Kinky Friedman’s visit to Dallas began with controversy, and it ended with Friedman comparing politicians to gang members and taking a shot at fellow independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

Friedman’s day started with a morning training session for volunteers at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Deep Ellum, the same place he returned to later for a petition-signing party. In between the two events, Friedman served as grand marshal of the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade, where he apparently violated the state’s open alcohol container law by drinking a Guinness while riding in the back of a Dodge Prowler.

Dallas police did not cite Friedman and likely will not do so, as it apparently was not witnessed by an officer.

Friedman didn’t mention the incident when he returned to the Sons of Hermann Hall to speak to approximately 150 people, who each paid $25 to attend the fundraiser. He took the stage at 7:45 p.m. and began with his campaign rallying cry of “the right race at the right time.” Friedman signed autographs and met supporters after his brief speech.

Friedman avoided any direct criticism for incumbent Rick Perry, but he attacked the way things have been run in this state.

“The Crips and the Bloods will continue to play their little insider games like we just saw with their special sessions of the legislature,” Friedman said.

He continued his assault on Texas politics, questioning whom the current administration is working for.

“The politicians have put the state on eBay – they’ve sold us out,” Friedman said. “We now have a government of the money, by the money and for the money.”

Friedman said he is proud of his lack of political experience, and that his experience as a musician is much more valuable.

“Musicians are people with creative ideas and creative solutions to problems,” Friedman said. “It wasn’t the nurses, teachers, firefighters, cops and the musicians that got us where we are right now – 50th in care for the elderly, 50th in education, and first in executions, toll roads and property taxes – the politicians did.”

Friedman is running on the platform of making changes to Texas’ public education system, healthcare for children, border relations with Mexico and reliance on foreign fuels.

Michael McDonald, an independent since voting for Richard Nixon, said he hates the two-party system and likes Friedman because he speaks the truth. McDonald also said he likes his stance on the border but admitted he’s more a fan of the man than his policies.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know what his plans are except that he knows there’s a problem and talks about it,” McDonald said.

Despite the fact that McDonald wasn’t sure of Friedman’s stances on key issues, he was firm in his belief that “Texas has been primed for Kinky for a long time.” He, like most of the people at the fundraiser, knows that as an independent, Friedman’s chances of winning are slim.

“I don’t think it’s hopeless, but it would be a miracle,” McDonald said. “I think it would be one of the greatest things to ever happen to Texas.”

Friedman is truly a mix of both parties, favoring Republican views toward gun control, capital punishment and prayer in schools and Democratic views regarding abortion and gay marriage.

Democrat Christine Rambo also seemed unsure of Friedman’s platform, but said she’s a fan based on listening to his music and reading his books. She also said she likes that he cannot be categorized.

“He has a populist approach that is breaking the mold of politicians,” Rambo said. “I think he’s going to be a breath of fresh air.”

Friedman hopes to join Republican Rick Perry and Democrat Chris Bell on the November ballot. Republican Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the state comptroller, is also looking to land on the ballot as an independent.

“Carole Strayhorn said it’s a two-person race right now, and I agree with her,” Friedman said. “I think it’s between Carole Strayhorn and her ego.”

Friedman and Strayhorn both need 45,540 signatures from registered voters who didn’t vote in the March 7 primary, and they need them by May 11 to be on the ballot.

Kevin Cutler claims no political affiliation and said he thinks politics are corrupt. Like McDonald and Rambo, Cutler admitted to not knowing much about Friedman’s agenda, but said he likes him based on reading articles and likes the idea of a musician running the state.

“It seems like he wants to run the place like any normal person would want to run a household – without corruption,” Cutler said. “I’m for the guy who wants to run things the way they should be run.”

Despite their lack of knowledge about Friedman’s political views, there were three things McDonald, Rambo and Cutler agreed about.

When each was told about Friedman’s plan to legalize casino gambling in a program called “Slots for Tots” to give funding to education, each said they saw no problems with that idea as long as that is where the money went. They also are pro-choice and in favor of gay marriage.

“Marriage is the wrong word, and that’s the problem,” McDonald said. “Union, or whatever you want to call it – I believe they have the same rights as the rest of us.”

Cutler is one of eight children and has two gay brothers and a gay sister.

“Almost 50 percent of the kids in my family turned out to be gay, so it would be hard to look at them any differently,” Cutler said.

Friedman visited Dallas on March 11.