We Need A Kinky Governor In Texas!

The Kinkster's column in the February issue of Texas Monthly just wasn't that funny as Kinky detailed his predilection for animal rescue in the Texas Hill Country. I am not a pet-lover and I abhor animal abuse, but I don't want to read about dogs, cats, and other assorted critters. Of greater importance was the Kinkster's announcement on the "Don Imus Show" yesterday that he was running as an Independent for Governor of Texas in 2006. If Minnesota can send a wrestler and California can send a B-actor and a body-builder to the governor's mansion, as the Kinkster says: "Why the Hell not (in Texas)?" I am going to sign a Kinkster petition and boycott the Democrat and Republican primaries in 2006. If this is a (fair & balanced) rendezvous with destiny, so be it.

[x NYTimes]
Singer-Humorist Wants to Add Texas Governor to List of Titles
By RALPH BLUMENTHAL

HOUSTON, Feb. 3 - As threatened, Kinky Friedman, the gadfly country singer and humorist, declared for governor Thursday as an independent candidate in the 2006 race, saying, "The choice should be something besides paper or plastic."

Appearing live from the Alamo in San Antonio on the Don Imus television and radio show broadcast nationally on MSNBC, Mr. Friedman, 60, said that although "a fool and his money are soon elected," he had high hopes of beating the Republican incumbent, Rick Perry, who "appears to be more interested in ironing his shirts than ironing out the problems of Texas."

"I'm a Jew," said Mr. Friedman, who provided a rabbi for an invocation, "trust me; I'll hire good people." He said he had received 37 write-in votes in the Iraqi election.

Luis Saenz, director of Texans for Rick Perry, responded that "Kinky has the potential to enliven the debate" but he added, "It appears that the Democrats are not the only ones who have been smoking something."

Clad in his trademark black cowboy outfit and hat and chewing on a cigar, Mr. Friedman, whose given name is Richard, said he had chosen the Alamo backdrop "to wake up the great slumbering giant of Texas independence" and change the state's position as "No. 1 in executions" and near the bottom in financing public education. He said he was not anti-death penalty - "just anti the wrong guy getting executed."

"I come with no strings attached," he said. "The only two things that influence me are my fellow Texans and my heart." He said he was inspired by Jesse Ventura, the surprise victor in the 1998 election for Minnesota governor. "Of course," he said said, "Jesse didn't realize that wrestling is real and politics is fixed."

Mr. Friedman said in an interview in 2003 that he hoped to avenge his 1986 defeat for justice of the peace in Kerrville, his hometown, where he runs an animal rescue ranch and writes mystery novels and a column for Texas Monthly magazine.

To get on the ballot he needs 45,000 signatures, none from anyone voting in a Republican or Democratic primary. But he voiced confidence, saying, "There's so much apathy; that leaves me a lot of people."

After the announcement, he attended a reception at the Menger Hotel and was serenaded by members of the Austin band Asleep at the Wheel and a children's orchestra playing "The Yellow Rose of Texas."

"May the God of your choice bless you," he said.

Ralph Blumenthal is Southwest Bureau Chief for the The New York Times in Houston, Texas.

Copyright © 2005 The New York Times Company