WACO: Save yourself for Kinky !

Waco to get a little 'Kinky' tonight

By Dan Genz
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Saturday, January 21, 2006

Kinky Friedman is visiting Zack & Jim's Waco 100 country music concert tonight at the Heart O' Texas Coliseum to trumpet an unusual campaign message as he runs for governor as an independent: Don't vote.

Or, as the cigar-smoking musician and mystery writer puts it, Friedman wants voters this spring to "Save yourself for Kinky."

Friedman must convince Texans not to vote in the March 7 primary because state election laws require him to collect 45,540 signatures from registered voters who do not vote in the March 7 primary in order to put his zany name on the ballot in November.

With a rival candidate, state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, also needing signatures to qualify for the November election as an independent, there will be plenty of competition for signatures, which cannot be collected until at least March 8 and must be filed by May 11.

"This is going to be the wildest voter drives you've ever seen," said Mary Duty, a Waco teacher and restaurant owner organizing local support for Friedman's campaign.

With doors opening at 6 p.m. and music starting at 7, Friedman is expected to attend all night and will be selling his campaign paraphernalia, including clothing and action figures, at the site.

Although Friedman's quirkiness and lack of political background make him a long shot to defeat incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, Duty said those factors also are part of his popular appeal.

"This is the first person who's going to go to the governor's mansion based on T-shirt sales and support from friends in the entertainment business," Duty said. "He's not part of the in crowd in Austin. I think a lot of people want somebody who's new and fresh."

dgenz@wacotrib.com 757-5743
source: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/01/21/kinky.html
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Friedman makes gubernatorial campaign stop in Waco

By Tim Woods Tribune-Herald staff writer
Sunday, January 22, 2006

Waco got a little Kinky on Saturday night. Friedman, that is.

Kinky Friedman, the country musician turned mystery novelist turned politician, made an appearance at a concert featuring Kevin Fowler and Mark Chesnutt at the Heart O' Texas Coliseum promoting his campaign to become Texas' next governor.

As he addressed the crowd, Friedman made it clear that he is a spiritual man.

“If you don't like Jesus, go to hell,” he proclaimed to a raucous reception. Friedman went on to state that a musician can run government better than a politician because even though he might not get up as early in the morning, he'll be up late at night.

Friedman knows the task ahead is no small one and said the first thing he needs to accomplish is to get enough people not to vote in the March 7 primary so he can collect the necessary 45,540 signatures to get his name on the November ballot.

“The good news is, there's not that many people that vote in the primary anyway,” Friedman said. “If you vote in the primary, you're not eligible to sign the petition. I think Texas is the only state that has that law. That law just helps the incumbent, that's all it does. It just makes it harder for an independent to get on the ballot.”

If Friedman is able to get his name on the ballot, and then get elected, he leaves no doubt that major changes would be in store. He said that Texas needs a non-career politician in office.

“Between (Gov. Rick) Perry and (rival candidate, state Comptroller Carole Keeton) Strayhorn, you've got 57 years in politics,” Friedman said before the concert. “They've really played Texas like a cheap violin. They've put Texas on eBay. They've sold us out and I want to take Texas back off of eBay and give it back to the people.”

Friedman lamented the state of education in Texas and said one of the first things he would address as governor would be getting teachers on a pay scale at least commensurate with the national average in an effort to improve the standing of Texas' public school system.

“I would like us to be first in something other than executions,” he said.

“We have to get rid of teaching for the test and appoint some people (to state educational leadership positions) that have been inside of the classroom,” Friedman said, referring to the standardized Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

It was clear at Saturday's event that if Friedman is able to get his name on the ballot he will garner at least some support from area residents. Some supporters at Saturday's concert said that even if they don't vote for him, they would like to have Friedman on the ballot to spur discussion of major issues.

“I think he has some interesting philosophies and would like to hear what he has to say,” said Lenny Lawson, 34, a custom hatter from Waco. “I'd examine what was said and I'd like to hear some more of his views. I don't think he's as radical as some people make him out to be.”

Ricky Rasberry, of Waco, said that he would gladly cast his vote for Friedman.

“Hell yeah, I'd vote for him,” he said. “The government is out of control. They're crooked and we need a common person in there.”

Friedman's Lampasas campaign coordinator, Cody Newman, said that people he has spoken with have taken kindly to the idea of at least having more options on November's ballot.

“Everybody I have talked to thus far has been very, very keen to the idea of (Friedman running for governor),” Newman said.

twoods@wacotrib.com

757-5721
source: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/01/22/20060122wackinkyfriedman.html