Comments
I'm seriously considering voting for him. Originally I was planning on voting for either Gramma or Chris Bell, but Granma has done badly in polls (Republicans unhappy with her for leaving?), Bell's been running a very nasty campaign. Whadja say? Perry? If he wanted me to vote for him, he should'n't've messed with my House vote. Meanwhile, Kinky had the class to tell his handler to shut his mouth when he went after Grandma. Still alot of campaign left, though. Posted by: Jon Kay at September 14, 2006 08:28 PMIf I lived in Texas I'd probably vote for Kinky. The governer's office is not all that crucial in the state, and you might as well have some fresh blood that'll shake things up a little while bringing that occasional grin to your face. He's already collected from me the only cash political donation I've made in years. (The talking Kinky action figure I received as an appreciation gift had NOTHING to do with it....) And he has the best campaign slogans I've heard in years. "How hard could it be?" and "Why the hell not?" are priceless! Posted by: Tully at September 14, 2006 09:16 PMI think a lot of what he says on his website is pretty good, and I don't really care that he has a colorful past; hell, I can even forgive the fact that he's a country musician. But it's just a shame to see him joining in the national kool-aid drinking fest with the talk about "publicly funded campaigns". Posted by: Simon at September 14, 2006 09:28 PMI am suddenly reminded of former New Hampshire Gov, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. I don't recall that he was all that bad for NH. The arguments being made about entertainers being bad politicians forget to take into account the greatest entertainer turned politician -- Ronald Reagan. And I can personally remember how he shook up California when HE was Gov... Posted by: Heather at September 15, 2006 08:55 AMI'll probably vote for the third party candidate who's leading in the polls near election time. I thought that would be Gramma but it's not looking that way now. My wife and I both signed the petitions to get Gramma and Kinky on the ballot, she signed Kinky's and I signed Gramma's. I think it's a good sign for Texas that something like this is happening. I just hope Perry doesn't blow them out of the water in the end. The GOP in this state could use a little shake 'em up. Posted by: Scotch Drinker at September 15, 2006 09:38 AMI am suddenly reminded of ... Jesse "The Body" Ventura. I don't recall that he was all that bad for N[ew] H]ampshire]....A fact which will come as little comfort to the citizens of Minnesota, who elected Ventura to be their Governor, no doubt with the anticipation of benefits that would accrue in their own state, rather than NH. ;) Posted by: Simon at September 15, 2006 10:20 AMJesse is doing commercials now for a football gambling line. It's probably better than former members of Congress lobbying for industry interest groups. As for Kinky, at least Texans would know he isn't gay. -:) Posted by: Marc at September 15, 2006 10:44 AMI've been pitching Kinky on my blog for a while, and I've outlined some of his platform. Anyone who takes the time to read up on his views can see that he does have some good ideas. There are logical comparisons to Jesse Ventura, and he's imported much of the team that carried Jesse to office to run his campaign. But keep in mind that some of Texas' best leaders were outsiders. For example, the late Gov. Ann Richards would never have won if not for a meltdown by the odds-on favorite, Clayton Williams. The Democratic party was putting very little effort behind her before then, much as they aren't exactly spending a fortune on Chris Bell. That having been said, I cringe when I see the newspaper these days. His off-the-cuff comments lately have landed him in hot water. It's not that he's not telling the truth, it's just that certain media outlets in Texas (including the Houston newspaper) just love to portray Kinky as an oddball that's not a real candidate. (The Chronicle did, however, run an expansive feature recently on Strayhorn, the person they're likely to endorse.) Posted by: WeekendPundit at September 15, 2006 12:50 PMLOL, Simon! Thanks for the correction... Posted by: Heather at September 15, 2006 12:50 PMAre the Republicans really saying an entertainer can't be a serious politician and govern? Does the name Reagan strike a chord with them? Posted by: Lee at September 21, 2006 04:24 PM |
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