From The Campaign Trail

Lee Greenwood Rally for Fred Smith Governor 2008

Lee Greenwood sings for gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith in New Bern
by Nikie Mayo, The Sun Journal

Gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith came courting Craven County's voters again Wednesday night, this time with country music singer and ally Lee Greenwood.

"I think people know what I stand for," Smith said before a campaign event at Craven Community College's Orringer Auditorium. "The time for talking is over. Now is the time for action, especially with early voting just two weeks away. This is about getting my name out there and asking people to help me carry forward my grassroots campaign."

During an event that was part campaign stumping and part concert, Greenwood said he found a kindred spirit in Smith.

"I said: 'I think I can do you some good,' " Greenwood said. "I think I've got a fan or two in North Carolina."

"He's like a bulldog when he gets a hold of something," Greenwood said of Smith. "He's the right guy for the right job at the right time."

Smith grew up at the Raleigh Methodist Orphanage where his parents worked. He received a football scholarship to Wake Forest University and served in the Army, where he was a judge advocate general.

Smith, who lives in Johnston County, owns his own company, which builds subdivisions and paves roads. He has served in the state Senate since 2002.

He has to win a Republican primary that includes former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, Charlotte Mayor Pat McRory and Salisbury lawyer Bill Graham before he may face off against either State Treasurer Richard Moore or Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, both Democrats.

"I am the true conservative in this governor's race," Smith said, garnering an ovation from the crowd.

Greenwood, meanwhile, encouraged the audience to sing and clap along to his songs. As he sang, cameras flashed all around him.

River Bend resident Melody Dancy, who sat near the front, pulled out her cell phone and angled her body several different ways, trying to get the perfect shot of the singer.

Smith, who has previously campaigned in New Bern on his statewide barbecue tour, acknowledged a crowd of supporters.

Among them was Republican state Sen. Jean Preston, whom he called "without a doubt, the best-looking senator in North Carolina."

"We've been here often," Smith said of his campaign. "And that's because this is a critical part of the state. ... We're depending on you."

Near the close of the evening, Greenwood sang the song he is best known for, "God Bless the USA." The audience stood and joined him, many singing with their hands over their hearts.

"Fred Smith's going to be the next governor," Greenwood said. "But you already know that."

The article above by Nikie Mayo was published in the Sun Journal on April 2 and is available online here.

FRED SMITH GOVERNOR 2008 - "A Little Extra Effort" Statewide BBQ Tour

FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Fred Smith, November 2, 2007

The remnants of tropical storm Noel made for a windy day in Craven County, but it was still a very successful one for the campaign. I arrived in New Bern around 12:30 for an interview with New Bern Sun Journal reporter Nikie Mayo. I then met with a group of local pastors over lunch at Ham's Restaurant in New Bern. I shared my vision for the future of North Carolina with them and they shared with me some of their concerns. After lunch I had a series of meetings at the Chamber of Commerce with several groups including local businessmen and a wonderful group of home schoolers.

The Craven County BBQ was held at the Farmers Market in New Bern and the crowd was larger than expected, with around 200 people in attendance. There were many local GOP supporters who worked hard to make the event a success. There was a lot of enthusiasm in the crowd and I enjoyed sharing my message, both to the entire audience during the event and before and afterward talking one on one with the citizens of Craven County. The campaign seems to be gaining momentum as we travel the state and our message spreads. There are definitely many North Carolinians eager to see a change in their state government and we are committed to do all we can to make that change happen.

Fred
November 2, 2007

IN THE NEWS
Fred Smith, gubernatorial hopeful, says he wants changes in education
by Nikie Mayo, Sun Journal, November 2, 2007

Sen. Fred Smith says he's not a spontaneous type -- and he makes no apologies for it.

He believes having structure and focus will set him apart from other candidates making a run for governor.

With parents who worked in Raleigh's Methodist Orphanage, Smith says, he grew up having structure and focus -- and he hasn't let go of it.

"I grew up with 24 other brothers," he said. "In a Methodist orphanage, you don't have a whole lot of time for being idle. Every day, we had a routine. We ate together. We fought together. We went to devotions together. At night, my mother would give us all cod liver oil. When you have that many boys and two parents, you learn that everything has to have a time and place, or you end up with chaos."

The Johnston County Republican said he brings that same attitude as he seeks the state's highest office.

"We have a plan and it's a plan of empowerment," Smith said Friday in an interview. "Liberals support ... big government. I think we need to contrast that -- not in pastel colors -- but in really bold colors. We're about freedom and hardworking people and family-oriented people and ... helping them improve themselves."

A lawyer-turned-businessman, Smith founded a company in 1986 that bears his name, builds subdivisions and paves roads. He says a business model would help fix what he calls a "fundamental issue" in his campaign: education in North Carolina.

"We need to treat a child as a customer," he said. "Teaching should not be a job-development vehicle. ... Education is about putting the child first."

"You learn in business to first take care of the customer ... and if you've got one-third of your customers dropping out, turning away from the product, then it's time to develop a different strategy," he said.

Smith says the state needs to get back to a traditional school system that will be an environment for learning. He says teachers need to be adequately paid.

He aims to take a look at the way the state tests its children, he said.

"I'm not saying that tests are not important, though," he said. "You can't manage if you can't measure."

He also supports vocational training for the state's students, he said.

"Many of our students are looking to become mechanics or (ventilation system) repairmen or lab techs," he said. "They shouldn't be made to feel like second-class citizens if they choose not to go to a four-year college."

Smith was elected to the Senate in 2002 and before that, served two years as a Johnston County commissioner. He served in the Army and was a judge advocate general. He attended Wake Forest University on a football scholarship.

"My dad was a coach and I was a tagalong growing up," he said. "I was just a B and C student in high school, but without that football scholarship, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Smith's stop Friday night at the New Bern-Craven County Area Farmers Market was his 48th appearance on a statewide barbecue tour that will include all 100 counties.

"This is part of Fred's effort to continue what he calls a conversation with the people," said Karen Rotterman, Smith's political consultant.

Article above by Nikie Mayo, Sun Journal, available online HERE.

PICTURES FROM CRAVEN COUNTY


View additional pictures from Craven County HERE.