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Cain to Debate Newt: What Is Herman Thinking?
PJ Media ^ | October 29, 2011 | Ryan Mauro

Posted on 10/29/2011 12:06:09 PM PDT by Kaslin

Why would the frontrunner give a chance to middle-of-the-pack Gingrich, a great debater?

Polls show Herman Cain as the frontrunner, and things are going his way. Now, he has agreed to a “modified Lincoln-Douglas”-style debate with Newt Gingrich, where Cain has little to gain and a lot to lose.

On November 5, Gingrich and Cain will go mano-a-mano in a debate about entitlement reform, with no moderator and only a timekeeper from the Texas Tea Party Patriots. “It will be divided into parts, one for each major entitlement — Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid — with each candidate detailing their arguments,” says Bill O’Sullivan, the treasurer of the group. Obviously, the candidates will find ways to bring up other issues if they believe it to be advantageous.

Gingrich’s campaign says it will be respectful, and he will contrast his proposals with Cain “in a friendly way.” There will probably not be any heated, interruption-filled confrontations as happened between Romney, Perry, and Santorum during the last debate.

This debate is a blessing from Cain upon Gingrich. Whereas Cain has frontrunner status, Gingrich is in third place. He is steep in debt and unable to purchase the advertising he needs to be considered a top-tier candidate. The media still isn’t giving him much attention. He’s done well in the debates, but is restrained by the presence of seven other candidates on the stage. Gingrich needs to take away from Cain’s support, or he has no chance of winning. Now, he gets to take on Cain — and only Cain — in the forum that best suits Gingrich.

What does Cain have to gain? It is possible he could best Gingrich and take some of his support, but this is an unnecessary gamble. Cain could simply wait as the right-of-Romney vote coalesces around him and Gingrich’s campaign suffocates. Cain is in a strong position to become the sole alternative to Romney, and if he does he probably wins the nomination.

An important fact that is being overlooked: Cain was hammered in the last debate, yet his support hasn’t dropped at all.

This separates him from Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, whose candidacies quickly fell after being piled on in the debates. As a matter of fact, Cain has a slight lead nationally in the RealClearPolitics poll average. His campaign says he is now raising $1 million per week. At the same time, Rick Perry intends to use his large war chest for a “total destroy mission” against Romney, in the words of someone familiar with his campaign’s plans. This will take negative attention away from Cain, and brings to mind the mutually caused destruction of the Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt campaigns in 2004.

The Iowa caucus comes on January 3. Cain has a 5.5% lead in the RealClearPolitics average. Should he win, there will be a media firestorm, and in all probability Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann will drop out. Rick Perry’s campaign will be injured, probably fatally. All of their support goes to Cain.

Mitt Romney will win New Hampshire (likely on January 10). This eliminates Jon Huntsman, whose miniscule number of supporters he will take.

South Carolina comes on January 21. Here, RCP’s average has him with a 5.7% lead today. Gingrich’s campaign depends upon winning this state, and if Cain wins Iowa, it’ll be hard to see how he overcomes Cain’s momentum. He and Perry are gone if Cain wins. At this point, Cain has rallied the anti-Romney vote behind his candidacy, and he is the favorite to win the nomination.

Cain now has two options. He can move forward with the debate and plan on criticizing Gingrich, such as by mentioning his support for the individual mandate. He’ll have to be extra careful not to make a gaffe worth reporting, as no broadcast networks currently plan to cover it. He can hope that not many people will see Gingrich at his best. Or, he can find an excuse to drop out. It’ll be obvious he realized he made a mistake, but if his supporters stuck with him through the last debate, they’ll stick with him through that decision.

Herman Cain’s campaign is in a position that very few people, especially in the media, ever thought it would approach. Debating Gingrich one-on-one is a gamble he doesn’t need to make.

Also see: Dem Wit: GOP Likes Cain Because ‘He’s a Black Man Who Knows His Place’”

And check out: Is Karen Finney Secretly Working for Herman Cain?

 


TOPICS: Politics
KEYWORDS: cain; hermancain; newtgingrich
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To: Kaslin

I’m on the Cain Train, but this is what I think of this debate. I think the Newt proposed this debate to all the candidates, because he knows this is where he excells and needs a chance like this to take a jump. Cain, a man who doesn’t back down from a challenge, and a candidate who is low on funds, decided this is good free advertising. My guess is that the more experienced candidates knew Newt’s strength and decided to pass.

When this debate was agreed to, I saw a mssg on twitter from presumably Cain staff. I sent a PM and asked if it was going to be televised. I was told they were working on it.

While I think Gingrich is a good candidate, I have no doubt this man is in for himself. Given the tiniest of chance, he will go for the jugular. I do hope Cain isn’t naive.


121 posted on 10/29/2011 4:01:50 PM PDT by The Sparrow
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Prepare a smart question for him that concerns you. It is a great opportunity. Stay away from OWS and local jurisdiction matters. Stay with F&F, Laundering of funds through failed stimulus and the like. You should have lots of fun!


122 posted on 10/29/2011 4:09:11 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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To: caww

Very interesting indeed. I believe these two know exactly what their doing and have for some time now. I feel like I’m watching an episode of survior and the strongest alliance has each other’s back. My daughters, age 22 and 19 both like Cain and Newt. It’s the perfect combination of personality, smarts, experience, conservatism and humor. The young people are waking up. Many who voted for Obama last time(their first time voting) are recent college graduates living back at home and taking low paying jobs they feel overqualified for or in grad school just to avoid the current job market.


123 posted on 10/29/2011 4:15:05 PM PDT by cnsmom (csmom)
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To: caww

He is successful, and is not afraid of his neighbors. These morons that have no ability to understand that the electors clause was meant to keep a state from getting power over all others miss the point altogether.


124 posted on 10/29/2011 4:16:37 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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To: cnsmom

I think the smartest of the younger people also want the comfort of a more mature individual in the WhiteHouse, with some intelligence, leading this country.

Obama has shown them clearly that just being a cool guy with a slick mouth isn’t going to get the job done...and they are smart enough now to see the “change” thing isn’t working and it’s damaging everything about our our great nation and it’s people.

My congradulations to your daughters for discerning the times we live and that we need people who are absolutely committted to THIS nation first and foremost. Newt and Cain are just that.


125 posted on 10/29/2011 4:58:14 PM PDT by caww
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To: Kaslin

I don’t trust Cain at all-he is a liberal in disguise.

Gingrich is far more capable.


126 posted on 10/29/2011 4:58:26 PM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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To: federal__reserve
Yes; agree w/your conclusions. . .

Will say, and IMHO; with Newt's lack of RNC support; and the 'failure of Media et al', (and Repub majority ) to give him credit; but rather; only their selected preference to dismiss him as 'irrelevant'; Newt just may just need some uncritical 'hype'/promotion from grassroots supporters ;-).

Do believe; Newt IS our 'best field' candidate. Herman or Marco should be close at hand as well, for 'team ticket'.

That he goes begging is sad testimony. . .again; IMHO. This from a dedicated Republican - who has a favorite - but will vote Party,9ver Obama - anytime/how /place.

Republican or die; INHO. . .

127 posted on 10/29/2011 6:28:54 PM PDT by cricket (Stop the Madness . . . Freedom must prevail. . .)
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To: Kaslin

The following is not meant in a mean way. I’m a Cain supporter and a Newtie admirer (of his intellect, not of his own personal behavior and of some of the gaffes he has made over the years).

Here’s what I think: Cain and Newt have a little mutual admiration society going (not without cause, mind you). It doesn’t matter if Newt technically “wins” this debate as long as he doesn’t make Cain look like a fool, because Cain is more innately likeable and also has more true conservative cred. Both see this as a chance to showcase themselves without the other seven dwarfs horning in. In addition to being a big fundraiser for both of them, this is a big fat advertisement to current and possible new supporters: “Look! Here’s two of the best minds in the GOP! Wow, wouldn’t we make a heck of a Presidential TEAM — with one of us as Pres and one as VP! Woo hoo! Support us both!”

And with any luck, their “ad” should give them both a lot of positive buzz. I don’t thnk Cain thinks he can “win” this debate and I don’t think he cares. I think Cain still thinks he will come out on top and it will be a big boost for both of them.


128 posted on 10/29/2011 10:37:35 PM PDT by Hetty_Fauxvert (Fuel up the Cain Train! Donate today! - - - https://www.hermancain.com/donate)
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To: MNJohnnie; wagglebee; All

” For example there is Newt’s jumping on the Global Warming train, and his chastising Conservatives for not rallying behind Dede Scusaffasa in NY 23. Newt has a long record of talking a good game and being just another GOP Establishment water boy. “

N A I L E D it !


129 posted on 10/30/2011 5:33:42 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: stfassisi

” I don’t trust Cain at all-he is a liberal in disguise.

Gingrich is far more capable. “

?.......LOL!!!!


130 posted on 10/30/2011 5:34:40 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (God, family, country, mom, apple pie, the girl next door and a Ford F250 to pull my boat.)
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To: Kaslin
Gingrich’s campaign says it will be respectful, and he will contrast his proposals with Cain “in a friendly way.” There will probably not be any heated, interruption-filled confrontations as happened between Romney, Perry, and Santorum during the last debate.

Reminds me of the gentlemanly Vice-presidential debate that Dick Cheney had with Joe Lieberman in 2000.

131 posted on 10/30/2011 5:36:37 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Obama is the least qualified guy in whatever room he walks into.)
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To: Bryanw92

You know, I think you’ve got something there. The purpose of the debate is probably to show the LSM and the other candidates how to debate, and that it is not necessary to smear the opponent


132 posted on 10/30/2011 6:20:50 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: eyedigress; Vermont Lt
You are.

Yes and no. If both candidates live in the same state, then the nominee can not choose his vice president that resides in the same state. Remember when George W. Bush chose Dick Cheney as his Vice President, Cheney had to move to Wyoming? However if Newt resides in a different state, then there is no problem.

133 posted on 10/30/2011 6:30:29 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: fightinJAG

Excellent point


134 posted on 10/30/2011 6:36:20 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: stfassisi
I don’t trust Cain at all-he is a liberal in disguise.

Why, because he is black?

*rme*

135 posted on 10/30/2011 6:42:11 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin
Why, because he is black?

No! If he ends up being nominated I will vote for him but I believe Gingrich is the better choice.

136 posted on 10/30/2011 7:04:14 AM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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To: stfassisi

You did not answer my question. There is no reason to think he is a liberal in disguise, unless you think a black person can not be a conservative


137 posted on 10/30/2011 7:11:47 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

I happen to believe that JC Watts would be a great candidate for president,even better than Cain,so there goes your ridiculous theory out the window


138 posted on 10/30/2011 7:53:41 AM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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To: Kaslin

I really hope so. Republican voters need to be reminded that we are the grownups in the room. I want to see a debate with discussions in-depth on issues and plans for the future. I don’t want to see a bunch of sound bite fodder with each candidate bringing up history just to expose the other guy’s skeletons. Newt and Cain are well-suited for a mature debate. I only hope that we voters can handle it. If they do and we do, then all the others will be left looking like they deserve a place at the kiddie table while the adults make adult talk.


139 posted on 10/30/2011 10:50:10 AM PDT by Bryanw92 (The solution to fix Congress: Nuke em from orbit. It's the only way to be sure!)
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To: nathanbedford
"Do you see a new Newt Gingrich?'

YES!! He's fat & has a double chin.

140 posted on 10/30/2011 5:15:31 PM PDT by LADY J ( Change your thoughts and you change your world.. - Norman Vincent Peale))
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