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Campaign Crawlers
Iowa Calling
Can Herman Cain revive his campaign in the Hawkeye State?
Charlie Gruschow called Tuesday, eager to clarify the terms of his departure from the staff of Herman Cain’s Republican presidential campaign in Iowa. “I have tremendous respect for Herman Cain,” said Gruschow, founder of the Des Moines Tea Party and one of the earliest backers of the Atlanta businessman’s effort in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. Gruschow re-affirmed his support for Cain’s candidacy but resigned his staff position because, as he says he told the campaign’s chief of staff Mark Block in a meeting last week, “my heart’s not in this anymore.”
By “this,” Gruschow meant the day-to-day business of campaign operations, which have been hampered in Iowa by conflicts involving some former Cain staffers. While the staff departures (Gruschow’s was the fifth resignation in the past week) generated some headlines depicting the campaign as “unraveling,” the situation for Cain isn’t remotely comparable to the sudden implosion of Newt Gingrich’s campaign last month, when virtually the entire Gingrich staff resigned en masse. Cain’s spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael called the personnel changes “growing pains” in a campaign that went from its official launch May 21 to a second-quarter fundraising total of nearly $2.5 million (and third place in the Des Moines Register poll) in less than two months. The candidate himself described the staff departures as “not a major hiccup” to the campaign.
“Turnover is a natural thing in any organization you’re trying to put together,” Cain told a Des Moines TV station during a weekend visit to Iowa. Tuesday the campaign announced a new state director, Larry Tuel, and three other new Iowa staffers, as well as plans to open its first Iowa headquarters office next week in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale.
Tensions and turmoil in campaign staff are hardly rarities in the world of politics. Gruschow didn’t want to point fingers — he speaks well of his erstwhile colleagues — but other Iowa Republicans did not hesitate to assign blame and name names. The resignations of Cain’s former top two Iowa staffers, Tina Goff and Kevin Hall, were “the best thing that could happen” to Cain, said one Iowa GOP activist, who said the pair were “hated” by many of the campaign’s grassroots supporters. Other Iowa sources complained of Goff’s temperament, and suggested that she and the campaign’s former regional director, Jim Zeiler, who also resigned last week, had sought to undermine Gruschow’s status within the Iowa organization. The perceived mistreatment of Gruschow caused “devastating” negative word-of-mouth about the Cain campaign among volunteers loyal to the Tea Party leader. Yet Gruschow himself remains enthusiastic about Cain’s presidential prospects, warmly recalling how he helped bring the retired Godfather’s Pizza CEO to speak at last year’s Fourth of July Tea Party rally in Des Moines.
Perceptions of trouble in the Cain campaign were aggravated by negative coverage of the past week’s resignations, including a Sunday story in Politico which contained a sentence about “swirling rumors between Cain’s staff and volunteers in the Hawkeye State accusing each other of affairs, homosexuality and professional misconduct.” Cain’s staff was incensed about Politico’s reporting, which cited no substantiation for the “swirling rumors.” As far as the accusation of “homosexuality,” that was perhaps a reference to the easily discovered fact that Scott Toomey, who served as executive director of Cain’s exploratory committee but is no longer on the campaign staff, was once treasurer of a gay-rights group in Wisconsin.
Some suspect the rumor-mongering was the work of Republican rivals attempting to weaken Cain’s support among Iowa’s influential Christian conservative movement. Opposition researchers and supporters of other GOP campaigns have been busy disseminating whatever negative information can be dug up about Cain, whose lack of previous experience in public office make him a tabula rasa in terms of a legislative record. Libertarian supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul especially like to paint Cain’s former membership on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in a sinister light, while Cain’s support for the 2008 TARP bank bailout is also a frequent target of critics. Such attacks mounted sharply after Cain’s strong performance in the May 5 South Carolina debate boosted his profile in the GOP field.
However, while hostile attacks did little to damage Cain’s surging popularity, many of his Iowa supporters were discouraged by what several Republicans in the state describe as “missed opportunities” resulting from ineffective staff work. Steve Deace, a conservative activist and former Des Moines talk-radio host, said he doesn’t think Cain can rebuild his Iowa operation, and explained why. “You’re talking about a finite number of people,” Deace says of experienced Republican campaign operatives in Iowa. In 2008, “we had a record turnout [for the GOP caucuses] and 120,000 people voted. There’s just not enough activists to have version 3.0 of your campaign — especially with [Texas Gov.] Rick Perry’s people calling now, and [former Alaska Gov.] Sarah Palin’s people have quietly put together a grassroots team.”
The entry of Perry into the 2012 race is considered a near-certainty by many Republican campaign-watchers, and while those same observers think a Palin candidacy less likely, Deace said he had been told by Palin’s top Iowa organizer that it’s “100 percent” certain she’ll be getting in, too. Either one of these big-name late entries would have a huge impact in Iowa; if both jumped in, it would cause a cataclysmic upheaval in the GOP presidential landscape.
Such possibilities highlight the fact that it is still rather early in the election cycle. The Iowa caucuses are seven months away — Feb. 6, 2012 — and seven months ago, few of the campaign-watchers expected that early July would find Herman Cain having raised more money than Newt Gingrich or out-polling former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in Iowa. What Cain has accomplished so far would have seemed too miraculous to predict seven months ago. Those who see the Cain campaign’s recent troubles as a harbinger of doom might pause to remember that five years ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer, the odds of his surviving were arguably worse than the odds now of his becoming president.
Today, Cain is flying to Las Vegas, where he will speak this weekend at the Conservative Leadership Conference — Nevada is an early primary state next year — and the trip will also afford an opportunity for his staff to gather and plan the road ahead, his spokeswoman said. After that, Cain returns to Iowa to open his new Hawkeye State headquarters, and open another chapter in his against-the-odds campaign.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
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Stan Redmond| 7.6.11 @ 10:09AM
I sure hope so. I do like Herman Cain. I always enjoyed when he filled in for Sean Hannity. He reminds me of a high strung Fred Thompson (who I supported over the pathetic McCain).
Alan Brooks| 7.6.11 @ 11:32AM
A black conservative can win. However as Ed mentioned below, he has little knowledge and no experience of Defense and NS. We will see: a black conservative running against a black liberal would see the fur fly.
But it is premature to say. A woman might win the nomination; and both a woman and a black might be on the GOP ticket. Or latino/latina.
And James Watt will say, "we've got a black, a woman, a cripple..."
Stan Redmond| 7.6.11 @ 3:15PM
That's why presidents have a chief joints of staff [sic]. There aren't a whole lot of presidents who have had defense experience.
And my God. Why must every conservative republican be torn down with "not enough experience in. LOOK AT OBAMA [pbuh].
Redstateboy| 7.6.11 @ 4:05PM
Blacks will then have a challenge won't they Brooks.. vote for someone with experience creating jobs or stick with the welfare Messiah and the way your Slave Party has been promoting dependency for 50 years.. it's gonna be tough.
Quartermaster| 7.6.11 @ 5:11PM
They'll stick with the welfare messiah. Their votes are already bought.
Drunken Sailor| 7.6.11 @ 12:26PM
Same here Stan, unfortunately for us, Fred ran out of steam.
Jack in Wi.| 7.6.11 @ 7:37PM
Herman Cain has never benn elected to anything. He will never get the nominationa and if he did would implode. We don't need anyone who was a member of the board of the FED and defended the 2008 bailouts. Herman is a nice man who should run for something in Georgia and see if he can beat anybody first.
chuck| 7.6.11 @ 10:05PM
Gotta disagree, first and foremost, he is a businessman who is used to solving problems. We've had enough career politicians, and look what they have done with the country. I'm more than ready to have an intelligent and successful businessman run the country. You need to get over the Fed thing. It serves a purpose, and if you eliminate it, wtf would you replace it with?
Would you please think that one through?
Ed| 7.6.11 @ 10:28AM
I like Herman Cain also, but he really does need to get up to speed on Defense and National Security issues.
Harry the Horrible| 7.6.11 @ 3:10PM
I always figured that was SecDef, the Joint Chiefs, and the National Security Advisor were for - getting (and keeping) the President up to speed on national security.
Besides, he couldn't be worse than Pres. Obama.
Redstateboy| 7.6.11 @ 4:35PM
You know I laugh about this non-sense about "getting up to speed" about foreign and national security blah, blah, blah.. when we've got a Moron currently in the White House with Zero experience in anything other thank being a Professional Community Organizer.
TURK| 7.6.11 @ 10:39AM
The "rumor mongering" suspiciously reported by Politico, can be dealt with by using the common sense adage---consider the source!! Politico takes great pride in negative opining in re Repubs(and thats what it is NOT reporting). Like the NYT left lovers today reporting on the Bush-Perry feud-----consider the source! In both instances we see the leftmedia tipping their hand. They(the left) are scared s---less of Perry and Herman Cain. Both now will be subject to tons of excrement ala Sarah Palin. To these cluck cluckers of the leftist press AND a few sniffy Repubs, I would say if the Repub candidates ar so weak, how come you all have to trash so many of them??
I LOVE Herman Cain; Perry; Sarah;Bachman;Pawlenty;Rudy!!! My head spins with all the good choices. Of course, as the Great One has said---Elmer Fudd would be a great choice over the leftist monster we got stuck with!
Margie| 7.6.11 @ 12:45PM
GREAT post. Couldn't agree with you more.
I also appreciate the comment about the need of others to trash those they fear.
Good point!
Prester John| 7.6.11 @ 11:20AM
Professional political types disliking each other, arguing over strategy, and spreading rumors??
Oh the humanity!!
"Stupid people are ruining America:
Herman Cain 2012
Melvin| 7.6.11 @ 11:21AM
For the life of me I cannot understand, in why Herman's message can't resonate with Americans. Well, for one main reason the it's the media, in which according to their in depth analysis all Republicans are inbred, toothless hayseeds.
Herman Cain has articulated what he is going to do to get our economy going again, the other Republican candidates speak in vague don't pin them down policy generalities.
The media and even Republicans get bogged down with the minutia of, "Can we really deal with a Mormon as President?"
A whole news cycle with very serious thinkers, will sit there and rub there chins. "Weeelllllll I don't know, could we assume that Mitt just might, have a second or third wife hidden somewhere across the United States. Could the Country be ready for that sort of thing?"
Herman can only do so much, if the Republican Party Leadership and the RNC don't support him, he isn't going anywhere.
Before all the chin rubbers decide to crap or get off the pot the election will be over and we'll be stuck with boy genius for another four years.
Then the chin rubbers in the Republican Party leadership will be asking themselves, "Welllllll, whaaaa, whaaaat happened, we just didn't get our message out."
"Well you stupid political jackasses, Herman Cain is trying to get his message out, but your too butt blind, and stupid to pay attention."
Herman Cain doesn't sugar coat things, he says what needs to be said, even it is unpopular. He's truthful, and sincere. He doesn't play that insider crap that inside the beltway crown loves to play and this is one of the main reasons that Herman is loathed by that bunch, because they know if Herman is President they probably won't be invited to the White House Christmas Party.
I am loath to people, who don't support a candidate who wants Americans to keep more of what they earn, lower taxes, get government off our backs, reduce government regulations, and put the economy on track again to turn our small businesses loose.
Melvin| 7.6.11 @ 11:27AM
Oh, almost forgot, this is a message to you professional political geniuses that get candidates elected. "Come close to your computer monitor so I can slap the dog squeeze out of you, because your personal feelings got hurt, because Herman wasn't rubbing your rhubarb and telling you while wiping your tears of how important you are to the campaign. Your paid to get Herman Cain elected President of the United States so get off your lazy self-asborbed ass and make that happen." After Herman gets elected President then he can make you feel important.
Oldefarte| 7.6.11 @ 11:29AM
As a former corporate CEO, Cain no doubt knows how to overcome/repalce these staff turnover problems, so same should not be too much of a problem for someone of his professional experience. His attack ad against the personae of the president was extremely beneficial IMO, and if he follow up personally with the same type agenda, his popularity should soar accordingly. That to me is/should be his strength in his political confrontation with the philosophy/policies of this president [which is anti-American, anti-capitalism, anti-Christian religion,etc]!!!!!!!!!!
Prester John| 7.6.11 @ 11:43AM
What is more important, IMHO, is that when pressed a bit over the ad this last weekend on Fox News, HE REFUSED TO APOLOGIZE for it or otherwise soften the message.
Refreshing.
Drunken Sailor| 7.6.11 @ 12:29PM
Stood his ground like Regan used to. It's about time somebody figured out that this is the correct way to do this. Nice to see a politician call them like he sees them, without any apology.
Margie| 7.6.11 @ 12:54PM
God bless America!
Herman Cain & The Gettysburg Address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_twU2O95yU
Stirling| 7.6.11 @ 1:47PM
Thanks, Margie: have only one complaint... like ads and announcements on radio (do not have tv) someone is ALWAYS playing background (music,etc.) too darned LOUD! unnecessary, and sure screws up the presentation!
Margie| 7.6.11 @ 1:56PM
I know. I thought it was too loud as well, but thought it worthwhile, anyway.
I was actually searching for the YouTube where Mr. Cain hosted I think it was Neil Boortz' radio program, but couldn't find it, and came across the above.
I first heard him speak on that show, a few months ago, and fell in love with him. He reminded me of Ronald Reagan so much! He has his smarts, plus he's business savvy, and understands what needs to be done in order to get this country back on track.
We don't have t.v. either~ one of the best decisions we ever made.
I'll look for that video later if I can~ I thought it'd be a great intro to him for those who may not have yet heard him.
Oldefarte| 7.6.11 @ 5:22PM
IMO, his greatest asset is simply that he has read/analyzed many, many income statements, balance sheets and financial papers/reports as a corporate CEO/player/employee; and that when confronted with one/same, he will not respond.......HUH, WHAT'S THAT? His ideas on repatrioting oversees profits [and not taxing same when same are brought back into this country] from multi-national corporations that fail to do so currently because same profits will be taxed is extrmely beneficial to jumpstarting this country's economy!!!!!!!
cowgirl| 7.6.11 @ 11:33AM
Go Herman!!! If he doesn't win the presidential nomination and the Presidency, then the Republican nominee who wins the Presidency should put Herman in charge of the Treasury Department. The man knows how run a business, meet a payroll, make common sense decisions and pays his Federal Income taxes. What a change from the crook who is running the Treasury Department now...
Appleby| 7.6.11 @ 1:48PM
An excellent suggestion. I would not vote for him for President, but I think he would make a great head honcho in a field he knows well.
Stirling| 7.6.11 @ 1:50PM
cowgirl: yea, only hope that whomever becomes Pres. will have enough truly honest persons nearby from which to replace the multitude of crooked dudes now in place by O.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.6.11 @ 2:06PM
I assume you've all seen his long-form birth certificate, interviewed his parents, checked out his fingerpaints and noodle art and are genuinely convinced he's an American?
Drunken Sailor| 7.6.11 @ 2:11PM
Not yet, but then again it shouldn't be hard. He hasn't filed any legal motions to bury and hide his past. We will get to it just as soon as we find Obama's grades that back up the claim of how intelligent he is. That may take awhile so be patient
Kelly Staples| 7.6.11 @ 3:15PM
Mitt, the authentic phony, must be stopped. If Herman is up to the task, then good for him. But as Mr. McCain points out, the real heavyweights aren't even in the ring yet. Palin/Perry 2012.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 7.6.11 @ 4:06PM
Oh, yes, PLEASE, let Sarah the Heavyweight lead the Republican ticket.
It'll make McGovern's 1972 showing look good but a heckuva lot more amusing.
Pzkfw| 7.6.11 @ 3:39PM
Someone explain how "turning around" a pizza company makes you a candidate for president. Sounds too close to community organizer to me.
BTW, he "turned around" the pizza company by closing hundreds of store and laying off thousands of workers. Unless he's going to do that the federal government, this guy is no choice.
TrueBlue| 7.6.11 @ 5:24PM
That's exactly what SHOULD be done with the federal government though, so I'm not seeing what the problem is. I'm not sure how running a corporation compares in the slightest to community organizer though. The US used to be a capitalist society, in the years when the rest of the world respected us (back until shortly before WW2, and without us having to be PC), so it seems to me that putting a businessman in charge would be a good way to point the country back to that path.
He also hasn't claimed to have all the answers, doesn't apologize for the things he says, and has experience surrounding himself with competent people.
Pzkfw| 7.6.11 @ 6:37PM
Sorry, I manage an IT consulting unit. I focus on putting people to work, not solving a business problem by getting rid of staff to save the bottom line. I'll never understand how "CEOs" get credit for "saving" a company by gutting the workers. All they give a sh*t about is maintaining the share price by making the P&L and Balance Sheet look good for wall street.
I'll take a warrior like George Washington over a capitalist every time. We need a ceasar, not a Chief Execution Officer. No matter how much conservative blather comes out of their mouth.
TrueBlue| 7.7.11 @ 12:29PM
When it's a matter of employing more people and having to pay more in taxes because of it I don't have an issue with downsizing. That's the government's fault for putting larger and larger taxes onto companies, not the company's fault for wanting to actually turn a profit like every business is supposed to.
I understand unemployment payments by the company, but Social Security and Medicare? The company isn't going to be able to collect that since it's not a person, why is it paying into the system?
That aside, the fact he did downsize a company(regardless of how you feel on the subject) shows me that he is more willing to do so with the government, which was my actual point, and what I want to see happen. We don't need more spending and more taxes, we need less government.
TrueBlue| 7.7.11 @ 12:32PM
Also, if it comes down to saving the company or downsizing the workforce, why are you opposed to it? Would you prefer the company go belly-up instead so even MORE people are out of work?
Occam's Tool| 7.7.11 @ 4:06PM
Pzkfw: It's called meeting a payroll. Our problems with our military are logistical. Our problems with our intake/outflow are logistical. We don't need a Caesar: we need a Grant or Sheridan: warriors who were 1st quatermasters. Cain was a quartermaster type.
John | 7.6.11 @ 5:58PM
Mr. Cain, it's time to quit, doing so, give us a break from Mr. Cain's phony conservative rant. We don't need another John Mccain, we need Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry, who will win and save America.
chuck| 7.6.11 @ 10:12PM
You are completely wrong! I'm from Georgia, and supported Herman Cain when he ran for Senate. He was by far the most conservative candidate in that race. Unfortunately, he lost to Isackson, who is more of a moderate.
You probably have never listened to Cain, I have. He had his own radio show, and filled in for Neil Boortz many of times. He's the real deal.
bill glass| 7.6.11 @ 6:16PM
There's no question that the bad pub about staff leaving hurts with the political insiders that Iowa has for it's caucus and all...but it's important for Herman to stay the course, because he could have a real respectable showing, and do even better in S. Carolina; all while on the campaign, gathering attention, and blistering the paint off Obamao.
patroness| 7.6.11 @ 8:40PM
Women for Cain bumper sticker still on my car!
chuck| 7.6.11 @ 10:15PM
Neil Boortz sports a Honkies for Herman sticker on his car.
I want one!(or Crackers for Cain)
Speedypete| 7.6.11 @ 10:36PM
Listened to Cain speeches on YouTube. My wife and I would vote for this self made genuine working man in a heartbeat.
dennis logan| 7.6.11 @ 11:04PM
Cain has .0001%, repeat .0001% chance of becoming President of the United States. He should run for Governor and get some experience in Government(such as it is...) In my opinion.
TrueBlue| 7.7.11 @ 12:31PM
No thanks, seen what establishment and union types do when they get into government. I'm for trying something new.
POST American| 7.7.11 @ 2:04AM
---Putting aside for a moment the 'on show'
facets of this figure for a moment---
TAKE NOTE
'Cain' ---Mc 'Cain' ---'ROD'-ham Clint-IN
'BAR----ROCK' 'Oh----BAMA' ------beating
around the treason 'BUSH' --and onward,
to be served the BILL as we're pushed through
the GATES.
Understand kiddies, the 'Big Boys' of Globalization and
EUGENICS ---love wordplay.
Esp. when things are DEADLY sear---E---US.
REALLY
Understand, remember --and DON'T FORGET...
Morten In Illinois| 7.7.11 @ 2:02PM
I think Mr. Cain would be an excellent choice for President. With Bachmann or West as a running mate, he would win in a landslide.
bags| 7.8.11 @ 4:27AM
We don't need anyone who was a member of the board of the FED and defended the 2008 bailouts. Herman is a nice man who should run for something in Georgia and see if he can beat anybody first.
http://www.ainibag.com
summer| 7.10.11 @ 9:32PM
And my God. Why must every conservative republican be torn down with "not enough experience in.
http://www.summer-products.com