The American Spectator : Can Herman Cain Go the Distance?

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Can Herman Cain Go the Distance?

By Robert Stacy McCain on 10.10.11 @ 6:09AM

The GOP's "dark horse" now faces the trials of a contender.

People stood in line for more than an hour Friday at the Costco discount store in the Pentagon City complex of Arlington, Virginia, across the river from D.C. At the front of the line was the man they had come to see, who smiled and chatted cheerfully as he signed his autograph on the first page of his new book, This Is Herman Cain!

The exclamation point serves as a fitting symbol of the shock among the political class at how far Cain has come along the path described by his book's subtitle: "My Journey to the White House." The Atlanta businessman's sharp rise in national polls since winning a Florida GOP straw poll on Sept. 24 has left pundits of all persuasions struggling to explain how a candidate so recently rated somewhere between "long shot" and "no chance" could have suddenly emerged as a contender. Even Cain -- who has said all along that he was "in it to win it" -- seems slightly surprised by how quickly he's jumped to second place in the Republican field, edging past Texas Gov. Rick Perry and closing the gap with the front-runner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Although he has "enjoyed a phenomenal surge within the last couple of weeks," Cain told reporters after his Friday book signing, his campaign "has gradually built momentum" for several months. His stunning breakthrough last month in Orlando, where the Republican straw poll delegates gave him more votes than Perry and Romney combined, has kicked that slow-building momentum into overdrive. And the question now is whether he can sustain his surging momentum or whether Cain, who has never before held elected office, will become just another "flavor of the week" in the see-saw GOP campaign.

Cain's recent rise came after conservative support for Perry collapsed in September. The Texas governor was a late entry to the field, announcing his candidacy in South Carolina on Aug. 13, the same day Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won a Republican Party straw poll in Ames, Iowa. Bachmann had become "flavor of the week" in June after a strong debate performance in New Hampshire. At Ames, she finished ahead of Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (The latter quit the next day, having bet his whole campaign on winning the Iowa straw poll in which he placed a weak third.) Cain finished a disappointing fifth at Ames, behind former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and many pundits at the time were ready to write Cain off completely. Meanwhile, Perry's entrance into the field seemed to rob Bachmann of whatever momentum she gained by knocking out Pawlenty. It took Perry less than two weeks to pass Romney in the Real Clear Politics average of national polls, and by Sept. 12 Perry led Romney by 12 points in the RCP average.

Perry's surge evaporated rapidly, however, as he stumbled through a series of three September debates. He made a creditable debate debut Sept. 7 at the Reagan Library, but his rivals drew blood with their attacks on Perry in the Tampa debate on Sept. 12. When the candidates arrived in Orlando for a Sept. 22 debate, Romney was already regaining lost ground in the polls. Some conservative pundits who viewed Perry favorably -- as the best hope of preventing the more moderate Romney from winning the GOP nomination -- were saying the Texan needed a strong performance in Orlando to turn things around. Instead, Perry suffered his worst debate yet, and two days later sustained a humiliating defeat when Cain grabbed 37 percent of the vote in the Florida straw poll. Cain's astonishing gains in subsequent polls -- his RCP average going from less than 4 percent to more than 16 percent in less than three weeks -- came at Perry's expense. Now the former Godfather's Pizza CEO, the "not-a-politician" candidate who began by humorously describing himself as the "dark horse" in the Republican race, finds himself in second place. Cain's rise has been accompanied by increased scrutiny from a press corps that once dismissed his campaign as a novelty act.

Reporters from several news organizations, including the Times of London, turned out to see Cain's Friday book-signing event in Arlington and heard him deny that he's another "flavor of the week" destined to suffer the fate that previously befell Bachmann and Perry. "When people hear my message, and they see the substance behind my message, this is what keeps people engaged with this campaign," he said. Cain's message lately has focused on his "9-9-9" tax-reform plan, which would replace the current tax code with 9 percent flat taxes on personal income, consumer sales, and corporate earnings. No economist has yet produced an estimate of how much revenue such a plan would produce, but free-market enthusiasts have praised the 9-9-9 plan for its boldness and simplicity, "super-sized solutions for an economy with super-sized problems," in the words of Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal. Free-marketeers have also applauded Cain for his outspoken criticism of the anti-capitalist "Occupy Wall Street" protests. The demonstrations in lower Manhattan are "just a distraction away from the failed policies of this administration," Cain said Friday in Arlington, before crossing the river into Washington where he brought the same message to the Family Research Council's Value Voters Summit.

Although the conservative Christians at the FRC event were presumed to be interested primarily in social issues like abortion, they responded with evangelical zeal to Cain's pro-capitalism gospel. He did not hesitate to declare his opposition to same-sex marriage and also proclaimed a "no exceptions" pro-life position. Yet one of the most ecstatic of several standing ovations Cain received during his Value Voters speech at the Omni Shoreham Hotel was when he slammed the "Occupy Wall Street" protests as a misguided reaction to consequences of President Obama's Keynesian economic stimulus policies. "Wall Street didn't write those failed policies," Cain said, after the ovation subsided. "Wall Street didn't spend a trillion dollars. Wall Street isn't asking to spend another $450 billion. It didn't work with a trillion dollars, it's not going to work with $400 billion. You can demonstrate all you want to on Wall Street, the problem is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!"

More than a thousand conservatives inside the Regency Ballroom cheered wildly and no one who has watched Cain speak to such a gathering can deny his unsurpassed ability to fire up a conservative crowd. By all accounts it was his Sept. 24 speech to delegates in Orlando that won him the straw-poll victory that has sparked Cain's sudden surge. "Send a message to Washington!" he told the Florida Republicans. Two weeks later in Washington, Cain delivered his message in person and generated the same electrifying response. He didn't win the Value Voters straw poll, due to a suspiciously strong showing from the libertarian supporters of Ron Paul, but Cain was a strong second, while erstwhile frontrunner Perry finished a dismal fourth and Bachmann was fifth. Santorum, long a leader among social conservatives, issued a press release pointing out that his third-place finish got him nearly as many votes as Perry and Bachmann combined.

While Cain was getting ovation after ovation in the Omni Shoreham's ballroom, Santorum sat with his wife and children in the hotel lobby, talking to summit attendees one-on-one. During the September debates that sent Perry's campaign spiraling downward, Santorum struck some of the hardest blows against the front-runner. The Pennsylvanian is one of the few Republican candidates who hasn't yet gotten a "flavor of the week" moment and, with another round of debates Tuesday in Hanover, N.H., and Oct. 18 in Las Vegas, Santorum may be foremost among those looking to throw a few rhetorical punches toward the surging Cain.

Cain's newfound momentum will be tested both during the upcoming debates and by increased media attention. He got an early bump from an impressive first debate showing in May, but his campaign was subsequently plagued by a controversy over his statement that he would not be "comfortable" having a Muslim to his Cabinet. Cain's campaign has also gone through staff shake-ups, most recently including the departure of his longtime press spokeswoman, Ellen Carmichael. And he has gotten some criticism for taking time away from campaigning in key early states like Iowa and New Hampshire in order to promote his new book. However, Cain says he's learned from his earlier problems, and insists that his book tour helps rather than hurts his presidential campaign. At the Arlington book-signing event, one reporter pointed out that Cain was standing under a sign that said "Costco Wholesale," asking if the candidate shouldn't instead be focusing on retail politics. "I've been doing retail politics from the beginning, and even before I declared," Cain answered.

The story told in Cain's book -- of his rise from humble beginnings to success as a business executive, and his against-the-odds survival of colon cancer -- is the same "American Dream" tale he shares in his campaign speeches. The book's subtitle reference to a "journey" toward a famous destination also describes an against-the-odds American Dream. The protagonist of that story has already come a long way, and if he can go the distance from here, he will certainly deserve the exclamation point: This Is Herman Cain!

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.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (420) | Leave a comment

jd| 10.10.11 @ 6:12AM

The more I hear Cain speak, the more I like the man. I think he can go the distance and I will be following him along the way to the finish line.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 7:10AM

Uncle Herman, like Uncle Barack, is owned lock stock and barrel by the Federal reserve, the Israeli Lobby, and the Military Industrial Complex. 999 is just 666 turned upside down. Herman is just the elites trying desperatly to find someone who can be a proper stooge for them. A program of war and welfare programs for the rich are not going to the Republicans any good. Perry has callapsed, Romney is disliked by 2/3 of the party and Cain is being puffed as a stogap. It is Ron Paul or ruin. Anyone who thinks we need a 9% sales tax tacked on top of the income tax is crazy. The elites are just trying to stick it too the rest of us, to find funding for all their wars and bailouts.

Mike Rogers| 10.10.11 @ 8:56AM

Not so much.
First, that Federal Reserve chairmanship was at one of the most conservative branches of the Fed.
Second, when Herman was at the Fed, he was just a great businessman, and there was no way of knowing that he might run for president - he certainly had no thought of it back then.
Third and finally, if Cain is the establishment's "chosen one", why did the establishment put up Mitt, Mitch, Rich, Chris, and (almost) Rudy in a desperate attempt to ensure that the TEA party did not get a shot at the presidency?
Compare Obama being groomed from College to the white house by the liberal elites, and his gaseous ghost-written books, with Herman Cain deciding 12 years ago that he had to get involved, and within the last 4 years that he had to run for president - not to mention FIVE self-written books on leadership, speaking skills, and politics.
You want wholly owned subsidiaries of the New World Order, there's already Romney and Perry in the race; you want independent thinking and real character, you have Herman Cain!

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 9:48AM

Cain had an abortive Presidential run in 2000 and a failed run in 2004 to be the GOP nominee for a Senate seat. Looks like Herman's been planning this a lot longer than he admits or most people think.

Jack in Wi.| 10.11.11 @ 10:41PM

Ha! Ha! Ha! Michelle Bachman stole my 999 is 666 turned upside down. Great minds think alike or someone is reading the America Spectator.

USSAlabama| 10.10.11 @ 10:46AM

I'm voting "R" in the election no matter who is on the ticket!

I don't like 999 and would like it if he came up with something better to sell.

We have GOT to get these Progressives OUT - both parties.

Everything we've got it better than the Dems.

vicky bennett| 10.10.11 @ 11:22AM

DITTO... I am voting R in the election no matter who is on the ticket also.
Thats the only way we can win this one... And I will vote straight republican in my local elections..

PJ| 10.10.11 @ 12:33PM

Cain is a proponent of the Fair Tax. I knew that he liked it when I listened to him on the radio for the past 2 yrs. The 9-9-9 is a 1st stage to the Fair Tax (eliminate all national taxes & associated deductions but the sales tax) . See http://www.hermancain.com/999plan. The Fair Tax makes sense to me. But getting there the way Cain describes it in his website leaves open many doors for corruption, politicking, & finally a badly diluted version of the Fair Tax.

It could be an open door for future presidencies & Congresses to not only raise the rates of income tax but also raise the rates of the new national federal sales tax.

I think Gringrich is for the Fair Tax. Like me he doesn't like the intermediate step of the 9-9-9 plan because of the potential danger of not getting to the actual implementation of the Fair Tax as described in Cain's website & Neal Bortz's book on the subject.

Yet I do give Herman Cain 2 thumbs up for championing a concrete plan to get the economy back on a healthy track & his ideas about eliminating govn't statist mentality.

Vern Crisler| 10.10.11 @ 1:00PM

I like this 999 plan, but I think it needs to be toughened up. It should have a condition that only a super-majority can increase the tax rates in the future.

PJ| 10.10.11 @ 1:32PM

Agreed! But will the Supreme Ct be OK w/the super-majority? Don't need a super-majority to pass a bill according to the Constitution.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:08PM

It does, and exactly that..it proposes a two thirds majority to pass any law rasing the levels.

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 4:43PM

The only way such a super-majority requirement could be enforced permanently is via an amendment to the constitution. Otherwise, all you are doing is setting up something that can be changed by any succeeding Congress.

James| 10.10.11 @ 3:27PM

Cain has already stated that he would push for a 2/3 majority requirement for his 999 plan.

TrueBlue| 10.11.11 @ 5:13PM

Needs to be made an amendment at the same time that they repeal the 16th. Close any loopholes that allow for changing the tax percentage except by repeal of the new amendment and passing something else. Will make anyone think twice about trying to repeal a tax law when they don't know if their new one will get voted in.

Michael Handley | 10.10.11 @ 2:23PM

I believe his reason for the 999 program is that a lot of voters don't spend much time thinking about how Washington affects our daily lives. It's difficult to keep their attention. If you are running for office you need a very simple theme and lots of short sound bites. That's all the voters have time for. Make your point and get off the stump. Mr. Cain seems to be very good at this and that's why his position in the polls is inproving. If you look at his background you will find a well rounded man who has a record of getting the job done. I like the guy. If he continues to gain traction he may well be the last man standing. We could do worse...

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:05AM

Well said!!!!

Herman| 10.10.11 @ 5:48PM

All the above have major flaws....
There is room for another candidate...
Cucinelli? Scott Walker? Steve King?
Job description: Pro-life, anti-illegal immigration,
scandal-free, budget balancer.

Brian Chandler| 10.14.11 @ 2:29AM

Mike, come on brother! Cain worked for the Fed, but owhe wants to help us? Chances of that are not very likely. The elites think like this.. If you put many tools in your tool belt you have a greater chance of having the right tool for the job when you go to work. It's really quite simple.

Tearlach61| 10.10.11 @ 10:12AM

"999 is just 666 turned upside down. "

Really? This just confirms the suspicion held by many that Ron Paul's supporters of not Ron Paul himself is a kook who gives a lot of good ideas a bad name.

"Anyone who thinks we need a 9% sales tax tacked on top of the income tax is crazy."

Fortunately, that's not what Herman Cain is proposing. Everybody's income taxes and payroll taxes (both sides, remember your employer also pays for a combined 15% from the first dollar earned, if you're self employed, you pay both sides) is replaced with a single 9% rate.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 10:24AM

Is not 999 just 666 overturned? His gimmic tax plan is just another way of piling on taxes. Without repealing the 16th Amendment there is no way rates an be lowered permanently. Ask any state which has introduced a sales or income tax if any of them has ever been repealed? This is just another way to fund our wars and other wasteful programs. We will never get back to fiscal solvency unless we get rid of the wars and the warmongers. Endless war for Israel and endless bailouts for the banksters and other elites is not a winning or sane program.

I really think the the boobs who push the 3 stooges Romney, Perry and Cain hurt their cause with all the nonsense they spout. None of you people has any ansewers to anything, but more of the same.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 10:43AM

Did you hear something? No, just some wind passing by..that is all.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 4:20PM

War, war, war, spend. spend, spend, spend, spend spend, spend, lie, lie, lie, lie, tax tax, tax, tax, you nuts have no answer fort anything. Uncle Herman took a trip to Israel to grovel at the feet of Netanyahu with Glenn Beck. Uncle Herman loves Tarp, war, taxes, the FED, inflation, affirmative action, and endless debt. He hates the Americans who are going out in the streets to protest all these things. Uncle Herm has the word stooge written on the top of his head. We have a guy in the White House who needs someone to take help him find his way to the bathroom. We don't need another puppet. Uncle Herm can't even think of one progam he would end. He is running, as I am not Obama and Iam a better manager. That nonsense isn't going to work anymore.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:57PM

There is that hot gust of wind again, Martha! Pay no attention just a little change in the weather.

vato| 10.10.11 @ 9:37PM

Jack must be one of the racists unionistas in Madison .

W.T. Foxtrot| 10.10.11 @ 12:03PM

"Jack in Wi"??

Good grief!

Isn't that "Iwnikcaj" spelled backwards???

And isn't that just another word for [gasp!]...Beelzebub????

...In ancient Assyrian dialect??? The original language of the Freemasons???

We're onto you, "Jack in Wi"...as if!!!

Dave Williams| 10.10.11 @ 12:36PM

*coffee out the nose LOL!!*
Well played, sir!

Occam's Tool| 10.10.11 @ 1:45PM

Whenever Jack speaks, stale Limburger oozes out.

Oh, Jack, did I exhibit too much PRIDE there?

Molon Labe, asshole.

Al Adab| 10.10.11 @ 2:08PM

OT:
And we Conservatives wonder why so much of the nation can't take the Movement seriously. 999=666 indeed.

Molon Labe. Are we willing?

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 4:50PM

No one can take either side of the exchange above seriously. Reads more like a sand box fight between 8 year olds than conservatives.

We certainly don't need another puppet of the eastern establishment. No more Bushes or McCains. Romney is in the mainstream of that bunch as is most of the rest of the lot. Frankly, the way "conservatives" here and other places are acting, Barry is going to be taking the oath again on 20 Jan, 2013. Frankly, Romney vs Obummer isn't a choice.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:56PM

I'm sorry, and you are the mature one, insulting your fellow conservatives as going on the adhominem attack?

Please QM.

You're also the drooling microcephalic who stated that MDs who treat the results of combat are as much scarred by the combat as the patients themselves, which is the biggest crock of crap this former VA doc has ever heard.

Blithering nincompoop, QM.

I'm worming up on you. OOPS, that should be warming up. Freudian slip.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:58PM

Al, a lovely man you are sir. Yeah, I think there are enough willing, just among my 'Bama relatives alone.

Boar Hunter| 10.10.11 @ 5:52PM

W.T. Foxtrot;

Sir! That was very improper of you and I am ashamed of you!

I find your making fun of and ridiculing those of diminished mental capacity to be very inappropriate.

It should be obvious that anyone who makes excuses on behalf of and honestly believes "American foreign policy " provoked 911 is not an appropriate target for your ridicule.

Your attacking someone who lacks the basic mental capacity to understand there is not one place on the face of the entire planet where the Islamo-Nazi's are not screaming "Off with their heads" more often than the Red Queen.

Despite the inability of these maniacs to get along with anyone, anywhere, including other Muslims, he still believes America is to blame.

Bear in mind, his dementia is so complete he actually formulates arguments on behalf of people who "Honor kill" their own daughters, all while claiming people like you and me are the nuts.

I submit to you sir, is this an appropriate target for your adult intellect?

After all this poor, wounded, child is so delusional and deeply disturbed that he actually supports Ron Paul for president.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:57PM

Yes, I shouldn't make fun of people who burned their brains out on meth and thus support Ron Paul.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:56PM

Foxtrot Magnifique.

Brian Chandler| 10.14.11 @ 2:35AM

Wow Foxtrot! You have little known knowledge about Assyria and that nation's dialect being the language of the Freemasons, but you forget that the first Freemason was a man named CAIN! Do a little research about Bashar al-Assad if you haven't already. There are many references to him in Abba's Word.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:59PM

OOOHHH...999 is 666 overturned. Wow!

Does not Ron Paul, when his speeches are run backwards, say "I am Sauron, Master of Mordor?"

I'm sure of it. Damn Tinfoil doesn't fit right.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 10:39AM

"999 is just 666 turned upside down. "

So you're saying he's the opposite of evil? lol.. You know, conservatives in general like Ron Paul but the absurdity of his followers really turns me off.

I'll say it if nobody else will. If ANYONE is the anti-christ, its Obama. The way people were mesmerized in his initial campaign (thrills up legs / people saying he seemed to "levitate")...

So lets not go overboard here. Not everyone besides Ron Paul is the Anti-Christ.

I actually like Ron Paul somewhat, but when I think of Ron Paul, I think of his crazy supporters, and thats what really makes him seem like a loon. Problem is, his supporters on the real crazies.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 10:48AM

Obama is too dumb to be the Anti. He is a colossal failure, bankrupt of ideas & could not manage his way out of a wet paper bag.

Mike D.| 10.10.11 @ 4:02PM

Well, the anti-christ isn't going to burn himself out after two years and get laughed at.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:19AM

Paul needs to get out of the way and back one of the candidates who really has a chance of unseating Obama - that's the main focus in this race. Paul is so out of the mainstream that he would have no chance at all of ever winning against anyone the DNC would put up. All you have to do is listen to some of his answers at the debates and figure that out. He is a nice guy, but certainly not presidential material. IMHO

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 12:52PM

Actually, Cain's 9-9-9 Is A Non-Starter.

No Way, Do You Allow Big Government To Have An Income Tax & A National Sales Tax At The Same Time.

Anybody Supporting 9-9-9 Is Crazy.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

W.T. Foxtrot| 10.10.11 @ 2:36PM

"Actually, Cain's 9-9-9 Is A Non-Starter."

According to who? Some guy named "Clint"?

How's that work?

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 4:54PM

It's a non-starter for anyone that has paid attention to how FedGov has worked since, oh, 1800.

Let FedGov have a sales tax before repealing the 16th amendment and the minions of the Dimocrat party will oppose you publicly, secretly worship the ground you walk on.

It's kinda like "Only Nixon could go to China." Only a "conservative" can get a Federal Sales Tax passed. The Dims would be run out of town on a rail, but not the faux conservatives.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 10:57PM

Don't forget~ there are anti-christs (anyone who is anti Christ, and then there is the Anti-Christ, the man of Lawlessness that is going to come and lead many astray by doing pretended signs and wonders, and who is going to set himself up as God.
Read 2 Thess. 2 starting with vs. 9.
Small 'a' anti-christs are those who refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord, and are actually against Him.
Obama fits hat bill.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 11:12PM

Margie: 999 is 666 upside down. Look into Herm's eyes. They have the look of Lucifer about them. Is he the Antichrist?

Nick| 10.11.11 @ 9:42AM

Jack-boot,

You obviously have know idea what is going on in Saint John's visions, which are recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Start with 1 Kings 10:14 and the amount of taxes King Solomon collected in one year, then go from there. Stop looking for the Antichrist under every rock and in every politician.

You can't swing a dead cat around a group of left-wingers without hitting an anti-christ. The anti-christs are hiding in plain sight.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 6:16PM

Jack:

Repent, liar.

Wisdom of Josh| 10.11.11 @ 1:58AM

You are SO right. Voting for Ron Paul is like voting for Alex Jones (you know, the lightbulbs are spying on you, your computer screen alters your brain).

Ron Paul isn't so bad. At least some of his perfect-world ideology is highly justified. But his pack of angry nuts, trolls, loons, extremists, conspiracy theorists is just frightening. And he never says a single word against them.

Wisdom of Josh| 10.11.11 @ 1:59AM

My reply was to PhilTheCapitalistPig.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 10:40AM

As such, Jackboot tinfoil head you are owned by the Arab Emirate, the Paulbot movement, the Progressive movement, and the idiots for reelection of a socialist hellbent on the destruction of the US. You are nothing but a clever idiotic troll. You completely exposed yourself as nothing but a troll with this latest comment. 999 is 666 turned upside down...and we did not land on the moon either.

It is time that anyone of any seriousness out here just ignore you along with your anti-semetic rantings. You represent nothing. You do not represent conservativism nor libetarianism. You are just a nut.

So, please ignore this idiot and abide by the rule, do not feed the trolls.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:20AM

well said!

blackwatch| 10.10.11 @ 12:46PM

just use the scroll button. they aren't worth the effort to reply.

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 5:12PM

Semitic. If you are going to act like a mindless faux conservative, at least turn on your spell checker. We might not be able to tell you from the Paulbots.

Hard to tell the difference between you and the OWS lot anyway. You clearly have little political sophistication to even know where Paul fits in the political spectrum.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 8:31PM

Semitic? That is suppose to be an insult? Paul fits rather well at the fringe nutball point of the political spectrum. Almost every conservative of notable rank from Buckley onward considered him a crank and a nuisance. Anybody that would share a stage and political platform with Dennis Kucinich is no conservative let alone anyone to which you should even give the time of day.

I think I can speak for most of us here on your arrogant and typical manner of determining who is conservative or not. Fuck off! Did I spell that correctly? Why don't you just skip over to reason.com and you can masturbate all day over pictures of the old man and hang with your breathren there.

Wisdom of Josh| 10.11.11 @ 2:15AM

Simon, oh dear, you had me bursting out in uncontrolled laughter...Keep it coming!!

As far as I'm concerned you can keep feeding the trolls as long as it's entertaining!

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 8:37PM

Proud semitic.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:00PM

Quarter-pounder:

I always love (sarcasm) how you guys (Paul-bots) insult and demean the very BEST among us.

You have nothing else!!

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 11:18PM

Simon Templar: I voted for the last 11 Republican nominees for President. I have pictures of myself with old man Bush and his wife Babs with me on 2 occcasions. I also have pictures of myself with William F. Buckley, Dan Quale, Michael Medved, Oliver North and a a slew of other Republican hack politcians. I have had enough BS and given enough money to the Party to express what I think of the stinky candidates the party has been running for the last 2 decades.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:50PM

Quayle, Jack. Pictures with Old man Bush. (Wow.)

You still suck, just like Buchanan.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:52PM

I keep forgetting, Jack...you a humble workingman or a proud plutocrat?

Grzmlyk| 10.10.11 @ 11:29AM

Ah, yes, the Ron Paul cult.

Ijust have one question for you:

How do you type with a straitjacket on?

On the other hand, the logic and intellectual rigor that go into a comment like "999 is just 666 upside down thing" are impressive indeed.

Not.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:02PM

"How do you type with a straitjacket on?"

That is just TOO funny!!

Buck Ofama| 10.10.11 @ 1:09PM

"999 is just 666 turned upside down"

And your point would be ___________.
Oh, forget it. We already did.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:08PM

Whatever, dude.

Ad hominem attack: Check.
No supporting evidence: Check.
Talk-down of each and every candidate but yours: Check.

It's hard to discern the tactics of hard-core Paul supporters -- I love Ron Paul, btw, but don't think the general public understands enough to give him a chance against Obama's lie machine -- from those of DNC troll.

Now THAT is ironic....

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 5:14PM

This lot has no notion of what Paul stands for, and neither does a majority of the country.

This lot would diss Washington or Jefferson. Paul is much like those two, and very little like the Neocons and other faux conservatives in teh race.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 8:39PM

Then why do you blog here? Screw off. Get lost troll. You are not wanted and you offer very little to the conversation.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:01PM

"This lot would diss Washington or Jefferson."

Another asinine (but oh, so typical) Paul-bot comment.

Stupid AND ridiculous.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:49PM

Jefferson fought Islamics, QM. And beat them.

Washington also won a war, and his Gravitas intimidated his fellow founders. Paul is nothing like them. (Plus, Washington was a philosemite.)

Mike D.| 10.10.11 @ 4:03PM

Jews got to Cain huh Jack? Damn Mossad is everywhere.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 4:27PM

Uncle Herm has always been in the race to split the conservative vote. The only conservative patriot running is Ron Paul. Uncle Herm like Gingrich, Santorum, Huntsmen, etc are just spam stopping a real discussion about the real problems the country is facing. 999 is just another gimmic with no intellectual heft behind it. The elites don't care if Obama or some other stooge is elected as long as they control him once in the White House.

Mike D.| 10.10.11 @ 4:48PM

Golly jack, you must have just gotten back from the "support Tarek Mehanna Rally in Boston".

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 5:40PM

What can Cain do that Bush couldn't do?

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 6:22PM

Cain was a Navy civilian.
Dept. of the Navy civilian still is a statist; and isn't that what you don't want? you want a private sector guy?

Alan Brooks| 10.11.11 @ 5:33PM

Rich Lowry posted a piece today (11 Oct.) in NRO on how Cain and Romney have to stop pretending they are businessmen and be forthright on how they are professional politicos.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:46PM

Libertarian Pothead, more like. And completely ignorant on current THC concentrations in hydroponic cannabis, Dr Paul. Not his specialty. But it is part of mine.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:47PM

Jack repeatedly refuses to tell me when my week in 2012 to control the world money supply is. I live for those Bermuda cave vacations, Mike.

Herman| 10.10.11 @ 5:47PM

"All the above have major flaws....
There is room for another candidate...
Cucinelli? Scott Walker? Steve King?
Job description: Pro-life, anti-illegal immigration,
scandal-free, budget balancer."
How 'bout Jim DeMint?

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:03PM

9% sales tax on top of a 9% income tax with a supermajority needed to raise it and a simple majority to lower it is fine by me. Incidentally, things will be cheaper even with the sales tax, as he's lowering the corporate tax from 35% to 9%.

Why can't Paulbots read? Is it because they are the unfortunate middle members of mad experiments by Dr Paul to create human centipedes?

Brian Chandler| 10.14.11 @ 2:23AM

Jack in Wi., It's nice to read a comment from someone with a sound grasp on reality. I do indeed believe they have puffed up Cain because the GOP is rebuking the rest of the field save Ron Paul. I also believe that the national polls are a joke and always have been. The "science" of manipulating words to reach desired response is well established. Thanks for the read. Ron Paul 2012 or bust!

richard ryan| 10.10.11 @ 8:38AM

I am sure of one thing- I really like Cain. Its seems to me lots of folks instinctively attack the hard chargers, those who rise from also ran to contender in a few weeks like HC did. He has alot to say, and there is plenty of time for him to articulate his positions on ALL of the major issues facing this country. If you have a problem with 999, please read the plan- and while your'e at it take a look at the Fair Tax which is the eventual outcome if HC has his way. My belief is that everyone will prosper under a consumption tax. I like the idea of self-directed taxation much more than government confiscation of my earnings before I ever see them.

Dai Alanye| 10.10.11 @ 10:26AM

Cain is likeable, no doubt of that. The questions revolve aroung his knowledge of issues---even economic and especially fiscal issues. 9-9-9 is simply a gimmick, and will never get through Congress. Any changes to the tax system must be evolutionary not revolutionary in order to avoid more economic upset.

As for Santorum, I have hopes for him in the long run, and those include the hope he doesn't choose to attack Cain. It's one thing to "correct" a sympathetic opponent, but to "attack" someone like Cain will do more harm to the attacker. This is one of those cases where it is better to receive than to give.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 10:49AM

His knowledge of economic, business, and fiscal issues that impact business is superior to any career politician. No, it is not a gimmick, many plans have been proposed similar to his over the years. We have not had the will or backbone to do anything but bow down to the current power brokers and corrupt system. This tax code is killing us and needs drastic change and soon. Perhaps, you did not notice but we do not have the luxury of screwing around and waiting..we are facing an imminent crisis.

Sean| 10.10.11 @ 11:24AM

Cain's grasp of economics and fiscal issues is very weak. He wrote in 2008 that the economy was doing great. Really? He wrote an article supporting TARP. Really? Shows he has no knowledge of the economy or fiscal issues.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:37AM

What did you know in the beginning of 2008?
Did you have a magic crystal ball? TARP was supported initially by almost everyone as a necessary measure to shore up banking and finance system which was in serious crisis due to a 2 trillion in mortgage failures which the GOVERNMENT was responsible for instigating. It is the Wall Street bailouts and the car company bailouts that most people object to and find disgusting. Those toxic assets had to be dealt with. Yeah, really. It is you that no nothing of economics and fiscal issues nor what caused this crisis in the first place. But you sure like to shoot your mouth off like most trolls.

Sean| 10.10.11 @ 12:36PM

Yes there are candidates running that knew the economy was in trouble by then. Cain at that time was clueless.

TARP was not supported by everyone. It was though supported by the same clueless people that thought the economy was doing fine in 2008. Those clueless people are the ones you, Simon Templar, support.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:19PM

No one knew the extent and depth of the housing crisis except a few people inside the Bush admin that went down to the Congress and warned them repeatedly and they did not know the level of impact it would really have on the economy.

Yes, some knew we were headed to a recession but that is about it. We have recessions and usually pull out of them in two years all the time.

The Dems had been screaming we were in one for the last 10 years right after Bush got into office. If this is all you got on Cain, perhaps you should just shut up because it is pretty lame. Maybe you should just make something up..this is what the dems do all the time.

Vern Crisler| 10.10.11 @ 1:04PM

There were a number of people predicting that the housing market was going to collapse at some point. I believed this sometime in 2006. But noone believed that it would affect the whole economy in the way it did. So even those who were already pessimistic about the economy were caught flatfooted. No need to blame Cain for something nobody was predicting.

Sean| 10.10.11 @ 1:58PM

Here are some predictions by Ron Paul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5nGCpzel6o

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:12PM

Thank you, Vern. You stated it well and simply.

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 5:17PM

Almost everyone? Hardly. Most of *us* knew such things would solve nothing, and that's what it solved.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 8:47PM

You know shit. It did a great deal. The reason the housing market has not recovered is due to unrelated factors that involve continued government interference in these markets which have disabled corrective market driven forces.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:16PM

Do you own a television? From my point of view, Cain has demonstrated acute understanding of the economy. In particular, the role of the Fed in creating the housing bubble.

At least he's listening to the right people -- like Thomas Hoenig, who headed the KC Fed while Cain was there, and criticized QEII sharply as the lone dissenter on the FOMC in 2010.

With all due respect, The Fed Issue is too far beyond most people's understanding of economics -- as evidenced by the successful spread of the "It was the Banksters" MEME -- for it to be an issue that wins the election.

And IMO, it's pretty clear that Obama will run on ENVY AND FEAR ... which is best countered by a POSITIVE, GROWTH MESSAGE such as Herman Cain projects, not arcane explanations the I find, personally, many friends have difficulty understanding.

(This was true in 1999 when I called the Nasdaq a bubble on a daily basis, and from 2003-2008 when I called the Housing bubble -- both for the same reason: Excess growth in Money Supply providing excessive LEVERAGE)

I say, "Give Cain a chance." He could be exactly what we need to GET RID OF COMRADE OBAMA.

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 5:20PM

Sorry, but it was Banksters with a congressional/leftist gun to their heads that gave us the actual conditions that led to the meltdown of 2008. The Rating agencies were part of the scam.

You really need to learn something about how our economy actually works. We do not have a free market and haven't had one since the advent of FDR's alphabet agencies.

Clinton| 10.10.11 @ 11:02AM

Somebody has got to take Cain out so why not Santorum? What's he got to lose? It might make him the flavor of the month and be good for his ego. Of course, knowing Cain will sink into the gutter and pull an Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson race hustler on them may be making people hesitant to go after Cain, but Santorum has got nothing to lose and everything to gain by exposing Cain as Obama's heir of ignorance.

If it becomes a Romney v. Cain fight Romney wins. He's got far more experience, money and he's learned since 2008 to keep his cool. Anyone who has actually looked deeply at Cain knows he's a lose cannon. He may go down easy for those in the Tea Party who think being inexperienced is what the country needs after 4 years of an inexperienced ass like Obama, but most GOP and independent voters are smarter than that.

Cain = a Romney win.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:28AM

I tell you what..why don't we just tell the establishment RINO progresives that we give up and will follow what ever they tell us to do. Skip the primaries. Let them pick the RINO right now and have the election. Hell, fuck the election, screw the Tea Party, screw everybody and just make Big O king and dictator.

Go away troll.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 1:57PM

It sounds like that's what the Cain supporters want -- to accept whatever he says he said and line up to vote for him without question.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:24PM

Yeah, that's right...we are all Republican drones.
Your argument and retort sounds a lot like a third grader. Well, my dog is better and bigger than yours! So there! Is that up to your speed?

Quartermaster| 10.10.11 @ 5:27PM

Simon, has anyone ever complimented you on your skill in ad hominem. You are so good that you set the example here for all the faux conservatives. You should be proud.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 8:58PM

No. They usually compliment me on my ability to write very clear, logical, and insightful arguments. Yes, I sometimes have, like most people, a few spelling errors but most people are adults not spelling and grammar police. Given that this is a blog and not a published manuscript, I take a few liberties and focus more on content.

Unlike you, I attempt to make an argument with facts and logic and I am always willing to learn something from someone else. Usually, I shy away from determining who is conservative and who is not and I do not always feel I need to be in total agreement with everyone to respect their point of view.

Yes, I do not suffer fools, on the other hand, gladly. I will dish it out when I think a person is a lout, a big mouth, a crank, and a know it all like yourself.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:05PM

Here's another ad hominem for you, Quarter-pounder: Screw you!

Ha ha haha.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:41PM

Gang, gentle, gentle, gentle...Mike is generally a good guy, QM usually is OK although he can be a dingleberry at times (but he's not Clint).

Nobody here except "C" is a Paulbot, all of you folks are bright...less heat, more light, yes?

Margie and Simon, you two are wonderful people, and you need to read the magnificent pro-defense and savagely brilliant skewering of Paulbots by Michael.

We want a candidate who will lower taxes and regulations and protect our country. There are a couple I have in mind as first choices (I like Santorum, for example, but his temperament lacks), and Cain and Perry are among them, EVEN though I was screwed financially as an American citizen by the Texas State legislature and I disagree on instate tuition for illegals. It makes me angry enough to sue, actually.

But that is not all Perry is, just as Romney is not a mere jellyfish. Except for the Libertarian candidates masquerading, all of the Republicans I would vote for over Obama. (With Paul versus Obama as a Jew, I might as well stay home---both are setups for the Second Holocaust.)

So, let us calmly look at positions and temperament. And let us be kind to each other---except for Clint, Jack, Sheila, and Muhammed John. Those guys have earned their shitkicking. But as for the rest, come on guys and gals. We agree more than we disagree, at the 80% rule.

Happy Sukkot, everybody!

Margie| 10.12.11 @ 10:38PM

Sorry, Occam. When the nasty get tough, so will I.
I kiss up to NO ONE.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:44PM

No, QM, I SET the ad hominem example. But I shall spare you my wrath, although, as you have stated about my comments regarding that psychopath Clint, I view your comments as STUPID.

Do you have an argument against Simon regarding Cain that is not based on snark?

richard ryan| 10.10.11 @ 11:38AM

Cain is not an ignorant man. Lack of experience in politics is exactly what we need right now- someone who has the wisedom to approach our problems from a practical point of view, and ariticulate his vision in a way that ordinary Americans can understand. The time for political gamesmanship has long passed. Common sense, conservative problem solving is desperately needed. Santorum is great, I would support him for president also, I'm just more excited about Cain, a man who can inspire this country and speak the truth very plainly.

vicky bennett| 10.10.11 @ 11:24AM

Why not Cain/ Santorum or Cain/ Gingrich.. or Romney /Cain... actually I like alot of combinations... I will vote Straight Republican as usual.

Claypoole| 10.10.11 @ 3:02PM

How about Cain/Col. Allen West (House of Representatives, FL)? Cain can handle domestic issues--especially finance--and West can deal with the international front. Col. West knows who our enemies are, something that neither the current White House nor Dept. of State is capable of facing.

Grzmlyk| 10.10.11 @ 12:25PM

Have to agree that 9-9-9 is not viable, at least politically. There's a reason the tax code is 73,000 pages, and it has nothing to do with common sense. It has to do with coercion and kickbacks.

Simplifying the tax code means many oxes would be gored and, as a result, the metaphorical blood would run down K street; it's a paradigm shift that we absolutely need, but, unfortunately, any Republican President will, in reality, be dwarfed by the entrenched status quo in that regard.

And I also agree with those who say Cain's knowledge of economics and even foreign policy are rather scant.

However, he has many qualities that make him an good candidate - he's genuinely confident, but sincerely humble - this is a very rare combination, and one that, I think, bodes very well for him. He also doesn't appear to be easily bullied into submission.

I see him with great potential to learn and grow, unlike Obama - who wasn't interested in expanding his world view to match the complexities he faced but, instead, like all socialists, wanted to reduce a highly unruly and complex reality to fit his world view.

Cain is very bright and has a track record of success; he's a problem solver who won't get lost in the weeds. He's also got an excellent temperament, which I think is almost the whole ball game.

Yes, I'd be happier if he had more political experience, and I'm a little dismayed by his taking the bait when the leftist media dangled the "isn't Rick Perry a racist" crap in front of him.

I still think Cain would make an excellent president - certainly better than Romney. I honestly don't know about Perry - he's performed horribly in debates and, well, he seems to be stuck in molasses - not quick or glib or sure of himself.

I also like Santorum, but, unfortunately, he will never get the nod - he's way too religious for the feckless independents and he comes across as angry too often. And he lost big in his last election. It's too bad - I think he's very, very good, and I suspect he's the best of the bunch.

Bachmann is good too; unfortunately, she's been successfully tarred as a whack job by the oh-so-fair mainstream media. I thought she was very stiff at first, but, once she got her sea legs in this campaign, I've been more impressed with her than not (yes, the post-debate vaccine comments were ill-advised).

Paul's comments about Iran getting nukes illustrate perfectly where libertarianism collapses before real-world exigencies.

I pray we don't get another RINO in office because, at this juncture, a Romney would just try to kick the can further down the road through "compromise" and "reaching across the aisle."

I think Cain would have the courage, the resolve and the optimism to lead America through what will certainly be an unprecedented crisis.

But like top NFL draft picks, you never really know how someone's going to perform at that level until you hand them the ball.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 12:56PM

Grz, Excellent analysis. Well thought out. I predict it will be Cain. It really is down to Cain & Romney at this point. Perry is not coming back & Romney has the obvious moderate flaws to contend with. The GOP just mailed it in last election with a compromise moderate in McCain & that error is not going to occur again so soon after.

If it is Cain, he wins in historic landslide as his positive, problem solving, CEO campaign demolishes Obama's blame everyone else campaign. What possible angle could Obama take vs. Cain in the GE? Think about it. Perry he calls another Bush & race. Romney he can play race, flip flopper, Romneycare. He has options. How do they attack Cain? He is the one they now fear the most.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:24PM

Hear hear, Steve!

Let's see how the debate goes tonight. I see Cain as a rookie pro ... who's learning extremely fast, because he is highly intelligent and a left-brain thinker.

If he continues to rise, I suggest he'll soon lock in as the best "Beat Obama" candidate in the field.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:33PM

As usual GMZ, well thought out, truthful, insightful, and accurate. A definitive contribution to this blog. I would disgaree with one point. I think it will certainly be a verifiable difficult challenge to change the tax code but I think it can be done if we take both houses of congress. It may not be a 999 but maybe a 11 or somekind of variation but I believe he is the man that will try to do it and people are ready and desperate to try something other than the mess we have now.

I also think his economic understanding is from the viewpoint of the business sector not academia and he has great depth of understanding from this vantage point. This is what we need now.

Grzmlyk| 10.10.11 @ 4:38PM

Thanks, Simon and Steve:

Yes, I agree, Cain knows more about practical economics, in terms of profit/loss and just plain common sense, than any academia nut like Krugman, who's never met a payroll or even ventured off the Princeton campus to see what the real world looks like.

I'm not sure the 9-9-9 plan is the silver bullet (I read a pretty convincing demolition of it from a conservative viewpoint on NR Online), however, and I'm not sure Cain is steeped in economic theory the way Paul is (that's one area where I think many conservatives tip their hats to Paul; I tend to like the Austrian School tenets that Paul usually recites when it comes to the Fed and the gold standard, etc.).

As for revising the tax code, well, I hope you are right with all my heart; but it seems to me that too many on both sides of the aisle use the tax code to hand out freebies to gain political favor or else proscribe behaviors that are unpopular. That, after all, is why the tax code has devolved into the sclerotic, byzantine maze it is today.

So cigarette and fuel taxes skyrocket while home mortgage interest deductions remain popular and "green energy" tax breaks continue to gain traction. And with the multi-headed Leviathan getting its fingers into every pie, agencies like the EPA and the Department of Commerce, to name just two, have a great deal of power and, together with their myriad K Street lobbyists, multitudes of governmental agences and departments wield enormous influence on the tax code; their intertial momentum would be daunting for any GOP president, let alone a newcomer to DC's ways like Cain (that's why Romney appeals to these people, of course - he won't ruffle feathers).

I say that the tax code should not be a carrot-and-stick instrument by which government tries to get people to do what the fat-cat political action committee donors want it to do. It should be what it was originally intended to be - a fund for certain specific things like a defense, infrastructure and a MODEST safety net.

But that is a pipe dream. We have long since given up that America for the social democracy we are now; we have been trained to accept the tax code as a corral that dictates where we go and what we do.

And now, the cultural glue that held this country together is shattered - we are accelerating our insane, headlong plunge into socialism even as Tea Partiers and other voices of sanity have become more and more alarmed. The death spiral is actually gaining momentum.

I think it's just not possible to get back to the original purpose of the tax code - it is the heart and soul of the nanny state, and I believe Americans will not reject the nanny state in toto.

If it were me, I'd get rid of all of that crap and, as someone once said, make it possible for any American to do his taxes on a 3x5 card; it would take all of 5 minutes.

Furthermore, as I see it, even if we were able to enact legislation that would simplify the tax code (and even if the GOP were to hold both houses and the presidency I doubt the will would be there to do so), the next time the Dems held a formidable majority, the simplified tax code would disappear quicker than wind from a duck's ass.

I hope I'm wrong, but, as you guys know, I think we've crossed the Rubicon.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:32PM

Nicely done (as usual, G)

Jason| 10.10.11 @ 11:09AM

Yes, the 999 plan is a stepping stone to the fair tax. It was designed to be revenue-neutral in Year 1 - but revenues will skyrocket when businesses who have been chased overseas by one of the highest corporate taxes in the world begin to bring their jobs back. The Fair Tax would give the US an enormous competitive advantage in the new global economy. So far Cain is the only one with any concrete ideas that are bold enough to finally break us free from the ridiculous social engineering Frankenstein that is our tax code. The initial 999 plan would also save an estimated $400 billion over the next ten years in tax compliance costs alone; the Fair Tax even more. Not one person I have talked to is against the Fair Tax, save my radical left-wing mother who is a self-proclaimed socialist and open proponent of using the tax code to socially engineer and make sure the "rich" pay their "fair share". You can imagine her horror at relinquishing all that centralized power back to the citizens.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:22AM

RIGHT ON!

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 11:39AM

If you want a black for president, simply retain Obama.
There is no need to look further.

Boar Hunter| 10.10.11 @ 11:48AM

I think you would look very sporty in your new, union manufactured, one size fits all, red hemp, communist party uniform.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:52AM

Wow Alan. What a deep analysis. Congratulations on one of your best efforts......

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 11:57AM

"Congratulations on one of your best efforts"

Thanks. Can the Obama re-election campaign put you down for $50.00, Steve? and you too, Boar Hunter.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:59AM

Sorry Alan. One too many "Summers Of Recovery" for me. I'm a little short on Obama donations.

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 12:10PM

Cain isn't even a self-made man as he claims to be, he had help from govt. all his life. Didn't he attend public schools? isn't he aided by the VA?
And Cain is in effect saying:

"you don't need shoeshine boxes-- you can lick Massa's boots with your tongues!"

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 12:12PM

Cain basically says to a black youth:

"Play your harmonica, SON."

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 12:22PM

I feel sorry for you. I really do. What a waste of time it must be to know you.

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 12:33PM

Steve,
all of a sudden a black for president is the In-Thing for many in the GOP (Alan Keyes was a total wingnut).

Cain is a token and a Tom-- as in Uncle Tom.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:41PM

Alan, that is a very racist thing to say. Are you a token, Alan, liberal? Are you an authentic, big government socialist?

Oh, yes, we apologize for Mr.Cain for his uppityness in thinking that he could make it on his own without welfare, a chit for an abortion, and a life time in public housing assitance. I know he should have been down with the struggle and been out there throwing fire bombs and collecting his weekly subsistence check rather than going to college and majoring in mathematics, rising in that evil business world, being successful, and becoming a millionare.

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 5:38PM

"Oh, yes, we apologize for Mr.Cain for his uppityness in thinking that he could make it on his own without welfare"

Cain was in the Service, wasn't he? he gets VA benefits, which includes everything, X-rays-- everything.
And Cain wants to be president, a govt. position.of course.

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 5:45PM

Cain isn't going to president anyway. You are all merely fantasizing.

Prester John| 10.10.11 @ 6:01PM

Actually Cain was not in the service.

He was a Department of the Navy civilian.

A simple check of his bio would've told you that.

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 6:16PM

Gept. of the Navy civilian still is a statist; and isn't that what you don't want? you want a private sector guy?

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 6:21PM

Dept. of the Navy civilian still is a statist; and isn't that what you don't want? you want a private sector guy?

Prester John| 10.10.11 @ 9:03PM

I was referring to your claim that Herman Cain received VA benefits. As a former civilian employee of the Navy he does not receive VA benefits. And I don't quite buy your argument that spending 6-7 years working for the Navy vice over 30 years in the private sector makes him a "statist". But maybe that's just me.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 9:08PM

Alan, never bothers with such trivialities as looking up a bio and getting stuff correct.
He is our lovable but very annoying liberal, "Ted Baxter", troll. We are not sure he really believes his own rhetoric.

Dave Williams| 10.10.11 @ 12:38PM

....and even worse to BE you, Brooksie baby...now go away, please, and stay away.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 1:07PM

Brooks craves attention and will say anthing. He is a lonely person. Even he doesn't believe what he says.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:27PM

You gotta be f n kidding me.

AB ... you need to shut the pie-hole. Did YOU succeed in life the way Cain has?

And that's NOT what he's saying. Cain echos Ward Connelly and Bill Cosby in his "hard truths" approach to the black community. Cain would be the best thing that happened to them -- get them (I'd say 20-35%) off the "Liberal Plantation" and get Obama out of office....

Boar Hunter| 10.10.11 @ 3:57PM

People in my family used to shoot communists and fascist dictators as a threat to our society, now idiots like you elect them.

Claypoole| 10.10.11 @ 3:06PM

Why is the left so obsessed, so consumed with race?

Alan Brooks| 10.10.11 @ 5:42PM

Isn't Cain just another statist? wouldn't Cain wind up being another Bush if he were to be elected next year?: and he wont.

Cosmo| 10.10.11 @ 5:45PM

All the above have major flaws....
There is room for another candidate...
Cucinelli? Scott Walker? Steve King?
Job description: Pro-life, anti-illegal immigration,
scandal-free, budget balancer.

Teaghan| 10.10.11 @ 6:28AM

Our 32 year old daughter has told us that people her age will not vote for Cain. "He has no charisma, he's not prochoice" I hope these aren't the thoughts of all of the younger set.
I like him but then I will vote for Romney if that is all we have. The current White House occupant must be replaced.

Mike Rogers| 10.10.11 @ 9:00AM

You can be sure that is not the case. Once you eliminate Paulbots, the question is whether the kid is brainwashed product of the liberal school system, in which case you have a tough road ahead, or if they are inclined to be conservative, or at least not vote for more Obama.
I guarantee you that any conservative will do better (maybe not a majority) among youngsters than 2008.

Teaghan| 10.10.11 @ 9:05AM

The abortion issue is so huge in some peoples minds, they don't want to back someone who does' support "a woman's right to choose". If they aren't for killing babies, they can't be good.
As usual, it's monday and I'm in the dumps.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 10:50AM

Teaghan, Hang in there. The "choice" issue will rank about #9 on the priority list when the levers get pulled next year.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:24AM

All women have a "choice". Don't become pregnant until you "choose" to! Using abortion as a method of birth control is unconscionable, IMHO.

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 11:47AM

I call my self a "pro-life voluntarist." People should avoid intercourse until marriage, but at the same time government has no business arresting someone for requesting, performing or otherwise facilitating an abortion. We'd have to build 50 million to 100 million prison cells to accomodate all the people who are suddenly classified as "murderers" or accessories to murder. An insane expansion of State power.

Think sexual outercourse, not intercourse. No woman ever got pregnant using her hands.

W.T. Foxtrot| 10.10.11 @ 12:05PM

Well if you're all that's around, she probably has no choice...

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 1:13PM

Oh, hilarious. Just hilarious.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:28PM

I agree about the arrests - HOWEVER, if people used common sense and refrained from getting pregnant in the first place or until they were prepared to nuture a child, there would be no problem. Yes, it is illegal and no abortion provders should not be jailed or killed or harrassed in any way - I am not an advocate of that - ONLY taking responsibility for yourself and your own body - that is CHOICE!

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:29PM

That's supposed to be 'legal' not 'illegal' sorry!

Topeka82| 10.10.11 @ 3:43PM

Moey demonstrates the dnagerously weak thinking of Anti-choice activists. Not all pregnancies are wanted and not all wanted pregnancies are viable. Moey would insist that all women who became pregnant from go through with the pregnancy, ignoring the emotional and physical toll that it would have on the victim. And of course, Moey would not lift a finger to take care of any child born from such a pregnancy. Adoption is always someone else's option. Birth control fails. Sme pregnancies turn out to be very dangerous for women's health. But for Moey, these women should have to risk their lives for Moey's enlightened sense of humanity and so Moey can have the satisfaction of punishing people for not living up to his (her?) standards. A mother dead in childbirth, a child born with severe birth defects who will never able to take care of themelves, or a rape victim being doubly victimized by the state's idea of religion is Moey's perfect world. And Moey gets to pretend to be better than everyone else.

Nick| 10.10.11 @ 10:45PM

"[...] a child born with severe birth defects who will never able to take care of themelves [...]."

So, you want to kill all people who can't take care of themselves, you sadistic monster? How very enlightened of you. The nazis and communists thought just like you do. They still do.

Nick| 10.10.11 @ 1:01PM

Seek,

Anyone who tries to rationalize an exception to justify the killing of an unborn baby (fetus in Latin,) cannot really call themselves "Pro-Life." This includes not wanting to criminalize abortion.

And, you never cease to astound, showing off your colossal abundance of ignorance. There are 1.5 million abortions executed each year, in the U.S. Many of those are 2nd or 3rd abortions by the same mother. So, we would not have to build 50 million prison cells.

All that is needed is to lock up the abortionists performing their evil deeds. The mothers can be let off with a warning. Call it diminished capacity due to the influx of hormones and the extreme pressure exerted on them by boyfriends/family members/married boyfriends.

All sexual activity, outside of marriage, is wrong, by the way.

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 1:22PM

Have you any idea of how many abortions each year were performed in this country BEFORE Roe v. Wade? (Hint: More than a few). Or that nearly two dozen states already had legalized abortion by that time? In any event, you got the number wrong, mate. The number of abortions in the U.S. is down to about 1.2 million annually.

I stand firmly by my position: By redefining abortion as first-degree murder -- and that is the endgame of all pro-life radicals -- yes, we would have to treat an abortion performed decades earlier as no different from one performed the day before; there would be no statute of limitations. And when you think about it, that would require building a lot of prison cells. 50 million? A hypothetical number. But it would be a lot more than we have now. Call my fears of a reproductive police state "colossal ignorance," if you will -- I call it common sense.

If you don't believe in abortion, don't engage in the sex act that might create one, at least not until you are maried and ready to have a kid.

Nick| 10.10.11 @ 2:23PM

Seek,

You do realize that you are on this thing called the internet, don't you? And, that it is fairly easy to check facts, right?

Nearly two dozen states did not legalize abortion, prior to Roe v. Wade. 17 states had loosened their resitrictions on abortion, but, there were still restrictions. No state allowed for abortion on demand, which Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton gave us. Unless, you count the phony "health of the mother" exceptions that some states had implemented.

"I stand firmly by my position [...]."

Standing firmly on ignorance, doesn't make it any less ignorant. Abortions were never treated like first-degree murder by any state in this country. Even though they should have been. So, you are throwing up straw men to swat down.

"If you don't believe in abortion, don't engage in the sex act that might create one, at least not until you are maried and ready to have a kid."

And what are the consequences if I don't? I don't believe in chopping peoples' heads off, or arson, either? Am I not allowed to lobby for laws against these acts as well?

W| 10.10.11 @ 4:00PM

Seek
If abortion is made a crime today you cannot prosecute for act before today. It is called ex post facto.
You have the numbers wrong, the facts wrong, and the law wrong. A trifecta.
Someday you will learn you were also on the wrong side of morality.

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 7:21PM

I know about ex post facto. I also know about projecting into the future. If we made all abortion illegal today in all 50 states, try to imagine what America would look like, say, in 2050. I don't think it would be a pretty picture.

W| 10.10.11 @ 8:03PM

Don't understand what you mean by "imagine what America would look like say in 2050." What do you mean.

Nick| 10.10.11 @ 10:37PM

No answer to my questions, Seek?
Suuuure you know about ex post facto.
I think not.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:28PM

I think it would be awesome in 2050 without abortion. We would certainly have enough workers to fund Medi/Medi and SS.

Topeka82| 10.10.11 @ 3:47PM

So pregnant women are not capable of making informed choices? Wow, you really are ignorant. If abortion is a crime, the woman having an abortion is naturally an accessory. Therefore, women who have had abortions will have to go to prison, putting millions more people in jail to satisfy Nick's idea of morality.

Of course, Nick would never help a pregnant woman in need or adopt a special needs child. No, that's for someone else to do. He's too busy tellling us the difference between right and wrong because we're adults and can't do it for ourselves.

Nick| 10.10.11 @ 10:34PM

Topeka82,

You have no idea what I do, or do not do, to help pregnant women; or if I have, or have not, adopted a special needs child. So stop projecting your own selfishness onto others, okay?

And, both of your examples don't change the fact that abortion kills an unborn baby (fetus in Latin) and is harmful to the health of the mother.

If you think abortion is a moral act, you either haven't educated yourself enough on the subject, or, you don't know the difference between right and wrong.

You need to pray that God gives you guidance and shows you the error of your ways.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:26PM

Hiya, Topeka. I think Nick would adopt a special needs child.

By the way, my son Ike, who is very bright and incredibly agile and strong, was born with microtia of the right ear and required a bone anchored hearing aid and ear prostheses operation performed at Mayo. I started adoption proceedings at age 4 months, before I knew about his wicked intellect.

So, I adopted a special needs kid from overseas. AND I oppose abortion. I think Nick would do the same, as he is a lovely man. Now, go get stuffed.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:30PM

Incidentally, rape does not affect the innocent status of the child.

Drummer| 10.10.11 @ 9:36AM

Your 32 year old daughter should run - if she truly has the ability to know "people her age will not vote for Cain". I am of the younger set and will vote again for the President, disappointed as I've been in his performance. Of the Republicans, Herman Cain may be the best, but he extremely combative. In his interview with Lawrrence O'Dommell he had an opportunity to be civil, give recognition and appreciation for those in the civil rights movement who paved the way. He chose to argue and came off looking simple and angry.

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 10:11AM

So I take it you were all for the attacks on Cains character made by Mr. O'Donnel? Cain was right to get angry. Mr. O'Donnell basically called him a uncle tom, a coward and a draft doger. Gee, why shouls Cain get mad over that?

Mr. O'Donnel wasn't interested in being a jounalist. He was to busy trying to ask "gotcha" questions. Why didn't he also ask Hermain Cain if he is still beating his wife? That ranks about even with the questions he was throwing out there. He was protecting Obama, plain and simple. To do anything else would have gone against the MSNBC motto and gotten him fired.

Al Adab| 10.10.11 @ 11:33AM

Cain, like Newt and Steve Forbes before them is a good idea man. Unlike Newt Cain has the potential to possibly make a run. We Conservatives need to do a better job of recruiting and promoting candidates who adhere to our principles. Lets cut the accomodationists out and get to work.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 10:30AM

Go away troll. WE REALLY COULD GIVE A RATS ASS what anyone deluded enough to vote for this abomination thinks or anyone who would watch a self avowed talking head socialist.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:29PM

Hear hear, Simon!

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:25AM

Lawrence O'Donnell is a 'talk show' host who just antagnoizes people. Herman Cain mopped the floor with him, as he should have!

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:55AM

Drummer, If you want a display of simple & angry, take a stroll over to Pennsylvania Ave & ask for Barak. Your hero will go on full meltdown mode here shortly as his lame presidency continues to unravel.

Boar Hunter| 10.10.11 @ 1:00PM

I "will vote again for the President" is all anyone needs to hear from you to know your opinion is worthless. The hypocrisy of your twisted little mind is utterly amazing.

The extent you leftards are willing to stoop to protect what you perceive as your exclusive right to play the race card knows no bounds.

So now, because Herman Cain had a job and a family to support and protect, he isn't really Black? Because he didn't attend "Civil Rights" marches he isn't Black? Golly Gee, I thought those who did march were doing so on behalf of the downtrodden masses like Mr. Cain. I wonder, what percentage of the Black population marched? I wonder what your lame ass excuse would be if Cain had marched?

Speaking about angry, who were those New Black Panther party members that Obama was photographed standing arm and arm with? No surprise his "Boy" Holder (Another lying, corrupt, terrorist supporting, anti American Black man) overturned the prosecution of these same men for voter intimidation.

You claim your disappointed? Just what, pray tell, are you disappointed with? It seems to me that you and the other useless vermin in the flea and locust class should be very happy with your Black president. After all, since "You people" chose to ignore Obama's mentor's, friends and associates to vote for this walking empty platitude, we now have the most destructive and divisive president in American history.

Look at all he's tried to do for you and your still disappointed with him? Are you unhappy he didn't give you everything he promised yet because the evil, greedy rich people still wont give him all their money? Look at Obama's brother in Afrika (The "k" is a black thing to improve my street cred) and compare how he and Michelle live to members of their own family. After all, I learned from watching TV that only five dollars a month will provide shelter, clothing, food and an education to an ignorant, diseased, Ethiopian child for a month. Lol and you still think that lying asshole is a compassionate and generous man.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 10:43AM

I'm 29, I love Herman Cain. Liberals typically assume everyone "their age" thinks like them because liberals typically only surround themselves with their own type and refuse to converse with conservatives. On the other hand, Conservatives my age typically don't talk politics with people our age because it doesn't get you anywhere. you can slap them in the face with facts and reasoning and it doesn't matter. They don't base their ideas on logic and reason, therefore logic and reason won't change their mind. I'm tired of beating that dead horse, therefore I don't talk politics with libs until they say something stupid.

Guy| 10.10.11 @ 12:14PM

Then you must have to talk to them a lot.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:05PM

Touche'

vicky bennett| 10.10.11 @ 11:26AM

I AM PRO-CHOICE... but My choice is always LIFE... :)
I hope your daughter will not be just a one issue voter. Let her know abortion is murder, SHOW HER PICTURES FROM THE WEB.. its not tissue..
And ps.. she has a choice.... her choice is too not have unprotected sex.... thats choice enough..

Vicky Too| 10.10.11 @ 3:51PM

Vicky is jealous because some women are getting more than she is.

Mr ED| 10.10.11 @ 6:32AM

"Flavor of the week" indeed. Now where have I heard that before?

The creeping fear and horror of the Ruling Elite crowd and their spokesmen (the pundicRATs) is very real, and for good reason. They formulate and reformulate their tired old nostrums, expecting the public at large to be swayed by the same drivel, (he's not a "serious" candidate, so lets put all of the focus back on our own RINO flavor of the month) but this time they miscalculated. Cain has the (horrors!) impertinent cheek to actually give voice to CONSERVATIVE principals and not craft the usual *clever* message that gives hope to Libs and RINOs that he will be "reasonable" (jettison all conservative principals as soon as he is elected).

It will be interesting to watch the Lib/RINO/pundicRAT axis of evil squirm as they try their best to destroy the guy who now seems destined to upset their incestuous little apple cart.

Patrick | 10.10.11 @ 12:40PM

The drivel that comes out of the minds ( I use this term caustiously) of the pundicrat class reminds me of a quote in A.S. Pushkin's "Yevgeni Onegin:

"Public opinion, here is our idol, the spring of honour, and the pin on which this world is doomed to spin."

The American "media class" today is representative of useful idiots used by the autocrats of 19th century Russia. The same useful idiots used by Stalin and continued today by Putin. Any well read intellectual that does not to recognize the simliarities in the U.S. today and Russia of the 19th Century indicates either a huge intelletual chasm, or an ignorance beyond the routine.

The challenge that most have with Cain is that he shutters the mind of pundicrats because he is against mold. He is not of the political class and has ideas that are south of their own. Their simply comes a time in the history of a republic where the house must be cleansed of the rif-raf and pretenders, and replaced with principled leaders of good moral and ethical character. THIS IS THAT TIME!!! Until Cain is proven otherwise, he is where I place my flag.

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 6:37AM

Can Cain go the distance? I don't know? Can Perry? Can Romney?
Herman Cain is what we need, right now. He's a successful Businessman, who grew up Black, at a time when we were still segregated. His Mother worked one job, and his Father worked THREE. His Mom wasn't an Atheist/Communist. His Father wasn't a Muslim/Marxist. His Maternal Grandparents weren't Communists, who introduced him to a Radical Communist, to be his Mentor.
He has worked hard. He has pulled himself up. Herman Cain IS the American Dream.
Can Herman Cain go the distance?
Rick Perry is FINISHED. Mitt Romney is on life support. His Romney Care and his Global Warming garbage, makes his Toast. Michelle Bachmann? A good Veep choice. Ron Paul is a Carnival Side Show. Like a Broken Clock, he gets it right, a coupla times a day, but, the rest of the time he's the Republican Party's, Dennis Kucinich.
We need JOBS. Herman Cain knows BUSINESS. He has gone from the Mail Room to the Board Room, and he did it on his own. He knows what is needed to get this Country back to work.
The rest of them, are POLITCIANS. They know how to talk, They know how to Raise Money, for themselves. They know how to make DEALS with the Devil. These are the things that have gotten us to where we are, right now.
If Herman Cain is the Nominee, he gets ALL of the Republican Vote + ALL of the Conservatives + a lot of Democrats + a lot of the Black Vote.
That's a LANDSLIDE, where I come from.
Go Herman!

Mike Rogers| 10.10.11 @ 9:11AM

Indeed.
Dear readers,
Now is not the time to hold your noses and either stand back, or to work for the inevitable "next man in line", or (in a few craven cases) try to back the winner, only to have to switch horses mid race.
Now is the time for bold color, not pale pastels. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the TEA party. Now is the time for HERMAN CAIN!
I personally went big for Herman Cain as soon as he opened his exploratory PAC, and was maxed for the primary by the time he announced. I'm just a single donor, not a bundler, and I believe this man can go the distance and make a difference. Don't sit this out, don't let the establishment (democrat-lite) snatch back control, back a bold leader who can crack the ruling class from the top, just like Jim DeMint and Steve King are doing from congress.
Get signs and brochures, and get involved - this man is our best chance.

richard ryan| 10.10.11 @ 11:47AM

I'm with you Mike. Cain's biggest deficit is money, I hope others like us will not waste time getting him enough cash to give this a good shot. After the money starts flowing, an official Palin or DeMint endorsement would be all he needs to give Romney a run for his money.

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 9:49AM

Actually Pennell,
Many of We Tea Party Patriots Support Our Co-Favorite Presidential Candidate Dr.Ron Paul.

"Ron Paul won the Value Voters straw poll.
Paul, a libertarian-leaning Republican, came in first with 37 percent of the vote, continuing his success among grassroots activists. Paul's supporters were out in force on Saturday morning for his speech, where he emphasized the role of his faith in informing his policy views."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 10:05AM

He's an IDIOT.
He is not the answer. We've got a False Prophet in the White House, now.
We don't need another one.

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 10:33AM

Actually Pennell, You're the idiot.

Dr.Ron Paul has been a longtime voice to Audit The FED.

Dr.Ron Paul Opposed TARP.

Herman Cain was against Auditing The FED, before he was for Auditing The Fed.

Herman Cain was For TARP, before he was Against TARP.

Do Your Homework.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

ChromeWeasel| 10.10.11 @ 10:34AM

Paul isn't an idiot, he's just a devout libertarian. I respect that about him. He actually sticks to his philosophy with little regards to politics. That much said, I like Herman Cain a lot and hope he continues his performance.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 10:48AM

I like just about everything about Ron Paul except his foreign policy views. I agree that we shouldn't be the world police, but in the same token, we can't ignore the fact that terrorists groups are real, and they don't wanna wipe us off the map because we have troops in their country, they wanna kill us all because we are the infidels, and they are waging a religious war. Ron Paul has a tendency of buying into the left's talking points regarding foreign policy, and if you want to see the results of that just take a look at how Obama's foreign policy is working.

W| 10.10.11 @ 4:03PM

I don't believe Obama is an isolationist. He is a multi-nationalist in that he want to give away our sovereignty piece by piece, as he did in Libya by following the French and British. He does not like or believe in American power and wants it diminished.

Eisenhower| 10.10.11 @ 11:12AM

The fact that he buys into the left's talking points sometimes, I agree with you on. But I disagree that a Ron Paul Foreign Policy would look anything like Obama's current policy. That's like comparing Robert Taft to Woodrow Wilson, they're almost direct opposites on most issues including Foreign Policy, (putting aside Obama 2008 campaign rhetoric, which he's shown means absolutely nothing now.)

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:08PM

I agree. Obama is no isolationist, but Obama tends to ignore the real problems (Iran, China, Russia), which is the isolationist approach. Paul comes off as a pure isolationist, and I don't believe the problems will disappear if we ignore them.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:32PM

Uhh ... settle down, Timmy.

And remember the 11th Commandment before you post.

WT| 10.10.11 @ 10:28AM

If Ron Paul is the "father" of the TeaParty movement, why hasn't he come out vocally to defend the Tea Party vs. attacks from the Congressional Black Caucus?

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 11:08AM

Where have you been ?

Agendists have attempted to Play The Race Card on Dr. Ron Paul & The Tea Party ad nauseam.

" Dr.Ron Paul strongly believes the Tea Party movement should remain a grassroots phenomenon, rather than being co-opted by Washington or any political party.”

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:31AM

Very very well said. I just hope the Paul group and the died inthe wool libertarians fall in behind and support the Cain movement - a breath of fresh air, common sense, and understanding of the need for jobs, us businesses and the need to get the jobs back HOME!

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 12:04PM

I repeat. He's an IDIOT. We are NEVER gonna let everyone do whatever they want. That isn't Libertarianism. That's ANARCHY.
Tin Foil is for wrapping FOOD, not your stupid heads.
Grow up.

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 12:38PM

I repeat. You're an idiot Pennell.

States Rights aren't anarchy.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:21PM

Tim,

as previously noted, Clint IS an idiot. Comes from being a C. Elegans with 302 brain cells.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 9:12PM

Calm down, Timmy. You don't have to capitalize every other word. Finally you post only a couple sentences. Now you can work on content.

FlGOP| 10.10.11 @ 3:54PM

He grew up black? Is he still black? Do we have to check the pedigrees of families and their politics for four or five generations now? Please tell me what to think -- my radio's busted!

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 7:02AM

While Cain talks a good talk doe he actually walks the walk? On several issues he’s taken both sides of a position, reversed course quicker than Mitt Romney or just denied what he’d actually said. Can Herman Cain, beyond giving a good speech, provide substantive and lucid answers (no more fuzzy statements about Congress advancing legislation, he won’t have power as President, etc…) as to why he refused to sign both the pro-life and pro-marriage pledges; why he told Maggie Gallagher to her face that he supported a pro-marriage amendment and then took the opposite position in the NH debate; why his views on the 2d Amendment mirror liberal Obama Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor (he’s for gun control); why he agrees with Nancy Pelosi it’s a good idea to have a regressive national sales tax and income tax at the same time when 69% of Americans don’t; why he did nothing to stop the hiring of illegal aliens, in one of the worst industries for it, while he was chairman of the National Restaurant Association; why he thinks he knows better than the people and legislature of Texas what to do with their colleges and universities (making one wonder if he Romney and Santorum oppose or just don't understand the 10th Amendment/state’s rights/federalism); what has he actually done to stop illegal immigration besides talk; why he supported liberals and Ron Paul on the killing of Anwar Awalaki and then denied he’d ever held that position; why he may support the "right of return" for Palestinians (it was hard to tell from his befuddled answer to Chris Wallace); why he thinks it’s appropriate to use liberal lies to smear another Republican; and since he flubbed it when he announced his candidacy does he now know the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

In 2008 we rightly disparaged unknown Barack Obama for his lack of experience in government, executive leadership, foreign policy knowledge, racist past and thinking there were 57 states. Herman Cain, despite the protests of his followers, needs to go through an honest vetting process now, because after the last election we don’t need another smooth talking and ineffectual President who has trouble with the truth or shocking the American electorate that he’s not the same person they thought they were voting for. If Cain isn’t up to an honest examination and is unable to provide rational explanations for seemingly conflicting positions and statements then if he’s the nominee a sure Republican victory might just turn into another Democrat triumph.

Jack in Wi.| 10.10.11 @ 7:18AM

For the first time in my life I agree with Mr. Tomlinson. If I want a guy who has some who is going to another elitist candidate, why not chose Romney? He at least is using his own money for the election. If any of the 3 stooges Romney, Perry or Cain is the nominee forget about any chance of meaningful change in this country. I voted for the Repubican nominee in 11 straight elections. I will never support another worthless guy like the last 4 nominees. Count me and a lot more like me out.

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 8:02AM

Let's see. Romney: Romney Care. Global Warming. The whole MORMON Albatross thing.
Perry: Has already Self Immolated, what, with the In State Tuition, for ILLEGALS, and that Painted ROCK of Ages.
Bachmann: No Business experience. No member of the House has ever been elected to the Presidency.
Ron Paul: Legalize Heroin and Cocaine and Meth.
Santorum: Lost his own State, BIG, last time running. ZERO name recognition.
Huntsman: He's a LIB.
Gingrich: Way too much baggage. They will kill him, with the whole, Girlfriend/Dying Wife, deal.
I'd say, Herman Kane looks pretty good.
And, while we're at it, maybe you could tell the class all about Ronald Reagan's FOREIGN POLICY Experience. I see lots of ASSUMPTIONS in your piece.
And, we all know that, when you ASSUME, you tend to make an ASS out of U and ME .
You want him Vetted? So do we. But, one thing I know for sure, is that he went from NOTHING, to CEO of a BIG COMPANY. No Rich Daddy. No Ivy League. This Country needs JOBS. Herman Cain knows how to get hiring started, once again.
The other stuff? As I recall, Ronald Reagan used to DELEGATE those things, to the people he put in place, for just that purpose.
You want someone who KNOWS EVERYTHING?
You got him. He's in the Oval Office, right now. And, we all know how that's working out.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 9:35AM

Cain is nothing like Reagan. Reagan had been a successful Governor of California (what then was today's Texas) and as such had dealt with foreign leaders on trade deals. To compare the inexperienced and unknown Cain to Reagan is an insult to a great President's memory. Cain is more like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama if you want to compare him to Presidents -- unknown, untested, unproven and uncertain with the facts/truth.

Cain's business experience was in "saving" Godfather's Pizza by downsizing half the company. He's a jobs destroyer not creator. Why didn't he do something to clean up the massive hiring of illegal aliens in his industry when he was chairman of the National Restaurant Association? Because Herman Cain talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk.

As for in-state tuition for all students who have a valid Texas H.S. diploma that is a state issue that was and is overwhelmingly supported by the people of Texas. Until their is a Federal law that trumps it that is Texas' business. Unless you are from Texas it is none of your buisness anymore than Texas wants to tell Alaska what to do with its oil . . .

It is time for conservatives to either rally round the 10th Amendment or admit like Cain, Romney and Santorum they're "Big Brother" Republicans who want to amass more power to the Federal government at the expense of the states. Of the 3 Cain is the #1 proponent of big government with his intrusive ideas on how states operate internally and his Nancy Pelosi regressive tax that will necessitate a massive increase in the IRS to police the underground economy to escape his punitive sales tax. He can change its name, but it will be the same old game, but worse for small businesses as it raids them and hovers over them to get Herman Cain's cut of their profits.

Rick Perry is the only candidate who has put boots on the border (Rangers and a special Ranger Recon team), fought sanctuary cities, passed voter ID legislation to insure the integrity of the election system, Perry opposes the Federal Dream Act and is willing to fight Mexican narco-terrorism on our border. What's Cain's record? Oh that's right he doesn't have one other than leading an organization that is one of the top jobs providers for illegal aliens.

Rick Perry is the only candidate with a solid record of cutting government spending, cutting taxes and defending the soveriegn rights of states against the encroachment of "Big Brother" government espoused by Cain, Romney and Santorum. He has signed the pro-life and pro-family pledges, he gets an A+ from the NRA on 2d Amendment rights, signed tort reform to defang Democrat trial lawyers . . . His record of success goes on and on.

Even more telling, unlike Cain and Romney, when he's wrong he admits it and changes course unless it would violate the Constitution (such as the unconstitutional positions of Cain, Romney and Santorum on Texas' policy of tuition at its state colleges and universities).

Herman Cain is our Obama. A man who can make a good speech, is slippery on the issues, ready to pull out the race card to smear a man who has helped African-Americans advance in our society (while Herman Cain was firing them), opposes the idea of federalism and cooked up a scheme with an accountant in Cleveland, OH to levy a regressive and punitive sales tax on the American people.

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 10:10AM

Look Pal, if you can't see the writing on the wall, for Rick Perry, than I can't help you.I suggest you stick a fork in him, cause HE'S DONE. In State Tuition for the Kids of ILLEGALS, is a Political Death Sentence.
Maybe you should concentrate on PAUL. At least you'd be able to GET HIGH.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 11:33AM

Herman Cain is, as Sarah Palin put it, the flavor of the month. If Rick Perry is done then Mitt Romney is our candidate and we should quit wasting time and get behind him and take out Obama.

The smart money in 2008 said McCain was finished before Iowa too. They were wrong. The same smart guys told us Reagan was finished after Iowa. They were wrong. The problem is until votes start coming in we won't know who ourcandidate is, but it ain't going to be Cain.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:18PM

Rick Perry may just be the Liberal Christian flavor of the month, Michael.
Apparently, he can't even say that Mormonism isn't Christianity.
And he's weak as to illegals.
Weak, weak, weak.
In fact, he's a lot weaker than Herman Cain.

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 11:56AM

"Herman Cain is our Obama."

Unintentionally, Michael Tomlinson has stated the problem in a nutshell. Genuine conservatives (like me) don't WANT another Obama, a conservative version of an affirmative-action hire. Let the Left call us "racist" for not nominating Herman Cain. They're going to call us that even if we do nominate him.

This whole "best black" fetish grates on me. We tried that back in 2004 running a radical black Christian fundamentalist (and proven loser), Alan Keyes, as the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois. His opponent? A guy named Barack Obama. Keyes lost by 70%-27%, a landslide even for a carpetbagger. How about instead going after something called "the white vote?"

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 12:26PM

Keyes lost to Obama after even after sellingout to the reperations crowd. One wonders if Cain is our nominee how soon he'll adopt that position too?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:12PM

I like Herman Cain because of ideas, not the color of his skin. The fact that you think that shows a little bit of racism on your own part.

Choosing candidates based on gender, race, etc is what the left does, not conservatives.

Why is it so hard for you to believe that people like Herman for reasons beyond the color of his skin? Is that all you see?

FlGOP| 10.10.11 @ 3:55PM

So you like Herman, but you don't like his race?

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:20PM

Like Herman for reasons beyond the color of his skin. Like that great Republican, MLK put it: "I want to be judged for the content of my character, not the color of my skin."

Seek| 10.10.11 @ 7:25PM

I like Herman Cain. He's a very admirable and accomplished person. But he hasn't sold me yet on his ability to serve as president. That job requires a highly specialized set of skills. Apparently, a lot of conservatives out there are willing to overlook his inexperience and lack of a well-defined platform. And I suspect the main reason is because he's the Best Black.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 3:37PM

Let's give Cain a chance, people. He's still defining himself on positions and for all the hullaballoo, he hasn't made serious enough gaffes for Obamanation to be able to make that his strategy.

Settle down, watch the debates. It's October.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:32AM

Agree totally. Herman Cain is the real deal - lets get to know him a lot better!

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 12:23PM

Dr. Milton Friedman: speaking on why drugs should be legalized.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLsCC0LZxkY

Boar Hunter| 10.10.11 @ 1:16PM

Ha! I knew it! The truth finally comes out Clint! You want Paul the nut elected because you want your use of drugs to be legitimatized. LOL, what difference does it really make Clint? You're gong to keep using them if they're legal or not. Hahahahahahahha, Clint uses drugs! Clint uses drugs! Oh wait! I guess that's not really a surprise to anyone. After all, it was either "crazy" or "drugs." I should have known, BwaHahahahahahhaha!

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 1:50PM

I'm sure he has a prescription from Ron Paul for those. He traded his vote at a straw poll for them.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 9:14PM

Timmy, if you're going to vote for Cain learn to spell Cain, not Kane. That tells us you put a lot of thought and reason in comparing Kane to Reagan.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:06PM

Tim: thank you for noting the idiotic Paul drug legalization policy, one of WFB's few mistakes.

Purdue, although not glamorous, is an excellent, excellent hard sciences school.

Alice Moore| 10.10.11 @ 9:29AM

Michael, Tim, and Jack. No one in the GOP field is perfect. In an ordinary election some of their flaws would be disqualifications. This is not an ordinary election cycle. ALL, I repeat ALL of the nominees would be superior to the current occupant at 1600. I say this without qualifications or no ifs, ands, or buts.

Please do not sit on your hands and stay home in 2012. The incumbents would love this. If you're looking for the Perfect Candidate; there is no such animal. Ronald Reagan, the now Republican Sun King, wasn't perfect in 1980 or 1984.

Get away from the King Charisma instinct. Like or not, the present field is what is available to us in 2012. They all have strengths and weaknesses. They all are better than Obama.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 9:45AM

Agreed Alice on most points, but there are two candidates I do not trust Ron Paul on foreign policy and Herman Cain on domestic and foreign policy.

I might dislike Paul, but I'll admit he's a man of his principles (wrong principles, but he's got them). Herman Cain on the other hand is looking like a "new messiah from the right" -- sweet tongued and just as duplicitous as Barack Obama.

Until he comes clean and deals with issues honestly I'm not sure I can or will support him if he gets the nomination, because we'll be turning an easy Republican victory into a defeat; like NV and DE in 2010 when our Party was represented by two opportunists who said what it took to get the nomination, but didn't have what it took to win.

Nancy in NC| 10.10.11 @ 10:24AM

And how does 4 more years of Obama look to you?

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 10:58AM

Exactly. When will they ever learn? Why can these people not grasp the idea that it is self destructive and stupid to tear to shreds our candidates during a primary. Obama is the enemy, jackasses. What really gets me is the use of liberal talking points, liberal smear attack styles, and liberal lies by so-called conservatives on this blog against other conservatives. They should really consider getting on the DNC pay roll. At least they could pick up a few bucks while shooting themselves and the conservative movement in the head.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:33AM

if that happens we will not longer be the land of the free.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 11:39AM

Cain is our Obama and I don't want a GOP version of Obama in White House anymore than I want the original. So I'm going to do my small part with a few others to get the truth out on Herman Cain -- he's so willing to tell a lie he's forgot what the turth looks like. Then if I have to I'll suck it up and vote for Romney.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:32PM

Tomlinson: You better go back and re-do your research. You are so far out of touch I can't believe it.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 1:05PM

I understand it is hard to have your "messiah's" holiness revealed as filthy rags, but set aside your emotions and actually check out what Cain has said and done. He's very much like Mitt Romney, but Romney at least has the dignity to say he's changed over the years (maybe he has) while Cain has been flipping and flopping and denying what he has said and creating a new reality regularly since announcing he was running for the White House and confusing the Declaration of Independence with the Constitution.

If he's the nominee the Democrats are going to have a field day with him and the whine, "People are trying to push me in a corner" when he's caught changing the truth isn't going to cut it.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:51PM

You think, talk, act, argue, and speak like a liberal, MT, with the exception of your so-called small government rhetoric. Go all the way and join them. Get lost.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:06PM

You best link some citations or go down as another whackjob poster....

PatinGA| 10.10.11 @ 12:36PM

Michael - I agree! Herman Cain follows all the talking points and comes up with a solution. This makes him appear to be the saviour, saying what everyone wants to hear.
In turn, his followers begin the worship, just like they did with Obama in 2008.
Cain is not the "knight in shining armor" that will heal our country. Cain is simply Obama all over again....

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:52PM

Another dimwitted troll regurgitates. Cain threatening you?

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:15PM

Utterly ridiculous. Our version of Obama? Yeah, besides the POLAR OPPOSITE idealogies. But they both don't have much political experience.. and we all know, that's why Obama has been unsuccessful growing our economy, because of his lack of experience, not because he clings to his socialist, marxist ideology.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:07PM

Exactly.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:49PM

You paulbots are really a scourge. You and you alone will be responsible for the reelection of this socialist jackass. You would rather see a RINO in office. Cain is not Obama and nothing under this sun is going to move your thick headed, dimwit brain to think otherwise. Join up with the Liberals, and please go away.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 9:16PM

You are a real reasonable guy here, Simon. You call people you disaree with Paulbots, whatever that means, and RINO, and dimwit. Yeah, you want to win alright.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:24PM

Michael,

If you can ACTUALLY come out and say that Ron Paul has principles.. you are really lost.

Principles on what pray tell? The legalization of dope and prostitution?

Or is it how he sympathizes with the poor, pooooor terrorists, perhaps, and blames America for them?
Oh, and on Iran??

If you can actually sit there and compare him with Herman Cain in any way and actually say R, Paul has principles, and Herman Cain is nothing but a duplicitous hack like Obama, I think it's YOU who is disingenuous.
How sad.
Is this because you are from Texas or something?
Why are you doing this?

martin j smith| 10.10.11 @ 7:39AM

Cain has a number of things going for him. He is not conneted to the Washington Elite as i would put Perry and Romney and perhaps even Bachman
He is not a loser as is Romney and Santorum.
He is very articulate. Perry has problems
He is assertive and capable of handling MSM interviews--very important. He is inspiring more than many others I think.
No government experience--sorry but he has more going for him than Obama does as of now.
He is a great example of the American Dream.

In the end as with all candidates it will be up to him. But I will tell you right now I will make up my own mind who to prefer not based on this or any other writer. No one is perfect but we need to beat Obama very badly. And it could be --time will tell--that this guy could be a unifying figure on our side and maybe attracted enough fed up ( Democrat voters ) to win big.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:42AM

That's right and I think Mr.Cain's tent is extremely large!

Merlin| 10.10.11 @ 7:41AM

Cain would not be comfortable with a Muslim in his cabinet? Nor would I be. I am not really comfortable with Muslims in the country and it is FOOLISH to let more Muslims enter the US.

How would liberals feel about an orthodox Jew in the cabinet?

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 9:53AM

He's changed his position after getting heat from the media so now he would have a Muslim in his cabinet. It's Herman Cain so wait a few weeks and he'll have a new position.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:01AM

Please, he did not change his position. After MSM smears, lies, and distortions about what he actually said he was smart enough to clarify and put this to rest. He said he would check out every Muslim's background, values, and loyalty before appointing them to anything.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:44AM

He has made it extremely clear that he is referring to Muslims promotion Jihad! He is very clear about that. There are many Orthodox Jewish people in high government positions - they do not have an active group that advocates overthrow of the US government or mass annililation of its people!

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 12:33PM

Rather than say what Herman "Obama" Cain said here is Herman "Obama" Cain in his own words.

At the Conservative Principles Conference in Des Moines, Iowa Cain was asked, "Would you be comfortable appointing a Muslim either in your Cabinet or as a federal judge?"

"No, I will not," Cain replied. "And here’s why. There is this creeping attempt, there’s this attempt to gradually ease Sharia law and the Muslim faith into our government. It does not belong in our government."

Once the heat was on here is what Herman Cain told Glenn Beck, "[The reporter] said, would you be comfortable with a Muslim in your Cabinet?" Cain told Beck. "And I immediately said, without thinking, ‘No, I would not be comfortable.’ I did not say that I would not have them in my Cabinet. Because if you look at my career, I have hired good people regardless of race, religion, sex, gender or orientation and this sort of thing. "

Notice Cain doesn't nuance what he first said he just denies it and creates a "new reality." He did the same thing with the killing of Anwar Awalaki. Herman "Obama" Cain has a problem either with his mouth, memory or the truth, but anyone of the three should exclude from the Republican nomination for President.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 3:57PM

You are just another frigin troll that is utterly dogmatic, childish, and willing to say anything no matter how ridiculous and innacurate. It is really is getting old. You are not making any arguments worth reading. We got it. You dislike Cain. Guess what? We do not care why as nothing you have said holds any water.
Now, troll away.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 9:17PM

Who is "we" that elected you spokesman? Speak for yourself.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:25PM

Too bad Michael Tomlinson is actually sounding like his brother, Clint here.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:16PM

I don't know if it is that bad, Margie. Michael doesn't like Cain.

Me, I view the job of President as fairly simple (not EASY, simple)

a) keep taxes low.
b) keep regulation low (and strangle attorneys when possible).

Parts a) and b) unleash the awesomeness of the American people. part c) keeps them safe.

Romney has problems with a) and b). Paul fails dismally at c). Peery hasn't learned his lines to articulate his plans yet. He's no Reagan.

Perhaps Cain could do it. He's definitely better than Obama, goodness. We shall see. You guys will be deciding this because I live in Minnesota. By the time it comes to me it will be over.

But don't smear MT with the "Clint" label, Margie. He's defended you a few times, I believe.

Me, I'm learning as I watch. This is the most interesting Republican primary race next to the first one I voted in (Reagan/Carter) in my lifetime.
c) Kill enemies of America.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:18PM

OOPs, C) should have been next to a) and b).

Keep Taxes/Regs low and Club high.Use Club frequently---3rd worlders are slow learners. Show concern over your own troops' safety FAR above foreign civilians---they don't vote for you, your troops do.

That's pretty much the job description of POTUS.

Margie| 10.12.11 @ 10:33PM

He's smearing Herman Cain like Clint does, O.T.
Not liking him is one thing, but SMEARING is another!
The statement stands.
And, if someone defends me once, but is doing wrong later, I say what I think. I'm not a respecter of persons, except the Person of the Truth.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:12PM

If Cain "changed his position" I believe it was due to the PC Media.

Do you really think some who says, "I'd be uncomfortable with Muslim in the Cabinet WHO HELD ALLEGIANCE TO SHARIA AS SUPREME LAW, OVER THE CONSTITUTION" really changed his position, well, you need to bone up on politics.

This is the same reason Obomba never gives ANY specifics on what he would "cut" ... HE WON'T TOUCH A NINE VOLT BATTERY LET ALONE THE THIRD RAILS OF ENTITLEMENTS.

Beating Obama by showing apathetic voters that "We need to change entitlements" is damn near IMPOSSIBLE. Not enough people see through the lies, or are willing to give up self-interest, to make that the place to define the election.

No, it must be on POSITIVE, PRO-GROWTH messaging. On JOBS. That is where Obomba is wet-Kleenex thin and that is where to fight the fight.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:07PM

Obama got rid of his orthodox Jew---that was Rahm, beieve it or not.

Brian Mc| 10.10.11 @ 7:57AM

We don't need new ways to take our money. This is the one aspect of Cain's platform that startles me. But, he's already got all his eggs in that basket. If, by election day, he is the nominee and he still stands by his 9-9-9 plan I will vote for him while holding my nose. Then, I'll hope that he wakes up and begins the process of dismantling this fearful monolith we call the Federal Government. A runaway, unconstitutional and criminal bureaucracy is what I fear more than anything.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:15PM

The 999 plan would of course have to be worked through Congress. I'd expect a 1986 type tax reform, and maybe the sales tax gets dropped.

One note, however: If Cain's plan ended the Payroll Tax, what a boon that would be to Entitlement Reform -- no more "I paid for my Medicare and SSI" argument (at least from young voters).

Also, means-testing may not be popular (or fair) but it's a good way to start peeling off SOME of the elderly from the "Don't touch MY SSI" mantra....

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 8:26AM

Well,
Perry hasn't done well with zinger one liners.

I wonder if he is studying up on that skill, both on defense as well as offense.

He truly is the "pinata" at the party in these so-called debates and he can't hide behind being black.
He will continue to have my support.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 10:24AM

Ken:
Don't forget Kay, Ron Paul's 9/11 truther and the media had him losing his last election too. He does best when the underdog and under pressure. He's in that position now and he's got $15 million and more is coming in.

The conservative Governors (that's why they've all told people to back off him), Democrat media and Obama know he's the candidate to fear, because unlike all the others has a record that is superlative on jobs creation, traditional values, national defense, cutting government spending and cutting taxes. All the other serious contenders (Romney, Cain, Gingrich, Paul and Santorum), aside from Bachmann, are political losers and have been rejected by voters that kind of candidate is easier to defeat.

If he holds his own in this debate he'll start to climb again. This is a long primary season and he's got the legs to go the distance despite the "wisdom" of all the pundits who want to tell us its Romney (Cain is a death sentence to us in 2012).

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:20PM

Had Cain run with a Tea Party 2008 environment he may have done much better. But let's not forget, Isakson is far from a RINO.

I don't see Cain's failure to win the 2004 Republican nomination for Senate as that big a deal. Given the circumstances and opponent, it's a major stretch to call him a "loser"....

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:27PM

Disgusting, Ken. That you would accuse Herman Cain of "hiding behind being black."

But then, it doesn't surprise me. You take well to trying to destroy people.
And speaking of "true colors", you've just revealed yours here. Again.

Herman Cain 2012!

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:10PM

Well, I'd be OK with Perry, as I said. I find our group of candidates fairly interesting.

tsd| 10.10.11 @ 8:35AM

As of today I am not sure who can do the job, but I have a good feeling about who would not do the job to bring this country back... maybe Cain is the guy. I will watch him and still look at others. Romney is a waste of time, elected or not, that is very clear.

srk| 10.10.11 @ 8:39AM

cain is totally unelectable. no money, no organization, no record. he has a foolish campaign slogan and can" stump speak". (o, and he ran a bunch of pizza parlors for awhile)

rick perry has governed the 14th largest economy in the world for 10 years and has created jobs. there is no comparison.

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 9:15AM

SRK
Well, I didn't want to bring that up, but you are exactly right. The Cain campaign simply does NOT have the infrastructure to deliver a win in the general......nor does Mr. Cain seem to care about building that infrastructure.

My Governor, Perry, has the PROVEN recipe to get this whole country roaring back to success.
1. don't spend all the money. (cut government)
2. rein in the damned lawyers with tort reform
3. Reasonable and predictable regulations
4. energy independence; drill drill drill.
(and factory produce thousands of mini-nuke plants for electricity.
Number four produces 4.5 million long term high paying jobs over-night)

Timothy L. Pennell| 10.10.11 @ 10:12AM

Let me tell ya, what I told the other PERRY die hard: If you can't see the writing on the wall, for Rick Perry, than I can't help you.I suggest you stick a fork in him, cause HE'S DONE. In State Tuition for the Kids of ILLEGALS, is a Political Death Sentence.
Maybe you should concentrate on PAUL. At least you'd be able to GET HIGH.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 10:37AM

I recognize in our midst are supporters of "Big Brother" who would rather subvert the Constitution to deal with the illegal aliens, but it isn't necessary. A President who actually understands the border and how to effectively seal it with boots on the ground can win. Not that they're alike, but this time in 2008 McCain was being written off by the "smart" folks too.

Herman Cain is a blow hard who spews a good line, but doesn't have the moral fiber to back his so-called positions (I don't think you could call them principles). He's not pro-life or marriage, he's lied about his position on killing Anwar Awalaki, he's changed his mind on Muslims in the cabinet, he wimped out and whined he should have "defended" the alleged homosexual soldier, he's ready and willing to be a race hustler like Jackson and Sharpton and his 9-9-9 is a joke that will destroy working and middle class families.

Obama would eat Cain alive. Obama is the worst President in US history, but like Bill Clinton he's a master at getting elected on nothing. Never underestimate the political skills meanness of a desparate Democrat when up against a weak opponent and Cain is our weakest of the weak.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:34PM

Cain will mop the floor with Obama!

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 1:10PM

What a joke. Having played the race card Republicans are afraid to go after the fraud. Obama will have no worries about that and his black surrogates will be even meaner and Cain is going to say something like Sharron Angle or Christine O'Donnell and our easy win in 2012 will be an Obama victory.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:00PM

Ron Paul is done..please shut up and go away. The old shithead will be dust in another few years and you will have to find someone else to rant about.

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 10:52AM

Timothy,
I often agree with you. You have expressed some splendid thought here at TAS. (Heh, a little over the top as I am sometimes.)
But NO!
In the general, Perry's stance on illegals will give him a net win in huge numbers. How in the hell can Obama bitch about Perry sending good Texas students to college...at full in-state tuition by the way...when Obama wants the dream act from the feds...which Perry does not.

Dammit, the Texas Legislature voted virtually unanimously for the kids going to college here. Perry's veto would have been overridden in a minute. Get over it.
Now Cain will get the anal exam. You won't like what they find.
He has no campaign infrastructure. Nobody on the ground. He will get murderized in the general.
See my post above, please.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 1:54PM

Ken remember many Tea Party members and even some conservatives are not as supportive of the 10th Amendment as Texans. "Big Government" Republicans like Herman Cain don't give a tinker's damn about the rights of states or even appreciate federalism.

In the name of dealing with illegal aliens some faux conservatives would trample the rights of the people of Texas into the dirt to get what they want. To deal with this problem, begun by Reagan, will require strategic and tactical responses. Perry is the only one who has the experience and the plan, but Cain, Romney and Santorum distort what Texas has done to advance their bid for the nomination. You know Cain, Romney and Santorum if in the White House would do nothing on this issue. They're all hot air on the issue.

Who is it that wants to use drones, electronic monitoring, fencing and boots on the ground to secure our borders? Only Rick Perry. The others have absolutely NO plan just talk and not even clear talk. Does Herman Cain want round-ups and deportation? Does he want a fence across the southern border? What kind since the cut chain link fences and climb the solid ones? Does he want a mind field on both sides of the fence? Like most issues Cain says what he thinks will get him followers, but I'm having trouble finding a specific plan.

Cain, despite his smooth words, is the big government candidate who wants the Federal gov't to be intrusive in the lives of Americans. His 9-9-9 demands a massive increase in the IRS to just police the country to collect his abhorent, regressive and punitive national sales tax.

Herman Cain is the unprincipled "Big Gov't" candidate in the race.

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:22PM

Are you smoking dope?

999 is a virtual END of the IRS. I'm not even going to explain; it's too obvious.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:10PM

Indeed. It sets up our tax structure to resemble NZ's, only with a LOWER tax. NZ's cost of living is high due to geographic isolation and small population, but its economic freedom ranking is much higher than ours. 9-9-9 would mean no need for the IRS. In New Zealand, you fill out your taxes on a postcard---actually, you don't do that---you set up an account with an accountant, have your paycheck copies sent to him, and never touch a form.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:38PM

Tomlinson & Ken:

Doing yeoman's work for the other Paul-bot scum here, like Clint.

You are talking just like him, smaering Herman Cain.

Blatant liars.

When you can ACTUALLY say something like this:

"Herman Cain is the unprincipled "Big Gov't" candidate in the race."

(Amongst other things).

Weird!

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:32PM

Ken thinks he's God.
Yet he knows nothing.

Al Adab| 10.10.11 @ 2:02PM

The problem Ken, is that the country doesn't comprehend Texas and the "style" from there. Remember the swagger and syntax issues? Sorta like I react to Jersy accents, much of the country reacts to Texas ones.

W| 10.10.11 @ 4:07PM

I don't mind the swagger. The problem is that Perry is like Bush 43, they can't put together three sentences to defend and explain a position. And I like Bush and Perry.

Just listen to Cheney defend the war on terror, the Iraq war, or anyting else, and then listen to Bush. Bush never even defended his policies, and won't now, yet Cheney can and does.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:20PM

Sadly, he can't debate worth a da**. So, unless you enjoyed seeing Obama whip McCain's arse in the 2008 debates and you want to see a replay, Perry may not be the best candidate.

FlGOP| 10.10.11 @ 3:57PM

And Perry says keep blacks off your ranches!

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 4:21PM

It's called the RNC. Look it up.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:31PM

Rick Perry is a weak, limp spined Liberal Christian. much like yourself, Ken.
He can't even say that Mormonism isn't Christianity.
He wants to give freebies to illegals, and gets snookered by the Pharmaceutical companies concerning mandatory vaccines.
Herman Cain is a real genuine Christian who isn't weak or lily-livered.
He will win.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:08PM

Well, Ken, that makes sense. But how do we unmarblize his mouth?

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:45AM

No there is no way you could put Perry in Cain's league - he doesn't even come close! You better read up on your history of Herman Cain, you don't know where you are talking from!

Anthony| 10.10.11 @ 8:47AM

It took a conservative black man to tell the lefty radicals involved in Take Over Wall St to take their protest to the White House, where the source of all their woes can be found.
What a joke these fools are!!!
,

Casey Abell| 10.10.11 @ 8:51AM

Hm, let's see. If Cain somehow got the nomination, how bad a defeat would that loonball national sales tax inflict on the GOP? 55-45? 57-43? 60-40?

Your guess is as good as mine. But after Barry's billion bucks blasted NINE PERCENT ON EVERYTHING into every nook and cranny of America, it would be a scorched earth for Republicans.

In a time of sky-high unemployment and tight budgets for almost everybody, folks just can't wait to give the feds another way to take our money.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 10.10.11 @ 2:22PM

Do you people listen? Or even care about details?

Its not "another way." It replaces the "Current way."

Thomas Paine| 10.10.11 @ 6:22PM

You gotta be kidding. The only "losers" with 999 are the Obama voters.

Pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers -- we'll take that 9% sales tax, thanks.

For a single working person making over $7150, assuming Standard Deduction, and NO LOOPHOLES or OBAMA TAX CREDITS -- ending the 15.3% payroll tax and personal income tax, and replacing it with a 9% income tax and 9% sales tax (spending all post-tax income) MEANS LOWER TAXES UNDER 999 THAN THE CURRENT SYSTEM. Again, that's for any single filer making over $7150.

It's the LOOPHOLES and "Making Work Pay" (For My Re-election Campaign) type handouts that make 47% of tax returns owe ZERO TAX, and they're promulgated for the chopping block already!

It remains to be seen what, if any, exemptions and credits (like per-child) would remain under 999. But it's clear the primary impact would be from ELIMINATING TAX BREAKS AND CREDITS, and that the rates themselves are a better deal for anyone working vs. the current "baseline" rates with no deductions. If that's not "fair" ... what is?

The Bishop| 10.10.11 @ 8:52AM

I'm half way through the reading of Cain's book. Understanding that autobiographies are not always the best measure of a person's life, I can' t help but believe that we are finally seeing a candidate emerge who is truly a man of the people. That stupid assault on Cain by Lawrence O'Dumbbell tells me that they truly do fear a Cain candidacy, and that's a good sign.

I also read the biography of a former presidential candidate back in 2008 - Dreams from My Father. Cain's tome is half as long Barack's, even though he's lived about twice as long as Barack did when he wrote his. And Barack had no accomplishment to write about other than organizing a Chicago community for something unspecified. No comparison.

I'm quickly becoming a Cain supporter. I hope he's the real deal. I think he is.

Mike Rogers| 10.10.11 @ 9:18AM

I've studied Cain for two years, and am ashamed I was that late noticing him. On a stage, or up close and personal, this man is the real deal.
Meet him if you can, and you will see for yourself.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 10:45AM

Does the real deal fear standing up for his principles? Does the real deal have to lie and deny he said something, because he's taken an unpopular position? Does the real deal join liberals to trash a conservative? No, but Herman Cain does. He's an opportunist who failed in his 2000 Presidential bid and 2004 Senate bid now he's jumped on the Tea Party bandwagon by saying the right things in hopes it gets him what he wants.

You've followed him for 2 years do you actually know where he stood on policies in 2000? Do you know who he wound up supporting?

Even Mitt Romney is more principled than Herman Cain. What's interesting if Cain keeps it up he's going to insure his old pal Mitt gets the nomination.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:40PM

"Does the real deal join liberals to trash a conservative?"

You're certainly doing a good job of that here.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:06PM

Mike. You're a smart guy. Give me the skinny on who you like out of the guys currently running. Is it Santorum?

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:46AM

I agree, I do too!

Louis Jenkins| 10.10.11 @ 9:09AM

The Take Over Wall Street crowd needs to look under a rock to find the hidden directions to Penn. Ave. Cain has manned up and told them were they should be protesting. My hat is off to him for doing that. The campaign is shaping up, and it appears that Cain is bounding to an early lead. Took a while for his message to get out, and inspite of the baggage that he carries he is beginning to do well. This month and Nov. will be the telling, and I cannot support Perry nor Romney. Perhaps it is because Cain doesn't have a great amount of schooling in politics, and he has earned his fortunate the hard way, not by protesting the in-equality of the 60s, as was pointed out by the MSM, but by working for it. We should have no jealously for his being "rich." He has earned his status in a more honest way.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 10:47AM

Cain's showboating. They're Marxist and malcontents who support Obama so why would any of them march on the White House? If he actually knew what they were all about he'd know that, but Herman's not interested in the facts just making Herman look "tough."

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:08AM

Wow. Now, how many Cain slams so far today in just this blog alone?

When he is toasted, who is next on your agenda. Why do you not save us a whole bunch of time and just tell us who we should vote for and who meets your standards and credentials on the planet of Tomlinson. Perhaps, then we can determine who you really are..troll or a serious blogger because right now it looks like troll.

Casey Abell| 10.10.11 @ 11:18AM

I'll be upfront and say I'm a Perry supporter. But do you really think the GOP could survive running on a national sales tax?

That proposal is political insanity at any time. But with an economy this rotten and pocketbook issues dominating compeletely, nobody's crazy enough to give Washington a nice new grab at our wallets.

Yeah, Cain would say other taxes would get cut. His campaign staff might, just might believe that. Nobody else would.

After Obama ripped into that ridiculous tax, nothing would be left standing, least of all Herman Cain.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:25AM

As for the attacks on Cain's 999 let me just say this. Taxes, of any kind, can & will ALWAYS be jacked up if you get a leftist in power with the ability to do so. It matters not if it is a national sales tax, income tax, cap gains or whatever.

The guy has a plan & it is FAR superior to anything offered by the Left, Perry or Romney. Bottom line.

Casey Abell| 10.10.11 @ 11:29AM

Yeah, try telling that to every voter who's gonna hear "nine percent national sales tax" and freak. That proposal is a massive loser. And you better believe Barry would make sure every voter in the country would hear about it.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:35AM

Casey, Nwewsflash for you. NOBODY is listening to Obama any longer. The guy is done. Stick a fork in it kinda done. Are you telling me he is going to convince the population that Cain is going to raise their taxes & Obama needs to stay to protect everyone? Ain't gonna happen.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 12:16PM

Well, we hope that this is not all they hear but if you keep repeating the distortion, you damn well will be right.

With that attitude, why not just skip the election and just make him king. We could save a hell of a lot of time and money and effort.

You know us conservatives... we are just helpless and can do nothing a against the great monster, liberalism except whine, complain, and moan.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 12:11PM

Yes. People are not just seeing a sales tax but a significant lowering of all taxes and a simplified tax code. They want simplicity, true fairness, lower overal taxes, and hate the current system. Cain can rip right back. These ideas are not new. People have been clamoring for a flat tax for generations. The idea as he has proposed it has many merits and is resoundingly getting approval by large segments. It is simple and people do understand it and particularly its potentila impact on economic growth. You keep talking about it as if Cain has just sat around with a few campaign nitwits that just made this up. His plan has been reviewed and studied at length by economist and the number anaysis has been done. If you have any business education, you would know two things right off the bat. It is calculable and similar proposals has been studied before. His proposal comes with a two third congressional vote requirement to raise any of the rates in the future.

The 999 plan is only one proposal of many of his. the guy does have solutions and ideas on many other different issues beside taxes. That is very unique and also the reason he is resonating with voters.

I am also sick of the argument that the guy is inexperienced. Inexperience in what? He has significant executive leadership in the real world, a significant educational background in mathematics and techology, and significant experience in several industrial and other work sectors.

That damn sure beats a community organizer, with no work experience, no executive experience, with two years voting present in the Senate, and a law degree.

What do you think the concept of self government is? Our founding fathers believed that successful business people and ordinary citizens that showed leadership qualities were more than qualified to hold office and govern themselves. We do not need any career politicians.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 12:18PM

Simon, Right on brother. Nailed it. Nice.

Margie| 10.10.11 @ 11:58PM

He usually does. :^)

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:12PM

Yes, he does. Nice reasoned caring argument.

Casey Abell| 10.10.11 @ 1:11PM

"People have been clamoring for a flat tax for generations. The idea as he has proposed it has many merits and is resoundingly getting approval by large segments."

Okay, go ahead and nominate the guy. Let's see how many "large segments" want a national sales tax. Especially when the economy is in such swell shape to begin with.

"The 999 plan is only one proposal of many of his. the guy does have solutions and ideas on many other different issues beside taxes."

Already his own supporters on a mega-friendly web site are trying to softpedal Cain's loonball national sales tax. Lotsa luck. That stupid tax will be all that people hear about Cain if he ever gets the nomination.

You think Romneycare would hurt Romney? Just wait until you see what a national sales tax would do to Cain.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:18PM

What are you, a sociologist with a concentration and specialty in demographics? You are going to hear every lie, distortion, and falshood that can be possibly manufactured on whomever gets nominated, jackass, even Ron Paul. That is an argument? Guess what, you are helping them right now.

I got some more news for you. Everything that spews out of your opinionated mouth is not just another opinion equal or superior to other opinions despite what your public education teacher told you. It is usually a good idea to build an argument on logic, researchable references, common accepted facts or commonly know statistics. Just because you say something is loony does not make it so because you said so. Me thinks, you are loony.

Right now polls are showing an incredibly high favorable ratings for Cain and his ideas among broad segments, as for example, the recent Zogby polls. He is resonating and the more media exposure the guy gets the more people like him despite the MSM smears and the likes of you.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:04PM

Again, Cain is good, Bachmann is good, West is good as VEEP, Santorum is good. Newt's backbone isn't solid. I'd vote for Romney if he got the nomination because I could sleep easily with him as CIC.

Not so for Paul or Johnson.

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 12:41PM

Simon,
It's pretty easy to spot the Paul supporters by the way they attack every other canidates positions except for, on average, foreign policy. Even they know that Pauls stance on that cost him votes.

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 4:59PM

" Overall, 71 percent of military donations for the 2012 presidential race have gone to Ron Paul, while Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann received five percent, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney eight percent, and Cain 13 percent. All other candidates combined have received three percent of the military donations. "

"Dr. Ron Paul served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon for several years (1963-1965). While in the air force, Paul reached the rank of Captain. Directly after his service in the air force, Paul worked again as a flight surgeon for the United States Air National Guard (1965-1968). "

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:02PM

Yes, captain---which is where all LTs who are MDs easily end up.

It has nothing to do with military skill. I was recruited repeatedly and hard after I had my MD.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 2:08PM

I know Herman Cain doesn't support the 2d Amendment, but didn't realize he and his followers found the First Amendment bothersome too. Sorry I'm raining on your love fest for our new "messiah" since the one now in the White House is such a failure.

You've already told us to ignore Cain's multiple positions and just vote for him so I guess that's what we've got to do. No discussion, no opposition and no challenges the Herminator.

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 2:45PM

Doesn't support the 2nd Ammendment? Now your just making things up.

http://www.thepoliticalguide.c.....0509144427

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:20PM

I see you took my advice. Now you are just making shit up.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:00AM

Now Michael is just mocking.
Despicable.

Anthony| 10.10.11 @ 11:18AM

Could not disagree more, Michael. Cain knows what this Marxist rabble is all about. It's about time a R candidate told the MSM what these fools were all about, instead of their embracing them
Obozo needs the light of truth shined upon him.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:58AM

RIGHT!

IMKessel| 10.10.11 @ 9:17AM

Jealousy? First, that is the wrong psychological condition; envy is the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage, while jealousy is a feeling or a fear or anxiety of losing an important loss of something of personal value, particularly in reference to a human connection, but putting diction aside, Cain while not completely wrong, is displaying incredible tone deafness. This populist movement, if approached the right way, could be moved to support Cain.

Even after three weeks, the Occupy Wall Street crowd still lacks leadership and any real direction. Ask any number of the occupiers as to why he or she is present, and you will receive many individual thoughts but no coherent message. (This is the primary and fundamental difference between the OWS and the Tea Party: the Tea Party has clearly articulated and shared philosophies and positions; they speak in concert while the OWS mewls in cacophony.) These people, many of them college educated, are angry and confused, and for good reason: they were raised with the promise of the American Dream; they were told if they were responsible and became educated, they would be rewarded for their efforts. They have done their part and now they want their opportunity. They have not demanded any government hand outs. They have, in their own unarticulated fashion, asked for opportunities. They are like child with a skinned knee. They want help and they are not particularly concerned about who provided surcease to their suffering.

If Cain approached them with an open hand, not a fist, he might be able to focus their anger. Certainly many of these, for lack of a better word, protesters, are already anti-Obama. In fact, they are left of the president by a good measure, but when one goes to the extreme on any pole, one can end up on the other side; these lefties can be skillfully moved to the libertarian side of the polity of the political body. Cain is missing the point and the opportunity.

Cain did bootstrap himself from poverty into big business success and onto being a viable candidate for president. He has come upon his suspicion of people playing the victim card because he refused to play that card himself. But what Cain is forgetting is that he grew up with more opportunities and less government interference. (Regulatory power and regulations have grown to unprecedented levels under Bush II and Obama.) Cain has the cognitive mastery to understand how governmental policy, much more so than “cooperate greed”, has caused the catastrophic unemployment and he has the oratory skills to articulately deliver the message so that the masses can understand that the government is the problem, not the answer. Cain was once the common man; if he can remember what it was like to work his way up from the bottom, if he can get in touch with his own common man, if he can humble himself, he can reach out to the common folk and lead them to the promise land of full employment under the Cain administration.

Mr. Cain, it is time you stop biting the hand that can pull the voting lever for you.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:15AM

"But what Cain is forgetting is that he grew up with more opportunities and less government interference."

This undeniably proves that you are no older than 30 years of age. The sad thing is you do not know how just ignorant that statement is and will never know.

I suggest you get in touch with a history book, someone older than 45 years of age, and a trip to the library where they store old newspapers.
You might also try a little trip down humble lane yourself. One thing is sure, you will get there in another twenty years whether you want to or not at this point.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 11:59AM

And that is why he wants to change the government strangulation hold on business/jobs growth!! He knows from where he speaks.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:25PM

Yes, his life was not easy and he faced immense challenges in the years he grew up. He did not get his success handed to him on a silver platter. Anyone who actually lived then knows this.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:27PM

Yes, his life was not easy and he faced immense challenges in the years he grew up. He did not get his success handed to him on a silver platter. Anyone who actually lived then knows this.

IMKessel| 10.11.11 @ 1:56PM

I am proudly turning 50 Monday -- God willing I see the day.

I understand the prejudice that HC faced. I clearly stated that the state was not his enemy and that he is not playing the victim card. I am not blind to other obstacles he has faced.

Mike Rogers| 10.10.11 @ 9:24AM

I have enjoyed RSM's reporting from the campaign trail, and had the pleasure to meet him at a couple of events. His articles have been fair, balanced, and occasionally funny. His travels and studies seem to have led him to the same conclusion that I reached a while ago - Herman Cain can go the distance, and is well worth a look.

jackc| 10.10.11 @ 9:59AM

The disastrous and destructive leadership of Obama has scripted the continuing demise of the American spirit.

The idea that the 'rich' or 'successful' are evil is very attractive to the growing 'lazy', 'illiterate' and 'ill-informed' society that is being incubated by the compulsive objective of the failed leadership of Obama to "Win The Election" at any cost, and thrive on stolen taxpayer money.

The healing of America towards an 'aspirational', 'self-reliant', 'self-directed' nation is urgent.

President Herman Cain has the experience, the wisdom, the business acumen, and the 'fortitude' to recover the American dream.

martin j smith| 10.10.11 @ 10:30AM

The candidate who is most out there taking on the MSM and the Socialists may well be the winner. Cain is out there. Lets see who else joins the fight.
Cain has had good interviews with basically adversaries and has taken on the Occupiers on Wall Street. Who else has done that so far ?

Laurent| 10.10.11 @ 10:35AM

I like Perry's record, and consider his support of in-state college tuition for illegals raised in Texas OK, considering its overwhelming support in the Texas legislature and Texas' history. But can Perry take the heat of reporters' questions, whether on the stump or in a debate/panel setting? So far, the answer is no. As for Romney, he had his book re-edited, and surreptitiously changed his views again (which he then denied). He's back to being the flip-flopper he was in 2008. Cain is the real deal. But can he take the heat, and win? Only time will tell.

nohussein| 10.10.11 @ 10:38AM

Won't fly.

Conservative View| 10.10.11 @ 10:48AM

OF BILL O', HERMAN CAIN, AND ME

Bill O' of Fox News has said, on several ocasions, that Herman Cain is unelectable. Bill is right for all the wrong reasons. Herman Cain can not be elected for President because the Republican Party will not allow it.

A professional politican starts at the bottom. He works for the party. He does favors, he grants favors, he moves up the ladder. All along the way he is making contacts, friends, a few enemys but always traiding favors, making debts.

There are two forms of currency in professional politics, knowledge and favors. If you know something the other fellow doesn't, you are ahead in the game. If he owes you a favor or two, you can generally swing him to your way of thinking.

Now, look at Herman Cain. He has not worked up the ladder in the Republican Party. He doesn't owe anyone anything. There are no favors to collect from Herman Cain. Where does that leave the Republican Party? It leaves it out in the cold.

Herman Cain is the ultimate lose cannon. He is a man that can not be controled by the party in any fashion. He is a man with clear vision and worse for professional politicans, a rock solid moral base. For Republican insiders, this can not be accepted.

Bill O' has said Cain can not be elected to the office of President. He is right. He will be cut off at the knees not by the Democrats, but by the Republicans themselves. Better a canidate that they know and can control, than one that is beyond their grasp. Expect "leaks" from the Cain camp, expect these "leaks" to be as damageing as possible, and expect them to come from Republicans.

I like Cain. I really like Cain. I have from the very start. He has what we so desperately need, a fresh outlook, a positive outlook, a strong sense of where he is going. And I like where he is going, a bunch. But I dispare. His own party is just as afraid of him as are the Democrats, perhaps more so, and I know that the professional politicans want nothing to do with an upstart charging in ready to smash their rice bowl.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 11:31AM

View, I fear you may be right, but, the difference now is this: Everything has changed. The old rules & ways of opertating no longer apply. The old Republican guard no longer calls the shots. The Tea Party obliterates their power. The game has changed with the increased free flow of information & these efforts to cut him off will be increasingly exposed & rallied against. They will backfire & energize his campaign.

John Navratil| 10.10.11 @ 2:59PM

Steve A,

Not just the rules, but the electorate. I'm sure that is what you meant by the Tea Party.

Just think about this. The last time we had McCain whom we were obligated by necessity to vote for. Of the four front-runners today, and I know we each have our favorites, not one would be as bad as McCain in style or substance. If McCain did us any favors its that he played his losing hand in an election that was all but impossible to win.

Even though Romney is my least favorite, I would vote for him enthusiastically. When all is done in the primary, I suspect any would beat Obama. So, applying the Buckley test, let's elect the most conservative of the bunch.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:01PM

Bill O' is full of himself. He does not speak for me or my friends who are respective and supportive of Herman Cain.

john dubose| 10.10.11 @ 11:00AM

There are differences among the Republican candidates. But they are all head and shoulders better than Obama. Just look for the one with the best chance to win.

Pecos Pete| 10.10.11 @ 11:05AM

Anybody but King O!

Republicans need to focus on the disaster of King O ... and stop nit picking the candidates. I really don't care about any issue except economics. Jobs and a rising economy built on freedom. I hope the candidates in future "debates" hit hard on the economy and how King O has and is ruining the USA. Stop the back-biting.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:18AM

Thank you, Pete..once again a sane, mature, and intelligent comment from you.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:04AM

I agree, but some people's PRIDE and own PERSONAL desires will sadly prevent them from doing that.
And that is what will give us Obama II.
It is insane!

somnolence| 10.10.11 @ 11:22AM

I would be very pleased to see a ticket of Cain/West for 2012. To me, that is what I call "really getting down" and letting the fun begin, seeing how liberal apologists such as Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley, etc. would react, and how idiotic they would look by doing it.

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 12:45PM

Actually I was thinking a Cain/Gingrich ticket, if nothing else just to watch them debate a Obama/Biden ticket.

Al Adab| 10.10.11 @ 1:59PM

DS:
What a vision. Definately brains over platitudes.

Drunken Sailor| 10.10.11 @ 2:46PM

If nothing else it would make popcorn sales take off.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:00PM

Heck, A Cain/West ticket would be even more awesome. That combination would be much better for American Blacks economically---O's been a disaster.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 8:01PM

I agree with you, sleepy one.

Who Knows?| 10.10.11 @ 11:23AM

Is it just a few months ago, when Cain was a joke candidate, that we were debating about Romney’s electability, and Tim Pawlenty flubbed his chance to slam Mitt for Romneycare? When the GOP race was still wide open, and many great and proven stars, like Paul Ryan and Chris Christie, were still possible contenders, it sure seemed to a lot of us that there was no way Romney could be the one to run against Obama.

And, NOW, here we are, at this early part of the cycle, SERIOUSLY wondering about the fringe candidate, Cain!

There’s no doubt in my mind that Cain is a fabulous winner, but just think---if he’d NOT chosen to go for a 9% VAT, why he’d really be taken seriously. However, as we all know, the primary process is a naked marathon race, in political terms, and there’s no way Cain can win, given his bold third 9.

Can you think of a quicker way to become irreversibly socialistic, as a country, than to institute a national sales tax? Hey—let’s just hand the keys to the American economy to Paul Krugman!

No.

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it---and, pace the hot and bothered, and heart-felt comments on this site, and beyond, given that people always bring a “fresh” perspective to politics when they are young and inexperienced, the winnowing process taking place on the Republican presidential field is guaranteed to be at least interesting.

The key word is---winnowing.

I’m picturing a bar fight, that is going on for months. The winner must be the last one standing, which means they excel at DEFENSE.

At this stage of the “fight”, isn’t it apparent that SO FAR Romney appears to be the best at avoiding getting hit?

Oh, I just remembered the perhaps basic fact to never forget, when it comes to electing a president--- he or she is simply the LEADER, and must have competent and knowledgeable FOLLOWERS.

That is, since no one knows everything---what does Cain know about foreign policy, or Perry for that matter?---a wise wannabe president chooses fantastic advisors. In short, it’s all about the TEAM, and if elected, making the best plays.

Besides, Nixon went to China. So, maybe, Romney can not only elide his past Romneycare albatross, but also use the bad outcomes from it to guide him as president.

I bet the American people will “settle” on Romney, unless something huge comes out about him, and/or he makes a stupid mistake.

But, Cain? Come on!

No Lawyers| 10.10.11 @ 11:37AM

I don't believe that that third 9 is a VAT. It is a sales tax - a tax on consumption and it does have some good features - like no tax on used goods - if that can be realistically enforced.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:47AM

Sales taxes have been around a long time and enforced quite well..it is not a new idea. As for the 999 plan, it comes along with the caveat that only a two thirds vote of congress can raise the levels...something always left out when the skeptics and trolls start throwing the lies about it. Two thirds is very difficult to get. The intention is to get at that 3 trillion of underground sales and economy that is currently not taxed accordingly.

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 1:20PM

9-9-9 Is A Non-Starter.

" But Curtis Dubay of the Heritage Foundation says many conservatives would not feel comfortable with a national sales tax unless the 16th Amendment, which established the income tax, was repealed, to totally cut off that vein of revenue.

Dubay also said he would be concerned about allowing a new stream of revenue with the current entitlement structure in place, given that officials in both parties have said that programs like Medicare and Medicaid need to be restructured. "

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

Michael Tomlinson| 10.10.11 @ 2:23PM

Clint good point. Until the 16th Amendment is repealed a national sales tax is dangerous. Though a Fair Tax (w/out the 16th Amendment) has some good points to consider.

People forget when the income tax was first enacted only a minority paid it. Thanks to Reagan's Revolution and its anit-tax momentum fewer Americans pay Federal income tax, but that doesn't stop Democrats from wanting more and more from those who do pay.

We forget how high the income tax was when JFK and Reagan took office. The same will happen with a national sales tax over time, but weighing down the people will be an income tax, because even the most idealistic politicians ultimately come to want more and more for government. Too bad we don't have term limits in the Constitution.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:05AM

Politics makes for Straaange bedfellows.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:59PM

Michael,

Clint's gonna scream at you anyway, you Israel-Firster you.

I, too, happen to agree about cutting off the income tax and replacing that with a national sales tax.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:59PM

But I still don't like Clint as a person.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:14PM

The third 9 is NOT a VAT. It is a GST, instead. This is modelled after NZ approach, only with lower numbers for all.

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:49AM

Yeah, you don't know...much of anything.

No Lawyers| 10.10.11 @ 11:30AM

Herman Cain is a threat to both the Democrats and the entrenched Republican hierarchy. He isn't beholden to anybody but himself and (hopefully) the voters. I pray that a grassroots movement will give him the nomination and then the White House. The Media won't give him fair coverage and the wheelers and dealers in the Republican party will want just about anybody but Cain. The guy is sharp and where he lacks in experience will (like all good presidents) take the advice of people with both the background and good ideas. Donate Today!. Cain is able. He will get us growing agin and return us to the land of opportunity - if you work for it.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:08PM

Yes, he is a breath of fresh air. I can't wait until the first debate between Cain and Obama - I'd like a front row seat!!! No one can call "racial" slurs no matter what each one says. Anyone speaks out against Obama now and the NAACP or ACLU whines about it!

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 11:43AM

You can always tell when a candidate is a very viable one and a serious threat to the established order when a blog is invaded and carpet bombed with smears, lies, and distortions by liberal trolls like this one. You do not see this when the article is written about Mitt or any of the other establishment approved candidates.

Cain 2012!

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:13PM

RIGHT!

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 12:01PM

I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO YELL.....

MR. CAIN HAS NOT BEEN VETTED!

HE HAS NO ACTUAL RECORD EXCEPT "WORDS".

HE HAS NO CAMPAIGN ON THE GROUND IN ANY STATE!

.....HE WOULD LOSE THE GENERAL, BUT HE WILL BLOW UP FIRST.

IT WILL BE ROMNEY OR PERRY IN THE GENERAL....
(unless Perry decides to hell with the anal exam and comes back home to fight for State's rights and pulls Texas out of the national "car wreck".)

IN CASE YOU KNOTHEADS CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT...WITHOUT TEXAS...THE COUNTRY WOULD ALREADY BE BANKRUPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 12:11PM

Ken, Relax & take a sedative. First off, Texas is great, but it is not the savior of the USA, sorry to bust your bubble. Second, when I hear Perry at these debates, I find myself holding my breath in anticipation of the next dud statement. This guy does not have it, sorry. Third, Cain demolishes Obama in a debate, he takes race off the table, he has a proven track record in business & a solid plan. The $$ & network will come if he looks to be the nominee.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:15PM

You're right about Perry - foot in mouth for sure! The debate between Obama and Cain would be worth buying an airline ticket and getting a front row seat!

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:43PM

Ken, there is no real vetting going on for any of them. Romeny is left essentially untouched and the rest of the candidates are smeared by the MSM with the help of Ron Paulbots, misguided devisive conservatives, liberal trolls, and talking heads looking for a few minutes of attention and fame.

Just look at the way this N rock baloney was bantered and batted around from every direction. Perry may be indeed the best thing for America but how will we ever know with the way this is being handled by the media and the kind of system we have now in this nation in electing people to office. All you get is loaded deceptive half truths and downright distortions about all of them. You had it right before when you said this is ABOUT OBAMA and the Dems. No one is focusing on this but rather they doing the usual stupid GOP shuffle in tearing our own candidates to shreds and allowing the liberals to choose our candidate and define the narrative.

It is all rather disgusting and demoralizing if you want to know the truth and it will probably result in the creeps reelection if we do not stop this bullshit.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:07AM

Ken,

Please spare us with the everybody's a knothead who doesn't happen to like who you like crapola.

You're worse than a knothead, bud.

somnolence| 10.10.11 @ 12:13PM

I can yell back. If Cain has the PEOPLE behind him, the most elaborate campaign on the ground makes no difference. People will look at heart, not refinement, resolve, not bluster. Cain will prevail.

JohnC| 10.10.11 @ 12:03PM

My guess is that Herman is from the cheap-labor globalist wing of the GOP, but hey so are all the rest, including Flip Romney.

The pro-Tarp, Fed guy loves Wall Street even though the multi-national corporations are mostly liberal, love outsourcing our vital industry to foreign powers, and are always looking for a bailout or stimulus from We-The -People. Think GE, who is shipping their taxpayer green plant over to Communist China.

Alas, there is not a pro-American patriot in the GOP bunch.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:19PM

You better research more closely! Herman Cain is the pro-American business person, bring the jobs home and the money home candidate!

b bayliss| 10.10.11 @ 2:35PM

Only if by job creating you mean closing 20% of your outlets and laying off three to four hundred people.

You need to do your research more carefully!

b bayliss| 10.10.11 @ 12:19PM

"I'm ready for the 'gotcha' questions and they're already starting to come. And when they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-stan-stan I'm going to say you know, I don"t know , do you? Herman Cain.

When did willful ignorance become a positive attribute in a candidate? I don't know who the president of Uzbekistan is because they have a prime minister but I could google it. I do know that we supply our troops in Afganistan through Uzbekistan and that it is primarily muslim.

hrh| 10.10.11 @ 12:29PM

Please explore Herman Cain's way too tight connections with Mitt Romney.

Please explore the notion that Herman Cain is for sale to Mitt Romney and the GOP Establishment.

Please explore Cain's current support for TARP, his reluctance to audit the Fed, his time of service at a Fed bank.

Thanks.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 12:36PM

And may you do the same!

Grzmlyk| 10.10.11 @ 12:29PM

Lawrence O'Donnell deserves that fate he wishes on Republicans.

The man is a piece of shit.

Steve A| 10.10.11 @ 12:37PM

You would be bitter too if your show was the opening act for that guy Maddow.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:09AM

In the spirit of the famous radio personality & historian, Bob Grant:

"I so despiiiiise that man, Lawrence O'Donnell.

SCPOret| 10.10.11 @ 12:35PM

Having read the article, and all the comments up until now. I see several things emerging. 1) those that say Paul is the only way - I don't buy that and he is my congressman who I have supported over the years because no one who ran against him was a conservative. 2) those who won't come out and say it so they skirt the issue that they can't vote for Cain because they can't stomach a black candidate. 3) those who support Perry, even though he has shot himself in the foot on the national stage. He's been good for Texas, but thats because he had a large contingent of conservatives in the Texas Congress who pushed him that way, sometimes kicking and screaming.
And all the rest who are searching for anyone but Romney.
If nothing else it makes interesting reading.
I will Support Cain and I have put my money where my mouth is.

JohnC| 10.10.11 @ 12:57PM

If Herman is pro-American and wants to bring the jobs and manufacturing home what has he (or any of the others) said about NAFTA giveaway, the rest of the free trade giveaways especially to China, and the new anti-American, South Korea, free trade giveaway that Obama and Boehner are about to pass?

I know Herman said at one or two debates to leave immigration enforcement to the States, which would result in open borders for all the Border States except Arizona. A Pontius Pilate CIC?

If I had to I would hold my nose real hard and vote for Herman anyway, but if he runs pro-Wall Street we could lose the Senate again.

moey| 10.10.11 @ 1:33PM

Wall Street is NOT the problem - wall street and the companies who trade there are made up of all of us as investors. You have to remember that with the internet anyone can invest on Wall Street and MANIPULATE the markets and that is what large groups of socialistic groups in the world have done. I pulled all my (little $$) out of the stock market years ago because it is not a place for the 'average' person anymore - the big world-wide manipulators are playing there daily.

Michael Handley | 10.10.11 @ 2:35PM

Did you see his latest speech? He said that if American companies use American parts they would get tax breaks for doing so, but if they use foreign parts, no tax breaks. He called it leveling the playing field. That sounds pretty good to me...

b bayliss| 10.10.11 @ 2:43PM

It sure does sound good, too bad it's no longer possible because our manufacturing base is gone and it's not coming back.
Remember Ross Perot and his "giant sucking sound" He was right but everyone was too concerned with party purity to listen to common sense.

somnolence| 10.10.11 @ 1:15PM

If any of the candidates were asked questions about prime ministers and presidents of foreign countries they should just look at a list before them (be prepared, always), read deliberately, unhesitatingly from the list(if they haven't memorized), and that would answer the smart-ass question. Next question please?

somnolence| 10.10.11 @ 1:23PM

In other words, most literate candidates should be able to master rote memorization of all countries' heads of state, and the respective governing bodies therein. And in the end, all that would prove would be they are quick studies and have the ability to memorize material, which of course is ultimately an asset. Be prepared for the "gotcha" questions, however. Especially ones like "Baltics as opposed to Balkans".

nohussein| 10.10.11 @ 1:27PM

he can't even make good pizza!

martin j smith| 10.10.11 @ 2:11PM

No one has been nominated yet. Hold your horses--the person who looks good today could fold the next day. But I would say if you are willing hold on for 3-4 months we will have a better idea. Still very early.
I like Cain does not mean he will be my choice in the end. In fact I may have no choice in the end.
My main concern is that the voters pick the candidate not the MSM, the Socialists or the Republican Establishment.

That is all.

sirbourbon| 10.10.11 @ 2:25PM

This presidential hopeful was clearly in sinc with Jesus when he spoke to this Value Voter event gathering. His message to the Value Voter gathering was how do modern-day Americans reject the popular, albeit socialist attitude, that the government owes us a living? That is a difficult obstacle to overcome in today's socialist driven media. But you can't begin at a better place than at a Christian gathering to stress personal responsibility over government welfare!

The presidential contender at the VV event offers them this Americanist concept: "We are taught in the New Testament about caring for the poor and caring for our families and our neighbors and friends. But never did Christ say, you know, let’s go and lobby Rome to make sure we’re taken care of. It was a personal responsibility for us."

On the question of relying on the "king" or the establishment political parties to direct the nation in question of national defense and war in general this presidential contender articulated the words right out of the book of Daniel chapter 8, by calling attention to a very similar situation where history is repeating itself; where executive power and how it can replace the morality of the people is a dangerous road no matter the time and place:
"Samuel, although he knew he wasn’t going to be around long, he advised the people of Israel not to accept the king, because the king, he warned, would not be generous. He would undermine their liberties. There would be more wars. There would be more taxes. And besides, accepting the notion of a king would reject the notion that, up until that time, since they had left Egypt, their true king was their God and the guidance from their God. We have too often relied on our king in Washington, and we have to change that."

Herman Cain spoke at this event and did pump up the crowd but the above quotations belong to the value Voter Straw poll winner.
http://thenewamerican.com/usne.....straw-poll

lawrence Wood| 10.10.11 @ 2:31PM

I love to listen to Hermain Cain but I often get this faint mummer in the back of my consciousness that sounds much like this ... "Warning Will Robinson Danger Danger". He has a national staff of only 30, a schedule over the coming weeks that devotes as much time to book signings as face time in the key early primary states. Is this really a serious campaign strategy focused on winning the nomination or a slick method to underwrite your nationwide book tour and put a few extra million in your pocket? Will's B9 robot refrain just won't seem to go away and leave me in peace.

Michael Handley | 10.10.11 @ 2:40PM

There's more than one way to run a campaign. All those millions of dollars coming in from God knows who, have strings attached. I like the way he is running his campaign. It's a long shot but if it works we may see a sea change in the way politicians get elected in the future. Let's hope so..

Topaz| 10.10.11 @ 2:35PM

I think this guy is applying his pizza pricing structure like $9.99(for one topping!) to his ill conceived 999 tax overhaul. In any case, the common man will get the shaft. He is no fool ..like all the republicans, he is smooching the wealthy who will donate to his campaign.

Michael Handley | 10.10.11 @ 2:49PM

And the Democrats spend all their time smooching up to the Unions, George Soros, etc... So what's your point? All politicians have to get their funds from somewhere. It's a flaw in the system. I would rather have American businesses have their way than the folks in the park. At least they will use their advantage to create jobs. It's what they do. The park folks just want to tear America apart and replace it with what??

Simon Templar| 10.10.11 @ 4:46PM

I think you were ill conceived. Too bad your mother did not assert her constitutional right for an abortion like all good liberal women do.

Jay| 10.10.11 @ 3:35PM

Can Cain go all the distance?

All the way to Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan.

Oldefarte| 10.10.11 @ 5:02PM

The more Cain speaks, the more I like him. The truth about the scumbag protesters and the domestic terrorists Muslims was anti-political correctness 101. He tells it like it is [or should be, but sadly is not] and that is refreshing. I'm not in favor of his tax plan [since the government's problem is EXPENSES/SPENDING, not REVENUE], but he has spoken of spending as well. Traditional politicians take the PC route typically so as not to step in it politically, but Cain lets it rip with the blood of TRUTH. He obviously in not a politician, and that precisely is what many of us like about him. In my lifetime, this country has unfortionately had too many POLITICIANS sitting in the WH playing the PC game to the detriment of the taxpayers, and that's why we have the economic/financial problems that have essentially rolled down hill towards their present bottom of humongous status. It's time to cut the BS and begin telling the GD TRUTH [and then start doing something about fixing the problems]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:12AM

" ..but Cain lets it rip with the blood of TRUTH. He obviously in not a politician, and that precisely is what many of us like about him."

Thank YOU, Oldefarte.
So very true.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:32AM

Furthermore, Oldefarte,
Isn't it weird that some conservatives, like the Paul-bots and others say that they want new blood, fresh blood, not tainted by the Washington D.C. influences, yet they have the same misconception about Herman Cain as they do about the Fed government?

They believe the Fed gov. should be small, limited and weak.
Yet if you look at what the Founders envisioned for the government, it was limited, but very muscular. The powers were few, but they were indeed quite powerful in themselves.

The power to tax, print money, defend our shores, to make treaties with other nations are indeed vast.

The say the same thing about Herman Cain. They say that all he knows how to do is run a business. All he understands is finance, all he knows how to do is talk to leaders in the industry. And he has a good understanding about the monetary system. Not only does he know stuff~ but he's done it too. And WELL.

This is why they are against him, they realize that he cannot be easily manipulated or swayed. He has very strong opinions (he's a genuine Christian), very strong goals, and has the leadership skills to make them happen.

The President is not supposed to "run the country", he's supposed to head the executive branch of the government. He's supposed to lead it, not run it. That's congresses job~ they enact legislation.

And Herman Cain has plenty of experience leading organizations and making them work.

'Nuff said?
Of course!

Herman Cain 2012:
The Un-PC candidate for America!

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:54PM

Dear Margie:

this, of course, makes you a "rasist!" ;) Hell if I know how, but wait for the Clint primal scream.

And may I wish you and yours a good Sukkot.

Oldefarte| 10.10.11 @ 5:27PM

TYPICAL:

'....Family Council’s Perkins Downplays Paul Win
Monday, October 10, 2011 03:46 PM
By: Newsmax WiresTony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, wasn’t impressed with the victory of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul in the Values Voter Summit straw poll Saturday. The Texas GOP congressman’s win doesn’t indicate that social conservatives are moving to his side, Perkins said on CNN’s "American Morning” today.“I don’t think Ron Paul is truly reflective of where values voters stand,” Perkins said. “Ron Paul bused in over 600 people not to attend the conference, but to hear his speech and vote. I give them credit for being organized,” he said.
Paul topped the straw poll with 37 percent of the vote, followed by businessman Herman Cain with 23 percent, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum with 16 percent. ....'

Clint| 10.10.11 @ 6:00PM

"So how to explain Paul’s good showing at the Values Voter Summit this weekend?

Well, there were those young Paul supporters who showed up by the busload to vote for him and cheer his speech.

But that speech no doubt resonated with many social conservatives there as well, especially those lukewarm about Romney and Perry but not necessarily dazzled by Cain.

Paul sounded a biblical theme throughout – from Samuel and Isaiah in the Old Testament to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, from his pro-life stance on abortion as an obstetrician who’s delivered 4,000 babies to how “in the early church, they talk about being very careful about going into war.”

“We are taught in the New Testament about caring for the poor and caring for our families and our neighbors and friends. But never did Christ say, you know, let’s go and lobby Rome to make sure we’re taken care of. It was a personal responsibility for us,” he said. “Christ was confronted at one time by a prostitute, but he didn’t call for the centurions. He didn’t call for more laws. But he was very direct and thought that stoning was not the solution to the problem of prostitution.”

The Tea party Rebellion Is Here.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:52PM

Yup, and the Tea Party is going to vote for CAIN!

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 5:29PM

I wrote above:

""Well,
Perry hasn't done well with zinger one liners.

I wonder if he is studying up on that skill, both on defense as well as offense.

He truly is the "pinata" at the party in these so-called debates and he can't hide behind being black.
He will continue to have my support.""

Steve, Texas is IN FACT that important to the whole country. If it were not for Rick Perry and CREW..... gas for your car...AND EVERY TRUCK... would be six or seven dollars a gallon...RIGHT NOW.

Yeah, Texas truly is that important to the whole country.
www.americaalonesaidno.com

Bob| 10.10.11 @ 5:36PM

Cain-Tonight's Debate: Brothers and Sisters of the 49th district. I'm a "Dark" horse no mor. I'm just dark. In fact I'm all ebony. Support me in the primaries and I will whip that white boy who descends from that racist Joseph Smith.

Ken (Old Texican)| 10.10.11 @ 6:52PM

I hope each of you will put my blog-site in your favorites. 70 or 80 thousand folks visit there every day or so.
www.txbooks.blogspot.com
Best regards

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:13AM

I actually don't believe those numbers, sorry.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 9:16PM

Margie, actually, they do. Ken actually is a writer in a multitude of fields, some best selling, no kidding. I say nothing more.

Margie| 10.12.11 @ 10:42PM

The man's a liar, O.T.
No can trust.

John Barton| 10.10.11 @ 9:16PM

Herman Cain? Really? You can't be serious.The guy is a fast-talking Baptist minister with absolutely no experience in anything-except pizza-where he was fired by the board of his company for incompetence. Go with Mitt, which is almost equal to having Obama in the office for four more years. But at least you can say Obama didn't get reelected, so that;s worth something.

John3| 10.10.11 @ 9:22PM

Cain had a chance to act like a statesman when he was questioned about Romney's religion. He should have said the question was stupid and had nothing to do with the nomination. Instead he says he hasn't analyzed the Mormon religion to answer if Romeny is a Christian. Stupid answer. He will get more tough questions now that he leads in the polls and he will give more stupid answers.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:52PM

Actually, he ended up answering this as, "I'm not touching this. It is not germane, on the interviews I've heard." It's a gotcha, dumbass question that has nothing to do with being POTUS.

bluecollarbytes| 10.10.11 @ 9:46PM

'President Herman Cain' is not hard to imagine these days.
We've already 'proved' that a majority have no problem voting regardless of color. The left would take it personal- the gall of Republicans to put up a conservative Black man against the politically race-appropriate Obama. Cain must know what he's in for should he win the nomination. Does Obama? Herman Cain has the potential to draw the same level of hate as Palin, maybe worse. But even a watered-down Romney would face ceaseless hostility from the other side, so why not go for the real prize? A conservative president willing to fight?

W| 10.10.11 @ 11:03PM

Saw Cain on Hannity tonite. Cain is very impressive, likable, and gets better with every interview. He smiles when he answers and speaks directly to answer the question.
His polls will get better and better.

WideMeadow| 10.10.11 @ 11:09PM

Cain/Bolton in 2012!

BackToBasics| 10.10.11 @ 11:12PM

I watched Cain's speech at the Value Voters summit. It was good to see how he could speak clearly, stay on a subject and move seamlessly onto the next. Sure beats the shifty emotion-centered "speeches" and changing definitions of the leftists.

I also noticed how he took his water bottle with him when he left the podium. Can't say I'd ever seen that before. Indicative of humble beginnings? I think so. He has some street smarts too. Good to see for a change. I like him and will continue to back him.

Margie| 10.11.11 @ 12:15AM

Cain Surges, Nearly Ties Romney:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/149.....m_term=All Gallup Headlines - Politics

Herman Cain 2012!

barbara| 10.11.11 @ 12:51AM

For those of you who tink Cain is weak on economics, why then did Jack Kemp bring Cain aboard as one of his economic advisors when he ran with Dole. Yes, that Jack Kemp. The one who really understood economics and how to grow an economy.

Wisdom of Josh| 10.11.11 @ 1:28AM

Even I, a die-hard capitalist, have a problem with Caine's "999 plan".

People in the low income bracket pay zero federal income tax (after deductions and exemptions). The employees part of the payroll tax is 7.65% (temporarily reduced to 5.65% in 2011).

So these poor people will pay an extra 1.45% income tax PLUS a super new 9% sales tax.

While mega millionaires will pay only 9% income tax. Even to me that's hard to stomach.

Wisdom of Josh| 10.11.11 @ 1:38AM

I meant with the new 9% income tax and the 7.65% (employee's part) payroll tax abolished, the net increase is 1.35%.

While top earners will have their 35% federal income tax rate reduced to 9%.

Low wage households spend a great portion of their income on goods and services which will be subject to the new 9% sales tax. That for them would be an absolute TRAGEDY.

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:50PM

And investments will occur that will result in a 100% raise for many of the low income earners.

My internship, 1st year, as an MD I made $19,000 in Los Angeles. I now make $350 K. I've been in both places.

POST American| 10.11.11 @ 9:22AM

-----------------BOTTOMLESS LINE-------------------

--Rodham's, BAR-ocks, McCains ----haven't
we had enough of USURY-TREASON fronted
by CAINS?

Further, this Cain's even a former prime
officer of -----the ILLEGAL, private, 'Federal'
Reserve.

--------------------Are they kdding?!--------------------

--------A BOTTOMLESS LINE ---FOR REAL!

Larryk| 10.11.11 @ 11:04AM

'If you build it, he will come."

Jim| 10.11.11 @ 6:59PM

Hell yah he can go the distance! He has my vote. He is unabashedly prolife and a solid leader.

nohussein| 10.11.11 @ 7:46PM

Just another black preacher, you people better learn.

nohussein| 10.11.11 @ 7:47PM

this is a revival meeting.

nohussein| 10.11.11 @ 7:48PM

Show me a country were a negro as brut to prosperity?

nohussein| 10.11.11 @ 7:49PM

brought?

kate| 10.11.11 @ 10:41PM

watched the debate.
it is romney/cain.
done.
let us come together and save this country.

POST American| 10.12.11 @ 12:06AM

----AS we're witnessing the second
USURY provocateured coup d'etat
'October Revolution'

in this, the CON-solidation phase of
the Globalist RED China sellout and
TREASON OP

-------------------KEY to remember--------------------

---------SOROS CON-trolls the Wall Street op-------

----------------------------and-----------------------------

-------------------CAIN IS THE FED--------------------

thecrow| 10.12.11 @ 10:08AM

"a suspiciously strong showing from the libertarian supporters of Ron Paul"

You have a conspiracy theory you would like to share with us, Mr. McCain?

http://michaelfury.wordpress.c.....n-the-sky/

Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 7:48PM

Well, the WSJ poll has Cain #1. I think he could tear Barack apart in a debate. Cain/West 2012--- leading to 16 years of awesomeness leading to my retirement in 2028. That would be so cool.

POST American| 10.13.11 @ 11:58PM

---------------------FINAL WORD----------------------

-----CAIN-----IS-----THE--------FED!

All we need to know.

Brian Chandler| 10.14.11 @ 2:10AM

When you call him a "dark horse" his skin color is definitely NOT the first thing that comes to mind. I don't care if he was purple! He was the CHAIRMAN of the Kansas City Fed. Please people this guy is an insider just like Ron Paul said. The chances of this guy having the best interest of America at heart is not very probable. He would be betraying royalty and illuminati blood if he thwarted their plan on world government. You can't have a world government with the United States around. His tax plan would be terrible for at least 90% of Americans. It would PENALIZE people for spending and that would not be good for a debt based economy like the U.S. Please, wake up everybody who supports this man.