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Texas benefits from independent streak
Published June 25, 2006
One of the most common complaints about our current political setup is that it remains almost firmly locked in the hands of the Republican and Democratic Party.
For decades, there have been people who feel that neither of the parties represent their interests — instead opting to cater to those special interests that keep them in power. “Dance with the one that brung ya” is one of the high rules of politics.
Texans won’t be able to complain about the trap of the two-party system when it goes to the polls to choose a new governor in November.
Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams announced Thursday that alongside current Republican Governor Rick Perry and Democratic challenger Chris Bell on the ballot will be Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, writer musician Kinky Friedman and Libertarian James Werner.
Friedman and Strayhorn both opted to run as independents and cleared the state’s hurdles for inclusion in the November election.
That sets the stage for what could be an extremely interesting debate — something that has been lacking in previous campaigns as the Republican juggernaut has dominated state politics of late.
Between the witty Friedman wise-cracking at every opportunity and the obvious mutual distaste that Strayhorn and Perry have for one another, Texans may get a political season worth paying attention to for a change.
The idea of two independents on the ballot seems to tickle Friedman, while Strayhorn, dubbed “one tough grandma” in previous campaigns, is attempting to paint the November election as a one-on-one game between Perry and herself.
Many believe its unlikely that either of the independents have a chance to break the stranglehold that the two parties have had on the governor’s mansion for almost the last 150 years.
After all, the last independent elected governor in the Lone Star State helped ensure Texas independence from Mexico — Sam Houston.
There is a precedent elsewhere in the nation of electing an independent governor. Jesse “The Body” Ventura was elected by voters in Minnesota.
As it was with Ventura, it would be interesting to see how Washington, D.C., would deal with someone outside of the established halls of power.
There’s a long campaign ahead, filled with pitfalls and opportunities. We’ll have to see if the presence of the two independent candidates will steer the general campaign clear of the nasty and petty mudslinging that it has become or will guide it deeper into the cesspool of negative ads and rhetoric.
If the early volleys from Perry and Strayhorn’s camp are any indication, it could be another ugly one.
November will provide Texans with a wealth of options when it comes to choosing our next leader.
This time, there are no excuses.
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