Posted on 10/28/2006 11:12:49 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
Texas independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman made two special appearances Friday in the Hub City, both to campaign and to encourage early voting.
Friedman strolled into both venues, the Lubbock County Elections Office and the Canyon Amphitheater and Pavilion, in his signature black duster and matching cowboy hat, with an unlit cigar dangling from his lips. He greeted all of his supporters with a friendly smile, handshake and the simple phrase, "Hi, I'm Kinky."
Although fans greeted him at both places, the audience at the amphitheater was much bigger and more enthusiastic.
"I came out because it is not enough just to support someone," said Texas Tech student Richard Campanaro. "If you don't come out and show your support, it is just another opinion. Being active in the political community makes the country and the state what it is."
One item that Friedman, an author, songwriter and comedian, could not stress enough was the fact that everyone needs to get out and vote. In his words, if you don't vote, don't bitch.
"This early voting is going to be big across Texas," he said. "Especially with the younger voters."
Friedman's opponents include Republican incumbent Rick Perry, Democrat Chris Bell, independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Libertarian James Werner.
Early voting continues through Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 7.
According to statistics, Friedman said that early voting has, so far, gone through the roof. It is even better than it was four years ago.
Friedman said he does not agree with the Republican and Democratic argument that if you do not vote for one of their parties, your vote has gone to waste.
"If you vote with your heart, conscience and dreams, your vote isn't wasted," he said.
Some of the issues Friedman is pushing for in his campaign are to legalize casino gambling, make the legal drinking age 18 and to give all of the extra money in the state budget back to the people.
No matter what other candidates think of Friedman, he has an enthusiastic following.
"I like that he is not a politician," said Glenda Taylor, Friedman's Lubbock County coordinator. "He is tired of the same things as I am in Austin. He is tired of the way Texas is right now."
Friedman spoke openly about how he wants to lower college tuition and how he does not want to leave any teachers behind.
"The only way not to leave any teachers behind is to leave the governor behind," he said.
Friedman said that he wants to get the politicians out of politics and get the people back in.
"I want the young people to help us run the state," he said. "I want to fill the Board of Regents."
Above all, Friedman says, he wants to be a good shepherd - and a good shepherd would want to do something for Texas.
"This is a protest vote, a middle finger vote if you want to say that," Friedman said. "This same spirit marked the American Revolution and the Texas Revolution."
Is this the Jesse Ventura vote?
Kinky has my vote
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In Person % Mail in Total %
2006 -- 246,500 3.03% 40,672 287,172 3.53%
2002 -- 135,138 1.73% 34,519 169,657 2.17%
Kinky asks for and gets the 'middle finger' and nothing else.
Drug store cowboy, not to mention a Bill Clinton supporter in the 90's.
Kinky would be perfect to co-star in Borat's next movie.
Still a sight better then Gov Goodhair
Poppycock. If he is running for election to public office, he is a politician. He may be unconventional in his approach, but he is a politician nonetheless.
So! What you are saying, is, an almost doubling of early voters, even before early voting is over, is not a very significant increase? You might want to rethink that.
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