Former Senator Smith Launches Anti-Washington Campaign

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith, R-NH, as expected, launched a bid to recapture the seat he held for 12 years during the 1990s and early 2000s, on March 4, in Concord. But what wasn’t expected about his launch was the decidedly anti-establishment, anti-Washington themes his struck in his 20-minute announcement speech attempting to get back to the Senate.

“There are too many people in Washington today who have no sense urgency regarding the challenges that we face for the survival of our nation,” he said, “That’s why I’m here. Too many who run for office who have not the slightest idea on why America is exceptional and no vision to restore its greatness.”

Smith said his race was about challenging “the central planners” in Washington, D.C., as well as “the insiders, and the establishment, from both parties” who were destroying the country. He said the president was ignoring the law and the country’s foreign policy was in disarray while the military was being "cut to the bone." Smith called himself “battle-tested” but added that he could still worth with others to accomplish public policy initiatives.

Smith offered a seven-point plan of “solutions” to “challenges” that if addressed would “save America.” Most focused on economic growth – lower taxes, lower spending, the elimination of earmarks and the end to continuing resolutions on the federal budget, as well as the elimination of illegal immigration – while also limiting the federal government’s reach and power over the citizens, he said. Smith called on the creation of a balanced budget amendment based on a 19 percent ratio to the gross domestic product. He would also require all bills to be read before Congress voted on the bills as well as passing term limits for federal judges.

“Too many judges ignore the Constitution,” he said, adding that they were ruling based on their personal views and legislating from the bench.

The day’s headlines, showing conflict in the Ukraine, as well as issues in the Middle East, showed the need to “promote peace through strength” when it comes to military policy, Smith said, noting that he was stealing from Ronald Reagan but, “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, because he was correct.” He pointed to his service in Vietnam and also on the Arms Services Committee as past examples of leadership where he knew he could advise on how best to protect the nation.

Ending the NSA spying program and protecting people from the abuse of the IRS would also be challenges he would work to solve. Smith also said that every human being deserved to be born and he would vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, attacking current U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, for voting for the lie of the year.

Smith said he would also stand by those who support preservation of the 2nd Amendment, adding that he had a 100 percent voting record for gun ownership rights.

Despite being a snowbird, spending part of the year in New Hampshire, and even flirting with a Senate run in Florida, Smith is no stranger to politics in New Hampshire.

After serving three terms in the House, he ran for the open Senate seat being held at the time by U.S. Sen. Gordon Humphrey, R-NH, who term-limited himself to two. Smith was easily elected.

When Humphrey resigned to serve in the state Senate, Smith was appointed to serve out the rest of his term.

After considering a run for the Constitution Party presidential nomination in 2000, Smith was defeated in a primary in 2002 by then-U.S. Rep. John E. Sununu, R-NH, who beat Shaheen later that year. Sununu lost a rematch with Shaheen in 2008.

Humphrey is backing Jim Rubens, a former state Senator and anti-gambling advocate, in the Republican primary.

Also in the race for the GOP nomination is Karen Testerman, the former director of Cornerstone Action.

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is also rumored to be eyeing a run. 

Democrats respond

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley offered a short comment about Smith’s announcement saying that he was “out of step with New Hampshire values and the most conservative candidate in the race.” 

Buckley added that Smith “opposes a woman’s right to choose, common sense gun safety laws, and equal rights for New Hampshire's LGBT citizens including marriage equality. New Hampshire families can't afford to return Bob Smith to the Senate."