GO KINKY, GO KINKY

It couldn't happen to a more interesting guy. Kinky Friedman, Jewish country and western singer, mystery author, animal activist, and humorist, is making a run for the Texas governorship. His platform is to fight the "wussification" of Texas by wimps such as current Republican governor Rick Perry. Here's Kinky in his own words, from his site:

One of the great political stories in generations is about to unfold, as Richard 'Kinky' Friedman, humorist, performer, mystery writer and Texas Monthly columnist, threatens to run for the governorship of the state of Texas in 2006. Friedman certainly would bring a whole new ballgame into Austin 's capitol building, and he would do so as an Independent candidate and political amateur.

"The professionals gave us the Titanic, amateurs gave us the Ark. Career politicians are ribbon cutters. They see the governor's office as a job; 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's 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.”

One thing is for sure: this is not going to be politics as usual and Kinky's campaign, or anti-campaign, is not expecting to have a massive war chest from which to buy the Governor's office. Rather, “the coin of the spirit” will sweep Kinky into the Governor's office.

From the USA Today article:

"His announcement was coming some 13 months before Democrats and Republicans selected their nominees, whom he's labeled 'decaf or regular, paper or plastic.'...

"Friedman's nearly two dozen books include one called Kill Two Birds and Get Stoned. His campaign bumper stickers proclaim: 'Why Not Kinky?'

"His humor often plays on his Jewish background. He quotes Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, both friends, and he views the success of Jesse Ventura in Minnesota and Arnold Schwarzenegger in California as a sign he can prevail similarly in Texas.

"Friedman's given first name is Richard and picked up the nickname Kinky for his wiry curly black hair when he was at the University of Texas in the 1960s.

"After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Borneo. He had some modest success on the entertainment circuit with his band, The Texas Jewboys, attracting the attention of Rolling Stone Magazine in 1972 and eventually touring with the famous all-star Bob Dylan Rolling Thunder Revue in the mid 1970s.

"A decade later, he traded music for a typewriter and wrote the first of 17 mystery novels. His readers include President Bush and former President Clinton and both had him as an overnight guest at the White House....

"He favors legalizing casino gambling to solve the state's education finance dilemma, would push for life without parole to provide an alternative to the death penalty and create a Texas version of the Peace Corps, enlisting the help of his friends in the entertainment industry." {more}

If Kinky's campaign appeals to you, you may donate here, or you can buy shirts and stickers. I love the shirt that says, "Kinky for Governor: How Hard Could It Be?" and the sticker that says "My Governor Is a Jewish Cowboy." But my favorite is this one: