Sen. Bob Smith

Announced the end of his presidential campaign on October 28, 1999.

PROFILE

**Robert C. Smith, Independent, of Tuftonboro, New Hampshire**.
Current	U.S. Senator from New Hampshire. Chairman of the Senate (Select) Ethics Committee; serves on the Armed Services Committee (chairs Strategic Forces subcommittee) and Environment & Public Works Committee (chairs Superfund, Waste Control, and Risk Assessment subcommittee). Established presidential campaign committee on January 4, 1999; formally announced candidacy on February 18, 1999 in Wolfeboro, NH; announced leaving the Republican Party on July 14, 1999 on the floor of the U.S. Senate (July 13 on Larry King Live); declared intent to seek the nomination of the U.S. Taxpayers Party on August 10, 1999; announced would not seek USTP nomination, but would run as an independent on August 18, 1999.
Career	Chairman of Live Free or Die PAC, founded in September 1997. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990, succeeding retiring Sen. Gordon Humphrey (Smith 65%-Durkin 32%). Re-elected in 1996 (Smith 49%-Swett 46%-Blevens 5%). Elected to the U.S. House in 1984, representing NH's 1st congressional district. Served three terms, 1985-91. Republican nominee for U.S. House in 1982. Unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. House in 1980. Owned and managed Yankee Pedlar Real Estate in Wolfeboro, NH for 10 years. Wentworth Regional School Board (Wolfeboro), 1978-84. Taught History, Civics and English in the late 1960's and early 70's; coached Varsity and Little League baseball in Wolfeboro.
Military	Two years active duty in the Navy, 1965-67, including one year stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. Naval Reserves, 1962-65.
Education	Lafayette College (Easton, PA), B.A. in Government, 1965. Graduate work at Long Beach State College (Long Beach, CA), 1968-69.
Family	Wife Mary Jo (Hutchinson) Smith. Children Jennifer, Robert, Jr., Jason.
Religion	Roman Catholic.
Age	58 years old. Born March 30, 1941 in Trenton, NJ. Raised by his grandparents on a farm in NJ after his father, a naval aviator, was killed.
Recreation	Fly fishing, golf, treadmill. Sports fan.

Speeches
Statement announcing end of his campaign--Oct. 28, 1999. >

"Leaving the Republican Party, A Decision of Conscience" from the floor of the U.S. Senate--July 13, 1999. >

Smith made formal his departure from the Republican party after an appearance on "Larry King Live" the night before. He said the party was ignoring its core values on a litany of issues including the handgun control bill, accounting of POWs and MIAs, sovereignty, elimination of federal departments and agencies, education, appointment of judges and abortion. "The Republican platform is a meaningless document that has been put out there so suckers like me and maybe suckers like you out there can read it," Smith said. "The party, to put it bluntly, is hypocritical," he stated.

NHRSC's First-in-the-Nation Primary Kick Off Dinner, Manchester, NH--May 2, 1999. >

On his home turf, at one of the biggest "cattle show" events, Smith was enthusiastically received to the extent that RNC chairman Jim Nicholson allowed him to go a bit over the allotted seven minutes.

Announcement Speech, Kingswood Regional High School, Wolfeboro, NH--Feb. 18, 1999. >

"We HAVE the charts--the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Holy Bible. We need a Captain and a crew who will read those charts, and steer us past the sea of icebergs that threaten our God-given rights."

Letter to supporters--Jan. 21, 1999 >

Readings
Stephen Rodrick. "Who the Hell is Bob Smith?" George, July 1999, p. 74-77, 92-94.