'Frank From Atlanta' Says Kinky Is Not Racist

During the one debate in the governor's race, Kinky Friedman was asked about the diversity of his campaign staff. Kinky replied that the highest ranking Black in his campaign was "Frank from Atlanta". Well, Frank is now in Texas and is talking to the media.

Frank Mason, a 62 year old construction worker who lives in Athens, Georgia, says he met Kinky when he performed at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City about 25-30 years ago, and they have been friends ever since then. Frank is originally from New York.

What does Mason think about the charges that Kinky is racist? He says, "I've known the man for 25, 30 years, and he has never shown any signs of bigotry. It's not true at all. It's so sad. This man has a heart of gold. It's a bunch of crap. People are sick and tired of the negative politics." Mason spent the day defending Kinky to the media and making get-out-the-vote phone calls for Kinky's campaign.

Of course, this won't stop the smears from the Bell campaign. Senator Royce West, a Bell supporter, has already started running attack ads in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, claiming Kinky is a racist. This is very disappointing, because I used to respect Senator West. I now see that he's just another politician all too willing to sling mud. Rep. Garnet Coleman, another Bell supporter, is doing the same in the Houston area.