LAT: Texas Governor's Race Both Colorful and a Little Kinky

[DeepModem Mom]

Texas Race Both Colorful and a Little Kinky
Among those seeking to become governor are a Jewish cowboy comedian and `one tough grandma.' Many voters are undecided.
By Miguel Bustillo, Times Staff Writer
September 28, 2006

HOUSTON — Kinky Friedman, the musician, mystery writer and self-styled Jewish cowboy running for governor of Texas, was stumping for votes in a smoky beer bar called the Flying Saucer, and spraying one-liners like a Gatling gun.

Rick Perry, the Republican governor, "had done a pretty good job — as a cheerleader at Texas A&M," Friedman joked to raucous applause. Perry had served on the Aggies' pep squad, an apparent political no-no in this macho slice of the Lone Star State....

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The barroom appearance was another odd moment in a four-way race for governor that has begun living up to its billing as one of the most colorful contests in recent Texas history.

In addition to the GOP incumbent and the cigar-chomping comedian, there is Carole Keeton Strayhorn, another independent candidate, who waged a losing battle to be called "grandma" on the ballot, and Democrat Chris Bell, who is pushing a "Don't Mess with Ethics" reform plan, a play on the state's famous anti-litter slogan, "Don't Mess with Texas."...

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Polls have consistently shown that Perry, who analysts say lacks the folksy charisma that helped popularize former governors such as Ann Richards and George W. Bush, is vulnerable to defeat — some surveys gauge his support as low as 31%. Yet, with a little more than a month left in the race, no challenger has made a move, raising the likelihood that a splintered vote will get Perry reelected....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-texgov28sep28,0,3864730.story?coll=la-home-nation