A Letter From Bubba Williams
July 23rd, 2010

The election for the 3rd Congressional District is illustrating a well-known truth: There are a few good people in this world who work to serve others. Then there are certain people who try to move ahead by tearing down the work of others.

I am honored to know Robin Smith and have had the privilege of working with her for many years. She has and will always serve others. It’s obvious that Chuck Fleischmann and his campaign are desperate and they are not focusing on the issues that affect the people of the 3rd Congressional District. Join me in voting for Robin Smith.

BUBBA WILLIAMS

Chattanooga Times Free Press, July 23, 2010 

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

On the Road: A Letter From Collegedale Mayor John C. Turner
July 21st, 2010

In seven and one years of public service I have learned two very important things.

1) There is always three sides to every story, my side, your side and then the truth.

2) You can judge a legislator by his/her words/actions. The recent "mud slinging" toward Robin Smith is not a character trait I'm looking for in my representative.

The audit/report cited is not Robin's. It's the State Republican Party's report. Mr. Fleischmann says he's pro gun. Why did he sue the Chattanooga Rifle Club in April 2003? Is that really a pro gun position? I have listened to both candidates speak on more than one occasion. I have also heard bits and pieces from the other candidates in this race. I am convinced without reservation, that Robin Smith will represent the third district with character, integrity and from a conservative position, which I believe represent the majority of the third district. Please join me in support Robing Smith as our new representative in Washington.

John C. Turner
Mayor
Collegedale  

Posted by Robin Smith   |  1 Comment(s)

On the Road: A Letter from Representative Vince Dean
July 20th, 2010

I would like to publicly thank Robin Smith for her outstanding work during the 2008 state election. For the first time in over 100 years, the Republican party gained a majority in the Tennessee General Assembly.

She helped good candidates across the state win seats that had been held by Democrats for decades. Seats that were once believed to be strong holds for the Democrat party. She did this with class and tenacity. Doing so was neither easy, nor cheap. It costs money to win elections. I appreciate the fact that people from all walks of life and every community in the state donated money to help win the majority. I want to thank her for using the donated money, wisely to win the majority. Critics might say that she should have saved money and put it back into the coffers of the state party. Having money in the bank and losing an election does not show very much political savvy. I would much rather be broke the day after an election with a win, than to have a bankroll, with a loss. Robin spent years working toward this goal, for the party that represents the values of the majority of Tennessee residents.

Taking the majority in the General Assembly was extremely beneficial to the party and its platform. While other events prevented our party from taking complete control over the house, we were finally given a seat at the table and allowed to move several previously stalled pieces of legislation forward. Members of our delegation were given chairmanships of committees and sub-committees. I was fortunate enough to be named the Vice-Chair of Transportation and the Chair of Public Safety, both appointments previously held by Democrats. Had we not gained the majority in the house, this would have never been possible.

Robin Smith should be praised by her party for this accomplishment. She has been a true republican, promoting republican candidates and advancing republican causes for years. I personally know the three apparent front runners in the 3rd district congressional primary. I believe that all three are great people and consider each of them a personal friend. On August 6th, there will only be one republican candidate. That candidate will need the support of the others to win the general election in November. I urge all of the candidates to remember that and refrain from driving wedges within the party. If maintaining the seat and taking the majority in the U.S. House is important, we must be united in the general election. A little civility would go a long way in doing that. It is hard to ask for support from someone that you have publicly demeaned and called names.

Vince Dean-R
District 30
Tennessee General Assembly

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)

Campaign Updates: Setting the Record Straight
July 20th, 2010

Recently, trial lawyer Chuck Fleischmann has been on the attack, attempting to smear my reputation and the success of all Republicans in 2008. In their negative attack ad, the Fleischmann campaign makes wild unsubstantiated and un-sourced claims of “lavish bonuses” paid to staff of the Tennessee Republican Party. This sideshow is the latest gimmick of a foundering campaign and we will not join Fleischmann in a back and forth political game, but you deserve the facts, and, unlike the attacks of Fleischmann, I want to provide you with accurate information.

False Fleischmann Attack: My staff at the Tennessee Republican Party was paid "lavish bonuses."

Below you will find a transcript of the December 5, 2008 meeting of the Administrative Committee of the Tennessee Republican Party following the historic wins our party achieved in 2008. I was offered a performance bonus for taking the majority in the Legislature for the first time in 140 years. I asked that the staff of the state party be rewarded with bonuses. Under the bylaws of the Tennessee Republican Party, compensation must be approved by the committee. Following the discussion, the committee unanimously approved a bonus structure for the staff per my request. An original motion was made that I alone receive a bonus.

Robin Smith: “I will only accept that motion, Madam Vice Treasurer …”

SEC Officer: “You’re well compensated, but not as well as a lot of state chairman who didn’t do as well.”

SEC Member:  “Am I hearing an amount?”

SEC Officer:  “Well no, we need to decide on that”

SEC Officer: “No I didn’t want to be fiscally irresponsible.”

Robin Smith: “I’ll be glad to leave the room, if necessary.”

TRP Officer: “Let me ask you, we’ve got 18,000 extra dollars to carry over. Ok, what have we got coming in? What’s our projection for the next 30 days?  $18,000 won’t cut it.”

Robin Smith: “That is a very conservative amount. I’ve got a very large check that I’ll be receiving tomorrow.”

Robin Smith: “If it’s permissible, is to give that bonus money to people that have earned it rather than it being divided equally. I’m a believer in the law of the harvest. If you plant good seed and you work hard, you get to enjoy...”

TRP Officer: “May I suggest, Robin,  that you, Mark and Randy leave and that (Vice Chairman) Bob (Rial) take the gavel and we have a discussion without you.”

Robin Smith: Mr. Chairman if you would take the seat, you’re now the Chairman of the committee. I will say this, if you get too generous, you have to help me raise that money.”

After discussion, the Committee unanimously approved for the 10 member staff of the Tennessee Republican Party: “A performance bonus, amount to be determined, subject to revenue availability and capped at $20,000.”

- Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee Administrative Meeting, December 5, 2008.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press exposes another Fleischmann misstatement on July 27.

"Three Republicans knowledgeable about the situation said the final severance agreement [former chief of staff Mark] Winslow entered into with [current party chairman Chris] Devaney “replaced the employment agreement” signed earlier by Mrs. Smith.

Summing up the situation, one of the Republicans maintained Mr. Winslow’s package “included no bonus money and was a settlement of salary owed under the prior agreement. The agreement with Devaney immediately terminated all employment and responsibilities between Winslow and the state party.”

False Fleischmann Attack: The Tennessee Republican Party Was "Audited"

The Fleischmann Campaign also has claimed, again un-sourced, that there is an “audit” of the party that shows financial misdeeds on my behalf and that I have “refused” to release this fictitious “audit.”  The bylaws of our party require that a standard review take place when a chairman leaves office. Mr. Fleischmann is either ignorant of facts or misleading the voters. He has been told by party officials that all financial documents are the property of the Executive Committee and only they can authorize any release with a vote. On July 24, 2009 the required review was presented to the full State Executive Committee by party Treasurer Oscar Brock. In his presentation, Brock said:

“We also received yesterday, just in time, we received the review. As you know the bylaws require that when there’s a transition in Chairman, that we do a review of the financial statements and the CPA, Decosimo and Company, have presented their findings and have found that, with no exceptions, the financial statements of the Tennessee Republican Party for the last two years have been conducted and performed and delivered according to the generally accepted accounting principles and that Robin and her team did an first class job. And I think we can all be proud of her and the work she did.

Those reports are available for your review in the offices of the Tennessee Republican Party. We don’t, for obvious reasons, pass them out. But you’re welcome to come down any time during business hours and review those statements.”

- Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee Meeting, July 24, 2009

The Tennessee Journal reported on July 23 about this misleading statement:

"The Fleischmann attack ad, which charges Smith left the state party $100,000 in debt, shows the cover of what appears to be a state comptroller’s audit, state seal and all, and challenges Smith to make the findings public. But the picture is simply an illustration. The state didn’t audit the Republican Party. If it had, the audit would be a public record. Smith has refused to engage in a public debate over the party’s financial review."

Kevin West with WGOW Radio in Chattanooga sought the opinion of a professional accountant to clarify the misrepresentations of the Fleischmann campaign. His email tells a very different story from that of Fleischmann's handlers.

It is a shame that Chuck Fleischmann has decided to dive into the mud in an effort to salvage his failing campaign. I want you to know I have too much respect for your intelligence and too much respect for our values to join him. I want you to have these facts so we can return to a real discussion of the important issues facing the nation. Tennessee deserves better than we are getting from Chuck Fleischmann.  

Posted by Robin Smith   |  5 Comment(s)

Campaign Updates: A Proud Day
July 18th, 2010

This is a proud day for me personally. Having spent twenty years working for conservative causes in Tennessee, I know how deeply respected and trusted Lee Anderson and the editorial board of the Chattanooga Free Press are. Receiving the endorsement of the Free Press is a honor I will always treasure.  

Posted by Robin Smith   |  0 Comment(s)