FRED SMITH GOVERNOR 2008 - "A Little Extra Effort" Statewide BBQ Tour
Friday, February 8, 2008 ...Lincoln County... I sent my team off without me and in this age of wireless internet and cell phones - that almost sounds like an oxymoron. Fred placed me on special assignment for a few days; while I hated to miss a visit to Lincoln County; I knew the team's performance would be excellent. We checked in with one another periodically and our Lincoln point person had everything clearly planned.
Our driver, my husband, would fill in for singing and Joe would be Fred's sideman for the day at the media visit, GOP luncheon in Denver, a meeting with realtors and other business people and then onto a tour of the RW Garcia Company, manufacturer of tortilla chips. Joe really liked the tour and eating the chips. Our associate Morgan who has superior organizational skills filled in. Her dad was meeting her and they'd enjoy a weekend Fly Fishing Show out that way on Saturday. Also a group of volunteers - clear Fred Smith supporters - helped the team set-up and clean-up. Senator Forrester, who's joined us in several other counties and is a good friend of Fred's, was on hand to introduce him. By all reports, Fred was sharp and highlighted many differences between him and other candidates including the 2008 Democratic candidates. As I stayed back researching, the message to me was again clear - North Carolina needs Fred Smith for Governor. If you want to know more about Fred, visit www.joinfred.com or call us at 919-231-2525.
IN THE NEWS
Governor Candidate Visits School
by Rebekah Lewis, Lincoln Times-News
Fred Smith, a gubernatorial candidate vying for the Republican nomination, hosted Barbecue No. 88 at Lincolnton Middle School Friday.
After participating in the healthcare debate on UNC-TV with his fellow candidates Thursday night, Smith returned to the campaign trail at Safari Miles Restaurant in Denver.
Smith's three-step health plan assumes the premise that "healthcare is not primarily the role of the government," adding that citizens have the primary responsibility in their own health.
After that premise, Smith said the steps are creating "a culture of health," creating "a consumer-driven healthcare system" and making "effective and efficient use of assets in our healthcare system."
To improve education, Smith said, the first priority is to "get disruption out of the classroom."
"Teachers are leaving because of disruption ... and the inordinate amount of time spent on paperwork," he said.
Smith also said North Carolina needs good teachers.
The solution:While North Carolina's population is growing, some states, like Ohio are "losing population but producing great teachers."Smith's idea is to recruit teachers from those states.
He also wants to "reduce the tax burden on the private sector" by reducing government spending so private businesses will have money to put into salaries rather than taxes.
"The private sector produces 83 percent of jobs," Smith said.
Though Smith is a professing Christian, he works to keep his faith separate from his political career.
"Any religious belief I have, I run through a prism to make sure that works with everything else," he said. "When I talk about marriage between one man and one woman, I do it because I think that's in the best interest of society."
While that is the same stance the Bible takes, Smith said, he bases that decision on his research - not his faith.
After his time at Safari Miles, Smith visited the Lincoln County Home Builders' Association and the Lincoln County Board of Realtors and toured the Lincoln County Industrial Park.
The LMS barbecue was open to the public.
Other Republicans vying for the party nomination are Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham.
The Democratic candidates are Lt. Gov. Beverly Purdue and state treasurer Richard Moore. To learn more about Smith's campaign, see his campaign Web site, www.joinfred.com.
The article above by Rebekah Lewis was published in the Lincoln Times-News and can be found online HERE.
