Reasons not to "save your vote for Kinky"

[serious black]

Tuesday is the Democratic Primary.
I'm voting for Bob Gammage.
There are several reasons for this. You can go to his website and see that he is a great progressive Democratic candidate who can actually beat Perry and Strayhorn...

But this post is about Kinky and all of the dupes that are skipping the Democratic primary so they can sign Kinky's petition to get him on the ballot. As you may know, to sign a petition for an independant candidate you have to have not voted in the Republican or Democratic primaries and many Democrats are skipping the primary to "save themselves for Kinky" not knowing how conservative he is and not realizing that we have a very close race going on in the gubernatorial primary while Kinky only needs 50,000 signatures statewide. The following is from the burntorangereport.

"The Conservative Kinkster
by: Ryan Goodland
March 05, 2006 at 22:36:53 CST
(Please don't waste your primary vote & state convention chances on signing Kinky's petition if you care about helping either Democrat get elected Governor. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)

I was talking to some friends tonight about Bob Gammage and the primary on Tuesday; this group of friends are young, urban artsy types and are pretty excited about Kinky Friedman. Drive around Montrose in Houston and you're bound to see more than a few cars with those "Kinky Friedman: Why the Hell Not?" bumper stickers around.

It's disconcerting to see so many smart people out there fall for Friedman as if he's the cool, progressive alternative to whoever the Democratic nominee will be. Following his campaign in the news, the more I learn about Kinky Friedman, the more conservative I realize he is. So rather than chastise him for being a potential spoiler, here are some on-the-merits reasons why you shouldn't skip the primary to sign Friedman's petition. Or vote for him at all.

1. Kinky Friedman wants to tear down the wall of separation between church and state. He supports school prayer posting the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms.

2. Kinky Friedman wants to put up a wall between Texas and Mexico. In a March 2005 appearance on "The No-Spin Zone," Friedman said, "Good fences make good neighbors, and, Mr. Fox, help us build that fence."

3. Kinky Friedman won't say if he supports a woman's right to choose. When asked, Friedman dodged a question about his position on abortion. Incidentally, Texas is one nineteen states with a legislature that would be likely to ban abortion in the event that Roe v. Wade were overturned.

4. Kinky Friedman has promised to root out cronyism...and appoint his biggest campaign contributor Secretary of State. No one should be appointed to a position just because he "gave the most money," according to Kinky. Except if you donate $600,000 to Kinky's campaign. Then you get to be Secretary of State.

5. Kinky Friedman didn't take the time to vote for the equal rights of the GLBT community. As Karl-Thomas has pointed out, Kinky didn't bother to vote on Proposition 2 last year, which amended the Texas Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriages.

6. Kinky Friedman did take the time to vote for George W. Bush. That kind of voting record sort of speaks for itself.

7. Kinky Friedman talks out of both sides of his mouth on public education. Friedman says he wants a teacher pay raise, but at the same time he wants to spend the state's 4.3 billion dollar surplus this year on a tax rebate.

8. Kinky Friedman is a Republican. In 1986, Friedman ran for Kerrville JP as a Republican.

If Carole Strayhorn is Rick Perry in a skirt, as Bob Gammage has said, then Kinky Friedman is Rick Perry with a cigar. Why anyone would skip the primary for this guy is beyond me."

http://www.burntorangereport.com/frontPage.do

[JunkyardDwg]

That reads like a political ad paid for by Texans against Kinky...or something to that effect. Pretty easy to spin the truth for your own agenda.

[FranchiseBlade]

The fact is that Kinky's talk of pay raises for teachers, and only making education appointments of people who were actually in a class room rather than by political connections is far and away a better idea towards education reform than any of the other candidates have put forward. Doing away with standardized tests is another great idea of his that will help education.

Kinky's idea gets rid of the status quo, and makes meaningful changes, with people who actually have far more knowledge of the needs of educators and students in modern classrooms. I think that is the most important area where states have control, and Kinky's ideas are the best.

I don't care what he thinks of Bush, or anyone else as long as his ideas are solid. When it comes to education his are.

[boomer83]

Hilary Clinton should be a candidate, and hopefully she will be voted into office 2008.

edit: nevermind, i didnt read any of the posts i just read the title, i was wondering why the primaries were starting so quickly :o

[rodrick_98]

That reads like a political ad paid for by Texans against Kinky...or something to that effect. Pretty easy to spin the truth for your own agenda.

agreed. it speaks of #1 and 2, as if they're a bad idea.

[MR. MEOWGI]

Spending billions of tax $ to build a giant wall is not my idea of small government. I never hear these guys talk about really going after those who hire illegal immigrants. I wonder why...

[Baqui99]

Kinky is basically a Republican. I'll be voting for Gammage.

[andymoon]

In general, I like the conservative view (not neo-con, true conservatism) so just being conservative doesn't turn me off. I'm not thrilled to hear that he may be pro-life, but his views on other issues (drug war, gambling, education) outweigh that for me since I could never stomach being a single issue voter.

I'll be voting Kinky, particularly since I have never participated in a primary or convention.

[Deckard]

I voted early, and I voted for Gammage. The fact that the Kinkster, who I like a lot... I saw him and the Texas Jew Boys back in the day several times, admire his work with saving animals, enjoy his writing, and agree with several other positions of his, and just like the guy... despite that, I can't vote for someone who was able to "pull the lever" for George W. Bush in 2004. I might have been able to forgive 2000, when he was running on his record as Governor, and before he morphed into his Mad President persona, but not in 2004. That's what I can't abide.

Gammage has name recognition statewide, something Bell doesn't have, and he's the kind of Democrat who acts like a Democrat, instead of being "Republican Lite." Can he beat Perry? Only if Strayhorn gets on the ballot and splits the vote. There are a lot of people in this state that want Perry defeated, and a lot of them are Republicans and independants. Gammage is a longshot, but he has a chance, in my opinion.



Keep D&D Civil.

[gifford1967]

I voted early, and I voted for Gammage. The fact that the Kinkster, who I like a lot... I saw him and the Texas Jew Boys back in the day several times, admire his work with saving animals, enjoy his writing, and agree with several other positions of his, and just like the guy... despite that, I can't vote for someone who was able to "pull the lever" for George W. Bush in 2004. I might have been able to forgive 2000, when he was running on his record as Governor, and before he morphed into his Mad President persona, but not in 2004. That's what I can't abide.

Gammage has name recognition statewide, something Bell doesn't have, and he's the kind of Democrat who acts like a Democrat, instead of being "Republican Lite." Can he beat Perry? Only if Strayhorn gets on the ballot and splits the vote. There are a lot of people in this state that want Perry defeated, and a lot of them are Republicans and independants. Gammage is a longshot, but he has a chance, in my opinion.



Keep D&D Civil.



If I were still living in Texas, that would probably have decided it for me as well. Kinky seems like a fun guy, but voting for Bush in 2004 is just beyond the pale.

[mc mark]

I voted early, and I voted for Gammage. The fact that the Kinkster, who I like a lot... I saw him and the Texas Jew Boys back in the day several times, admire his work with saving animals, enjoy his writing, and agree with several other positions of his, and just like the guy... despite that, I can't vote for someone who was able to "pull the lever" for George W. Bush in 2004. I might have been able to forgive 2000, when he was running on his record as Governor, and before he morphed into his Mad President persona, but not in 2004. That's what I can't abide.

Gammage has name recognition statewide, something Bell doesn't have, and he's the kind of Democrat who acts like a Democrat, instead of being "Republican Lite." Can he beat Perry? Only if Strayhorn gets on the ballot and splits the vote. There are a lot of people in this state that want Perry defeated, and a lot of them are Republicans and independants. Gammage is a longshot, but he has a chance, in my opinion.

Keep D&D Civil.

A bit off topic, but this is another reason why I won't be voting for Hillary.

Anyway! How's that republican primary going in Fort Bend?

Don't Delay! Vote him out of the bay! ;)

[andymoon]

A bit off topic, but this is another reason why I won't be voting for Hillary.

Anyway! How's that republican primary going in Fort Bend?

Don't Delay! Vote him out of the bay! ;)

DeLay's district is not just in FBC, but now extends into Clear Lake.

[RocketMan Tex]

Reason #1 to save your vote for Kinky:

Eradicating the status quo in state politics.

I respect Bob Gammage, but I'm sick to death of the two party system and the gridlock it creates on the state and federal levels.

That is the one and only reason why I am throwing my money, talent and support behind Kinky. I've donated money, and I'm donating time, and he will get my vote.

We've got to do something to shake things up, and Kinky is this year's opportunity to do so here in Texas.

[FranchiseBlade]

Reason #1 to save your vote for Kinky:

Eradicating the status quo in state politics.

I respect Bob Gammage, but I'm sick to death of the two party system and the gridlock it creates on the state and federal levels.

That is the one and only reason why I am throwing my money, talent and support behind Kinky. I've donated money, and I'm donating time, and he will get my vote.

We've got to do something to shake things up, and Kinky is this year's opportunity to do so here in Texas.
I agree.

Yes Kinky voted for GWB in 2004. But if James Carville can be wed to a Bush/Cheney Employee I can vote for someone who's ideas I like even if they voted for someone who's ideas I think are bad for the country.

[jo mama]

kinky may have voted for dubya but at least he didnt give birth to scott mcclellan.

[serious black]

kinky may have voted for dubya but at least he didnt give birth to scott mcclellan.

Neither did Bob Gammage

[Deckard]

I agree.

Yes Kinky voted for GWB in 2004. But if James Carville can be wed to a Bush/Cheney Employee I can vote for someone who's ideas I like even if they voted for someone who's ideas I think are bad for the country.
FB, what does Carville's wife have to do with how he votes? Do you think he voted for Bush to please her?? No way!! I don't get the analogy. :eek: :p



Keep D&D Civil.

[serious black]

Reason #1 to save your vote for Kinky:

Eradicating the status quo in state politics.

I respect Bob Gammage, but I'm sick to death of the two party system and the gridlock it creates on the state and federal levels.

That is the one and only reason why I am throwing my money, talent and support behind Kinky. I've donated money, and I'm donating time, and he will get my vote.

We've got to do something to shake things up, and Kinky is this year's opportunity to do so here in Texas.

If you want to vote for Kinky in the general election go ahead and do it.

What I think is a shame are people who are skipping the Democratic Primary.

If you respect Bob Gammage, or want to shake up the Democratic Party then vote in the primary. This primary is about the future of the party. Do we want to be a less severe version of the Republican Party or do we want to stand for something and be proud of it?

Kinky does not need your sigature. Believe me, he is going to get on the ballot. All he needs is 50,000 votes from all of Texas.

He does not need for you to skip an election, even though he has skipped many of them. He skipped voting for Clinton twice, he skipped voting for Ann Richards and he skipped voting against the Gay Marriage Amendment.

Primaries are where we get the chance to shake things up. Vote for Gammage in the primary and then shake things up again if you wish by voting for Kinky in the general election.

[RocketMan Tex]

If you want to vote for Kinky in the general election go ahead and do it.

What I think is a shame are people who are skipping the Democratic Primary.

If you respect Bob Gammage, or want to shake up the Democratic Party then vote in the primary. This primary is about the future of the party. Do we want to be a less severe version of the Republican Party or do we want to stand for something and be proud of it?

Kinky does not need your sigature. Believe me, he is going to get on the ballot. All he needs is 50,000 votes from all of Texas.

He does not need for you to skip an election, even though he has skipped many of them. He skipped voting for Clinton twice, he skipped voting for Ann Richards and he skipped voting against the Gay Marriage Amendment.

Primaries are where we get the chance to shake things up. Vote for Gammage in the primary and then shake things up again if you wish by voting for Kinky in the general election.

Thanks for your advice, but I'll pass. I'm volunteering for the petition campaign and will be signing it myself, so I will not be voting in today's primary. Looks like I might be playing a Kinky benefit soon as well...will post details when I get them. I hope Gammage beats out Chris Bell today.

[Fatty FatBastard]

Thanks for your advice, but I'll pass. I'm volunteering for the petition campaign and will be signing it myself, so I will not be voting in today's primary. Looks like I might be playing a Kinky benefit soon as well...will post details when I get them. I hope Gammage beats out Chris Bell today.

Chris Bell is a perennial loser. The boy wouldn't win a school council election.

[Deckard]

If you want to vote for Kinky in the general election go ahead and do it.

What I think is a shame are people who are skipping the Democratic Primary.

If you respect Bob Gammage, or want to shake up the Democratic Party then vote in the primary. This primary is about the future of the party. Do we want to be a less severe version of the Republican Party or do we want to stand for something and be proud of it?

Kinky does not need your sigature. Believe me, he is going to get on the ballot. All he needs is 50,000 votes from all of Texas.

He does not need for you to skip an election, even though he has skipped many of them. He skipped voting for Clinton twice, he skipped voting for Ann Richards and he skipped voting against the Gay Marriage Amendment.

Primaries are where we get the chance to shake things up. Vote for Gammage in the primary and then shake things up again if you wish by voting for Kinky in the general election.
Excellent post. I like the way you think, serious black. We need to grow the Deomocratic Party back in Texas, and this is about what kind of Democratic Party it's going to be. I prefer the Ralph Yarbrough and Ann Richards, the Molly Ivens and Sarah Weddington kind of Democratic Party. Bob Gammage is closer to them than Mr. Bell, or the Kinkster, for that matter.



Keep D&D Civil.

[RocketMan Tex]

Chris Bell is a perennial loser. The boy wouldn't win a school council election.

He needs to go back to lawyering. His 15 minutes of political fame have been used up.

[RocketMan Tex]

Excellent post. I like the way you think, serious black. We need to grow the Deomocratic Party back in Texas, and this is about what kind of Democratic Party it's going to be. I prefer the Ralph Yarbrough and Ann Richards, the Molly Ivens and Sarah Weddington kind of Democratic Party. Bob Gammage is closer to them than Mr. Bell, or the Kinkster, for that matter.



Keep D&D Civil.

I'd love to see it happen as well. Texas needs a strong Democratic party. For this election, however, I'm supporting a friend who is a true outsider rather than a standard-bearer who is an insider.

[serious black]

He needs to go back to lawyering. His 15 minutes of political fame have been used up.

Actually they may last a bit longer. All the polls I've seen have Gammage and Bell neck and neck. And Bell has clearly won the newspaper endorsement race. His 15 minutes of fame may last long enough for him to win the primary and insure a Perry/Strayhorn runoff. Wouldn't that be great!

[Fatty FatBastard]

I'd love to see it happen as well. Texas needs a strong Democratic party. For this election, however, I'm supporting a friend who is a true outsider rather than a standard-bearer who is an insider.

Does anyone listen to 97.5? I've heard Kinky on there a couple of times. My vote could go to him.

[serious black]

I'd love to see it happen as well. Texas needs a strong Democratic party. For this election, however, I'm supporting a friend who is a true outsider rather than a standard-bearer who is an insider.

Bell is the insider. He has the Republican Lite money and party support.

[ima_drummer2k]

I will be voting FOR Kinky.





EDIT: Sorry, I thought Kinky was a referendum, not a candidate.

[thadeus]

I'll also be voting for Kinky, if I vote at all.

I'm choosing to believe his "I'm not a politician, and am not beholden to special interests" line.

If it ends up being bull****, then it can't be much worse than the other candidates.

[jo mama]

ive never belonged to any political party and never voted in any primaries and i dont plan to start now. im totally disgusted at our state government and the way they have sold out our state. those toll roads are comming people - get ready - whoo hoo!!! :mad:

that being said, im not going to give anyone my vote just because they ARENT republican. i vote for the individual, not the party and right now i like what kinky has to say. i like his style and i dont think he can really do any worse than the other "options". like rocketman said (i think), its about shaking up the status-quo around here. politically, the governor of texas has always been a little weaker than most state govs, but id still like to see what kinky can do. why the hell not?

i wouldnt vote in the democratic primary because i dont care - i dont have a vested intrest in your party. put up the person YOU think is the best you have to offer and if i like what they have to offer more than the kinkster than they will get my vote.

[HayesStreet]

It should be a shock that both Democrats and Republicans are attacking Kinky. He IS the opposition after all. I think its time for all the people who decry the static two party system to get out and elect a candidate outside the system.

[serious black]

It should be a shock that both Democrats and Republicans are attacking Kinky. He IS the opposition after all. I think its time for all the people who decry the static two party system to get out and elect a candidate outside the system.

What I am attacking is Democrats not voting in the primary. I will stop the attack in about 20 minutes.

[FranchiseBlade]

It should be a shock that both Democrats and Republicans are attacking Kinky. He IS the opposition after all. I think its time for all the people who decry the static two party system to get out and elect a candidate outside the system.
Exactly. There is one candidate in the race is bringing something new and innovative to education and his name is Kinky Friedman. Nobody is else is bringing anything fresh or drastically different to education.

That is the biggest issue in state politics I would think. I can't exclude a person because he voted for somebody I don't like, when he has great ideas in the area I feel is the most important. Especially when those ideas are actually something new, innovative, and are based around a common sense approach.

For as long as I can remember Texas and other states have been making political appointments to educational positions. When I was in school Ross Perot was writing education legislation. What the hell was that about? The guy isn't a teacher, he didn't have a clue about waht was going on in a real classroom, and no idea what educators really needed. Yet he had the connections and the power, so somehow he was writing education legisaltion that was passed and implemented.

A vote for Grammage or anybody else will not significantly change education in the state of Texas. There will be more political appointments, and people trying to appease whatever intrest groups are lobbying for the educational ideas to be put forward. Kinky at least is willing to take a stand against the standardized testing, to only put teachers with recent classroom experience in positions that deal with education, and to give teachers a pay raise, and honor them according to all of the post graduate education and effort they put forward. That is something that really stands a chance of working and really makes a change for the better, by doing something different. I'm sick of trying two slightly different things (dems on education and gop on education) and neither of them are working, then switching to the other, and it still doesn't work, so going back and listening to the same old interest group who funded whatever study to say what they want to say so they can implement their ideas and get the big govt. contracts. Let's have real teachers people who are actually dedicated and experienced in helping our children in charge. They know what needs to be done and what will help.

The story is the same everywhere. People say that all politicians are the same, and they want a change, but when one is offered they run away because it doesn't fit their mold of a serious politician.

[Deckard]

The story is the same everywhere. People say that all politicians are the same, and they want a change, but when one is offered they run away because it doesn't fit their mold of a serious politician.
It's spelled "Gammage," and I disagree with your sentiment, FB. I don't call all politicians the same. I don't believe they are all the same. There are decent and honorable women and men in both parties. The problem with the GOP is that they are shut out of the leadership. The problem with the Democratic Party is that they are still figuring out how to win elections.

The two are quite different. They hold far different views on issues like education, the environment, funding programs for the elderly, the poor, and the disabled. There are huge differences. There were immense differences when Bush was running against Kerry. We see the consequences of that today. I choose not to vote for someone who could bring themselves to vote for George W. Bush's re-election.



Keep D&D Civil.

[Fatty FatBastard]

It's spelled "Gammage," and I disagree with your sentiment, FB. I don't call all politicians the same. I don't believe they are all the same. There are decent and honorable women and men in both parties. The problem with the GOP is that they are shut out of the leadership. The problem with the Democratic Party is that they are still figuring out how to win elections.

The two are quite different. They hold far different views on issues like education, the environment, funding programs for the elderly, the poor, and the disabled. There are huge differences. There were immense differences when Bush was running against Kerry. We see the consequences of that today. I choose not to vote for someone who could bring themselves to vote for George W. Bush's re-election.



Keep D&D Civil.

Hmmm. So the only reason you wouldn't vote for someone is because they voted for Bush? How Petty.

I have two words for you: Sour Grapes.

[Deckard]

Hmmm. So the only reason you wouldn't vote for someone is because they voted for Bush? How Petty.

I have two words for you: Sour Grapes.
Only two words?



Keep D&D Civil.

[Fatty FatBastard]

Only two words?



Keep D&D Civil.

Did "Sour Grapes" suddenly turn into more?

[serious black]

Hmmm. So the only reason you wouldn't vote for someone is because they voted for Bush? How Petty.

I have two words for you: Sour Grapes.

That's a pretty damn good reason. Contrary to what the Kinkster will have people believe, the governor's office is a political office. It involves making political choices. His only record on making political choices are when he voted for Bush in 2004 and when he abstained from voting against the Gay Marriage Amendment and when he couldn't find the time to vote for Ann Richards or Bill Clinton (although he claims to have supported them).

All he is is jokes. On Gay Marriage he says "I'm for it, they should have the same opportunity to as miserable as everyone else" or something like that. And then doesn't vote on the Amendment.

On Abortion, he says he is neither pro-choice nor pro-life saying that he is pro-football.

Oh, my sides are hurting, I'm laughing so hard!

It's not like I as a voter might be curious how a candidate for governor might feel about abortion while the legislature (and possibly the current Supreme Court) is anti-choice. Naw, who cares? That's politics and politics is b.o.r.i.n.g.
More jokes please, oh and throw the bums out, all those stuffy egg headed politicians are all the same anyway.

[Deckard]

Looks like Chris Bell won the nomination. Gammage got his bell rung! :p



Keep D&D Civil.

[serious black]

Looks like Chris Bell won the nomination. Gammage got his bell rung!

That is certainly how it looks. It also looks like Radnofsky may end up in a runoff with Gene Kelly. Ha!

But with only 8% reporting as of right now, I'm still holding out my sliver of hope.

[rodrick_98]

when he abstained from voting against the Gay Marriage Amendment...

All he is is jokes. On Gay Marriage he says "I'm for it, they should have the same opportunity to as miserable as everyone else" or something like that. And then doesn't vote on the Amendment.

the amendment was to ban gay marriage, so by not voting isn't he really voting for the amendment rather than against it?

[serious black]

the amendment was to ban gay marriage, so by not voting isn't he really voting for the amendment rather than against it?

By not voting on it he is showing that he doesn't care whether it passes or fails and being it that it was the first constitutional amendment in Texas history that took away civil rights rather than granted them, that is disturbing.

That said, I have now moved over to the undecided camp. While I prefer Bell's stances over Kinky's on just about every issue. I don't think Bell has a snowball's chance of making the runoff in November. Maybe Kinky can. We'll see.

More likely is that I probably have to get used to the idea of voting for Strayhorn in the runoff against Perry. Great.

One more in a long series of sad days for progressives and the Texas Democratic Party.

[bigtexxx]

Strong showings for Tom DeLay and Chris Bell. Gammage wasn't even in the ballpark.

[Batman Jones]

Texas progressives (for Kinky, Bell or Cuellar) = Republicans. One more in a long series of reasons I couldn't be happier to be out of that bassackwards state. You guys had a remarkably good candidate for governor there and you blew him off, just like you did with Greanias all those years ago, not coincidentally right around the time that I quit the Texas Dem party for good. I really don't know which is worse -- the Bell supporters or the Kinky supporters -- but I know for sure they're both simple minded equivocators. And I'm not even talking about the Bush vote as lame as that was. Kinky's a goddamn standup comic and he isn't even good at that. Worse, he doesn't even care enough to vote on issues he claims to care about. But I'm not let down by him. I knew he was a one note joker. I'm let down by the people here that I thought knew better. You guys are disappointing as hell.

[RocketMan Tex]

Gammage didn't stand a chance. He joined the race late, and was unorganized. His name recognition in 2006 is next to nothing.

It is definitely time for those of us who are sick of the two party system to vote for someone outside of the system, and I'm glad I have a friend who is running from the outside. I really do not care who or what he voted for in his past. He's got his priorities straight, unlike the other candidates.

It's time to put Kinky Friedman in the governor's mansion.

[FranchiseBlade]

Texas progressives (for Kinky, Bell or Cuellar) = Republicans. One more in a long series of reasons I couldn't be happier to be out of that bassackwards state. You guys had a remarkably good candidate for governor there and you blew him off, just like you did with Greanias all those years ago, not coincidentally right around the time that I quit the Texas Dem party for good. I really don't know which is worse -- the Bell supporters or the Kinky supporters -- but I know for sure they're both simple minded equivocators. And I'm not even talking about the Bush vote as lame as that was. Kinky's a goddamn standup comic and he isn't even good at that. Worse, he doesn't even care enough to vote on issues he claims to care about. But I'm not let down by him. I knew he was a one note joker. I'm let down by the people here that I thought knew better. You guys are disappointing as hell.
Kinky has the best ideas on education reform of anyone in either party. Those ideas don't change because he didn't vote in past elections or voted for a wannabe dictator and crook like Bush in 2004.

His ideas are still fresh, progressive, revolutionary, and actually stand a chance of working rather than having the same ol' same ol' tinker around with the system and give govt. jobs and contracts to whoever their particular friends are.

Like you, I am out of the state and I can't vote. But I like Kinky's ideas on education which, to me, is the most important role the state govt. plays. I do have nephews, and neices in school in Texas, and I think they would be better served by Kinky's ideas on education.

They wouldn't be better served by Kinky's ideas of presidential candidates, but that isn't really an issue for me as far as voting for someone in a state position.

[Fatty FatBastard]

Texas progressives (for Kinky, Bell or Cuellar) = Republicans. One more in a long series of reasons I couldn't be happier to be out of that bassackwards state. You guys had a remarkably good candidate for governor there and you blew him off, just like you did with Greanias all those years ago, not coincidentally right around the time that I quit the Texas Dem party for good. I really don't know which is worse -- the Bell supporters or the Kinky supporters -- but I know for sure they're both simple minded equivocators. And I'm not even talking about the Bush vote as lame as that was. Kinky's a goddamn standup comic and he isn't even good at that. Worse, he doesn't even care enough to vote on issues he claims to care about. But I'm not let down by him. I knew he was a one note joker. I'm let down by the people here that I thought knew better. You guys are disappointing as hell.

Is there anything you don't passionately hate about conservative views?

Sometimes you appear the worst kind of liberal. ie. a parrot.

You certainly seem smart enough than to be a purely straight-ticket guy, yet you denounce democrats who aren't on the extreme side of the democratic party.

Color yourself disappointed for many years to come.

[serious black]

Is there anything you don't passionately hate about conservative views?

Sometimes you appear the worst kind of liberal. ie. a parrot.

You certainly seem smart enough than to be a purely straight-ticket guy, yet you denounce democrats who aren't on the extreme side of the democratic party.

Color yourself disappointed for many years to come.

Not to speak for Batman, but if I remember correctly, he is a deficit hawk. Which once upon a time was a conservative viewpoint.

As for myself, I'm all for spending money we don't have when it can help the economy and create jobs ala the New Deal.

[RocketMan Tex]

As for myself, I'm all for spending money we don't have when it can help the economy and create jobs ala the New Deal.


Good news: we are doing that right now

Bad news: it's helping the economy mainly in the defense sector and nowhere else, and the only jobs being created are in the military and fast food establishments.

[serious black]

Good news: we are doing that right now

Bad news: it's helping the economy mainly in the defense sector and nowhere else, and the only jobs being created are in the military and fast food establishments.

I was speaking of public works projects. Like a New Deal for New Orleans or something like that. Done responsibly. Giving people middle class jobs to help their communities. With the federal government signing the paychecks rather than KBR.

What we are doing right now is the opposite of creating jobs. We are outsourcing.

[rodrick_98]

I was speaking of public works projects. Like a New Deal for New Orleans or something like that. Done responsibly. Giving people middle class jobs to help their communities. With the federal government signing the paychecks rather than KBR.

dude thats too complicated for the government to handle.

the done responsibly part doesn't really fit.

[bigtexxx]

I was speaking of public works projects. Like a New Deal for New Orleans or something like that. Done responsibly. Giving people middle class jobs to help their communities. With the federal government signing the paychecks rather than KBR.

What we are doing right now is the opposite of creating jobs. We are outsourcing.

OK if I hear any liberals support something like this, then turn around and b!tch about too much government spending, I think I might just have to question their credibility.

[RocketMan Tex]

OK if I hear any liberals support something like this, then turn around and b!tch about too much government spending, I think I might just have to question their credibility.

You mean the same way your credibility is questioned on this site several times a day? :D

[HayesStreet]

Batman, I like you but these comments are extremely rude.

One more in a long series of reasons I couldn't be happier to be out of that bassackwards state.

As Davy Crockett once said, you may go to hell - I am going to Texas.

- but I know for sure they're both simple minded equivocators.

Maybe your analysis is simple minded. NOTHING will shake up both parties here like Kinky punting them out of office. Similarly, Kinky is the best chance to mobilize many citizens who don't vote. Both of those are desirable outcomes in the long term. In a state with a relatively weak governorship there are plenty of checks on him doing any serious harm, and a shakeup is preferrable to the same old same old. I had a pint with Kinky in Austin and found him to be both intelligent and engaging, which is better than the last couple of governors IMO.

[mc mark]

Strong showings for Tom DeLay...

Congressional Quarterly seems to disagree with you.


TX 22: DeLay More Vulnerable Than Ever Following Primary

Tom DeLay and his partisans are hailing his primary victory Tuesday as a landslide and vindication from his constituents that the Texas Republican’s legal and ethical problems are behind him.

But the primary result in Texas’ 22nd District — 62 percent for DeLay, 38 percent combined for his three little-known GOP challengers — should give him and his supporters pause. DeLay, who has been very popular in his home base in and near Houston through most of his 12-term career, lost nearly two-fifths of the partisan Republican vote: Tom Campbell, a lawyer who had never run for office before, pulled down 30 percent alone. (County-by-county results)

As a result, CQPolitics.com has changed its Election Forecaster rating on the 22nd District general election to No Clear Favorite — a toss-up. It had previously been rated as Leans Republican (closely contested), mainly because of DeLay’s legal problems.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/03/tx_22_delay_more_vulnerable_th.html

[Batman Jones]

Batman, I like you but these comments are extremely rude.

I agree and I apologize for that. I was extremely disappointed and extremely pissed off by the election results last night, but that's not an excuse. So I apologize.

I don't disagree that a Kinky win would shake up party politics in Texas. I just don't think it would be worth it. And, apologies aside, I am still appalled that any progressive would support a guy that still refuses to make his position on abortion clear (at a time when the next governor might be called upon to consider a statewide ban on abortion), that wants to build a damn wall on the border and, yes, that voted for George Bush. This isn't a matter of party loyalty or anything, especially considering that Kinky's not a Democrat, it's a matter of proudly supporting a guy that has done serious damage to our country. That's not the most important reason not to support Kinky, not by a long shot, but I'm kind of amazed that it doesn't give progressives like RMT and FB pause.

Also, I don't know whether it's been mentioned yet in this thread, but when asked about the death penalty Kinky once said that, instead of executing them, convicted felons should be forced to listen to a black guy talk to himself. When confronted with having said that he made a joke and said it again. So, if the whole wall on the border thing didn't tip you off, this guy is a racist to boot. And he's an embarassment to the state of Texas.

[Batman Jones]

serious:

I don't deny it but I don't recall saying I was a deficit hawk. If I did, it's not entirely true. I am a deficit hawk in the context of a choice between that and supply side economics, which have been proven not to work. But given a choice between a balance budget and deficit spending in support of another New Deal, I'd enthusiastically choose the latter. I find it ironic that FDR inspired presidential term limits when he was our best modern argument against them.

As for which conservative principles I might support, I am very nearly a libertarian on most issues -- the exception being that I feel we have a responsibility to the least fortunate among us. That's also the idea that I admire most about Christianity and the primary reason I am a Democrat, even though I am to the left of the party on most issues.

[HayesStreet]

I agree and I apologize for that. I was extremely disappointed and extremely pissed off by the election results last night, but that's not an excuse. So I apologize.


Fair enough. :)

FYI: Those quotes are from a work of fiction he wrote.

[Batman Jones]

FYI: Those quotes are from a work of fiction he wrote.

Do you have a link on that? I don't doubt you, I'd just like to know the context. If it was a case of him writing a racist character rather than espousing a racist view himself, I'd be happy to know that and happy to back off on that one point.

[jo mama]

OK if I hear any liberals support something like this, then turn around and b!tch about too much government spending, I think I might just have to question their credibility.

similar to you neo-cons who "b!itch" about big government and out of control spending and than support dubya, who has driven this country into unprecedented debt, never ever vetoed a spending bill, spent more than all previous presidents combined and increased the size of government and bureaucracy, while providing jobs for all his cronies all the way (heck of a job brownie!)

bush is the biggest fiscal liberal this country has ever had.

[HayesStreet]

Do you have a link on that? I don't doubt you, I'd just like to know the context. If it was a case of him writing a racist character rather than espousing a racist view himself, I'd be happy to know that and happy to back off on that one point.


Its from the book: A Case of Lone Star, 1993. He (the detective character Kinky Friedman) says a lot of outlandish things in a parody of the Philip Marlowe narrative.

For example:

If you are firmly enough rooted in your masculinity, it shouldn't bother you much to have a woman on top of you. It's a good deal more relaxing, it's often more satisfying for both parties, and you can see a lot more of what's going on.

Golf is the only opportunity that middle-aged Wasps have to dress up like a pimp.

They say God created whiskey to keep the Irish from taking over the world.

I knew I wasn't as stupid as I looked. No one was.

[FranchiseBlade]

I don't disagree that a Kinky win would shake up party politics in Texas. I just don't think it would be worth it. And, apologies aside, I am still appalled that any progressive would support a guy that still refuses to make his position on abortion clear (at a time when the next governor might be called upon to consider a statewide ban on abortion), that wants to build a damn wall on the border and, yes, that voted for George Bush. This isn't a matter of party loyalty or anything, especially considering that Kinky's not a Democrat, it's a matter of proudly supporting a guy that has done serious damage to our country. That's not the most important reason not to support Kinky, not by a long shot, but I'm kind of amazed that it doesn't give progressives like RMT and FB pause.


Here is the thing about Kinky's support for Bush. He himself has stated that he supports Bush because of Bush's cowbowishness. I think in a candidate those are the priorities he was looking for. If I was voting based on the candidate most like a cowboy, I would have voted for Bush as well.

That is good and bad for Kinky as a candidate himself. It says that he doesn't necessarily agree with Bush's political choices on anything, and won't necessarily try and emulate Bush's politics. It also says that he might look at novelty over practicality. In a race for governor of the State of Texas, I don't see that as so much of a problem. Especially given the issues that he does care a great deal about(education, the environment, animal rescue etc.)

[rodrick_98]

here's something that's sure to please the republicans among us, and further fuel the "don't vote kinky" fire from the rest.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/_img/blog/040406_kinky_bush_mccain.jpg

Kinky met with U.S. Senator John McCain and former President George Bush last night at a private reception held at the Texas A&M campus. During their meeting, Kinky and McCain discussed immigration policy and the pending legislation currently being debated in Washington. McCain characterized Kinky's immigration ideas as "better than anything that we've got.” McCain also said he would consider hosting a fundraiser for Kinky once he’s on the ballot. Kinky called McCain one of the few modern-day politicians he admires.

a mccain attended fundraiser, i might have to attend and contribute more.

[RocketMan Tex]

here's something that's sure to please the republicans among us, and further fuel the "don't vote kinky" fire from the rest.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/_img/blog/040406_kinky_bush_mccain.jpg



a mccain attended fundraiser, i might have to attend and contribute more.


Kinky has support from members of both major parties and from people across the spectrum of the polarized political landscape. That's what we need right now.

[Deckard]

Kinky has support from members of both major parties and from people across the spectrum of the polarized political landscape. That's what we need right now.
Better anyone but Perry. He's going to be tough to beat. The man got a good bounce from the response to Katrina in Texas. Before that, he was an easier nut to crack.



Keep D&D Civil.

[RocketMan Tex]

Better anyone but Perry. He's going to be tough to beat. The man got a good bounce from the response to Katrina in Texas. Before that, he was an easier nut to crack.



He did great for Katrina evacuees but what about HURRICANE RITA VICTIMS FROM TEXAS???? Driven I-10 East from Beaumont to the Louisiana border lately? It's just as much of a disaster as the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

[MadMax]

He did great for Katrina evacuees but what about HURRICANE RITA VICTIMS FROM TEXAS???? Driven I-10 East from Beaumont to the Louisiana border lately? It's just as much of a disaster as the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

you're absolutely right. shows the bullet we dodged here in houston.

[RocketMan Tex]

you're absolutely right. shows the bullet we dodged here in houston.

Bigtime