Kesher Talk

Jews in odd places: Texas: Not just there, but looking to become Governor? Oi, this guy is embarassing:

Eccentric American country singer and writer Kinky Friedman has announced he will stand for George W Bush's old job as Texas governor in 2006.

The man behind the Texas Jewboys band and such best-selling crime novels as Kill Two Birds and Get Stoned is set to run as an independent candidate. While his policies are as yet unclear, Mr Friedman has pledged to "not kiss babies [but] their mothers". Asked why he is standing, he replies: "Why the hell not?"

The cigar-smoking country singer says he wants to "fight the wussification of the state of Texas".

... Correspondents say it remains to be seen how far the unconventional image of the composer of They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore and author of Elvis, Jesus & Coca Cola will appeal to traditional voting lobbies in Texas such as Christian groups.

But Mr Friedman says he has little fear that his electoral ambitions will ever be affected by scandal, the bane of many an American politician's career.

"There are no skeletons in my closet," he says. "They are all bleaching on a beach somewhere."

(PS. Judith, as a native Texan, is used to Kinky Friedman. In fact, he was her summer camp counselor many centuries ago.)

posted by William @ 4/26/2004 08:41:22 AM