By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-858245.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Author and musician Richard "Kinky" Friedman has entered the race for Governor supporting casino gambling as a way to pay for teachers and roads. He'll be campaigning in North Texas Wednesday. KERA's Shelley Kofler talked to the "Kinkster" who is running as a Democrat.
Four years ago Kinky Friedman ran for Governor as an independent with the campaign slogan, "How Hard Could It Be?" He finished fourth with about 13-percent of the vote.
This time, the 64-year old humorist is vowing to tone down the one-liners. He wants Texans to see him as a serious candidate. But Kinky's still a character- dressed in black cowboy clothes, chomping a stubby cigar. And Friedman's one-liners are still there, tucked inside colorful conversation.
Friedman: I think there are a lot more people more qualified than me to be the Governor of the State of Texas. The problem is that none of them are in the race. As I look around at all these other candidates I find a bunch of super-rich people who just want to be governor because they are well connected politically. I'd like to prove somebody whose not super rich, not even rich somebody whose not connected politically can win.
Shelley Kofler: What qualifies you?
Friedman: For one thing I know how to ride, shoot straight and tell the truth. Those are Texas values.
Kofler: The Governor has to manage a very large staff. Makes thousands of appointments and has to be able to understand multi-million dollar budgets Is there anything in your experience that prepares you for that magnitude of leadership?
Friedman: Stop right there. You have it exactly backwards. If you're believing Rick Perry that he's kept the state in the black and he's done all this financial hocus pocus you might as well elect Bernie Madoff. Ok? He understands the system too. It's a very rich state with huge oil reserves. We have never, never been lacking for money. The crime here, the sin, is that this Governor has not used this money for any priorities that would help the people of Texas. He hasn't helped the working families. He hasn't helped healthcare for children.
Friedman says he wants to raise teacher pay by $3,000; eliminate high-stakes student TAKS testing; and get rid of toll roads. He says he has a new way to pay for his plans.
Friedman: Do it all with casino gambling.
Friedman say Texans traveling to casinos in Louisianna should be able to spend their money here.
Longtime Democratic party consultant Kelly Fero believes that kind of talk will get plenty of attention, but Fero says activist Democrats who vote in the primary will also remember the Kinky of four years ago.
Fero: Kinky has never proved to be a pure Democrat. In fact when he ran the last time as an Independent he spent a lot of time disparaging the Democratic Party, and the Republican Party.
Friedman calls that's Austin-insider talk. He claims he's gaining support among Democratic County chairs across the state.
In this interview Friedman said little about the Democratic opponents he'll have to defeat for the party's nomination. He's polished a few zingers that take aim at the guy whose got the job right now.
Friedman: I think it's time for Texas to succeed from Rick Perry.
Friedman's best-known Democratic contender is Fort Worth businessman Tom Schieffer, dismissed by some Democrats for having voted for and served with George W. Bush. Consultant Kelly Fero says there's a strong push by some within the Democratic party to draft Houston Mayor Bill White to run for Governor. White is currently running for US Senate.