I have received inquiries about my interview with Senator Bob Smith who is running for the open seat for the U.S. Senate from Florida. The one issue that many are asking is: Did Senator Smith endorsed John Kerry for President in 2002. I asked Senator Smith to reply to this question and below is his reply as I received it. All highlighted text and emphasis are from Senator Smith:

In my primary in NH in 2002, Congressman John Sununu (son of Bush 41 Chief of Staff) made it known that he was going to run against me in the Republican Primary. I supported George W. Bush aggressively in the 2000 election and raised more money for him than anyone else in the state's delegation. We had a good relationship even though we were opponents in the Republican primaries for President in 1999. I dropped out in late 1999 due to lack of support, as it was obvious that Bush was the choice of the party voters. I had a 98.8 % record of support for conservative Republican issues  in congress  over an 18 year congressional career in the US House and Senate. 

When Sununu said he was planning to run, I asked Karl Rove, if the President would support me over Sununu in the primary in appreciation for my loyalty to him.  Rove responded that he would "run this by the President". A few days later Rove told me that "the President would in fact endorse my re-election in the primary over Sununu and would do so publicly and help me raise money." Rove further told me that the President would hold off on such an endorsement until Sununu actually filed for the office in June of 2002 ,so that the President would not be accused of "forcing Sununu out of the race."  I said fine; I appreciate his support and Rove then went to NH and said publicly, in response to a reporter's question, that Bush would be endorsing me in mid June after the filing. Sununu subsequently filed but Bush refused to endorse me. I asked Rove about it and his response was, "it is not going to happen." So Rove and the President broke their word to me and, of course, I lost  the primary and had to answer  embarassing questions throughout the campaign as to why the President was not helping me. Not only did Bush and Rove not help me, they worked against me as did the National Republican Party and the NH state Republican Party.

This seemed to be a troubling pattern with Bush and conservatives. You will recall that he refused to support Katherine Harris here in Florida which you know all about. As you might expect, I was very angry and frustrated with what Bush did to me and as an "in your face" reaction, I sent Kerry a personal letter of support. Bush had let me down and I wanted him to know how I felt. I do not support Kerry on any issues at all that I can think of. We are mortal political enemies  although we did have a good personal relationship. When Kerry was asked to come to NH in 2002 and campaign against me, he refused and he kept his word.  Trust and loyalty are everything to me . Bush broke his promise and I reacted angrily. It was a  political mistake to do what I did, but I am human and Bush deserved the slight. It is a mistake that I regret having made.  Interestingly, Bush supported Arlen Specter in his primary over Toomey in 2004 and look what the party got for that. Spector had a 70% support for the party as opposed to my 98.8%.  Yet Spector gets the endorsement and I don't. This kind of stuff was the beginning of the end for the Republicans as we got clobbered in the 2006 Congressional elections and the 2008 Presidential and Congressional elections. As usual conservatives were thrown over the side by Bush when politically expedient. 

I have an 18 year record of LEADING the fight on dozens of conservative issues during my tenure in the House and Senate. To name a few: Partiial birth abortion ban, human life amendment (and all other life issues), missile defense technology and other efforts to strenghten the military,  support of veterans,  supporting rights of gun owners, balanced budgets, cutting taxes and spending , reducing size of government , as well as   strong opposition to amnesty and on and on. I make no apologies for MY loyalties. All I have ever wanted to do was to keep the party of Reagan  conservatives  alive and well. Our party is in deep trouble now because we walked away from  our conservative values  and we will not win again until we stand on those  principles. In my speech on the senate floor in 2000 I warned that this would happen , if we  put politcs over principle.   

In conclusion the "endorsement" of John Kerry was a mistake. It was made in frustration and anger not on agreement with his politics. If people choose to use this against me, I completely understand, as I assume responsibility for my actions. On the other hand, I hope that you will weigh this mistake in judgment against  my 100 percent voting record on the conservative and constitutional issues that we as conservative all agree upon. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to respond.

Senator Bob Smith

I remind readers that confession is good for the soul. I thank Senator Smith for his candor in providing this exclusive statement to RedCounty.com.