Free Republic

SPICEWOOD, Texas — Kinky Friedman began the final campaign weekend just outside Austin at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch, owned by his longtime buddy and fellow Texas entertainer, looking for some good luck late in his long-shot independent gubernatorial effort. "I like luck and I need luck and I want luck," Friedman said Saturday, standing next to Nelson outside a corral where a half-dozen horses were grazing and running behind them. "Being in luck is always a wonderful experience." "If you're not here, you're out of Luck," Nelson said. The horses, from Oklahoma, were among 11 recently adopted by Nelson and...

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...

Candidate Kinky holds court at Bleacher's Cafe RUTH BRADLEY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL When Kinky Friedman walked into Bleacher's Sports Cafe Sunday afternoon, a cigar in his mouth, he stopped for a moment to take a picture with a constituent before taking his place on stage next to a sign reading "Keep Austin weird, make Lubbock Kinky." This is not your typical gubernatorial candidate. And that's the way Friedman wants it. "I think that most of us have come to the conclusion that we could use a non-politician to run the state of Texas," he said, a cigar in one hand and a...

In first public comments on talk that's traveled around the state and nation, Perry says his marriage is fine and castigates those who spread rumors online. By Ken Herman © 2004 AMERICAN-STATESMAN Thursday, March 4, 2004 Gov. Rick Perry, speaking out for the first time about a widely circulated rumor about his personal life and professional future, said Thursday that he has been targeted by "an obvious, orchestrated effort" launched by political foes. For almost two months, variations of the rumors have swirled around the Capitol, been repeated among friends across the state, been investigated by reporters from around the...