Sen. Smith Says He Is Leaving GOP
Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire announced Monday night he is leaving the Republican Party to become an independent, indicating he might seek the nomination of some other party in his bid for the White House.
Smith characterized his decision as one of principles over party, chastising GOP lawmakers for forsaking the Republican platform.
“I came into the Republican Party on principle, and I’m leaving on principle,” Smith said on CNN’s “Larry King Live.” He decried leaders in his party “who believe that electing people with an ‘R’ next to their name is more important than principle.”
Smith said he still intends to run for president as an independent.
“It’s a bad omen for the GOP when a solid Reagan conservative like Bob Smith would even consider leaving,” said GOP presidential contender Steve Forbes in reaction to Smith’s announcement.
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