Kinky says he might have another go at governor (As a Democrat)

Austin American Statesman ^ | 8/9/07 | W. Gardner Selby

[Cat loving Texan]

Friedman won't run as an independent next time, he says.

By W. Gardner Selby AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, August 09, 2007

Kinky Friedman might run again for governor in 2010, conceivably as a Democrat.

"I'm open to running," Friedman said Wednesday before cautioning that he won't settle plans until after the 2008 elections.

"Had I run as a Democrat last time, I think (Gov.) Rick Perry would already be (out of office as) a lobbyist for a cigar company," he said.

The black-hatted humorist, who has a book coming out on his flashy 2006 campaign, said he realized after finishing with 12.4 percent of the vote that Texans wouldn't embrace an independent. Perry, a Republican, won re-election with 39 percent. Democrat Chris Bell drew 30 percent, and independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn pulled 18 percent.

Friedman has focused lately on promoting his line of Honduran-made cigars, which he'll be touting in Austin next week at cigar and speciality shop Heroes & Legacies.

Friedman said he's not inclined to run for the U.S. Senate against GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who will seek re-election next year.

"Being senator is too hard," he said. "Governor is just about right."

Boyd Richie, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, said Wednesday, "I would expect he'd have considerable opposition; a lot of people still resent the fact that if he really wanted to make a difference, he could have run as a Democrat last time" or dropped out, possibly helping Bell pick up votes.

Democratic consultant Kelly Fero said voters will be in a serious mood in 2010: "They're going to be looking for real serious, legitimate candidates. Kinky should throw his cigar in the ring if he thinks he fits that profile."

wgselby@statesman.com; 445-3644

[Cat loving Texan]

For those of you who baught into this New York dwelling liberal, the mask has come off. Anyone who wants to outlaw declawing cats is hardly a conservative.

[af_vet_rr]

Considering how liberal the current Texas governor has become (or rather, has reverted back to - Perry used to be a Democrat before changing parties once the GOP started doing well in Texas), I don't think it really matters at this point.

Hell, Perry is not even ruling out running again, and he's been collecting campaign money (several hundred thousand in June alone) which can only be spent in-state. If Perry runs again, I'd vote for just about anybody running against him.

[The_Victor]

No surprise here. He ran as a democRAT before, he just didn’t use their name.

[Piquaboy]

He is Kinky all right along with being a friend of Imus.

[faloi]

The black-hatted humorist, who has a book coming out on his flashy 2006 campaign, said he realized after finishing with 12.4 percent of the vote that Texans wouldn't embrace an independent.

He needs to go back to math class. If he hadn't split the independent vote with Strayhorn, an independent would've come close. Heck, I've spoken with some people who voted for a major party candidate because they knew the non-party vote would be split and they wanted to get the lesser of two evils. It's possible that if he had dropped out and supported Strayhorn, we'd have an independent governor right now.

[mnehring]

Well, at least Kinky chose the party that he fits in this time..

[Red Badger]

"Being senator is too hard," he said.

Hell it can't be THAT hard.......If Kennedy, Schumer, Biden and Reid can do it!.............

[rod1]

Johnson (D-SD)... Certainly Kinky could attend sessions and show up in his state as often as he does. The bar is pretty low even when Kennedy is slumped over it.

[TexasCajun]

Maybe he can call up his buddy Willy and Willy's new galpal Cindy Sheehan to campaign with him.

[Dick Vomer]

after what Governor Nice hair has done... I’m voting for Kinky.

[Liberty Valance]

"For those of you who baught into this New York dwelling liberal, the mask has come off."



What mask? He's always been a somewhat social libertarian. And are you aware that he lives just outside Medina? He and I grind our coffee in the same machine at the local HEB here in Kerrville. ;o)

"Anyone who wants to outlaw declawing cats is hardly a conservative."

I don't know about that. It's a 2nd amendment issue with me. Any law abiding Texas born cat has the right to keep and bear arms ;o)

[SwinneySwitch]

“I hope there’s not a rush to do anything,” Senator Harry Reid.

[deport]

Had I run as a Democrat last time,

---

You could have fooled me.... I thought he did.

He has one problem and that is getting the democrats to nominate him. Not sure the lawyer money will go his way against a party faithful ‘crat......

[SwinneySwitch]

He’d have to file in and win the democrat primary first.

I think he was on Morning Joe the other day. Didn’t watch.