Burnt Orange Report

Your source sounds like Nathan Wilcox... because that's exactly the same I've heard.

Keep in mind that Kinky Friedman doesn't have a big political machine behind him or a built-in base for fundraising. I would say the campaign is temporarily down but definitely not out. And I have my sources as well. And I put more stock in the horse's mouth than the horse's ass. Which is apparently who some of you have been talking to.

"what is Kinky doing in politics period?"

He's taking just enough money and (assuming he gets on the ballot) will take just enough votes to make sure we get stuck with another conservative Governor for four more years...

http://kinkyfriedman.com/

"Help! We are surrounded by crooked politicians, lobbyists, special interest groups, and possibly that greatest of all enemies of freedom - apathy."

That's what he's "doing in politics." Trying to change things. Which neither the Democrats nor the Republicans in office seem interested in doing. They just want to continue their little war. And most of us the casualties.

A war funded by corporations and attorneys and lobbyists. Who win no matter who is in office.

Piss off anonymous. I've never spoken to Damon and wouldn't know him if he walked out of Kinky headquarters with a pink slip in his hand and a downcast look on his face.

That's what he's "doing in politics." Trying to change things. Which neither the Democrats nor the Republicans in office seem interested in doing.

So that's why Kinky hasn't bothered to vote in 15 years. My bad....I thought he was just being lazy. If Kinky was serious about changing things in Texas politics, he wouldn't have waited until now to do such a hap-hazard job of it. If the Friedman campaign is lookin for another book deal that's cool, just don't do it on my political dime.

There are a whole lot of people who haven't voted in Texas for a long time. Waiting, perhaps, for someone WORTH voting for? Maybe Kinky Friedman gave up and decided to "do it himself." And maybe lots of us will sign the petition and get him on the ballot and vote him into office.

Maybe lots of us have just tired of the politicans and want something new. Something not bought and paid for by the special interests. Something not tied into this partisan war that has been going on ever since the Democrats lost their majority rule. Due to lack of ethics. Everyone forgets Jim Wright. And quite a few other Democrats who brought their own house down not that long ago. As the Republicans finally will. Tom De Lay may survive where Jim Wright didn't. But the Republican Party won't. The Democrats will side back into majority rule. But on the sleaze of Tom De Lay. The way the Republicans slid back into majority rule on the sleaze of Jim Wright.

It's like watching reruns of a really bad movie. It gets tired. One party falls from grace, the other party creates a new hero. The hero goes to Washington and saves us all from the previous debacle. And then creates one of his own. Same thing in Austin. A whole lot of us are just tired of it.

From the Chronicle article: "Campaign spokeswoman Laura Stromberg said part of the restructuring includes hiring Reid Nelson as a senior campaign aide. Nelson was campaign manager for former Vice President Dan Quayle during his first race for Congress in Indiana."

Dan Quayle's former campaign manager? Let's hope Mr. Nelson has changed his views over the years, because if not, that hire is further proof that the idea that Friedman is a progressive alternative to Bell and Perry is a joke.

I think that took quite a few by surprise since Dan Quayle is not associated with "winners," or even "whiners" for that matter, but rather spelling bees and questions of proper pronunciation.

Still, he did win the congressional seat. Which in itself was probably miraculous. Quayle's a nice guy. But let's face it. Dull as dishwater. And one thing you can't accuse Kinky of is being dull. Or dishwater.

Too bad Kinky will wind up being a political trivia question along the lines of "Who was Geraldine Ferraro's running mate?". I guess no one told him indies are ok for movies & publishing, but rarely politics, 'specially TEXAS politics. Pink slip all those indie freaks & run as a republican. That would really make it interesting.

I don't think Quayle's victory was miraculous, given that Indiana is a Republican state and the Quayles actually are a pretty well-regarded family there.

That having been said, I notice you haven't responded to the argument that if Friedman has chosen to hire a conservative Republican as a senior campaign aide (and unless someone can come up with evidence that Nelson has changed his views over time, I think we can assume he is still a conservative Republican consultant), then that is evidence that his progressive bona fides are weak at best. (Friedman's glib responses to questions on issues of abortion rights or gay rights are further evidence of that.) Granted, Nelson may be a good political consultant, but so is Karl Rove, and I don't think an "independent" candidate who hired Rove would be in a position to ask progressives to follow his banner. Same deal here, unless someone can come up with evidence to the contrary.

Feel free to vote for Friedman if you want to, but let's not claim that Friedman is some sort of progressive alternative to mainstream politics. The facts belie that.

Well that would certainly be interesting. Kinky running in the Republican primary and walking away with the nomination.

I think the point some of you are trying to make is that Kinky comes from an obviously Republican background. I wonder if your criticism would be the same if he had come from an obviously Democratic background?

The point I and others are trying to make is that Kinky Friedman is just fed up with it all. As we are. Fed up with partisan politics as usual. In the end analysis, both parties have lost touch with the people. And with the public interest.

I think to be honest some of you deserve Chris Bell as governor so you can finally understand what the rest of us are fed up with. The "what you think you see and hear ain't what you get" phenomenon of politics. Promises go out the window as soon as the polls close.

No one deserves Rick Perry. Unfortunately if Chris Bell is the sole candidate running against him, Rick Perry is what everyone will end up with. My opinion.

"He's taking just enough money and (assuming he gets on the ballot) will take just enough votes to make sure we get stuck with another conservative Governor for four more years..."

Hmmm...Repubilcan conspiracy to keep Perry in the Gov Mansion? Remember Kinky ran for County Shriff as a Republican. Maybe he does takes some votes from Bell (and Perry), but we could have a Nader effect (the positive one) in Texas where he brings out a lot of new voters who vote Dem and the Dems actually claw back a Congressional seat or two. I don't see a groundswell of first time Republican voters. And heaven forbid maybe a Dem wins a state-wide race!