Beltram Supporting Romney Publicly?

Original Story:
Spartanburg County GOP Chairman Rick Beltram has been accused multiple times of favoring one candidate over the rest of the GOP field. I was eating lunch with some friends today when Rick Beltram begins placing campaign signage at Wade’s Restaurant prior to a Romney event. It would make sense that he would want to help the GOP candidates get name recognition. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen him set up the conference rooms, tables, etc. but never place “campaign materials” as I did today.Does this imply his support of Mitt Romney?

Update:
From the Herald Journal Campaign 2008 blog, Beltram has stated that he has placed signs for other candidates before events. That includes Fred Thompson, Rudy Guiliani and John McCain to name a few. He followed up by stating that the Spartanburg County GOP office needs Paul materials to hand out.

McCain Trying to Smear Romney

I just got a telephone poll from the Research Data Design Group. First I must say, they included all of the top tier candidates.

• Ron Paul
• Rudy Giuliani
• John McCain
• Mitt Romney
• Mike Huckabee
• Fred Thompson

As we went through the questions, it became very obvious that this poll was put out by McCain’s group. It listed all of his accomplishments, his stance on pork barrel spending (yet he didn’t try to stop Hillary’s Woodstock Museum), etc. It was very evident that the questions they were asking were to give you a favorable opinion of McCain.

It was then followed by several questions concerning Mitt Romney. During the process, they actually repeated some of the questions. It attacked Romney on his change in position on abortion, taxes, marriage his lack of service in the military. Stated that he dodged Vietnam by getting a deferment from the Mormon Church to be a missionary in France and a second deferment to go to school. All the while touting McCain and his sons service.

In regards to the commonly not so recognized candidates in the Mainstream Media, some of there questions concerning issues in America definitely excluded any position by Ron Paul or Mike Huckabee.

I knew that with the results showing Romney’s gains, they would begin an attack. I did not think though that it would be so blatantly obvious in a telephone poll.

UPDATE:  12:19am 11/18/2007
The McCain campaign as asked the New Hampshire attorney general to investigate this matter.  I have spoken to the campaign to make them aware that this smearing has spread  to SC.

August 2007 – Campaign Stops Update 1

This week saw a flurry of activity in campaign stumping by the many Presidential hopefuls. Mitt Romney and Sam Brownback made stops on Thursday and Rudy released radio spots. Mike Huckabee is supposed to be in York and Upstate SC on Tuesday (8/21) and Wednesday (8/22). According to SC Politics Today, the Greenville stop will be at Tommy’s Ham House and the Spartanburg stop at the World Famous Beacon Drive-In. Sen. Barack Obama is scheduled to be in Conway at Coastal Carolina University on Thursday (8/23). Also on Thursday, Ann Romney will be in Spartanburg with Andre Bauer and SC State Senator Jim Ritchie at the Spartanburg County Executive GOP meeting at the Marble Slab Creamery on E. Blackstock Rd. John Edwards will be in Spartanburg on August 30th at the Annual County Democratic Party Rally. There is a cost for admission to this event. See the Spartanburg County Democratic Party Website for details.

I was able to see Brownback when he made his stop at Wade’s on Thursday. He spoke very well, but had a deep concerned look on his face though (maybe because he had an hour to get to the Charlotte airport so he wouldn’t miss his flight). There may have been 7 – 10 supporters there though. There were 5 Ron Paul supporters to show up including myself. I was looking forward to the opportunity to hear him speak and at least get a picture with him and my daughter. A few others came out to question him on his pro-life voting record where he voted yes on a few Planned Parenthood earmarked bills. He said he would research those bills. I hope to see the references soon myself.

I hope to have my video up soon. He said a few things that concerned me, but until I see the video again, I’ll refrain from commenting.

On the non presidential front, Congressman Bob Inglis will be doing his monthly “Let’s Talk” at Wades on August 27th (noon), followed by a Town Hall meeting at the Boiling Springs Family Resource Center on the 28th (7 – 8:30).