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 Mr. 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

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An overwhelming majority of Americans today are critically concerned over the direction of our nation under the leadership of the Obama - Reid - Pelosi trio. Their complete disregard for not only the views of the American people but more importantly their disdain for our founding document, the Constitution, cannot be disputed.

But the reality of the potential demise of the United States as we know it, is that the downward slide began many years earlier.

Unfortunately the responsibility for this slide lies at the feet of the American voter for it is You and Me who selects each two years the men and women who will represent us in Washington. And for too long the typical American voter has either failed to vote, or he has thoughtlessly voted for the incumbent. Even worse, American voters have negligently allowed his representative to operate in a vacuum with little to no accountability.

So now we are paying for the sins of our past by reaping what we have sown. And the Obama - Reid - Pelosi trio is the epitome of the consequences of this gross negligence on the part of the American voter.

Oftentimes it takes a crisis to disrupt our routines and awake us from our slumber. The "O-R-P" trio is such a crisis. But now that we are awake will we exercise the stewardship of our vote to elect a true conservative in the TN 3rd District?

The fortunate departure of Zach Wamp as our district's representative has brought out a myriad of individuals who are seeking your vote. And they are all professing to be THE true conservative and making all sorts of promises and assurances to you to gain your trust. Yet, if you and I know anything, we understand that trust is not something that can just be given. Rather it must be earned and proven over time.

Over the course of my 30 years in business I have interviewed and/or hired hundreds of individuals. During the interview process the vast majority of these applicants have consistently assured me they could do the job and have ultimately asked me to trust them. The quandary when interviewing such candidates for employment was always, how do you determine who to believe, who will succeed and who will not?

The answer in reality is quite simple: Look at their track record! You see, the best predictor of what someone will do in the future is what they have done in the past. And that's where Robin Smith shines! The good news here is that she does has a track record. You can review what she has stood for over the last 20 years and the battles she has waged. And it is a solid, conservative record of success. Her platform and stance on the issues isn't just a document that she formulated for this recent campaign. Rather it is what she has breathed, walked, and talked over the course of her adult life under the scrutiny of all.

Robin's opponents however, while good people, do not have such a track record. They have promises, they have nice slogans, slick commercials, and even some prominent endorsements. They will tell you they will follow the Constitution. Who wouldn't tell you that? But what you and I don't know without a doubt is will they in fact follow through on their promises? Remember, absent a track record, it is just an empty promise. And we know from experience what a campaign promise from an untested Congressman is worth. Remember Mr. Wamp and term limits a decade ago?

So, as you deliberate over the stewardship of your vote this season, let me encourage you to join me in voting for Robin Smith -- the 3rd district congressional candidate who is a true Reagan conservative, who respects and will follow the Constitution, and whose present talk aligns with her historical walk. As a member of the Chattanooga Tea Party I am honored to cast my vote for Robin Smith.

Mark West
Ooltewah

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Yes there are several good candidates, and, yes, most are conservative - but I have to beg to differ about Robin's past as making her the best choice for Congress. She is a career political operative - not a citizen's representative. She has made politics her life's work - and quite frankly most in this country are fed up with that, because career politicians put us in the mess we are in.

Robin will be all about the Republican line - not the people's line - that's why the vast majority of the Tea Party people in District 3 are not just voting for Van, but working actively on his campaign. We need a citizen Congressperson and that is Van Irion - the only candidate running that has put his money where his mouth is. All the candidates have talked about term limits in the same vein as Congressman Wamp - and we know how that turned out. So Mr. Irion has signed a pledge that if he runs for a 4th term he has to pay out $1,000,000 to the Anderson County Volunteer Fire Department. He has done this because he understands that most people fall prey to the allure of power in DC after they get there.

Let's talk about the Constitution - only Van Irion has been about the Constitution before and during this campaign. Only one candidate has professed that the Constitution must be followed 100% of the time. Every other candidate has made statements of their policies in the debates that conflict with the Constitutional limits of the federal government - and that has led us to the troubles we now face in this country.

Elect Van Irion, a Constitutional Republican that is committed to lessening the power of the Federal overlords in D.C. We need to have people in Congress that don't want to be there but are willing to serve their time - just as he has done in the Air Force.

Gregg Juster
Member Chattanooga Tea Party

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As a resident of Richmond Virginia, I can’t vote in the upcoming District 3 Republican primary race. But I will ask each of you to vote for Robin Smith. I am a lifelong resident of the Middle Valley and Soddy Daisy areas, only moving away this past January. I have known Robin for over 16 years. I first met Robin and Scott soon after my wife and I were married. They were terrific Christian role models for us to pattern our lives after. Robin cared for and loved us as family. She had us over for dinner, purchased diapers and formula for our baby, and paid for us to attend a church conference. Robin never did this for personal gain but rather because she saw two lives that she could have a positive influence on for eternity. It is this same selfless service that will make her an outstanding representative. Robin has the character and convictions that will make her a true representative for everyone in District 3. Please support Robin Smith with your vote.

Jeff Vincent