Grandma Needs Some Help

As the year began, Kinky Friedman seemed to have sewn up the role of kooky independent candidate in the Texas governor's race. But state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn may come into contention.

Perhaps feeling the strain of her persistent polling weakness against incumbent Rick Perry, she has filed for candidacy under the name "Carole Keeton 'Grandma' Strayhorn." She has campaigned for years as "One Tough Grandma," and feels that the honorific will boost her chances if it is included on the ballot.

"Once voters are told that Strayhorn is 'One Tough Grandma,' she jumps 10 points in every poll we have taken, and Perry drops," said a campaign e-mail to supporters. "No public poll has tested her nickname 'Grandma,' only Strayhorn."