(No word yet on the official statement but this is the rumor for now. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Kinky Friedman's book tour made two stops in Montgomery County on Saturday where he also made some news. He has hinted that he will drop out of the Texas Governor's race and is seriously considering entering another statewide race like Lt. Governor or Agriculture Commissioner. The Courier, the local newspaper in Conroe, Texas reports: THE WOODLANDS – The deep pockets of gubernatorial candidates Bill White and Farouk Shami may force Kinky Friedman out of the 2010 Democratic primary.
Instead, Friedman, who ran against Republican Gov. Rick Perry as an independent in 2006, may pursue another statewide post, such as agriculture commissioner or lieutenant governor, he announced at one of two campaign stops Saturday in The Woodlands Kinky cites the campaign war chests of fellow gubernatorial candidates Bill White and Farouk Shami as his reason for dropping out of that race, “The problem is this: With my trusty slingshot I can beat any millionaire in Texas. Can I run against multiple millionaires in a primary? That’s probably not going to happen," said Friedman. As far as what other statewide race he would consider, he appears to be leaning towards Ag Commissioner, and sees former Ag Commissioner (and Kinky advisor) Jim Hightower as an inspiration: Friedman said he has discussed running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner with former commissioner Jim Hightower, singer Willie Nelson and Bill White.
“What I learned is that as agriculture commissioner there was almost nothing I couldn’t do that I couldn’t do as governor,” Friedman said.
Among the items on Friedman’s agricultural agenda was bringing a halt to toll roads going through farmland, the idea of farmer’s co-operatives selling alternative fuels all over Texas, and placing animal rescue facilities in every county. The Democratic nomination for Ag Commissioner is currently being sought by the 2006 nominee and former gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert. Kinky acknowledges meeting with both Bill White and Farouk Shami on Saturday (Shami lives in The Woodlands). If he gives any hint of who he would support in the Governor's race, Kinky seems to be leaning towards Bill White: "I like Bill White. I really think we can work together,” Friedman said. “Bill’s concept of government is very close to mine. It’s not about Bill White. It’s not about Kinky. It’s about making government work for the people. He had harsh words for Farouk Shami: “The Democratic primary should not be for sale. It should be priceless and reflect the voice of the people,” Friedman said. “Farouk has already put $10 million (into the campaign) and he’s ready to put up another $10 million.
“It’s like a rich man buying a toy. He might have been better served to buy a sports team, or give it to a charity, or a children’s hospital or something,” he said.
In terms of the timing of an announcement, Kinky only said that it may be next week, though it has been reported the announcement will be on Monday. |
