Video: Michele Godard Interviews Charles Frederick Smith
Among other things, Ms. Godard asks Councilman Smith about ethics violations and collusion, the Holiday Inn and his role in facilitating the long-term lease, the Corner Office bar and what is discussed behind those doors, and the concept of a mayoral chief of staff.
CenLamar 
The issue of audience seems to mostly concern touting his leadership over time and focuses on presenting a racial spin when he mentions the makeup of the city
council. Such appeals, in general, target the sympathies of the audience and only lend themselves to an emotional presentation that lacks substance over dialogue.
Mr. Smith never logically appeals to reason in his arguments concerning his bid for mayor. Most of his arguments center around his past and the things he has done for this city such as: bringing in jobs, unified the Chamber and state, etc. These appeals are sketchy and provide little exposition on any substantive
issues. One issue that seems to appeal to reason but is never fully put forth involves his relationship with the so-called “private club”. Smith never goes farther than stating “Lady own the club.” If we are to believe him on this count,
we find that he never addresses the issue any further which by all counts does not present a cohesive argument. Another deals with the relationship between the city
and the local school board. He presents a small solution, bringing in Dr. Cavanaugh,
by never progresses any farther in his thesis on this matter.
His ethical appeal, if there is any at all, centers around his past in local government. Mr. Smith never delves deeper into whether he truly has the
knowledge base to adequately run the city. This exhibits an uncertainty factor as it veils whether we can fully trust him in running the city.
Rhetorically, Smith suffers on many accounts as he fails to bring up a place or several places from which to draw knowledge bases. What is not presented are the cause and effect relationships between what he has done in the past and what he can bring to the city. Simply stating past experience offers the audience
few clues as to whether he has actually accomplished anything. In terms of presenting a persuasive argument, Smith fails on all accounts.
The most horrifying part of this interview has to be the speaking style of the candidate. In all cases Mr. Smith shows little regard to be a statesman and
paints a horrid picture of an orator. This is important as anyone in a position such as mayor has to provide a clear, well-thought series of statements while
also putting eloquence into the words. Being able to communicate with all sectors of a diverse polis only strengthens your position. The dialogue that took place appeared to only host passable arguments for a kindergarten classroom and
showed that Mr. Smith hardly possesses any academic merit to discuss, on the large, whether he can truly lead with both rhetoric and action.
Of what I can see of this candidate is nothing more than useless rhetoric meant only to provide a partial bit of meat to an otherwise starving voter base. Smith only pans a few nuggets of gold (his past with the council) in order to provide a wealth of experience. Such tactics do not confirm any bearing on his abilities. What he must do to strengthen his overall appeal is: a) learn how to speak in a
manner that sounds correct and provides clarity, b) provide more experience and clear up any doubts, and c) prove that he can debate issues rather than standing
on a pedastal hallmarking his past.
I could not have said it better.
I knew those English degrees would pay off one day.
i’m telling you. mr. smith has way too much in the closet to with stand the hot light of a mayor’s election. his candidacy is deader than a planned parenthood baby.
Hopefully Delores will hit the ground running after July 10. I don’t know about you all but I am ready for a little “shock and awe”.
As for Mr. Smith…He bees better not bee seeun dat gurl dat own dat club nose more.
After listening to this moron speak, the prospect of having him serve as the mayor of a town of the size of Alexandria scares the hell out of me!!!
Amanda Gutweiler just bonded out!!