Kinky Friedman signs copies of book in Salado Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 14 2009 05:52 AM By Dave Miller
Killeen Daily Herald

SALADO – Author, musician and gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman paid a visit to a Salado bookstore Friday to sign books, press the flesh and talk a little politics.

Wearing a black duster coat and black hat and brandishing his trademark cigar, Friedman entertained a crowd of about 60 people who stopped by Fletcher's Bookstore for the event.

It was the second visit to Salado for Friedman, who ran for governor as an independent in 2006. This time around, Friedman is running in the Democratic primary, and he urged those in attendance to vote for him in March, no matter what their party affiliation.

Friedman, who said his campaign theme is "Power to the People," told those in attendance that he believed that politicians and special interests have taken the state away from its citizens.

"It's time to mess with Texas," Friedman said. "And it's going to take a lot of messing with Texas to get it back to being right," he said to applause.

In response to questions from audience members, Friedman touched on several topics, including education, toll roads and the death penalty.

Friedman said he favors giving teachers an extra $3,000 a year, claiming that there should never be any question of where the money is coming from, with the state's finances solidly in the black. The problem with money for education, he said, is misplaced priorities.

On the subject of standardized testing, Friedman said, "There is nothing wrong with standardized tests; we all took them. But there's a great deal wrong with the education our kids are receiving."

The candidate also said he would do away with toll roads if elected.

"We've paid highway taxes in this state for 100 years," Friedman said. "We shouldn't have to pay to drive on our roads, too."

Then Friedman smiled and said, "Ask not for whom the road tolls. It tolls for (Gov.) Rick Perry."

Friedman also said he was concerned with the state's judicial system, pointing to several instances where DNA testing has proven convicted inmates to be innocent. Those cases, along with what he sees as deficiencies in the judicial review process have caused him to take a second look at the death penalty.

"I think we need life in prison without parole," Friedman said. "There are too many things wrong with our system right now."

After taking several questions in the darkening courtyard outside the bookstore, Friedman stood by a fire pit, under a spotlight and read an except from his latest book, "Heroes of a Texas Childhood," about his father, Tom Friedman. The story recalled his father's service as a navigator on a bomber crew in Europe during World War II.

The navigator, he said, still flies close to his heart.

An audience member asked Friedman if he would come back to Salado if he is elected governor, and bring Friedman's good friend Willie Nelson.

Friedman smiled, paused for a moment, and said, "I will."

Contact Dave Miller at dmiller@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7543.