Friedman draws celebrity support

Friedman draws celebrity support

Web Posted: 10/31/2005 12:00 AM CST

Gary Scharrer

Express-News Staff Writer

BRIARCLIFF -- For now, humorist and troubadour Kinky Friedman can keep
spitting out jokes and snappy one-liners, says a former independent
governor about Friedman's seemingly impossible dream of becoming Texas'
first independent governor since Sam Houston.

Ask Friedman, for example, about abortion, and he responds: 'I'm not pro-life, and I'm not pro-choice. I'm pro-football.'

He's for gay marriage because, he says, gays and lesbians should have the right to be 'as miserable as everyone else.'

The former musician-turned mystery novelist now wants to be governor,
although he clarifies his political ambitions: 'I'm not a politician. I
haven't even been indicted yet.'

Friedman raised at least $150,000 Sunday during a barbecue picnic at
Willie Nelson's Hill Country compound that included a $5,000 round of
golf with Nelson; 'the Kinkster,' as Friedman is known; and former
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who won as an independent in 1998.

Ventura, also a retired professional wrestler, helped with the
fundraiser even though he's not familiar with Friedman's politics.

'He's not a Democrat or Republican. That's good enough for me,' Ventura said, spitting out his own one-liner.

Friedman often rails against special-interest politics.

'I want to get rid of corrupt and crooked politicians,' he said during a news conference with Ventura at his side.

'The date on their carton is going to expire in November '06, and they
will have to get an honest job like robbing a bank or working for the
Mafia,' said Friedman, who in the psychedelic days fronted a band
called Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys.

Friedman's flip observations serve him for now, Ventura said.

'He probably should start getting very, very serious around July.
That's when I would say he should probably not give you a funny answer
anymore,' Ventura said.

'Up until then, let him be his personality. Let people find out who he is. He can get to the issues next year.'

Criminal defense lawyer Dick DeGuerin, who is representing displaced
U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, was one of nine golfers paying
$5,000 to play with the celebrities. So was retired San Antonio
businessman Steve Hixon.

Hixon, who once owned a soft-drink company, said he backed George W.
Bush for his first gubernatorial race more than 10 years ago. But Hixon
said he's soured on mainstream politicians who 'are all bought and
sold. I don't see that in Kinky.'

'Kinky's a fresh voice with a fresh view on things uncorrupted as of now,' he said.

Since selling his business, Hixon said, he's had more time to read and
research issues. He now calls himself a devout environmentalist and a
women's rights advocate.

'My politics have radically shifted from conservative Republican to
screaming liberal,' said Hixon, who wore an anti-Bush shirt envied by
both Nelson and Ventura.

The shirt featured a caricature of Bush with the inscription: 'Bush League Seed Co. -- Texas Homegrown Dope.'

Friedman seemed more reserved about the shirt, Hixon said, suggesting
that the gubernatorial candidate might be politically astute enough to
realize that being anti-Bush might be a tough sell in Texas.

Nelson skipped the news conference for 'a power nap' after golfing and
signing posters for more than 100 Friedman supporters who paid $1,000
each for lunch.

Friedman contends that young voters are flocking to his campaign.

'Every redneck in Texas is already supporting me,' he said.

'You've got it made then,' Ventura cracked.

But Friedman needs 45,539 valid petition signatures to advance to next November's ballot.

Only voters who don't participate in the March Democratic or Republican
primaries can sign the petition, and Friedman's campaign could have
less than two months to collect them.

'We have everything but a political poll tax to keep the independent off the ballot,' Friedman said.

If he qualifies for the ballot, Ventura predicted that Democrats and
Republicans would try to keep Friedman out of any televised debate.

'Once you get in the debate, then it's real. It's serious,' Ventura said.

Link