Poor Fred

Fred Smith, the Asphalt King, is out playing his sad story to the Republican Club in Haywood County. It's like deja vu all over again:

Senator Fred Smith, candidate for governor, related growing up in an orphanage where his parents worked and taught. He described college footballs days, law school and service in the United States Army, and service as state Senator. He spoke of what it would mean to the people in our state to have a conservative governor.

How's that for exciting reporting! Seriously, what's with the orphanage saga at the top of every Fred Smith news story? No matter how Smith lays it out, it always sounds like he was a sad little disadvantaged pauper growing up in a Charles Dickens novel . . . and of course he does it on purpose.

When I asked my one Republican friend what the heck this is all about, he said, "Well, it's true, isn't it?" Yeah, sure it's true. But it's also true that Fred Smith has been slopping at the public trough for years, pulling in multi-million dollar government contracts for his paving company. How come he doesn't talk about that when he's out bragging about his conservative credentials?

What would mean to have a conservative governor? From where I sit it would mean: fewer services for those most in need, more paving contracts, environmental degradation, discrimination based on sexual orientation, the rich getting richer, and four horrendous years of dealing with an unapologetic egomaniac in the governor's mansion.

Other Orphan Fred stories here and here.

PS: Be sure to order your hard copy of Fred's book right away. It's worth every cent you'll pay for it. You can order it right here.