Smith Snubs Bush
By Tia Carioli and Gregory Chisholm
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2002–Since his loss in the primary to John Sununu, Senator Bob Smith has refused to aid his fellow Republican in the upcoming election and has even turned down the President’s request for help. NHPR Correspondent Greg Chisholm reports from Washington.
According to an article published Thursday in Roll Call, Republican Senator Bob Smith refused several White House requests to join President Bush on his recent visit to New Hampshire to support John Sununu.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Scott McClellan confirmed that Smith was contacted but declined the invitation because of a prior family commitment.
The article reports that Karl Rove, Bush’s top political advisor called Smith three times attempting to convince him to travel with the President on Air Force One as a show of Republican solidarity.
The article suggests that Smith might have been rewarded for his cooperation with a job in the Bush administration. McClellan dismissed that assertion as “ridiculous.”
A spokesperson for Smith confirmed the invitation but would not comment on private
conversations between Smith and White House officials.
For NHPR News, I’m Gregory Chisholm in Washington.
Broadcast on New Hampshire Public Radio, in New Hampshire.
