Burnt Orange Report

Well, I managed to see him on the West Mall for a while. At one point, Kinky said "why not vote for me, I can't screw it up anymore than they have." About the least inspiring thing I've heard from anyone, really.

Kinky also encouraged folks not to vote in the primaries so they could sign his petition (voting isn't very big with him, as can be seen by the fact that he hasn't voted in Texas in 15 years).

Overall, lots of mumblings about changing the State Song, being an independent, and how he's the next Sam Houston. Oh, and some 8-year old girls played the fiddle. That was kind of cute.

the texan reported that only 50 people showed up. What was your count?

I think the 50 people number was at the East Mall, by the MLK statue. By the time he got to the West Mall, there was probably more like 100 people or so that were there the whole time, and another 50+ that stayed for at least a while.

He also mentioned drawing a line in the hearts of voters, just like William Travis drew a line in the sand at the Alamo. That made me laugh, 'cause in the heat and with his moustache and all, he made me think of the Looney Tunes cartoon where Bugs draws a line in the sand and makes Yosemite Sam fall off a cliff.

At the peak of the rally there were about 175 which I would like to point out is alot more than came to Chris Bell's announcment. The walk had 35-60 depending on the time (class and what not). The Texan only really covered the walk and not the rally (nothing unusual about them missing half of a story).

What you might consider mumblings are what others consider fresh ideas. Moreover, he has to encourage people to skip the primaries so they they can sign the petition. There is nothing wrong with that. If you ask Kinky why he hasnt voted in 15 years he will tell you that like most people, he just got sick of Paper VS. Plastic and was waiting for something new. Nothing new has come along so he decided to be the fresh voice and the fresh idea himself.

I think a point is made when 175 students gather around in 106 degree heat to hear a candidate speak and they didnt have to be bused in from Houston to make the crowd size.

Kinky has the abaility to reach out to young voters and that was show Wednesday.

I think a point is made when more people show up to walk with the independent than the Dem. candidate, but...wait for it...wait for it...
he also bests that candidate in the usual hack* standards, like money, publicity.etc...

*hack standards are admittedly often important indicators.

Texas Weekly reported that Bell had 150 at his announcement (in mid-August with no students in session, worth noting), and the Texan reported that Kinky got 50 to his event today. Might have been closer to 100 who stayed for the whole rally if what Phillip says is right. Regardless, you're going to look a little foolish trying to argue that Kinky vastly outdrew Bell when the press are reporting those numbers in black and white. My 2 cents.

Look, paper vs plastic makes for an ok sound bite and all, but i have a hard time respecting a guy whose whole campaign is based on convincing people that there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans. You're goddamn right there's a difference, and it's an insult to everything most Democrats stand for to tell us that these differences dont matter. On civil rights, on women's rights, on education, on the question of how to treat the least fortunate in our society. Yes there are differences, and don't insult me by telling me otherwise.

Maybe he's right that there may not have been many great candidates to vote for in Texas in the last 15 years. But there sure as hell have been some candidates worth voting against. If kinky couldn't be bothered to care then, why can he expect us to care about him now?

If I were you I would care...he outraises bell 2-1

The number was 150-175. We had 2 people do a rough count at the peak

If Kinky were a savior he would've done something that would have saved us, maybe singlehandly building schools with his barehands or at least voting, etc...
But those of us who support him and most Texans aren't looking for a savior. They're just looking for someone who's intentions are good and also not too paralyzed by a life's worth of political calculations to make a difference against those whose intentions are bad.
And for the more politically astute amongst us, it seems like in a politically conservative state, you can have one good guy saying "children, families, values, texas, america, god, freedom, senior citizens" against a bad guy sayind "children, families, values, texas, america, god, freedom, senior citizens" and if the state's conservative, the conservative with the bad heart's gonna beat the other guy with the good heart.
that's what worries me and why i like kinky friedman

As much as I'm truly impressed by his ability to outraise a guy who wasn't even a candidate yet, if I backed candidates based on their fundraising, then my vote would already be salted away for Rick Perry. Believe it or not some people are looking for more than that.

And no, I'm not talking about a bold stance against cat declawing.

"based on convincing people that there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans."

I think you misunderstood him. He has said there is no difference between Democratic and Republican politicians. And as far as I'm concerned, with few exceptions, there isn't.

There's no better illustration of it than the ethics complaint filed against Tom De Lay by Chris Bell. The committee took the complaint and admonished both of them. A fact his supporters want the rest of us to forget. That in itself is a good reason not to vote for him for governor. He said yesterday that Tom De Lay needed to look in a mirror. He might look in one as well.

And Nancy Pelosi apparently didn't read the admonishment of Bell despite the committee very clearly stating that it was directed at all of Congress just as the admonishment of De Lay was.

Tom De Lay is a criminal only when a jury determines he is one. Not when Chris Bell decides he is one. Not when Nancy Pelosi decides he is one. I'm surprised he hasn't sued them both for defamation. He certainly has a strong case.

As for the "ethical standards" Nancy Pelosi keeps talking about, I would point out that she went on national television one Sunday morning and stated that somehow an ethics violation by a Democrat, herself of course, is somehow less unethical than the same violation by a Republican, Tom De Lay of course. In other words, there is a double standard. And it's one quite a few are fed up with. In both parties.

Which is why so many in both parties are supporting Kinky Friedman. And will continue to.

Baby Snooks--

You wrote: "[Kinky] has said there is no difference between Democratic and Republican politicians. And as far as I'm concerned, with few exceptions, there isn't."

How so? What makes them all so incredibly similar, and what makes Kinky so different. I know I'm opening myself (and this thread) up to an incredibly long post, but it's a discussion worth having, I believe, because this idea of "paper vs. plastic" seems so central to the Kinky campaign, and I believe it's worth talking about.

I'm not arguing, I'm asking. What makes Kinky so independent?

Funny thing about the 2-to-1 numbers. Over half of that money came from his treasurer. Wonder if that what he's gonna do everytime Kinky gets in a hard spot. Actually without John McCall donating $160k to Friedman, Bell outraises him. Two, for outraising Bell by $150k, he only had $6k more in the bank. Where'd all that money go?

Let's see what happens on Jan. 1, then we can talk fundraising.

Well I tried to respond but it refused my post twice on the basis of questionable content and I am not capable of questionable content so I guess you will have to figure out what makes Kinky independent on your own.

"Where'd all that money go?"

Probably into that cute cartoon. It is a classic. Even if he loses, the cartoon will live on I suspect.

In reality, both have a long way to go to raise the millions it will take to match the war chest of Perry. Although you know, there are three things in life that money can't buy. A good reputation, happiness, and votes.

I'll admit, the cartoon was good. No Jib-Jab, This Land Is Your Land, but still good.

Grube may have said there were 150 people there, but Grube can't count. Example:

"Shut up, I've only had two drink..." and then he wakes up and his head is shaved. There are pictures.

I don't find Kinky to be particularly independent. Example: a friend of mine spotted him sittin' and sippin' at the Starbucks on Congress. You know...the one almost across the street from locally owned independent coffee house Little City.

Matt,

ok, so I drink and things happen. This event has only happened twice...no big deal.

Hardigree,

Speaking of pictures, I believe there is one of you wearing a GOLD speedo. For those of us that have seen it, I assure you it is a sight for sore eyes - even more so than the picture of my bald head.