Gingrich Spokeswoman No-Shows; Ruppersberger Challenger Rises

District 32 Republican Club members hoping to pick the brain of Newt Gingrich’s Maryland campaign strategist were let down Tuesday night after spokeswoman Karen Winterling did not show up.

To fill the gap presented by Winterling’s absence, president Stephen Reigle did a bit of juggling and allowed club members to introduce themselves.

In attendance was congressional hopeful Larry Smith, a former Army lieutenant colonel and intelligence officer in the Pentagon, who hopes to dethrone Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger for Congress’s Maryland District 2 seat.

After introducing himself, Smith gave an off-the-cuff presentation along with a question-and-answer session for about 20 minutes, speaking about his position on Washington and the state of American politics.

“It’s tough when we’re fighting people who think differently than us,” Smith said. “Democrats come from the emotional part of the brain, whereas Republicans speak from the rational part of the brain.”

Smith focused mainly on the economy and described himself as an “outsider.”

“I’ve actually had the highest clearances and I know our intelligence structure and where it needs to improve,” Smith said. “Looking at all the systems, I’ll know what we need and what we don’t. I’ve had the first-hand experience to better discern the wheat from the chaff.”

Smith concluded by appealing to his fellow Republicans and asking for their support ahead of the 2012 elections.

“I’m an outsider, and I’m going to need your help to get my name out there,” he said.

When it comes to the economy, Smith was direct and simple.

“We’ve run out of money, so we’re going to have to begin to think,” he said.

The political hopeful said he plans to file for candidacy Friday.