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Smith drops out of presidential race
October 28, 1999 MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire, who bolted the Republican Party in July to run for the presidency as an independent, quit the campaign Thursday, citing difficulties raising money. "It has become impossible for me to continue a credible run for the presidency without the necessary finances, as many who have already ended their presidential bids have also experienced," Smith said in a statement.
The senator said he would end his campaign in the black and had "no regrets." The fact that thousands of people gave him an average contribution of $30 each "is the best indicator that there is a broad base of support throughout the country for my conservative agenda," he said. At a news conference Thursday, Smith said he planned to close his campaign offices by Monday. To run an effective campaign, "You have to keep the doors open and you have to answer the phones, and without money, I can't do that." Smith had $227,816 in cash on hand, according to his latest campaign disclosure statement. He had been able to raise about $2 million since he announced his bid last February. Those amounts were dwarfed by GOP front-runner George W. Bush, who said in his last statement that he had $37 million on hand and had raised $57 million overall. Elizabeth Dole dropped out of the running for the GOP nomination on October 20, announcing that she, too, could not raise adequate funds. Former Vice President Dan Quayle also cited fund-raising problems as a reason for pulling out of the Republican race. Congressional officials, who spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity, said Smith has made numerous overtures about returning to the Republican Party after barely 100 days as an independent. They said Smith's gestures include attendance at a party fund-raising dinner and conversations with senior Republicans. The Manchester Union Leader newspaper reported that Smith has been in discussions with Republican Party Chairman Jim Nicholson and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott about returning to the GOP. His staff would not comment on that possibility. If he is accepted back in the GOP and allowed to maintain his previous seniority rights, he would be in line to take over the chairmanship of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee following the death this week of Sen. John Chafee of Rhode Island. Otherwise, the chairmanship will go to Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma. Smith declined to comment on that possibility Thursday, saying he would have no response to any speculation until after Chafee's funeral. He did admit to having "extensive conversations" with GOP officials about returning to the party. "People in the Republican Party have been reaching out to me ever since I left," he said. On July 13, when Smith left the GOP, he said in a Senate speech that the party was losing its conservative principles and had fallen into the hands of pollsters and consultants. For a time, it appeared that he would seek the nomination of the U.S. Taxpayers Party, but that never happened. Shortly after his defection, Smith's wife became ill and his presidential bid became barely visible. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Thursday, October 28, 1999
• Clinton doubts he's 'a drag on the Gore campaign' • Bill Press analysis: Bradley edges Gore • Tucker Carlson analysis: Bradley picks the wrong heroes • Justice Department asks for rehearing on medical marijuana • Smith drops out of presidential race • Gingrich signs on as commentator for Fox News Channel • Stalemate could lead to 'recess' appointment • Glickman says he will propose changes to farm policy • House approves budget cuts and social spending, Clinton veto next • Huang gets immunity in GOP probe of Democratic fund raising | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
