Given that EVERY single statewide office in Texas is Republican, you might ask: Why the hell should anyone care about the '06 races in Texas?
Can we possibly slow down this right-wing juggernaut that helped launch Dubya and helped Tom DeLay increase his congressional majority through corrupt dirty tricks?
Well, Kinky Friedman may be our answer.
He probably won't win, but he'll still be one of the greatest political stories in Texas history...and he could be the big X-factor in '06.
He's a beloved cultural icon in Texas, and many Republicans I know secretly want to vote for him (while Texans love Dubya, they can't stand current Gov. Perry). Kinky's already gotten some pre-kickoff media attention: Reuters, Gaurdian, Newsday, AP, AAS, FWST.
So, is the Kinky campaign a joke -- or is he a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who can really shake things up in the Lone Star state?
I'm on my way to the Alamo to find out. I'll attend the Kinkster's campaign kickoff Thursday morning (live on Don Imus), and I welcome any advice on how to help Kinky take back Texas.
From the official web site :
"I see it as an opportunity to make that Lone Star shine again."
"I'm an Independent, which is the party of George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett."
As Governor, Kinky, or "the Kinkster", would:
- Legalize casino gambling to fund education
- Abolish political correctness "We didn't get to be the Lone Star state by being politically correct"
- Take a good look at death row. "We need to make sure that we're not putting innocent people to death, which I believe we are"
- Outlaw the de-clawing of cats
- Bring young people into his administration. "Young people are less corrupt. They are the future of Texas ; it's theirs to win or lose."
I'm a Jew, I'll hire good people.
"If elected, I would ask Willie Nelson to be the head of the Texas Rangers and Laura Bush to take charge of education in the state. I'd ask my Palestinian hairdresser, Farouk Shami, to be Texas ' ambassador to Israel . We've worked together to create Farouk & Friedman olive oil. The oil comes from the Holy land and all of the profits go to benefit Israeli and Palestinian children."