I don’t have an opinion on Coats or his politics, but even if he’s wildly biased, the tape still speaks for itself. And Beltram’s later claim that the tape was somehow edited — something I can’t see any evidence for, and that’s after years of working with interview tapes — rings really hollow.

The Obama reference confuses me as well. This has nothing to do with Democrats or national poltics. This is PURELY in-fighting between local Republicans. It’s a Republican-party conflict in a Republican-dominated state in Republican-dominated county being covered by Coats, who is a Republican — there’s no Obama or Democrats anywhere in the mix. So, maybe Mark Sandford or Howard Rich Kool-Aid would be more apt.

Could he be taking out his own failure to usher in the “Ron Paul Revolution” on Rick? This rabid-attack mode is typical of a Ron Paul-cultist. These types of back-stabbing and often vicious personal assaults against an individual on the “so-called” behalf of Ron Paul sadly made many voters overlook him as a presidential candidate void of any legitimate ideas and that’s sad-because he had plenty. It is a tactic that often plays wells in the liberal-looney market but it often falls flat with grownups.

I have always found Beltram’s “tell-us-how-you-really-feel” style a refreshing change from the scripted phonies who run rampant in various levels of politics. I have worked diligently for many political campaigns and causes in my life but have always doubled the time spent on such endeavors when working with Beltram. I have found working beside Beltram not only encouraging but actually fun in lieu of the root canal-comparable events I’ve attended without him.

His decision to run has actually given me renewed interest in party activism. I guess the SCGOP will be getting membership dues from me for this year after all. SCGOP Convention, here I come!

As for DeMint, I’m a huge fan. I have fought tirelessly for not only his various campaigns over the years but also for his continued success in Washington-and I will continue to do so. Beltram-like myself-has worked hard for DeMint over the years. I can understand any frustration Beltram might feel over the endorsement. DeMint came out of the gate endorsing Hall before all the candidates for SCGOP Chair had even been identified.

Furthermore, who actually cares about a lousy endorsement? Should a voter-of any kind-seriously select a candidate because someone else tells them to or should they do so based on the voter’s own knowledge and the individual qualifications of a particular candidate?

I have a “feeling” that “Coats-The-Conservatist” is either a.) pouting b.) practicing what REAL writers call “yellow journalism.” This is done for shock appeal and to create an illusion of “exclusive” knowledge on a subject in one big sad attempt to draw attention to themselves personally or a blog OR c.) all of the above.

It all makes for great fodder for those sitting around sipping their Obama-approved Kool-aid and taking option “b.” Drink it up kiddies!

Mr. Beltram, if you are reading, how about a few words about this audio clip?