Many neo-progressives think that voting for Democrats this year equates to voting against Bush. So much hatred of Bush and his administration has, unfortunately, created too much support for Democrats. There is a much better way to punish Bush and also send a much needed message to the Democratic and Republican establishments. If you are a Texan, vote for Kinky Friedman for governor. If you live elsewhere, contribute to Kinky's campaign and get Texans you know to get out and vote for Kinky.

Make no mistake. What our current plutocracy and economic aristocracy need is a real jolt, a needle in the eyes of all the arrogant and corrupt elites running and ruining our country. As an irreverent political outsider, Kinky is the man for this patriotic task. For him to become governor of Texas, where Bush resides and votes, and following in Bush's political footsteps, offers a unique opportunity to stick it to Bush. Just imagine the joy of Kinky beating the no-brain Republican incumbent. Better yet, imagine how Bush would have to react politely in public and go nuts privately.

A Kinky victory would be a celebration of DEMOCRACY IN TEXAS!

How could Bush say anything negative about his FELLOW TEXANS freely choosing singer, songwriter, novelist and status quo basher Kinky? Could Bush and other Republican elites blame Texans for exercising democratic right?

Imagine how people around the world would also enjoy a Kinky victory – a vivid demonstration of democracy working in America. Foreigners would clearly see a Kinky victory as a rejection of Bush.

All the arrogant, elitist politicians in America would be knocked over by a Kinky tsunami. The implications for the 2008 presidential election would be enormous. It could energize the majority of eligible voters in the nation that do not vote and independents, third-party loyalists, and enormous numbers of fed up Democrats and Republicans. Governor Kinky Friedman would instantly energize the disrespected and largely ignored third-party movement.

Americans are ready to embrace true outsiders who are not professional politicians, not beholding to the Democratic or Republican parties, and not in the pocket of special interests.

With all his quirks Kinky has established himself as a truth-teller. He personifies a status quo buster, someone able and willing to creatively address problems on behalf of we the people.
Columnist Liz Smith wrote this the other day: "Now you may not care who becomes the governor of Texas but as this great state has sent three men to the White House, maybe you should. And if you were an Ann Richards fan, you could memorialize her by endorsing her own candidate -- Kinky. And if you are a real Democrat, a populist or a liberal-thinking person, I'd say Kinky is your man. I hope he wins."

Texas columnist John Kelso observed: "Isn't it refreshing to have a candidate who's actually smart enough to be a smartass? It's been a long time coming."

Nervous Democrats and Republicans have lately attacked Kinky for being a racist. This is sheer nonsense. African-American columnist Bob Ray Sanders said this: "Come on, y'all. There may be plenty of reasons not to vote for Kinky Friedman, but him being a racist is not one of them, namely because he is not. He may be -- he is --a lot of things, but not a bigot. I know satire can be hard to comprehend and, even if one understands it, hard to swallow. But that's what the man does." Texas writer Dolph Tillotson also addressed this issue and said: "Interestingly, the Republican frontrunner tended to ignore Friedman until the challenger's poll numbers took an upward turn. Now the masters of spin are scouring Friedman's writings and tapes of his performances. Kinky being Kinky, it's not hard to find offensive remarks. Still, based on what I've seen so far, I haven't changed my mind. I still find Friedman more appealing than the empty suits he's running against. I don't think he's a racist. Here's where I think the truth lies. Calling Kinky Friedman "insensitive" is a little like calling former Gov. Ann Richards, God rest her, a Democrat. ... What he offers voters ... is the rare opportunity to say emphatically how disenchanted we are with traditional, empty, lobby-dominated politics in Texas."

And by the way, Kinky favors legalizing marijuana, mainly to make room in prisons for more dangerous criminals.

So don't hesitate. Don't just be mad, get even with Bush. Help get Kinky elected. By all accounts he will win if the voter turnout is significantly better than the 29 percent in the last gubernatorial election. His opponents have enormously more money. But Kinky has the guts, humor and honesty to redefine not only Texas politics, but national politics as well. Helping Kinky is sticking it to George W. Bush.