Independents Gaining Ground in Texas

[Mayberry]

As you may know, we currently have 2 strong independent candidates for Governor in Texas this year. Current Comptroller Carole Keaton "Grandma" Strayhorn link (http://www.carolestrayhorn.com/), a Republican gone Independent, and Kinky Friedman link (http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/). "The Kinkster", as he is referred to, has a lot of excellent ideas and an honest approach. And with a campaign slogan like "Why the hell not?", how could you not like the guy? I am hoping this may be the beginning of a trend of Independents taking a stand against the establishment and injecting some much needed new blood and a fresh perspective to government. As the Kinkster says, "the two party system is broken".

[bobbylien]

Thats interesting.

[Mayberry]

The Kinkster's in second place! http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

[PittsburghAfterDark]

My only concern with a third party candidate is will they ever be able to reconcile their status with a legislative branch if they're elected outside the two party system.

Jesse Ventura is the only example in modern American history that we can point to and it doesn't seem like he did that poorly.

[Rider]

Kinky's stuffed full of more sh1t than a Christmas turkey, but ya gotta love him!

[Mayberry]

Kinky's stuffed full of more sh1t than a Christmas turkey Which means he's only got 1/3 of a politician's sh1t. Go Kinkster!!!

[firefox]

As the Kinkster says, "the two party system is broken".


...And how could it be any different? We need more political competition not less. Repeal those restrictive campaign finance and ballot access related laws and make the Ds and Rs compete on a level playing field- if they can!

[Anti-Racism]

I am hoping this may be the beginning of a trend of Independents taking a stand against the establishment and injecting some much needed new blood and a fresh perspective to government. As the Kinkster says, "the two party system is broken".


He's split his audience though:

Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman got big applause from University of Texas students Wednesday with a call to decriminalize marijuana, but his plan to step up the National Guard presence on the border seemed to get lukewarm support.

His stand in favor of abortion rights met with enthusiasm; his remarks on the role Hurricane Katrina evacuees have played in Houston crime met mostly with quiet.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061005/ap_on_el_gu/governor_kinky