My dad, a naval aviator, was killed on that date in a military aircraft crash into the Chesapeake Bay off Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia. It was two days before my fourth birthday.
Donald E. Smith joined the U.S. Navy as a seaman, during the darkest days of the Depression in 1932. He told the recruiter that he wanted to join the navy to "learn a trade." After serving in the fleet, Seaman Smith was accepted to the Naval Academy Prep School and then entered the Naval Academy in 1934. Upon graduation from Annapolis in 1938, Smith went on to flight school at Pensacola and flew numerous combat missions in the North Atlantic and South Pacific during World War II. He had risen to the rank of Lt. Commander and had been sent home from the war and assigned a Squadron Command at Oceana ten days before he was killed.
Like so many military families touched by the tragedy of war, my mom did her best to pull her life together. She brought my brother and me back to New Jersey where her parents owned a small farm near Trenton. My widowed mother worked hard as a department store clerk and cashier for an insurance company to support her young children with the aid of her parents. Tragedy promoted patriotism and my mother never let my brother and me forget that our dad was a hero, not only to his family, but his country.
What might have been a life of travel from duty station to duty station as part of a navy family would now become more predictable for me. I learned about hard, physical, farm labor, but I also learned about responsibility. My character, values and patriotism were molded by my mother and grandparents on that farm over the next decade. I also learned about politics at an early age from my grandfather, who was a rock solid Republican. I learned so well that as an eleven year old, I bet my neighbor a chicken that General Eisenhower would defeat Adlai Stevenson in the 1952 election. Ike and I both won and I proudly claimed my chicken. My political career was off and running!
NAVY VETERAN OF VIET NAM
I followed in my father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After I graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1965 with a Political Science Degree in Government and History, I served on active duty with the Navy for two years. One of those years was aboard the USS NAVASOTA (AO-107) in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Viet Nam War. Prior to deployment, I married my college sweetheart, Mary Jo Hutchinson. After returning home from Viet Nam, I taught school in California for a while and then we both settled in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Life in a small town was good. I taught American history and government and coached football and baseball at the high school level. In a few years I left teaching and purchased and managed a small real estate firm. Mary Jo and I raised our three children in New Hampshire.
REAGAN IGNITES MY PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
Living in the "Live Free or Die", conservative, state of New Hampshire with the "First in the Nation Primary" re-kindled my political interest. I ran for local school board and won three times, serving as chairman for 2 terms. In 1976 a governor from the state of California decided to enter the New Hampshire Primary to challenge then President Gerald Ford. I remembered Ronald Reagan as that courageous conservative, who led California during our years living there after returning from Viet Nam. I immediately became a volunteer and watched in awe, as he came within a few delegates of wresting the nomination from Ford at the 1976 Republican Convention. I knew Reagan would be back in the fight in 1980 and it was his effort to "restore America" which motivated me to run for Congress in New Hampshire in 1980. Reagan became President of the United States that year, but it would take Bob Smith three attempts to finally be elected to the Congress in 1984, joining Reagan in his second term. I was excited to be part of the Reagan team in the fight to build up our national defense, enhance world security by challenging Soviet Communism around the globe, to cut taxes and to inspire us to face the future with optimism.
UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, (1985-1990)
"Service on Veterans Affairs Committee" and "Science and Technology Committee"
I entered the Congress in 1985 thrilled to be a part of the "Reagan Revolution", but I soon realized that a freshman Republican congressman in a hopeless minority would have little hope of changing things. Then I met Newt Gingrich and became part of the Conservative Opportunity Society (COS). Bob Walker (PA), Connie Mack (FL), Trent Lott(MS), Duncan Hunter(CA), Vin Weber(MN), Dan Burton(IN), Newt, myself and very few others held our meetings in a small room on Capitol Hill each week to devise a strategy to win back the House of Representatives. We wrote a book called "A House of ILL Repute" and fought for the next ten years, until victory was ours in 1994 with the Republican takeover of the House in the "Contract With America."
I left the House in 1990 when I was elected to the U. S. Senate from New Hampshire, but I was always proud of my involvement in the "cause" in the early years of my political career. We stood on principle and we won elections in both the House and the Senate. The highlights of my House and Senate career are listed below and further amplification on these issues may be found in other locations on the website.
UNITED STATES SENATOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE, (1991-2003)
Service on the following Senate Committees:
Environment and Public Works Committee, Chairman 1999-2001, Ranking Member 2001-2003
Ethics Committee, Chairman (two years)
Armed Services Committee, Member, 1991-2003
Chairman Acquisition and Technology Subcommittee of Senate Armed Services Committee (Responsible for oversight and budget for all new military technology programs.
Chairman Strategic Forces Subcommittee of Senate Armed Services Committee (Had direct oversight and budget responsibility for missile defense systems and offensive missile platforms such as submarines, aircraft and land launchers).
Member Judiciary Committee (Participated in hearings for all federal judicial nominations). Voted for Justice Thomas and voted against Justices Ginsberg and Breyer
Awards and honors Highlights:
Airline Security Award from the Allied Pilots Association for supporting guns in the cockpits Golden Gavel Award for chairing the U.S. Senate for over 100 hours National Security Leadership Award for votes promoting a strong national defense National Taxpayers' Union Best Friend Award for votes saving taxpayer dollars Bill of Rights Defender of the Year Award presented by Gun Owners of America for defending the Second Amendment
League of Private Property Voters for promoting and protecting private property rights
Numerous awards from American Legion, Disabled Veterans and other veterans groups for work on POW/MIA accounting and overall support of veterans issues
Nationally recognized by Humane Society of the United States and other groups for introducing and passing legislation for the prevention of animal abuse
Ranked in the top 5 percent of the House and Senate as one of the most conservative members on social, economic and military issues
Pro-Life Leader in the House and Senate for 18 years.
RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 1999-2000
In 1999 I entered the race for the 2000 Republican nomination for President of the United States. I campaigned extensively in the early primary and caucus states of New Hampshire, Iowa and Louisiana.. Also in that race among others were Pat Buchanan, Gary Bauer and, of course, George W. Bush. I picked up thousands of supporters and contributions along the trail, but as the months wore on, it became apparent that the Republican Primary voters wanted Bush. In the summer of 1999 I withdrew from the race.
LEAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
In my Senate duties I became increasingly frustrated with the Republican Party leaders and officials who were constantly refusing to fight some of the extreme liberal appointments of President Bill Clinton on key administration positions, especially liberal activist federal judges, such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I was one of only THREE senators to vote against putting her on the Supreme Court. I simply could not understand why senators who claimed to be "conservative Republicans" would vote for Ginsberg. In addition Clinton was pushing his aggressive gun control agenda in the Congress and Republican leaders were content to let much of it pass, when we could have easily blocked it. Furthermore, most Republicans left it to me, and a very few others, to fight the pro-life battles as many were afraid of the political consequences. At this point I made a decision which would have a dramatic impact on my political career. I resigned from the Republican Party and became an Independent. I did not plan to make this a final move. My objective was to "shake up" Republicans. In my Senate floor speech (which is posted on my website), when I resigned from the party, I warned my colleagues and the entire Republican hierarchy, that, if you continue to place your politics above your principles, the American people will soon figure it out and banish you from power. The Republican leadership was furious and treated me as an outcast refusing to even let me have lunch with them, though, even as an Independent, they could always count on my support in the close senate floor votes. It is interesting to note that while I was "banished", the leadership often lost the support of such "Republicans" as Senators Jeffords, Snowe, Collins and Spector who still got to have lunch every week! Unfortunately, I was proven correct regarding the voter's reaction. Although President Bush won two close elections, the Republicans in Congress made the same mistakes their Democrat predecessors made. They had scandals, arrogance prevailed, debt and spending rose, government grew larger, we did nothing to secure our borders and the Rove strategy of division and special interest politics failed miserably, causing us to lose the House and Senate and finally the White House in 2008.
RETURNING TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
During my short time as an Independent I was approached by some leaders of the Constitution Party and asked if I would consider running for President as their candidate. Although I gave it serious consideration, I decided against it. I still had over three years left on my Senate term and it was not fair to the voters of New Hampshire for me to be unable to function effectively in the senate. I was not being involved in policy discussions and threats of taking away my committee seniority were being seriously discussed. So after four months, I felt that I had made my point and I returned to the party. When Senator John Chafee passed away suddenly, the party leaders, to their credit, decided to allow me to keep my seniority on all committees and I was selected Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
I then "plunged" into my Senate work and the election of George W. Bush as President. I campaigned extensively and raised money for him in New Hampshire where he won a very close election. As we turned the page into 2001, I was beginning to "gear up" for my re-election campaign in 2002. However, the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington put my campaign on hold in September of 2001 as, like the rest of America, I was focused on responding to the aftermath of that terrible and tragic attack on our nation's homeland.
MY 2002 REPUBLICAN SENATE PRIMARY
I knew that I would have a tough general election opponent in Democrat Governor Jeanne Shaheen. Since the Republicans accepted me back into their senate ranks and with my active support for the election of President Bush, I was confident that my loyalty would be repaid with the full support of President Bush and the Republican Party in my re-election.
I was wrong.
Just a couple of weeks after the 9/11 attacks, Congressman John Sununu (son of the former Governor and George Bush 41 Chief of Staff) announced that he was going to run in against me in the Republican primary election in 2002. President Bush and I had a good relationship even though we were opponents in the 2000 Presidential primary. As stated earlier, I had supported him and raised money for him in the 2000 general election for President. In addition I had nearly a 100 percent record of support in nearly 18 years in the House and Senate in support of the core conservative issues of our party. Therefore, I felt very comfortable asking Karl Rove, if the President would endorse me over Sununu in the primary. Rove responded that he would "run this by the President" and get back to me soon. A few days later Rove informed me that "the President would in fact endorse my re-election in the primary over Sununu and would do so publicly and help me to raise money." I thanked Karl and asked him to please express my gratitude to the President. Rove then came to NH and in direct response to a reporter's public question stated "that President Bush would endorse Senator Smith as soon as the filing period had ended." Sununu subsequently filed against me, but when I asked Rove when Bush would be fulfilling his promise to support me, Rove responded, "It is not going to happen." Rove and the President broke their word to me and even encouraged the state and national Republican Party organizations to work against me or not to help me. I lost the primary. When people ask me why this happened, I can only guess that they thought Sununu's poll numbers against Shaheen were better than mine and they did not want to lose the seat. Politics over loyalty and principle wins again! This seemed to be a troubling pattern with President Bush and Rove, as they offered no support to the Florida Senate candidate, Katherine Harris, when she was the Republican nominee in 2006. After all Harris had done for Bush in 2000 in Florida, it sure seemed like a betrayal to me!
MY MOVE TO FLORIDA AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
The 2002 primary was a bitter election battle and a devastating personal loss for Mary Jo and me. After much thought we decided to move to Sarasota, Florida in early 2003. We had vacationed all over the state for over 30 years with our family and decided this would be our future home, although we still maintain a summer home in Hew Hampshire, After settling in Sarasota, I enjoyed getting involved in the private sector. I became the President of the Everglades Foundation a non-profit organization, which is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and whose mission is to promote the restoration of the Everglades. I was a Founding Director of First America Bank in Sarasota, where I continue to serve. I have also been active in residential real estate sales in the Sarasota area.
THE JOHN KERRY ISSUE
After I had played a decisive role in carrying New Hampshire for President Bush in 2000, he and Karl Rove intervened in my 2002 Senate primary on behalf of my opponent. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed. When I subsequently observed them doing this to others, I became more frustrated and angry. The most noteworthy examples were in 2004, when Bush supported Arlen Specter in his Senate primary over the more conservative challenger, then-Congressman Toomey in Pennsylvania. Specter had a 70 percent support record on Republican issues in the Senate, and I had a 98.9 percent support record. Yet he was endorsed and I was not. Another notable example that year was here in Florida where, after the Bush political machine pressured Katherine Harris out of entering the Senate race, they subsequently interfered in the GOP Senate primary between Mel Martinez and Bill McCollum. Look what the Republicans got for that, a "Republican" who not only led the charge for amnesty for illegal immigrants, but also voted to confirm Justice Sotomayor; and Arlen Specter, who ultimately switched to the Democrats!
"A man's word is his bond" my grandfather always told me. Trust is more important than political issues. Bush had let me down and I wanted him to know how I felt. As an "in your face" reaction I decided to send Kerry a "letter of endorsement". It was a mistake that I regretted as soon as I sent the letter. I did not then, and do not now, support Kerry on any issues. We are mortal political enemies. We fought over the right to life, the POW/MIA issue, foreign and defense policy to name just a few issues. There was no political reason to "endorse" his candidacy for President. It was a decision made in anger against Bush not for Kerry and for personal not political reasons.
You all remember how, in 2006, after she had won the GOP primary, Katherine Harris was "thrown over the side" by the Bush political machine and left to fend for herself as our nominee against Bill Nelson. We lost the Senate and House that year and the White House last year because good conservative candidates were dumped or sabotaged and our conservative values were deserted.
If anyone chooses to hold this mistake against me, I fully understand. I assume full responsibility for my actions. However, in my own defense please look at my record. I was a leader on most of the key conservative issues of my eighteen year tenure in the House and Senate. They included partial birth abortion ban, missile defense technology, gun owners' rights, balanced budgets, tax cuts, government downsizing, strengthening the military, promoting national security, support of veterans and opposition to amnesty and illegal immigration to name just a few. I make no apologies for my loyalties and principles. Our party is in deep trouble today because we put politics over principle. In my speech on the senate floor in 1999, I warned that the American people would throw us out, if and when we violated their sacred trust. Unfortunately, I was proven correct.
A CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE IN FLORIDA
After watching with dismay these past several years as Republicans seem to have lost their way and then seeing the results of the 2008 elections, I could no longer stand on the sidelines and watch. I need to get back into the arena. I believe that my background as a former U.S. Senator is a unique opportunity for Florida to benefit from my experience and leadership on the major issues facing our nation and our state today. That is why I am running for the U.S. Senate here in Florida. Among other issues, I intend to focus on the financial crisis, replacing the current tax code with a fairer less complicated system, reducing the size of government, enhancing our national security, providing assistance for veterans and our troops and ending illegal immigration.
While others will tell you what they will do, I invite you to review my website and see what I have done. Florida and our nation needs more than anything else at this moment in history, a passionate, principled, no-nonsense, proven conservative leader, not another politician.
Check out my record and I hope you will agree that I can, have and will always put principle above politics as your United States Senator.
For further amplification or information on these and other issues, please review my website.
I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail. I would be honored to have your support!
BUILDING CHARACTER FROM PERSONAL TRAGEDY
