When Kinky Friedman launched his independent bid for the Governor’s Mansion in the 2006 campaign, it initially sounded like the legendary Texan wit doing what he did best: having fun by playing a prank on the rest of us, the cigar clenched between his teeth as he tried to keep a straight face. The campaign utilized slogans that did nothing to persuade Texans to take Friedman seriously: they included “He Ain’t Kinky, He’s My Governor,” “How Hard Could It Be?,” and “Why the Hell Not?”Texans took him seriously anyway. His campaign became a legitimate factor in the race; for two quarters in 2006, Friedman’s fund-raising totals surpassed those of Democratic nominee Chris Bell, whom he also polled ahead of at several points in the summer.…