“Why the hell not?” (2006 Kinky Friedman campaign slogan for governor)

“Why the hell not?” was Texas author/musician/humorist Kinky Friedman’s 2006 campaign slogan in the race for Governor of Texas. He finished fourth.
 
The “Why the hell not?” slogan also appears in 1991 in Google Groups by posters stating: “Vote Bart Stewart for Houston Mayor.” The phrase “Why the hell not?” appeared in the movie Inherit the Wind (1960), based on the play of the same title. In 2007, following the death of Texas writer Molly Ivins, Friedman wrote that it was Ivins who had given him the slogan.
 
Another popular Kinky Friedman slogan in that 2006 race was “How hard could it be?
       
     
Wikipedia: Kinky Friedman
Richard S. “Kinky” Friedman (born November 1, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the five-person race.
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Politics
In 1986, Friedman ran for Justice of the Peace in Kerrville, Texas, but lost the election.
   
In 2004, Friedman began a serious, though colorful, campaign to become the Governor of Texas in 2006. One of his stated goals is the “dewussification” of Texas Among his campaign slogans are “How Hard Could It Be?”, “Why The Hell Not?”, “My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy” and “He ain’t Kinky, he’s my Governor”.
 
Kinky Friedman Official Store
Individual Why the Hell Not Stickers.
Due to shipping costs there is a minimum order subtotal of $12.
Price: $1.00
       
Los Angeles Times
Molly Ivins—‘a truth-seeking missile’
Columnist Molly Ivins was a feisty truth-teller unafraid to battle those who prevented a better world.
By Kinky Friedman,
KINKY FRIEDMAN is an author, musician and former candidate for governor of Texas.
February 4, 2007
A true maverick died in Texas last week, and they don’t make ‘em extra.
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Finally, Molly gave me the greatest slogan I had in my recent campaign for governor of Texas. The slogan was, “Why the hell not?” Why the hell not, indeed. In this homogenized, trivialized, sanitized world, she stands as a lighthouse not just to the left but to us all. Peace be with you, Molly.
     
Internet Movie Database
Memorable Quotes from
Inherit the Wind (1960)
[Drummond contemplates a radio microphone in the courtroom]
Henry Drummond: Radio! God, this is going to break down a lot of walls.
Radio Announcer: You’re not supposed to say “God” on the radio!
Henry Drummond: Why the hell not?
Radio Announcer: You’re not supposed to say “Hell”, either.
Henry Drummond: This is going to be a barren source of amusement!
 
Google Groups: rec.motorcycles
From:  J Eric Townsend
Date:  Sat, Sep 21 1991 1:52 pm
 
— Vote Bart Stewart for Houston Mayor—“Why the Hell Not!”—
   
New York (NY) Times
Guess Who Wants to Be Governor
By RALPH BLUMENTHAL
Published: November 29, 2003
As a campaign slogan, it leaves something to be desired: ‘‘Why the hell not?’’
 
But Kinky Friedman, the irreverent Texas author, songwriter and salsa maker, and self-described ‘‘Gandhi-like figure’’ at the animal rescue ranch he runs here in the Hill Country west of San Antonio, says the message could propel him into the governor’s mansion in Austin.
 
The election is not until 2006, when Gov. Rick Perry, the Republican incumbent, will presumably run again. But that has not kept Mr. Friedman from dreaming of a grass-roots army to collect the 45,000 signatures that an independent candidate needs to run, or from printing bumper stickers reading, ‘‘He Ain’t Kinky, He’s My Governor.’’
   
Weblogsky
August 16, 2005
Kinky: Why the Hell Not?
Kinky Friedman is unhappy that some folks don’t take his Texas gubernatorial campaign seriously, thinking it’s an excuse to sell books, records, and Kinky paraphernalia. Well, I haven’t doubted that he’s serious, or that he could win, at least not lately.