Kinky Friedman Considering Another Run for Governor

Bill White (0.00 / 0)

Bill White is not, personally, one of my top five choices for 2010.

We need to think toward someone more along the lines of Ronnie Earle, in my opinion. I'd really like to see Ronnie Earle run.

I know people have been pushing "Bill White in 2010" since 2004, but, aside from money, what does he really have to offer progressives?

Vince Leibowitz

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by: Vince Leibowitz @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 19:10:57 PM UTC

Earle's too polarizing (5.00 / 1)

I would think Bill White would be on any obvious short list, with plenty of executive experience. I like Kinky's "take no bullshit" kind of politics, but Texas is so convoluted and crooked, I just don't see anyone with his background ever being more than a distraction.

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by: billydanielus @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 19:32:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I find this astounding... (0.00 / 0)

...that you all would even be having a serious discussion about Kinky Friedman running for Governor as a Democrat.  In 2006, he said that choosing between Republicans and Democrats was like choosing between "paper and plastic."  In this day and age, if he really sees that little difference between the two major parties, how could anyone who considers him or herself a Democrat give him a second thought?  People on here have talked about "entertainment value" but when Kinky had his one chance to play on the big stage in 2006 (the one debate), he made an absolute ass of himself.

As for all the talk on here about Kay Bailey Hutchison, get some new and better b.s.  She probably won't even run now that Perry's running again and if she does, she probably won't even get out of the Republican Primary.

It's also ridiculous to think Bill White is going to be annointed on the Democratic side.  He made one appearance at the Democratic State Convention and the excitement was, well, non-existent.  He's only known in Houston, has spent most of his mayorship sucking up to Republicans like Tom DeLay and will have a very difficult time bringing along the faithful in a contested Primary.

It's a long way from 2010.  Y'all should keep your powder dry but when folks like Kinky Friedman pop up, they should be swatted down immediately.  

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by: politicsforjim @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 23:45:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Agreed (0.00 / 0)

Bill White should not be anointed. Nobody should.

I don't know much about his record as mayor. What do you mean when you say he has sucked up to Republicans like Tom DeLay?

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by: David Mauro @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 01:50:18 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I mean the following: (0.00 / 0)

To curry favor with the scumbag exterminator DeLay, he hired his District Director to come work in the mayor's office.  Even after his corruption had come to light, White hosted a fundraiser for DeLay and produced a videotaped salute to the then majority leader.  Meanwhile, he has done next to nothing for Democrats, always using the excuse of "non-partisanship."  Because of his record, I just think we should be "non-partisan" toward White and find candidates who have stood with us during the tough times.  

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by: politicsforjim @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 12:35:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Look at (0.00 / 0)

Bill White's record on the environment. He stood up to the state on air and water quality issues. He is one of the few Democrats in Texas who is not in the pocket of THE LOBBY and actually cares about what we drink and breath. Also, he first got elected to build light rail for Houston, which he has done. I will proudly support Bill White for Governor in 2010. He could actually get elected, unlike Ronnie, John, or Steve. Kinky is just a sideshow, I doubt he'll run as a Democrat; he's probably just trying to sell more books.

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by: gregturet @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 14:46:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Check your facts... (3.00 / 1)

...light rail was moving forward in Houston when Bill White was elected.  He slowed it to a snail's pace and it's just now moving forward again...with little thanks to him.  That was one of his excuses for kissing up to DeLay - it was going to be such a big benefit to the city's transit program - a lot of good that did.  

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by: politicsforjim @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:56:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kinky as a D candidate.. (0.00 / 0)

Would be very interesting, especially with the legions of Ds that agree with him on some issues, and the legions of Ds who disagree with him on some issues, having to figure out how to mesh it all together. I like the concept... just wary of the timing in a year (2010) that Texas really could make huge strides towards going blue.

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by: tbobmccoy @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 19:24:45 PM UTC

If Kay Bailey runs for governor, (2.00 / 1)

it doesn't really make a whole lot of difference who we put up, she'll probably win. I hate to say that, and I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but honestly, Bill White is the only one I can think of that even has the slightest chance of beating her, and I don't think much of his chances. If KBH is not the GOP nominee, then all bets are off, but all signs are pointing in that direction.

I would like to see the Kinkster get into the primary, though, just for the entertainment value, if nothing else, and so I can work my ass off to see him publicly shamed if he continues to air what seem to be quasi-racist views.

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by: davew @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 20:04:30 PM UTC

I think the CW (0.00 / 0)

that KBH is a shoe-in leaves out a lot of pesky details.

1) She hasn't done a damn thing. She's well-liked, in general, but...

2)if she has stout and well-funded opposition, what exactly will she lean on down here? She has no statewide organization in place down here - at least, not like Perry does....

3) And while she'd be a favorite in any general matchup, getting through a GOP primary against Perry (if he stays in) might be too tall of an order for a pro-choice female with a record of voting against her party just enough to keep the true believers - who make up the bulk of the primary electorate - in Perry's corner.

Dewhurst would be a better matchup for her, I think.

If Perry runs again, I bet she stays put.  

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by: Robert Ryland @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 21:18:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who else can Perry truly rely on (0.00 / 0)

except the hard religious right? I mean when-push-comes-to-shove rely on. I don't think that just those folks alone will get him through a primary any more.

And you're right, she hasn't done a thing, but for reasons known only to the Republican Party of Texas and, hell, I don't know, Harvey Kronberg, Kay Bailey's the most popular politician in Texas. That support is shallow, I'll grant you that, but it's wide.

Like I said above, I'd like to be wrong. It'd be good to make sure there's a really strong candidate for lieutenant governor, because that's a much more attainable (not to mention powerful) seat, especially if KBH is the GOP nominee.

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by: davew @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 00:31:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nope (4.00 / 4)

Never want to see him run. Will never support him, and no one ever should.

John Kelso is funny, too. What makes Kinky more qualified than Kelso? Nothing. What makes Kinky more qualified than Steve Earle? Nothing. What makes Kinky more qualified than some of my friends? Nothing.

He's an entertainer. Let him entertain those who find him amusing. The answer to having less-than-stellar candidates/politicians is to get better ones, not worse ones.

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 21:16:06 PM UTC

what???!! (2.00 / 1)

You're saying John Kelso isn't qualified? Why Phillip Martin if that doesn't prove once and for all that you're in the back pocket of (fill in the blank - I frankly can't remember all the things you've been accused of off the top of my head), then I don't know what will.

Get with the game plan. This, my friend, is the natural progression of the "run everywhere" strategy. It's the new and improved "run everybody, for everything" strategy. And if you're not with us, you're against us. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. You may well be an actual evildoer, and as such will be promptly reported to the authorities. And I, for one, intend to go right out and form the Kelso Exploratory Committee at my earliest opportunity. We'll show you, bucko!

Signed,

Kelso-ites for Incredibly Loud Liberal Electoral Rambunctiousness (KILLER)

LettersFromTexas.com

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by: Harold Cook @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 22:42:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who Else But Kels? (0.00 / 0)

Kelso is an experienced campaigner, having won just one less delegate than John Connally in the 1980 Republican Primary.

Hope is not a plan.

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by: Dave In A Cave @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:15:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have to disagree (0.00 / 0)

Neither Kinky nor John Kelso are funny.  George Carlin, on the other hand...there's a man who should have run for office.

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 04:38:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

"Bowling Balls" (3.00 / 1)

Until he repudiates that line, Kinky doesn't deserve consideration.

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by: Bigfoot @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 21:58:29 PM UTC

This man (0.00 / 0)

should run.

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by: Elsbeth @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 02:04:04 AM UTC

I like Garry (0.00 / 0)

and would love to see him in the Governor's Mansion, but I wonder if he has the reach and broad appeal to pull it off.

I really like Bill Moody at the top of the ticket, even though he's a judge. His 2006 campaign was outstanding, and he proved an ability to connect with people and flip swing voters en masse. And he's a good fit, given the party ID deficit we face here.
Bill White doesn't excite me much, but of course I'd vote for him over whoever the GOP puts up.  

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by: Robert Ryland @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 15:31:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Reach and broad appeal (0.00 / 0)

Mauro is certainly known to most Democrats in the state. And he's especially appreciated by those of us who voted for Hillary Clinton. :)

I just googled Bill Moody and everything that comes up has to do with 2006. Maybe he should have a news conference or something. His Wikipedia page doesn't show anything new, either.

I just don't know enough about Moody. I'm not sure about his reach and broad appeal in North Texas. From what you've described, he certainly sounds like a really strong Democrat.

However, if he's any relation to the Galveston Moodys, well, I certainly can't question that reach and broad appeal.

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by: Elsbeth @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:21:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

"On another occasion... (3.00 / 1)

...I told him that Mexico dropped out of the Olympics: Everybody who can run, jump, or swim, I explained, has already left the country."
Kinky Friedman
from Texas Monthly, July 2008

Need I say more?
This is not someone we need sitting on a city council, much less leading our state.

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by: politicsforjim @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 08:56:12 AM UTC