On the way to his 77th barbecue N.C. Senator Fred Smith, R-Johnston and Republican candidate for governor, said he wasn't going to be "one of those candidates that's only on TV."

Smith vowed at the start of his campaign to hold a barbecue in each of the state's 100 counties. This was his Beaufort County stop, hosting a pig pickin' Sunday afternoon at Washington High School.

"We're on TV statewide right now," Smith said. "We're going to have an air campaign, too. But what we've done, holding our barbecues and shaking people's hands, is getting to know people ... . If they're motivated, if they believe, each one is going to get me two or three votes.

"I know it works for me. I believe that's my strongest point. We've had almost 2,000 contributors (at the barbecues), almost half contributing $50 or less. It has not happened before in a Republican campaign. That shows the grassroots is working for us."

Smith had a full day in Beaufort County, meeting local clergy and elected officials, followed by a private fundraiser and the public barbecue.

The barbecue was attended by more than 90 citizens and local politicos, including county commissioners Stan Deatherage and Hood Richardson, Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal, Greg Dority, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, and Joe McLaughlin and Dean Stephens, both candidates for Congress.

Smith opened his talk to the barbecue attendees telling them a political campaign "ought to be a conversation with the people.

"The political consultants in Raleigh tell you to go to high population counties around Raleigh and run TV ads," he said. "I disagree with that. When you go to the general election, you've already got an infrastructure in place.

"I've had a chance to see how beautiful this state is. I've had a chance to meet the people of this state and see how good and kind they are. That is what helps me find what the values of the people of this state are."

Smith said he believes residents are disappointed with the state's educational process that North Carolina has "gone from a good road state to a poor road state" and that it has the "highest tax rate in the southeast United States."

"People are disappointed in the corruption," he said. "They are ready for a change in management in Raleigh. To get that change we've got to win elections and get a leader who understands what leadership is. You've got to have a strategic plan before you move to tactics. ... I believe you've got to paint your own barn. Other people may not like the color, but that's who you are.

Smith proposed a $4 billion good-road/safe-bridge bond to be distributed per capita -- approximately $400 per N.C. resident -- to counties to build infrastructure. He said it can be accomplished without raising taxes if the transfer of funds from the highway trust fund to the general fund is stopped.

Smith called for equipping sheriffs and police departments to fight drug trafficking and illegal immigration; for accessible and affordable health care and relief from the costly practice of defensive medicine by physicians; for a constitutional amendment declaring marriage to be between one man and one woman; and for the protection of private property rights and the limit of eminent domain.

"My first order of business as governor would be the strongest possible Jessica's Law in the United States of America," he also said.

Jessica's Laws punish sex offenders -- especially those who offend against children. One such law introduced in last year's session of the General Assembly failed to pass.

Smith said informal polls at his barbecues have shown that the number-one thing people are concerned about is honest government. "They want us to execute with integrity," he said.

Smith has carried his personal motto: "The difference between good and great is little extra effort," routed on a wooden plaque, with him for 50 years.

"Extra effort trumps everything -- money, even ability," Smith said. "Extra effort is what gets the job done. Only by working together can we get the job done. It's too big a task for one person. This election is not about me, it's about you."

The article above by Patti Trujillo was posted in the Washington Daily News and is available online HERE.