Posted on 06/15/2011 10:07:05 AM PDT by EricTheRed_VocalMinority
I have to admit, I've been a little worried about Cain since the last CC post. One week ago Gallup had him at 40% recognition rating -- among the lowest of the GOP hopefuls -- and a 25 positive intensity (P.I.) score -- the highest by far of all the candidates.
A lot has changed since then. First, last week on CBS News Cain said that homosexuality is a "sin" and a "choice". Even as a staunch conservative, I don't agree with either description and can't condone those statements. And that's going to bite him in the butt politically because it's going to repel the independents (that's my unprofessional opinion).
Cain is also still taking heat from his comments on requiring a loyalty oath to the Constitution (not the Koran) from Muslims seeking positions in his administration. I understand where he's coming from on this, but on the flip side can see how it could rub potential voters the wrong way.
Even among the right Cain is getting criticism for alleged deficincies. Jonathan Tobin at Commentary is thoroughly unimpressed with his foreign policy knowledge, such as the Palestinian "right of return" issue. I don't hold that against Cain (or any candidate for that matter). I really don't expect non-Jews to know what "right of return" is any more than a Jew might know about, say, the intricacies of the papacy. Barack Obama had no foreign policy knowledge prior to the presidency -- and he still doesn't in my opinion -- but that didn't stop hoardes of gaga Americans from supporting him.
Why am I airing all this dirty laundry? Because for one, even though I wear my politics on my sleeve I try to be realistic and intellectually honest. And secondly, we're all human and a candidate isn't going to succeed at being all things to all people. Is Herman Cain perfect? Of course not. But I still firmly believe he is one of the best candidates in the GOP right now.
There's a third reason why I bring all this up. It appears that despite these flaws, the latest Gallup poll nevertheless has Cain at a 41% recognition rating (surprisingly just a blip up from last week) but a huge jump in P.I. from 25 to 29. This is still the highest of all the Republican candidates including Romney and Bachmann, whose P.I. scores Gallup has at just below 20:
Notice that this is before Monday the 13th's debate in New Hampshire, at which Michelle Bachmann publicly announced her candidacy, and at which I believe Cain didn't particularly wow the crowd, but didn't underwhelm either; he was basically right down the middle, I'd say.
So we'll see what people continue to say about Herman Cain in the week to come. For now, he is still my #1 pick. He's a strong, smart, (usually) eloquent, passionate, and patriotic problem solver. Exactly who we need in this White House.
IB4TZ?
It might turn off independents, or it might not matter.
Still, he could easily “fix” any potential problem with an addendum stating:
“While I personally believe homosexuality is a sin and a choice, please understand that the only litmus test I will apply to anyone is to be loyal to the United States of America, and my views on the issue have zero involvement in any policy I will support or bill I will sign.”
“IB4TZ?”
Why?
Sorry! I post without reading the other comments sometimes.
Like now.
Why? To me it’s an unimportant issue and shouldn’t affect any position on an issue, even a social one.
Well, you’ve been here a couple of years longer than I have. I would think you’d know “which way the wind is blowing.”
It is a sin and a choice. What else would it be? How would you describe it?
Then someone isn't a 'staunch conservative'. And it ain't Cain.
That statement should bite 'him' in the butt. This bow to the 'gay' agenda/PC-police is decidedly not "staunch" conservatism.
NOTICE: FR DOES NOT AND WILL NOT SUPPORT ABORTIONIST, GAY RIGHTS PUSHING BIG GOVERNMENT STATISTS
> Cain said that homosexuality is a “sin” and a “choice”.
> Even as a staunch conservative, I don’t agree with either > description and can’t condone those statements.
Then, by definition, you’re not a staunch conservative. If your conservatism does not include moral issues, such as abortion and perversion, then you are probably a libertarian, not a conservative.
Just as an aside, are polyamory, pedophilia, necrophilia, and bestiality sins? Have the practicioners of these things made a choice?
> And that’s going to bite him in the butt politically
> because it’s going to repel the independents (that’s my
> unprofessional opinion).
So be it.
The Truth is the Truth, like it or not, and it’s refreshing to hear someone speaking the Truth for a change.
Great points. Interesting “staunch conservative” (NOT) content on an EricTheRed (seriously?!) blog ping.
The writer is about as staunch a conservative as Eric Holder. The writer has no idea what conservatives think - I suspect he is a plant - “pretend to be a staunch conservative and spew the progressive line.” It’s an old ploy and no one is falling for it.
my post was somewhat tongue in cheek, but Jim had posted a most fervent reason why he would zot anyone towing the gay is ok line. Other posters pointed out the same thing in this thread (that the OP’s statement that he can’t condone Cain’s stance on homosexuality being a choice and a sin is really odd coming from a self proclaimed staunch conservative).
Those would be the main reasons why.
Here’s the link to Jim’s Post:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2725798/posts
I do not think that anything in this article can be defined as “Pro-gay.” He DID disagree with one opinion, but did not substitute a pro-gay one in it’s stead.
Unpopular truths are freely spoken here in JimRob’s world.
Pseudo-scientific psychobabble, not so much.
That’s why I like it here.
You don't think it's a sin?
You don't think it's a choice?
Butsecks between men just happens by accident?
You're the guy who stands up on the bus, en route to the AIDS clinic, huh?
Hurts to sit, does it?
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