FRED SMITH GOVERNOR 2008 - "A Little Extra Effort" Statewide BBQ Tour
Monday, February 25, 2008...Washington County...What I love about the people in Washington is their "flexibility." Scheduling is not an easy task (especially when we started scheduling 100 counties). I felt bad about Washington - I had to change their date three or four times and I remember their chairman once saying to me, "you only get one chance to change." I missed that by a mile although in the course of all those emails and phone calls Eddy Browning became a good friend. So here we were - BBQ 94 in Washington County. It was late afternoon when Fred met small groups at the First Baptist Church - pastors and home school families who wanted to discuss education, health care and mentoring programs. From there a group of two dozen forestry professionals who asked great questions about the OLF, taxes and truck tonnage on North Carolina's roads. Bill observed that these important questions energized Fred and his responses were approved. At the Vernon James Center, our numbers soared and guests from out of the county came to show their support - Chowan, Hertford, Martin, Halifax - all represented. The Coastal Times and Roanoke Beacon interviewed Fred and the man without a name tag was taping him - no, not Paul the Democrat (although he told me he'd show up for the last five events). This man - Rob Cross - maintains a website and wanted to broadcast some speech clips. We'll have to check it out at www.countyncnews.com.
Fred's visits to Tyrrell and Washington really put us on the fast track as the ball gets passed and our team sprints to the goal of winning on May 6. We've completed more BBQs than there are days to the Primary. We'll stay focused and keep our eyes on the ball. Together, Republicans and Unaffiliated can elect Fred Smith as the Republican for Governor in North Carolina! We'll win this GOP contest and put our collective energy - along with that of our conservative Democratic friends - into the general election. It's time for a "change in management!" Say, Amen! Amen.
IN THE NEWS
BBQ, Fried Chicken and Politics
By: Bob Steinburg
For more than 140 years, Tar Heels have discussed the issues of the day over heaping platters of fried chicken, barbecue, coleslaw and hush puppies. In North Carolina, home cooking is as much a part of politics as the issues and candidates themselves.
State Sen. Fred Smith from Johnston County is one of four Republican candidates vying for the 2008 gubernatorial nomination. While most of the GOP candidates hold similar views, albeit different solutions on the state's major challenges and problems, Smith's campaign approach is unique.
"Fred," as he likes to be called, decided early on in his campaign that he wanted to have a conversation with as many North Carolinians as possible to learn first hand about their hopes and fears, as well as their concerns and disappointments. So he launched the "Fred Smith's Statewide BBQ Tour." His first stop last August was in Haywood County in western North Carolina. On March 18, when he rolls into Pasquotank County, he will have visited each of the state's 100 counties.
I was in Washington County last week, not exactly a bastion of Republican strength, for one of Fred Smith's events. Longtime Washington County Republican Chairman Eddy Browning is renowned in Raleigh and throughout the state for personally knowing almost every voter in his county, as well as their party affiliation.
Browning told me that most of the more than 200 people gathered to hear Smith were Democrats. The entire evening seemed more like a Grange meeting than a political event. Everyone appeared as comfortable with "Fred" as he did with them.
The former Wake Forest University football player concentrated on his conservative values, highlighting those that most North Carolinians traditionally hold dear: family, faith in God, hard work, low taxes, and foremost - open and honest government.
Smith, a successful small businessman, pointed out that 80 percent of the jobs created in North Carolina are from small businesses. But because North Carolina has the highest overall taxes in the Southeastern United States, he pledged to create a tax environment that will foster continued growth and jobs.
When Smith first started campaigning for governor, he said he believed immigration, taxes and employment would be the biggest issues. While high on their list of importance, the recent corruption scandals in Raleigh have shaken the confidence of many North Carolinians in state government. Now most people are telling him they want to see honest government above anything else.
At the end of the evening, everyone stood and sang "God Bless America." Looking around the room and observing young and old, healthy and infirm, my eyes welled, touched by the love and devotion these Eastern North Carolinians have for God and country.
Standing at the exit at the back of the room, Smith then personally thanked folks for coming. He listened to each of their concerns. Those in line waited patiently for their turn with the senator.
"Senator, I'm a Democrat you know," one woman told Smith. "Yes ma'am, but I still need your help," he replied. As she walked out the door, she picked up Fred Smith yard signs, bumper stickers and literature.
It didn't matter that Smith is a Republican and she is a Democrat. He touched on problems - and values - that are most important to voters of both parties. It was clear: corruption has no place in our state's politics. It also was evident: dealing with immigration, taxes, creating jobs, and lowering taxes is imperative. Party affiliation aside, change needs to happen now.
On the Blogs
Dean Stephens at Inner Banks Eagle
The Washington County Fred Smith BBQ on the 100 County BBQ Tour was a resounding success. It was held at the Vernon James Center on the outskirts of Plymouth, a really great facility. There have been more than 95 BBQs so far and there are still 9 to go. The number adds up to more than 100 because some counties are getting more than 1...
There was such a large number coming in that some had to move over to the dinning tables to find room to fill out the resitration forms...
Fred talked about why he is going to all the effort to visit all 100 counties in North Carolina at least once each during this primary campaign. He tells about growing up in the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh, and the struggles in business which ultimately were rewarded by success.
Senator Fred Smith spoke of his love for our State of North Carolina, and his belief that government is out of touch with what the majority of people want. He talked about the things that make us great and the things that help us enjoy the freedom of our great nation America. These talks are always a great dialogue.
The crowd was a good one, and the speech was interrupted by applause on many occasions as Fred hit on the points that people really care about.
The blog post above is available online HERE.
