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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

What is Dan Coats Hiding and Why is No One Paying Attention?

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  April 26th, 2010 at 11:00 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

One of the purposes of a primary is to get everything out there and let the voters of a party pick who they think is the best candidate to beat the Democrat.

To do that, voters need the essential information on a candidate. But Dan Coats is hiding some very key essential information from the voters. He does not want it out there until after the primary is over.

Why? What is he hiding?

Dan Coats is refusing to file his financial disclosure for the Senate. The deadline was weeks ago. At the time, Coats claimed he got bad advice (a pre-cursor of what is to come no doubt) and thought the deadline was different.

Still, weeks later and knowing the deadline was weeks ago, Dan Coats has failed to file his disclosure report. Now, even the Democrats are attacking him before the Republican primary, which gives you an indication of just how significant this is.

We know that Coats has lobbied for Democrat interests. We know, for example, he lobbied in favor of TARP and the stimulus. He is rumored to have financial interests that will benefit from Obamacare’s passage.

But to what extent? What don’t we know. There are lots of questions that can only be answered with his financial disclosures.

If Republican primary voters knew about those interests, they might not want Coats representing them. Is that why he’s trying to drag out his disclosure until after the primary?

What is Dan Coats hiding?

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COMMENTS

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  • jmell7

    It’s kind of funny. The people who know Dan Coats the best…Indiana voters…are on the verge of making him the Republican nominee for Senate. Next week we’ll know for sure.

    Yet others who don’t really know Dan Coats like to play the game of “if I don’t know something must mean it’s something bad.” I don’t know what is in those financial disclosures, but I do know Dan Coats is a very honorable man who most of Indiana trusts. Guess we’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong.

    Bottom line is that I understand there is this late push for Marlin Stutzman, but why can’t Marlin be pushed on his own merits without tearing down a good man who just happens to be older and pushed by the NRSC. This is just a really brilliant move on how to fire people up to take back a Democratic seat in Indiana. Let’s tear down the nominee…that will surely get people out to the polls.

  • sertelt

    One thing is for sure. Dan Coats is phenomenally pro-life and has the endorsement of James Dobson. He has always been well-liked by pro-life and pro-family leaders and led pro-life amendments in the Senate.

    See http://www.lifenews.com/nb285.html

  • sertelt

    One thing is for sure. Dan Coats is phenomenally pro-life and has the endorsement of James Dobson. He has always been well-liked by pro-life and pro-family leaders and led pro-life amendments in the Senate.

    See http://www.lifenews.com/nb285.html

  • Aaron Gardner

    Also, trust is a nice thing, blind faith is something totally different.

  • Aaron Gardner

    Do you have anything to say about the substance of this post?

  • indyjohn

    What Coats is no doubt hiding is that, after tucking his tail between his legs and running away from Evan Bayh, he cashed in on his political connections and has spent the last decade enriching himself in ways that, if known, would not meet with the approval of Indiana’s voters.
    Dan Coats has demonstrated by his actions that he is a willing and active participant in the D.C. political culture, which rewards those who play by its rules and don’t rock its taxpayer-funded boat.
    The people of Indiana need someone who will capsize the boat.
    The nominee will by Hostettler or Stutzman, don’t worry.

  • jfoyst

    There seems to be a sense of falling back on the old reliable candidates with name ID. I live in the 9th district (Baron Hill). Mike Sodrel seems to have support, not mine of course, but support, because of his name ID. As dumb as that sounds, it is my only thought as to why this is happening. There are much better candidates for senate and the 9th. Todd Young is my conservative choice for the 9th, he can win! Can Marlin Stutzman win? We will find out on May 4th.

  • jfoyst

    There seems to be a sense of falling back on the old reliable candidates with name ID. I live in the 9th district (Baron Hill). Mike Sodrel seems to have support, not mine of course, but support, because of his name ID. As dumb as that sounds, it is my only thought as to why this is happening. There are much better candidates for senate and the 9th. Todd Young is my conservative choice for the 9th, he can win! Can Marlin Stutzman win? We will find out on May 4th.

  • RedBeard

    Failure to make this info public now will only hurt Coats more later if he is the nominee. Why would he want to hand ammunition to the enemy?

    Coats should immediately file the disclosure and let the chips fall where they may. Continued stonewalling will only harm his chances.

  • pilgrim

    I never expected Indiana to have the opportunity to vote in some new fresh conservative people into Congress. Nobody saw it coming the announcement by Evan Bayh.
    Instead of going with retreads like Coats and Sodrel it would be nice to have some new conservatives elected from Indiana. Since you live in the 9th district, what do you think of Travis Hankins? If he gets support from Mike and Greg Pence, then I think that would very favorable for him.

    http://www.travishankins.com/bio.htm

  • Jay Foyst

    Hankins does not have the experience. He is just shouting platitudes from the rooftops. He has no details, no specifics, nothing but 3 or 4 phrases he uses over and over again. I have known Hankins for years. I also know Mike Pence, from being a radio guy for years. Pence is not the kind of guy to endorse in a primary, but wait and let the voters decide, then he will get behind them.

  • Jay Foyst

    Hankins does not have the experience. He is just shouting platitudes from the rooftops. He has no details, no specifics, nothing but 3 or 4 phrases he uses over and over again. I have known Hankins for years. I also know Mike Pence, from being a radio guy for years. Pence is not the kind of guy to endorse in a primary, but wait and let the voters decide, then he will get behind them.

  • RINKER

    Dan Coats is a GOOD MAN. He may not be your first choice, and I’m even pulling for Stutzman. Still, Dan Coats is no RINO. He is a solid conservative. Just because he is not your preferred candidate is no reason to pull these kind of sensational tactics.

  • Aaron Gardner

    Erick didn’t call Coats a RINO, now did he. All Erick did is ask why Coats is refusing to file his financial disclosure.

    Are we now not allowed to ask any questions of potential candidates in a primary.

    Please.

  • IJB

    If I were an IN voter I’d be disinclined to dump him – until I hear something *specific* he did wrong while in office, I see no reason why he’s not the best choice.

  • RINKER

    Who is putting words in mouths? I didn’t claim he did call him a RINO. The point I was making is that Coats is one of us, and doesn’t deserve this treatment. I could understand if Erick was going after a RINO, but he isn’t being fair to a decent man simply because it isn’t who HE wants. Let’s be mature about this.

  • bjasper

    While I wasn’t planning on visiting RedState until after the primary, I came across a video and link that is relevant to this post. In the spirit of “getting everything out there and let the voters of a party pick” this information is worth your time. This is a revealing interview with Stutzman:

    http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=FedupHoosier#p/u/0/7YXMDw6qeXM

    As I have stated before, Stutzman was the Republican institution choice who was kicked to the curb when they found Coats. Stutzman is merely the other side of the Coats coin.

    Also, while I thought Stutzman only took $156,000 in subsidies it turns out he and his father took over $1,000,000!! See the info at this link: http://hoosieraccess.com/blog/2010/04/22/of-farm-subsidies-and-tax-hikes/

    Had Redstate taken the time to actually investigate ALL the candidates in this race then the readers would have had the info to make an intelligent choice. As it is we have seen Redstate do all they can to prop up their RINO candidate in order to save face and attempt to preserve any remaining credibility. Redstate would have been miles ahead to have immediately acknowledged they have been mislead by Stutzman and to offer info and support of the real conservatives; Hostettler, Bates or Behney. It appears that Redstate jumped on the bandwagon without really knowing the candidate they decided to support. Even when others attempted to inform readers of the problems with Stutzman, Redstate took an “in your face” attitude and campaigned all the harder for Stutzman.

    Now we find ourselves days before and important primary vote, Redstate’s credibility spent and gone and conservatives left twisting in the wind. Take some time and check out the sites of the real conservatives who are running in this race:

    http://www.johnhostettler.com/

    http://www.richardbehney.com/

    http://www.donbatesjr.com/

    Unlike Coats and Stutzman history has shown, any of these three men will serve Indiana well.

  • Aaron Gardner

    Let’s do be mature about this. Erick is pointing out that Coats is already being attacked by the Democrats for not filing his financial disclosure, and your response is that Coats isn’t a RINO.

    No one made that argument, so why bring that into the discussion unless you were referring to that as one of these tactics that Erick was employing.

    You are the one who is lacking in maturity, as shown by your inability to address the substance of the post.

  • Phillep

    People suing to see Obama’s papers were denied based on them not having standing. This needs to change so we can make informed choices. Voters need to be able to demand relevant background documents on candidates.

  • bjasper

    Hi Jay!! Long time!!! I still have the same e-mail, drop me a line and let’s catch up.

  • RedBeard

    Or will you cash it?

  • Mayhem

    If there is a filing deadline, then surely there are repercussions (legally) for not meeting it. Why hasn’t the FEC stepped in and done something here?

  • Scope

    Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty.

  • Jay Foyst

    Good to see where are hanging out at the same right wing web sites! Vote for Todd Young on Tuesday, unless you are in Pence’s district. I cannot remember your email. Refresh me on that one..As far as Sodrel goes, he is not a BAD choice, there are better choices in IN-9. I attended a debate 2 weeks ago, Sodrel was arrogant, defensive of his record as the defecit went WAY up during his 2 years in office and his 12,000 plus earmarks he voted for. Plus Baron Hill has beaten Sodrel 4 out of 5 times for this seat, so we are ready for new blood conservatism in IN-9.

  • Jay Foyst

    Good to see where are hanging out at the same right wing web sites! Vote for Todd Young on Tuesday, unless you are in Pence’s district. I cannot remember your email. Refresh me on that one..As far as Sodrel goes, he is not a BAD choice, there are better choices in IN-9. I attended a debate 2 weeks ago, Sodrel was arrogant, defensive of his record as the defecit went WAY up during his 2 years in office and his 12,000 plus earmarks he voted for. Plus Baron Hill has beaten Sodrel 4 out of 5 times for this seat, so we are ready for new blood conservatism in IN-9.

  • RINKER

    This is not the first post slamming Coats. Since Coats is a true conservative, why not pump up the merits of Stutzman without trashing Coats. THAT is my point. I’m FOR STUTZMAN, btw.

  • vital0gy

    Every few days we get to open up Redstate and see another article against Dan Coats. Pretty reminiscent of the same tactics used against Bob Bennett. Dan Coats is NO Bob Bennett. I understand that many people from outside of Indiana seem to despise the guy, but this is OUR primary. The people of Indiana will decide this race!

  • Aaron Gardner

    Address the substance of the post. Don’t cry about unnamed tactics that you think Erick may be using, but make no attempt to actually prove.

    I don’t care who you are voting for.

  • RINKER

    I’m not really a fan of the tone here. Redstate doesn’t speak for all conservatives, and to act with such a tone towards anyone who supports Coats OR someone like me who supports Stutzman but not the tactics… not good. I think the Redstate mods need to take a chill pill.

  • Aaron Gardner

    So why aren’t you writing revealing diaries about the candidates?

    If you think Erick is doing a disservice by providing information to the voters then you should write a counter argument for your candidates in the diaries section.

  • Aaron Gardner

    You haven’t addressed the substance of the post at all.

    Politics ain’t beanbag.

  • RINKER

    why are you being so nasty? …and to a fellow conservative? Just because we don’t agree about Erick’s post? You aren’t going to swing many people to our cause with your attitude.

    Erick has slammed Coats with several posts. He should be praising Stutzman instead of trashing Coats. Coats is a decent man.

  • Aaron Gardner

    If so, then I guess I am nasty.

  • bjasper

    I’m now in Pence’s district. We moved!

    The polling data on the 9th shows a massive lopsided victory for Sodrel. Neither Young nor Hankins is even a blip in Sodrel’s mirror. Young and Hankins are polling in the teens while Sodrel is in the high 40′s. Sodrel’s numbers are also heavy against Hill, so it seems Sodrel will be your guy. Hankins is being exposed for the fraud he is too. I wish Young would win it though. That would be my choice.

    I wish Redstate would have researched our senate race before prostituting themselves for Stutzman. See my post below for info showing Stutzman as the RINO he is. Be careful on this site, there are a lot of people who are only here to make personal attacks on any one who isn’t for their candidate. Then they wonder by are side can’t win or govern even if we do win!!

  • vital0gy

    I think Coats is wrong for not filing. What rubs me the wrong way is the lopsided view that Erik presents. If there was a similar issue with Stutzman would we see it on the Front Page? I guess I see both Coats and Stutzman as solid conservatives. I thought the purpose of Redstate is to get conservative Republicans elected. I see the Front Page as tearing down one conservative in order to build up another. To be honest, I still haven’t made up my mind on who to cast my vote for in the primary. It would be nice if the Front Page focused on positives/negatives for each of the candidates instead of all positive for one and all negative for another when both are Conservatives.

  • bjasper

    Hi Rinker
    Unfortunately, there are 2 or 3 people who have nothing to do but monitor this site with the intent to trash people. Notice it’s always the same few people getting immature with everyone. Our time is better spent at other sites which have the interest of conservatives and Indiana at heart. Redstate is not that site!!

  • RINKER

    Stop being a smart-aleck, Aaron. We probably agree on 98% of things.

    The headline screams “WHAT IS DAN COATS HIDING”. There is no need to go after a good man by implying he is sleazy or unethical.

  • Aaron Gardner

    And our goal isn’t just to get a conservative in office … our goal is to get the *most* conservative candidate in office.

    You are free to highlight any candidate you want in anyway you would like to. You are given that ability just be being a member of this community. It is you who has dropped the ball by not doing so, not Erick.

  • zzbigreddogzz

    Does your ego have any checks on it at all? Any?

    I remember when you first went apespit on Coats and people rightly criticized you for it. You kept insisting you weren’t attacking Coats, you just thought the NRSC wasn’t thinking straight…or something (your argument never really made sense).

    Well, I guess we can get rid of that pretense. You’ve personally attacked him for just about everything under the sun, weight of the evidence or facts be damned. Want to try to charge him with the Kennedy Assassination next?

  • Aaron Gardner

    All I asked was that people address the substance of the post.

  • RINKER

    Coats is a decent conservative. I agree that new blood is needed, though, and if I lived in Indiana, I’d vote for Stutzman. I even watched the GOP debate on C-Span Friday night. While I’m hoping Stutzman wins, he didn’t perform well in the debate, IMO.
    When it comes to CONSERVATIVE Republicans, I agree with Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment: Thou shalt not speak evil of thy fellow Republican.

  • Aaron Gardner

    The headline was in direct relation to an action/inaction by Coats.

    Maybe you don’t care what Coats has been doing since he left D.C., but that doesn’t mean that by Erick asking the question that the questio is off limits.

  • RINKER

    On what issue is Stutzman more conservative than Coats?

    And if someone is 98% conservative and another candidate is 98.5% conservative, it is okay and reasonable to go after and trash the candidate who is 98% conservative??? Some of us do not agree.

  • zzbigreddogzz

    He’s been an Ambassador and a lawyer lobbyist. He’s also helped Bush with judicial appointments.

    BTW, this “lobbyist” = evil logic is just about as compelling when Republicans use it as when Obama uses it to demonize people he disagrees with.

    No, I am not a lobbyist.

  • RINKER

    .

  • Aaron Gardner
  • zzbigreddogzz

    I thought so too. Eric seems to have changed it to “get people Eric Erickson likes for whatever reason elected”

  • Aaron Gardner

    Him being a lobbyist isn’t the issue. It’s that he won’t release his financial disclosures.

    You are correct that being a lobbyist doesn’t = evil. Coats should embrace that line of logic and submit his overdue financial disclosures to prove that point.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • vital0gy

    I agree with the goal of getting the *most* conservative candidate in office. Rasmussen has Coats +21 against Ellsworth with 9 undecided, while Stutzman is +5 against Ellsworth with 16 undecided. I understand that gives Stutzman room to grow as long as the undecideds break his way. However, November is still a long way off and a lot can change. If I had to pick between a conservative candidate that WILL take Indiana back, and one that might…. well, it’s hard to go against what works.

  • Aaron Gardner

    But Coats is guaranteed? I hope you see where that line of logic fails.

  • jmell7

    I just don’t see the logic in running down one conservative amongst multiple conservatives in a primary. What does that get us besides depressing turnout come the general because we’ve torn down our nominee?

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    Site administrator here.

    You *will* be respectful, or be banned.

    Your call.

  • RedBeard
  • vital0gy

    My point is only that there is more cushion starting out with Coats. It’s healthy to debate the merits of candidates, but that isn’t what’s being here. Its more along the lines of “My guy is awesome” and “The other guy sucks”. If that’s the way the FP feels about Coats then I suspect they won’t be endorsing him if he wins the primary. Its kind of hard to kick a guy in the groin every few days, and then shake his hand when circumstances change against your position.

  • SCGOP

    Travis Hankins is one of the top conservative candidates in the entire country. Hankins is the type of Republuican we need to get this party on the right track.

  • SCGOP

    Hankins offers more detailed specifics than just about any candidate in the country. Can’t you read?

    www.travishankins.com

  • Jay Foyst

    I do believe that whoever wins on the GOP side will better a vast improvement from Baron “you are not going to tell me how to run my congressional office” Hill, but I do wish we could get a fresh face in the seat, like Todd Young, that is why I am actively supporting him, going door to door in my “hood”. As far as the senate race, It is the GOP’s to lose. We will accept who wins the primary on May 4th. I have noticed that Redstate does seem to back candidates that really don’t have a prayer of winning, why is that?

  • Aaron Gardner

    Coats is the one who hasn’t submitted his financial disclosure, how is that Erick’s fault?

    Or is it your contention that we should just ignore any possible wrong doing by Coats because he has an “R”next to his name?

  • Jay Foyst

    Yes, I can read. Hankins is not a good candidate. He is sophmoric at best. He may have a decent web site, in person he makes a bad impression. A nice kid, but needs to have some sort of a resume’. He has done nothing. He is only 28 and needs to do something to prove he is worthy of a vote. Whoever wins is “going into Satan’s Lair”, I am going with the ex-marine, Todd Young.

  • liberty2208

    Todd Young is a liberal Lugar Republican who does not take a conservative position on anything. Liberal Young is a puppet of the country club set who can’t stand real conservatives.

  • Jay Foyst

    besides you saying so. Yes, he did work for Lugar (the crime?). As per usual when you don’t have any facts, start name calling, very nice liberty. Young is on a board of a pro life ministry, volunteers his legal services to help people adopt, served for 10 years, proudly in the marines, Oh….because he is not poor, that makes him part of the “country club”.

  • RINKER

    It is okay for him to talk down to a poster? I expect he will be banned for not being respectful, too?

  • Christine (Trelaina)

    The old “but he’s just as bad as me” arguement.

    I predict arrival of the blamstick in 3…2..

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    But the rule stands with respect to you. End of discussion.

  • RINKER

    I tried to make a point about erick’s post being over the top, and I get blasted by Aaron. I’m not saying he is “just as bad as me”. I did nothing wrong.

  • RINKER

    Please explain.
    This is silly.

  • Aaron Gardner

    All the while never addressing the actual substance of the post.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • bjasper

    Jay back away slowly…. don’t make any sudden moves…. this site is full of crazies!!!

    On another topic, my wife tells me a lot of people have been trying to get ahold you (4H etc.). Get my number out of the book and call me. I’m not about to put any personal info on this site with these nutjobs. No wonder the left thinks conservatives are all a bunch of crazies!!

  • acat

    .. it’s just fine that the media didn’t do more digging into Obama’s background back when he was a statehouse guy running for Senate?

    I mean, the media are liberals, and they failed to tear down a fellow lib.. right?

    Seriously, the Dems are already going after Coates over this. Conservative or not, something stinks on ice here, and it’s not Red State.

    Mew

  • RINKER

    The mature comment was meant that I thought Erick implying Coats was shady was not mature. It didn’t refer to you.
    The nasty comment was in a reference to your tone in each of your responses to me. You have come across as pretty terse, and I don’t think my comments warranted your terseness.
    The smart aleck comment was because I felt I had made my point and you kept saying I had not.
    I’ll be a big enough man to say I’M SORRY IF I OFFENDED YOU.

    Are we all happy conservatives now??????????

  • RINKER

    As a fellow conservative, it would be helpful to foster discussion among FELLOW CONSERVATIVES if – when we disagree with Redstate’s position – we don’t get jumped on. Just a suggestion.
    As for Aaron, see my post above.

  • RINKER

    If smart aleck is SO DEEPLY OFFENSIVE I will not use the term again. (See, I can be one, too. lol)

  • Aaron Gardner
  • Aaron Gardner
  • pilgrim
  • Aaron Gardner
  • RINKER

    You don’t think you’ve been rather terse with me and others in this post?
    I apologized for calling you a smart aleck. If you expect me to grovel, forget it. I’ve done my part.

    Others here have agreed with my post, and I feel like I have addressed the substance of my argument. Fully. Let’s just agree to disagree, Aaron. We’re on the same side here.

  • vital0gy

    If you look upthread, I said that I agree that Coats is wrong here. What I didn’t agree with is the continual drumbeat of negative press on here in regard to Coats. I’d bet you a Reese’s peanut butter cup that I wouldn’t see the same story on Stutzman if the roles were reversed. I’d wager that I won’t see a single FP article questioning anything that Stutzman does. I’d bet more, but it’s all I’ve got left over from my Easter basket.

  • Aaron Gardner

    You should have stopped after sorry, or used “that” instead of “if”.

    Also, you did address the substance of *your* post. Too bad that’s not what I asked for.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • Aaron Gardner

    Look, this is a very simple thing … Coats has baggage that is going to be exposed.

    It’s either going to happen in the primary when we can do something about it, or it is going to happen in the general when we can’t.

    This is the entire point of primary elections.

  • aesthete

    and respectful way that others have put it, I, too, am curios as to why you’re so supportive of Stutzmann, and why you despise Coats so much. The headline of this article is (perhaps unintentionally) deceptive, and the many other front-page diaries assume a priori that Coats is not a conservative, and that Stutzmann is conservative. Non-sequiturs about financial disclosure notwithstanding, I would like to see a conservative case for Stutzmann, a conservative case against Coats, or any combination of posts which would give us some insight into your seemingly excessive criticisms of Coats. The criticism which you have received from people who live and vote in Indiana makes this an even greater concern, and I think that your readership would greatly appreciate an explanation.

  • aesthete
  • vital0gy

    I didn’t want to have to give away my last Reese’s anyways :)

  • Aaron Gardner
  • Bill S

    And this clown is a prime example.

    You folks are just making it clear that Erick’s position on Stutzman was the right one. A more nuanced argument might get some more ears, but crap like this just cements it.

  • Jay Foyst

    I will look you up Brian. I sometimes wonder why I keep coming in here, it must be like looking at an accident along the highway, you can’t stop looking! I think RedState does a good job on somethings, like capturing video you may not see elsewhere. Erick is now on CNN so my odds of seeing him are well….zero. I had more people over for dinner Saturday Night (3), then watch CNN. If a tree falls in the forest….well you see where I am going…

  • Jay Foyst

    I will look you up Brian. I sometimes wonder why I keep coming in here, it must be like looking at an accident along the highway, you can’t stop looking! I think RedState does a good job on somethings, like capturing video you may not see elsewhere. Erick is now on CNN so my odds of seeing him are well….zero. I had more people over for dinner Saturday Night (3), then watch CNN. If a tree falls in the forest….well you see where I am going…

  • Aaron Gardner
  • Bill S
  • RedBeard

    By not filing his disclosure on time, and failing to do so even now, Coats opens himself up to some very legitimate questions. If he’s not hiding anything, why not file?

    My best guess, and it’s only a guess, is that Coats wants to stall on releasing info on some not-so-conservative political associations, in hopes of attracting conservative primary voters who might be put off by the revelations. Then, after securing the primary, he hopes the disclosures will actually help attract some Democrat and independent voters, while conservatives will then have no other option but to vote for him in the general election despite the revelations.

    Speculation? Of course it is. But it is speculation brought on by Coats’ own actions. Or more accurately by his inactions.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    You’re right about this one being an idiot though. Even cockroaches run and hide when the light is turned on.

  • aesthete

    but I’ve already read all of those articles. The fullest explanation given by Erick is that Coats’ resume as a lobbyist, a retread, and an NRSC adoptee are an imaging problem., and that fresh blood in Congress is a benefit. I myself share those impulses in my support of Jim Ward over David Schweikert (AZ-05). However, I keep seeing Erick make reference to conservatives, as if this is a fight that should have national priority for them , and I don’t understand why it should. Like I said, most of the Indiana conservatives have taken Erick to task for this reason, and I’d like to hear Erick’s rebuttal, or more accurately, a comprehensive explanation of what his standards are in a Senate candidate, and why Coats is so poorly living up to them. Attacking Coats with the level of vitriol that is used for criticism of Crist or Bennett does Coats and conservatives a disservice, unless there are reasons that I am unaware of. All that I ask is that Erick clue me in on those reasons, so that I may agree, disagree, or fall somewhere in between, but at least be better informed as to where Erick, a conservative that I respect, is coming from.

  • Aaron Gardner

    To me this has been very clear for some time.

    Erick and Senator DeMint are attempting to take down the leadership of the party that has tacked ever leftward in their search for electoral success.

    In order for this to be a success they have opted to endorse candidates that are anti-establishment Conservatives, rather than RINO’s, Standard issue Republicans, or even just establishment Conservatives such as Coats.

    The overall goal is to reform our own party from within so as to not allow it to be destroyed by the current crop of squish leaders.

    Quite simply put, we are working to avoid another 40 years in the wilderness.

  • Swamp_Yankee

    I guess they both flubbed their filings.

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36357.html

    I guess all candidates have flaws. I don’t care about Dan’s problem anymore then I do Marlin’s. All politicians will make mistakes. But the unknown is always more alluring then the known.

  • Aaron Gardner

    Here is what they say today, per your link…

    Stutzman told POLITICO that he raised $125,000 during the first three months of the year and had about $70,000 in the bank.

    That assertion proved to be optimistic, at best, or a fib, at worst: According to Stutzman’s first-quarter filing with the Federal Election Commission, the legislator only took in $78,260 and had a paltry $14,227 on hand.

    Here’s what was said in the previous Politico article that your link links to…

    Stutzman, a state senator and tea party favorite, told POLITICO he has about $70,000 left in the bank for the five-way GOP primary that’s now just over two weeks away. Stutzman plans to begin spending a significant chunk of that limited war chest Tuesday, going up with ads featuring biographical information and an endorsement from Indiana Right to Life.

    Seems to me Politico is spinning their own spin.

  • Aaron Gardner

    I totally would have taken your Reese’s. ;)