VIDEO: Smith Wants to Be Patrick's 'Worst Nightmare'

Former Cornerstone Action executive director Kevin Smith took his case for the 2012 GOP gubernatorial nomination to the Salem Town Republican Committee Thursday night and talked de-regulation, jobs and expanded gambling.

Smith, a former state representative who lives in Litchfield, wants New Hampshire to be a haven for highly-skilled workers to get good paying jobs, and isn't afraid to look to the neighbors to the south as a place to get them.

"One of my metrics would be, 'How good am I doing at being Governor Deval Patrick's worst nightmare?'" Smith said at the Kelley Library. "Because I want him to know I'm going into his state and shamelessly poaching jobs from Massachusetts into New Hampshire so we can have more of our people working here."

Smith talked about his experience as a legislator, his time working as an Executive Council liaison for Gov. Craig Benson and as assistant director of the state's Juvenile Justice Services program as giving him a diverse background to serve as governor.

"New Hampshire needs a governor who has a long-term vision, not just to the next budget but for the next 10 years," Smith said. "We need a specific plan for how we're going to be the most economically-competitive state in the country over the next 10 years."

Smith took a definitive position on the expanded gambling issue, saying he would support it on a limited basis. He supports two casinos with fair bids, a strong regulatory system and ensuring the revenue would not go into the general fund.

"I don't want to see state government grow," Smith said.

When he was later asked about previous comments against past expanded gambling proposals, he said the others had too many proposed casinos. He also said other plans didn't have revenues going into the general fund.

"This is what I think would be good for the state," Smith said.