THIS IS ONE CAMPAIGN I WANT TO DIVE INTO...WHY THE HELL NOT?

Singer Jimmy Buffett, a fellow alum of the University of Southern Mississippi, has announced that he would only offer his support to two political campaigns for the 2006 election: U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's reelection campaign here in Florida, and Kinky Friedman's long-shot bid for the governorship of Texas.

Nelson won't have much of a problem, especially if Katherine Harris is the GOP candidate. Friedman's campaign, though, is a heckuva lot more interesting.

For those who are unfamiliar, Kinky Friedman is an author/columnist/humourist/performer based in Austin, and is probably best known as close buddies with country music legend Willie Nelson. He performed some hilarious satricial music as the frontman of the Texas Jewboys during the 1970s as the whole "Outlaw Country" genre was beginning to blossom in Austin.

Actually, his campaign may not be quite as much of a longshot as many predicted. Recent polls show Friedman running a close third at 21% behind incumbant Republican Rick Perry (42%) and Democratic challenger and former congressman Chris Bell (25%).

One look at his Web site, and you see some interesting platform items:

As Governor, Kinky, or “the Kinkster”, would:

--- Legalize casino gambling to fund education

--- Abolish political correctness “We didn’t get to be the Lone Star State by being politically correct”

--- Take a good look at death row. “We need to make sure that we’re not putting innocent people to death, which I believe we are”

--- Outlaw the de-clawing of cats

--- Bring young people into his administration. “Young people are less corrupt. They are the future of Texas ; it’s theirs to win or lose.”

I’m a Jew, I’ll hire good people.

“If elected, I would ask Willie Nelson to be the head of the Texas Rangers and Energy Czar and Laura Bush to take charge of the Texas Peace Corps to improve education in the state. I’d ask my Palestinian hairdresser, Farouk Shami, to be Texas ’ ambassador to Israel . We’ve worked together to create Farouk & Friedman olive oil. The oil comes from the Holy land and all of the profits go to benefit Israeli and Palestinian children.”

But while many see Friedman's humour in this campaign, he has some serious items that he addresses.

I could handle Kinky Friedman as my governor if I were in Texas...