Posted on 05/13/2011 7:47:15 PM PDT by justsaynomore
MACON, Ga. — It had all the trappings of a homecoming. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who helped Republicans rise to power in this once-solid Democratic state, returned Friday deliver his first speech as a presidential candidate before thousands of state GOP delegates.
But ahead of Gingrich’s scheduled address Friday evening, party activists were buzzing about another favorite son — Herman Cain.
“He doesn’t talk political,” said Jeanette Bean, a Gwinnett County delegate who was passing out Draft Cain stickers. “He talks straight. He doesn’t mince his words and says it how it is. It’s so refreshing,”
Plenty of other attendees seemed to agree. Kicking off the two-day convention, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss gave a shout out to both Georgia natives. “We’ve got Newt Gingrich,” he said, which earned a whistle of approval from one member of the audience.
When Chambliss added, “We’ve got Herman Cain,” loud whoops, cheers and applause were heard.
Among convention goers, Gingrich was more of a secondary thought. “We’re very excited to see Cain — and of course, Newt,” said Deborah McCord, a Columbia County delegate.
Cain, a Morehouse College graduate, plans to announce his presidential candidacy on May 21 at Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta. But he’s already lined up quite a fan base – especially among tea party activists, a group Cain has been diligently courting.
Here, Georgia Republican Party members gushed over the former talk show host’s business savvy. Before he was CEO and president of Godfather’s Pizza — his best known business venture — Cain worked for Coca-Cola and Pillsbury, served at the helm of the National Restaurant Association and was appointed to the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, later becoming its chairman.
“He’s actually run a business, met payroll and understands that you can’t go around spending whatever you want,” said Bean.
Kay Goodwin, a Pierce County delegate who has known Cain since his unsuccessful 2004 Senate bid, said the excitement around Cain actually began building at last year’s state convention.
“He cares about the issues I care about: smaller government, less taxes, pro-life, strong defense,” she said, proudly sporting a Herman Cain button. “He’s adamant about the issues. He’s passionate. Praise the Lord he’s around.”
What about Gingrich? “We’ll just smile,” she said.
Enthusiastic praise for Cain was frequently sprinkled with subtle jabs at his home-state competition.
“He does not have some of the personal baggage …” said Bulloch County Chair Roger Allen said of Gingrich, pausing to better phrase his thoughts. “The choices he’s made hasn’t given ammo to some of his detractors.”
“It’s important to me the stand he takes on moral issues,” said Pat Tippett, co-chairwoman of Georgia Conservatives in Action, said of Cain. “He’s been married to the same wonderful woman for 43 years.”
“He’s not a politician,” said Karan Bumann, a delegate from Jasper County.
John Lawrence, an alternate delegate from Gwinnett County, laid out the criteria for his ideal 2012 candidate: “What we all want is a crusader — someone who will rise to the top and storm the gates of hell with a water pistol. No one’s met those standards.”
“Maybe Herman has,” interjected his friend John Crayton, a Gwinnett delegate.
“Oh yeah, definitely Herman,” Lawrence said.
And another Ping!
The Dark Horse has just started to trot...
smiling ping
Stop voting for politicians!
Newt is a non-starter. He is another ‘pure’ politician.
New slogan: ‘Give Newt The Boot!’
Newt is an idea man, Good man to have on your side. Been known to goof up as well.
So do I
So let him be an analyst or an advisor. We need more than a thinker, we need a leader.
Or he can keep writing historical fiction (I’ve heard they are good)
One thing Newt does have going for him is he is no Barrack Obama.
Guess it won’t take a mind-reader to guess what Huck’s going to do—Mitt & Newt are GONE. Cain’s good, but he’s not going to win in Iowa. Paul will show better than last time but won’t make it. Sarah may prefer Arizona to D. C., and Ryan may prefer the presidency to the senate & the house.
Herman Cain is a decent and honorable man, exactly what is needed in this Nation.
I firmly believe George Bush was a decent and honorable man. I also believe he was a very poor president. We need someone who will fight the liberals no holds barred, the same way they fight. I could be wrong, but I don't think Cain is up to doing this.
Cain LIVES to fight liberals: have you never heard him speak?
Back in 2007, I don’t remember Duncan Hunter getting the kind of buzz out of a debate like Cain just did. I think theres a good chance he’s more than a single digit candidate, possibly.
Scrap Newt, he’ll lose it for you.
That would be the absolute perfect job for him. As a political advisor to the a conservative president.
I doubt his ego, would ever let him do that though.
He also might not make a bad deputy chief of staff either.
“Cain LIVES to fight liberals: have you never heard him speak?”
I second that - he can be fiery, quick on his feet, doesn’t get rattled and is intimidated by NO ONE. While I think a debate between BHO and Newt would be great, one between BHO and Cain would be priceless! (And for once, the race card couldn’t be pulled.)
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