Bell wants Friedman to drop out of race (Kinky: "We don't negotiate with terrorists")

Austin American-Statesman ^ | Wednesday, October 11, 2006 | W. Gardner Selby

[WestTexasWend]

Kinky says he won't step down.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell called on independent Kinky Friedman to drop his 20-month-old bid for governor Tuesday night.

Friedman didn't directly answer his opponent but said in a telephone interview: "Hell, no. Why would I do that?

"I don't want to step down for anybody when I think America is going to have a big turnout" on Election Day, Friedman said from a hotel in McAllen. "I'm not looking for a way out. We don't negotiate with terrorists."

Republican Gov. Rick Perry "better watch this, because we're going to beat him," Friedman said.

Bell, Friedman and independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn, bunched up well behind Perry in recent polls, have been jockeying to shoot past each other in the 20-odd days remaining before voters act Nov. 7. Libertarian James Werner also is on the ballot.

Perry did not crater in the only scheduled debate of the race Friday, leaving his challengers hunting for footholds.

Bell, coming off a solid debate performance, learned that Houston lawyer John O'Quinn will give or raise up to $5 million for his bid.

He said in a statement Tuesday night that he'd hoped to keep private a phone message left on Friedman's cell phone Tuesday suggesting a meeting at Friedman's ranch near Medina.

But since a newspaper found out, Bell said, "I'm going to ask him publicly. Please join me in defeating Rick Perry."

Referring to Friedman's declared goal of being a shepherd for Texas as governor, Bell said he and Friedman agree that voters want change. "And now is the time for us all to unite and elect a new governor. So I'm asking for Kinky to join me, and be a good shepherd for the state of Texas."

Bell's telephone message came to light because Friedman was campaigning accompanied by a reporter for The Dallas Morning News, which reported Bell's intent on its Web site Tuesday evening.

Bell acknowledged that Friedman is siphoning votes from him and Perry, whose campaign had no comment.

"He's taking from both," Bell told the Dallas newspaper. "But he's taking more from me."

Strayhorn spokesman Mark Sanders said: "That certainly is an unusual call. We've certainly had no calls like that nor placed any calls like that."

Democratic consultant Kelly Fero, who is not involved in the gubernatorial race, said: "You can't blame Bell for trying to get every possible advantage." But "all these candidates need to be worried about reaching out to voters, not reaching out to each other. . . . This will be a distraction."

[mnehring]

Considering Bell, Kinky, and Strayhorn are all pretty much cut from the same cloth, it doesn't matter who drops out, they are all losers..

[brivette]

agreed

[HushTX]

When was the last time we saw anyone actually reach out to the voters?

Please. I only hope Bell doesn't win. I'm afraid he might, since conservative/republican votes are going to be split 3 ways. This election really sucks. Not a single one of them stands out as "the lesser evil" or even just a little better. I want Perry out, do NOT want Bell in, don't trust Strayhorn (she has YET to give us any indication of how she plans on doing this "shaking up") and Friedman doesn't have the know-how or how-to to do the job.

At least Friedman has been blunt about his plans for the border. I'll give him that. But I really wish he wouldn't embarass himself by making stupid jokes like his "poly - ticks" joke.

Jeez. I don't see any good way to go.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Bingo!

[HushTX]

Considering Bell, Kinky, and Strayhorn are all pretty much cut from the same cloth, it doesn't matter who drops out, they are all losers..

Does that mean you're supporting Perry? Don't worry, I'm not going to razz you if you are. I'm just wondering your position.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Kinko is a joke.

Strayhorn is a whacko.

And Bell isnt likable.

So, I dont think Perry's job is in jeopardy.

[mnehring]

Yes I am. I know Perry isn't 100% Conservative, but by all estimate, he is 75% and I would rather have 75% forward momentum than the negative momentum the others would bring.

[Dane]

Perry wins with a 45% + plurality, IMO.

But some on FR will still state that kinky is not a liberal.

[HushTX]

Yes I am. I know Perry isn't 100% Conservative, but by all estimate, he is 75% and I would rather have 75% forward momentum than the negative momentum the others would bring.

I don't disagree with you. I'm still trying to decide where I stand on all this. I'm not really happy with Perry, but I have to ask myself if I'd be more or less unhappy with any of the others.

Well, Strayhorn and Bell are no-goes for me. Period. That leaves Kinky, which isn't much choice. I really wish there was another option.

[mnehring]

My question really is what is it you have a problem with Perry on? Is your foundation based on actual actions or on people playing 'what if' games. I ask this because a lot of people are voting based on 'what if' eminent domain is used in the corridor project even though not a single acre has been taken yet for the corridor project. The fact is the corridor project has already been voted in as a 'go' so I would much rather have someone more conservative in than any of the other options.

I don't even consider Kinky a real choice. Texas is no joke, like he seems to think it is. If we stood alone, we are the fifth largest economy in the world.

From an economic standpoint, Perry has been a success and a true conservative.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I don't even consider Kinky a real choice.

"They ain't makin' Jews like Jesus anymore."

[TexanByBirth]

Just more proof the Democrats were behind all the "racial" attacks against Freidman!

Having him step down is the only way Democrats can avoid the embarrassment of having Bell finish third and possibly fourth in the governor's race!

[LibLieSlayer]

Last poll posted here on FR had Perry 18% ahead of the rest of these losers.

LLS

[mnehring]

I'm sure the margin would be much bigger when all the Kinky supporters sleep too late..

[Patrick1]

"I'm not looking for a way out. We don't negotiate with terrorists."

You have to like that line.

[Arrowhead1952]

Having him step down is the only way Democrats can avoid the embarrassment of having Bell finish third and possibly fourth in the governor's race!

That is the first thing I thought about when I heard the news this morning. If Kinky did drop out, most of his voters would probably either sit out or vote for Perry anyway. Bell probably wouldn't get more than 5% of the kinky vote.l

[VRWCTexan]

"Quote: From an economic standpoint, Perry has been a success and a true conservative"

Personally I strongly disagree with that assessment - Perry (as a former Dem) is more of a RINO than anything else, and only looks "good" compared to the poor alternatives.

More and more folks in Texas, including retired couples, are being forced to sell their homes from renewer / out-of-control property taxes and Perry refuses to support a 3% tax cap on property escalation.

In California by comparison home valuation for tax purposes remains level at the purchase price until the home is resold.

Perry's "fake" $2,000 property tax cut is a joke and a lie - likewise the new business tax will severely damage small businesses which are responsible for two-thirds of all new job creation.

[LibLieSlayer]

When the first thing that your voters do in the morning, is to grab the last swig out of last night's last Longneck, you might have a slight motivational problem rolling them out of bed to vote.

LLS

[El Gato]

And Bell isnt likable.

And Perry has PO'd a whole lot of folks.

It's one of those "A pox on all their house" or "Hold you nose and vote for the least bad" situations.