N.H.'s Smith launches presidential bid

Associated Press, February 19, 1999

WOLFEBORO, N.H. -- In the high school where he once gave civics exams, Senator Bob Smith embarked yesterday on the biggest test of his career -- running for president.

Surrounded by blue banners, buttons, and bumper stickers at Kingswood Regional High School, the former teacher chose a nautical theme to describe his vision for leadership.

The Pilgrims on the Mayflower followed their compass and founded a new nation, Smith said, while the Titanic crew went off course, hit an iceberg, and sank.

"I am asking all of you to join me today to chart the right course for America and sail safely into the 21st century with a commitment to keep America strong and free for millions yet unborn," he said. "We have the charts -- the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Holy Bible. We need a captain and a crew who will read those charts, and steer us past the sea of icebergs that threaten our God-given rights."

Smith said he has the right qualifications to be a leader.

"Political leadership is not about who gives the best speech, it's not about who has the most money, it's not about who the media thinks is the front-runner," he said. "It's about character, it's about integrity, it's about a commitment to principle. And it is about bold, courageous, passionate, committed leadership."

Smith said one of his first priorities as president would be pushing Congress to define life as beginning at fertilization. During a 1995 Senate debate on late-term abortions, Smith waved a plastic fetus, showed pictures of a baby that had survived an abortion, and described late-term abortion in graphic detail.

After two failed House campaigns, Smith was elected to the first of three congressional terms in 1984. He was elected to the US Senate in 1990 and reelected by a narrow margin in 1996.

In a poll of New Hampshire Republicans released this month by the independent American Research Group, Smith placed near the bottom among likely presidential contenders. Four percent of 454 Republicans surveyed said they would vote for Smith in the primary; 25 percent said they would support Elizabeth Dole.