NEW HAMPSHIRE WEEKLY

Smith quickly loses primary spotlight

By Gary Ghioto, Globe Correspondent, January 10, 1999

CONCORD -- On the day US Senator Bob Smith became the first declared candidate for president in 2000, fellow Republicans George Bush Jr. and Elizabeth Dole stole the show.

Bush grabbed national headlines Monday by simply remarking that he thinks of the White House "just about every day." Dole commanded the evening network news by resigning from the Red Cross to pursue a potential run for president.

Smith, a 57-year-old former schoolteacher from Tuftonboro, would have appreciated some national attention afforded to his uphill, some say long-shot, bid for the White House.

After all, Smith said in an interview, he's the only politician honestly declaring his political intentions.

"There's been a lot of speculation about people running and a lot of exploratory committees and a lot of talk," Smith said. "But no one has entered officially until today . . . and that will be me. But I welcome Elizabeth Dole or anyone else who wants to run."

After the Senate deals with President Clinton, Smith intends to go back to Kingswood High School in Wolfeboro, where he taught social studies, to make a formal announcement for president.

That Smith, who barely defeated Democrat Dick Swett two years ago in an emotional battle for a second term, thinks he is in a position to wage a national campaign puzzles some GOP stalwarts in New Hampshire.

Former governor Hugh Gregg, the protector of the New Hampshire primary and chairman of George Bush's New Hampshire campaigns, wonders how Smith will raise millions of dollars with little national name recognition.

Diehard conservatives shake their heads about Smith's optimism, but insist, as GOP chairman Steve Duprey says, that he has "every right" to run if he wants to.

Outgoing Democratic Party chairman Jeff Woodburn is less diplomatic in his assessment. He considers Smith's run verging on an "embarrassment" to New Hampshire.

"Bob Smith does not reach the level of credibility," Woodburn said. But if he wants to run, then fine, he said.

"I believe he should follow the lead set forth by Bob Dole and if he's serious about running for president, he should do that and resign," Woodburn said. "New Hampshire can't be left unrepresented as he criss-crosses the country looking for votes."

Smith is scoffing at Woodburn and polls that show him barely registering with potential primary voters.

After spending 18 months in 20 states, especially in the first caucus state of Iowa, he is convinced that conservatives like him and his strong antiabortion record.

"The response has been overwhelming and I have to tell you it's exciting," Smith said. "I have a good grass-roots organization already on the ground in Iowa. We're going to be opening an office there soon. We'll be opening an office in New Hampshire . . . one in Washington."

Smith has some cash in the bank, but admits that he will need at least $20 million.

Meanwhile, members of the national draft Dole movement are recruiting New Hampshire political activists to build a primary base for the former Bush administration labor secretary.

So far, former congressional candidate Toni Pappas of Manchester has signed on to the Dole effort. She says Dole's "moral backbone" and long and distinguished public career qualify her to run for president.

Dole is the featured speaker at a Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce dinner Feb. 8.

Magazine publisher Steve Forbes, a likely candidate for the Republican nomination, has been running a television ad on a New Hampshire station touting his plan to scuttle the Internal Revenue Service and replace it with a flat tax.