Former Senator Bob Smith weighs a run...in Florida

The Hill ^ | Jan 29, 2009 | Aaron Blake

[patriotgal1787]

Smith, who moved to Florida since losing to John Sununu in the 2002 GOP primary, is now looking at running for the open seat left by retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).

[patriotgal1787]

Tonight on THE ANDREA SHEA KING SHOW We continue to interview candidates for Congress.

Tonight -- former NH Sen. Bob Smith, candidate for US Senate representing Florida

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ASKShow/2009/07/09/The-Andrea-Shea-King-Show

Join me at 9 ET when we talk to

Former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Bob Smith

who is running for Florida's open U.S. Senate seat.

Smith, who has lived in Sarasota for seven years after serving two terms as U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, was sitting on the sidelines and ready to retire, but became frustrated as a true conservative with the direction the country was going.

Republicans seeking the seat are Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio. U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek is the top Democratic candidate for the seat Republican Mel Martinez is leaving after one term.Smith was elected to the New Hampshire House in 1984 after two unsuccessful campaigns and then was elected to the Senate in 1990.

In a span of a few months, Smith also ran for president, dropped out of the Republican party, became an independent, ended his presidential campaign and returned to the GOP.

Before entering the political scene, the Navy veteran was a teacher and a baseball coach, a school board chairman and owner of a real estate agency.

Link here to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ASKShow/2009/07/09/The-Andrea-Shea-King-Show

Join me at 9 ET Call in with questions 646-478-4604

*****

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Rubio is a conservative...if Smith runs, that pretty well cinches it for Crist...I am so damned frustrated with the GOP now I am not sure I will ever vote for one again...

[Darren McCarty]

He endorsed John Kerry in 04. That loses any support I would even think about giving.

[Darren McCarty]

Rubio would have my support. I know he didn’t back Kerry.

[BillyBoy]

Smith repented in 2008 and endorsed Duncan Hunter for President last year.

[colorado tanker]

In a span of a few months, Smith also ran for president, dropped out of the Republican party, became an independent, ended his presidential campaign and returned to the GOP.

There's a weirdness factor to Bob Smith I can't get past.

[WackySam]

He’s a New Jersey RINO opportunistic POS.

[darkangel82]

Chris Smith is the New Jersey RINO. Bob Smith is from New Hampshire.

[WackySam]

Chris Smith is the New Jersey RINO. Bob Smith is from New Hampshire.

Bob Smith is from NJ. He moved to NH to run for the Senate there.

He is to be avoided at all costs.

Vote Rubio.

[bill1952]

The GOP powers that be have settled on Crist, and without a miracle or a visible interposition of God, Crist it will be.

[Darren McCarty]

Chris Smith is a liberal outside of the life issue where he is great, but I wouldn't call him a RINO. As far as I know, he didn't endorse John Kerry, Bacrock Osama, or the like.

I save the term RINO for the Obama backers and Kerry backers. The Lincoln Chafees, Jim Leaches, Colin Powells, Kathleen Parkers, and Chris Buckleys.

[mimaw]

He’s fatally damaged from the 2004 endorsement and should just go away. Let him earn an honest living.

[darkangel82]

I intend to.

[shekkian]

Oh, so that's where he went.

[JohnG45]

Just how important do these politicians think they are?

He (Bob Smith) is so important (in his mind) that he does not want to deny the people of Florida his representation. Geez, just go away!

Go Marco Rubio.

It is about time for some fresh blood.

[peekaboo]

Bob Smith is one of the truest conservatives to serve in the Senate...He is from New Hampshire, not New Jersey...BIG difference. I would vote for him if I could...He is pro life and really believes in it. I loved to hear him on the senate floor. He is a vey comkpassionate person. He taught school in his other life.

[JohnG45]

Smith, the single most conservative member of the entire US Senate, ran a rather quixotic Presidential campaign. On January 1, 1999, Smith announced his candidacy for the GOP Presidential nomination. In July 1999, Smith quit the GOP and announced he would seek the US Taxpayers Party nomination. Then, in August 1999, Smith announced he would not seek the USTP nomination but instead would run as an Independent. Finally, citing lackluster fundraising totals, Smith withdrew completely from the Presidential race on October 28, 1999. He subsequently endorsed George W. Bush for President and said his brief departure from the GOP had been "a mistake."

Yeah a real "stand-up" guy. He is out for one thing himself!

Enough of these carpetbaggers!

[WackySam]

Rubio is also Pro-Life- with the added benefit of not being a fruitcake or carpetbagger.

[LiveFree99]

Yeah, at one time Bob was a good guy and a solid conservative. Unfortunately, living the good life in Washington turned his brain to mush long ago. He’s a pathetic case now.

[JSDude1]

Don’t do it smith, run for congress or state rep or something, someone needs to “have a talk” with him..

[I got the rope]

Bush and Rove supported his opponent in his primary. He was punking out Bush like Bush punked him.

Look at his explanation on his site:

http://www.friendsofsenatorbobsmith.com/