Kinky's on the ballot!

[sportschick]

Well, guess my dad's decision not to vote in the primaries is justified now.

Friedman, Strayhorn qualify as independent candidates for Texas governor

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Maverick gubernatorial candidates Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn learned Thursday that they had each collected enough valid voter signatures to make it onto the November ballot.
The announcement by Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams sets up a crowded race for the fall election among the two independents, Republican Gov. Rick Perry and Democrat Chris Bell.
The last independent to be elected Texas governor was Sam Houston in 1859.
"Not one but two viable independent candidates have made the ballot for the first time in nearly 150 years,'' Friedman, a musician and author, said in a statement. "This tells us what we've long suspected: the two-party system has failed our state.''
Both Strayhorn and Friedman turned in far more petition names by the May 11 deadline than the 45,540 required. Strayhorn submitted some 223,000 signatures and Friedman submitted 169,574.
Among other limitations, the signatures had to be from registered Texas voters who did not cast ballots in the Republican or Democratic primaries this spring. A preliminary state review showed 137,154 of Friedman's signatures met the requirements, and 108,512 of Strayhorn's.
Strayhorn, the state comptroller who bills herself as "one tough grandma,'' is the mother of former Bush administration press secretary Scott McClellan.
The Texas Secretary of State's Office began making final checks of the signatures Monday after the petition names were entered into an electronic database. The numbers were not expected to change significantly.
A lightly regarded candidate, libertarian James Werner, also is running for governor.

 

[carrie]

Why the hell not?

 

[Football_Bat]

It's gonna be an interesting governor's race in Texas. But I think Perry will win, and he may get more than 50%. The Democrat (Chris Bell) is poorly funded, Strayhorn is clearly only running to further her anti-Perry vendetta, and Kinky's novelty will wear off.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

If there was ever an election year where a candidate like Friedman would do well, it's this one-not just in Texas, anywhere. Folks are dissatisfied with the status quo, and dissatisfied with the opposition for seeming to be part of the status quo. "What the hell, why not?" could be a very powerful political message.

 

[alleyallen]

Maybe I'm not politically plugged in to the talk in Austin, but it's not like Perry is coming down the pike as the greatest thing in cowboy boots. Budgetary collapses, a politically disastrous redistricting effort, a legislative walkout and continued poor school funding doesn't exactly mean Perry's a hero here. The problem is, who besides Kinky inspires any sort of positive emotions?

 

[dooley_womack1]

If the campaign turns negative, wonder if he'll be called hideous Kinky.

 

[Armchair_QB]

"Why shouldn't they be as miserable as the rest of us?"

- Kinky Friedman on why he's not opposed to gay marriage

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Why not? Most recent occupants of that office have amply demonstrated that the true qualifications for that
particular governors' chair are deliciously low.

 

[zeke12]

Vote Kinky.

I need that bumper sticker.

 

[spaceman]

Why the hell not?

Kinky is EVERYwhere!!

 

[dooley_womack1]

I thought it was "Elvis is everywhere"

 

[suburbanite]

Imus should be his running mate.

 

[TrooperBari]

Vote Kinky.

I need that bumper sticker.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/
http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/xcart/home.php?cat=250

 

[Oscar Gamble]

Isn't Carole Keeton Strayhorn the mother of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan?

 

[ifilus]

Isn't Carole Keeton Strayhorn the mother of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan?

Wasn't the last independent to be elected Texas governor Sam Houston in 1859?
Isn't Friedman, a musician and author?
Isn't lightly regarded candidate, libertarian James Werner, also running for governor?

 

[sportschick]

Isn't Carole Keeton Strayhorn the mother of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan?

Go read the first damned post. >:( >:( >:( >:(

 

[Oscar Gamble]

Isn't Carole Keeton Strayhorn the mother of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan?

Go read the first damned post.  >:( >:( >:( >:(

Real classy of you sportschick. 

 

[carrie]

Couple of points about Kinky as I saw him speak at a bar association luncheon earlier this year --

* His platforms - focusing on the borders, prayer in schools, doing away with public school standardized testing and renewable resources. When asked questions about his "platforms", he can't really offer anything other than jokes.
* His campaign manager is the same man who helped Jesse Ventura win Minnesota.
* He believes his only "enemy" is voter apathy. Last gubernatorial election in Texas only produced like 30% voter turnout. He thinks if turnout is 50% or above, he'll be the next governor.
* Willie Nelson is one of his political right-hand men.

 

[dooley_womack1]

So I wouldn't expect a strong anti-drug platform

 

[carrie]

Wasn't mentioned.