Here's the
letter thanks to
Oliver Willis.
This really shocks me. Smith is really to the right - not a moderate in any sense. Granted, he split from the party, declared himself and independent running for president and then came back to the Republican party, giving he and Bush some mutual animosity. But read the letter, it is no tepid endorsement. If Smith, a right wing Republican (albeit a "maverick" of sorts), can get behind Kerry, who can't?
More below...
My favorite lines:
"Because of the courage and character you demonstrated in Vietnam, I believe you when you say you'll do a better job than President Bush to win the peace in Iraq, as well as to win the war against terrorism."
"President Bush has failed to restrain federal spending, sending our deficit spinning into the stratosphere. I well rememeber that you were one of a handful of Democrats who crossed the aisle to forge a bipartisan coalition in the Senate to balance the federal budget. Therefore, I believe you will succeed where President Bush has failed, to reduce spending and once again balance the budget."
"As an enironmentalist who served as Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, I know this Administration has turned environmental policy over to lobbyists for the oil, gas and mining interests. On the other hand, I know first hand of your commitment to a more balanced approach to environmental policy-- one where we can have both jobs and profit for industry as well as clean air and water. There is no stronger evidence of this than your outstanding leadership and support in the restoration of the Florida Everglades."
Read the rest! At the end, he encourages all his friends in NH and FL to vote for Kerry.