Posted on 05/17/2011 7:11:45 AM PDT by justsaynomore
Most of the pundits do not believe Herman Cain has any chance of winning the GOP nomination. As is often the case, the pundits might be wrong. The Georgia businessman is showing signs that he just might be a force in the presidential race. Cain continues to win straw polls around the nation and was declared the winner of the first presidential debate. While tea party groups remain Cains base, his appeal is extending across the Republican spectrum.
Cain found plenty of interest among prominent Iowa Republicans Monday. He held private meetings with potential donors, was extremely well received at the State Capitol by Republican legislators, and shared a few minutes with Governor Branstad. That was followed by another very well received speech, as 90 likely caucus goers packed Smokey Row in Des Moines for a town hall meeting.
Herman seems like the kind of guy that could win, said businessman and farmer Wendell Eiklenborg following the event. Id like to see how he distinguishes himself from Judge Roy Moore on some issues, but I did like what he had to say.
Iowans are noticing that Cain has a mixture of a lot of the qualities they are looking for in a candidate. The departure of Donald Trump gives Cain the exclusive edge of being the only businessman and non-politician in the race. Mike Huckabees decision not to run means Cain has little competition for the best communicator in the race. He has just as much Tea Party appeal as Michelle Bachmann.
Cain, like Huckabee, is a Baptist preacher. When asked during Mondays town hall if Jesus Christ was his primary counselor, he quickly responded, Yes. Cain believes he will pick up some of the social conservative voters who backed Huckabee in 2008.
I think the social conservatives might split into any number of candidates depending on who they want to support, Cain told a gaggle of reporters Monday. I think that my business background, my problem solving ability is whats going to attract a lot of people. I am socially conservative, so Ill probably pick up some of those but not necessarily all of them.
Cains speech at last weekends Georgia GOP convention was interrupted by more than a dozen standing ovations. He spoke to a larger crowd and received much better response than his fellow Georgian Newt Gingrich. Although Gingrich is much better known, Cain believes he has an advantage over the former U.S. House Speaker.
What distinguishes me from him is over 40 years of business experience, where hes had over 40 years of political experience, Cain said. And I think over 40 years of business experience is resonating a lot more with people than simply having political experience. Knowing how Washington works isnt necessarily an advantage. As a businessman going in, I dont want to know how Washington works. I want to change Washington, D.C.
Finally, perhaps more than any other candidate, Cain is naturally likeable and seems genuine. He is at ease while chatting with common Iowans. That is not the case with all the candidates. He also has a sense of humor and is able to tell jokes that arent scripted for him.
During the middle of his Q and A session at Smokey Row Monday, Cain interrupted himself and asked a man seated near him, Are you gonna eat the rest of that sandwich? It was an amusing, off-the-cuff moment that the crowd appreciated. You can tell I like to have fun, Cain said as the crowd chuckled.
Joyce Lutz, a retiree from Des Moines, says she will take her time to decide on a candidate, but impressed by Herman Cain. I liked what he said, Lutz said. It was nice to hear that hes a Christian. Thats a very positive thing.
Cain is working hard to earn Iowans votes. He has a town hall meeting scheduled for Marshalltown on Tuesday, followed by a Linn County GOP chili cook-off in Cedar Rapids. He will return to the state Friday for the Pottawattamie County GOPs fundraiser. On Saturday, Herman Cain will hold a rally in Atlanta to announce his official candidacy for the presidency. He remains a long shot, but no candidate has gained more momentum in the past few weeks that Cain. If that momentum continues, Cain very well might be able to win it all.
Photo by Dave Davidson
Yes. Next question.
Hope so. I will not let Fox or the Lib media pick my candidate. Appears Fox and the rest are pushing RINOS.
born December 13, 1945 in Memphis, TN (Meets the Jus Soli Requirement)
Parents were
Luther Cain Jr., born March 16, 1925 in TN, died March 29, 1982 in Atlanta, GA
Lenora Davis, born July 27, 1925 in GA, died August 20, 2005 in Atlanta, GA
Both parents were US Citizens at the time of his birth (Meets the Jus Sanguinis Requirement)
Herman Cain is a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN unlike Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama.
So, if the left speaks out against Mr. Cain’s political positions....can we call them racists? Just ask’n.
“Is Herman Cain Becoming Legitimate Contender?”
If he goes into the Iowa straw poll and takes one of the top 3 spots, he’s got to be considered more legit in the eyes of the “wizards of smart.”
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“Cain, like Huckabee, is a Baptist preacher. When asked during Mondays town hall if Jesus Christ was his primary counselor, he quickly responded, Yes. Cain believes he will pick up some of the social conservative voters who backed Huckabee in 2008.”
If you have any doubts about Cain’s faith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk6PA48uR50&feature=related
“Fox and the rest are pushing RINOS”
Slobbering over romney lately.
Cain is as well known at this point in the campaign that Bill Clinton was. They both had good reputations among certain circles but no national recognition. WJC was just another one of the Seven Dwarves. Herman’s biggest advantage at the moment is that none of the announced ones (other than Newt, and he was dead before he ever started) have a national reputation.
For Cain to have a real shot, he has to win outright either FL or SC, and at least place second in Iowa, IMHO.
Which I think is possible.
Maybe we should accuse the MSM of racism for ignoring him and/or doubting his chances.
Hope so, he’s one of the few who don’t suck.
The conventional wisdom elites totally missed on Palin and the entire Tea Party movement, Scott Brown, Chris Christie and the magnitude of the 210 mid terms — so of course they’ll miss on Cain. They don’t understand what goes on outside the beltway at all.
This process is a marathon and not a sprint - so anything can happen - but the last three weeks since the SC debate have been a very fast track for Cain. He’s gone from an unknown to what appears to be the hottest candidate everywhere but the beltway. If he has a few more stretches like this, it will get interesting.
Huck’s departure opens up some religious voters for him and Trump’s opens up some who like the business aspect and the idea of a Cain Obama debate. Newt’s implosion will help him with disaffected newties.
Amazing to think there is a candidate who can speak, and think, and who has legitimate business experience.
And who is a conservative.
Huckabee can speak. Romney has legitimate business experience. Trump has sort of less than legitimate business experience. Newt can think. But Romney, Trump and Newt are not really legitimate conservatives. Huckabee is soft on the fiscal stuff, and has no real business experience, at least not on teh order of Cain. (Not that it matters anyway, as Huck and Trump aren’t running..but just philosophizing). Newt will be gone soon enough. His utter inability to control his “message” has already shown.
I just have to wonder if Cain is a conservative and non-freakish Perot. Perot ran a legitimate campaign, and was very effective, if you think about it. To think that such a strange man could do so well....
In any event, as a matter of political reality, I believe that Cain is still on the fringes. But...he might well be moving towards mainstream.
I think he would be an amazing President. If he makes it to my state’s primary (doubtful...no one ever does), I anticipate voting for him. Till then, all I can do is root for him...and send money.
It didn’t work for Alan Keyes.
They managed to kill him off, so to speak...but then he had an abrasive manner that Cain obviously does not.
love the sandwich line.
I’ve never donated so much as one red cent to any political candidate. That just might change.
I personally think he has no chance. But there’s no doubt that he benefits from the winnowing of the primary field, both from the top- and second-tier candidates who have removed themselves (Huckabee, Trump) and those who have made disqualifying bone-headed moves/statements (Gingrich, Huckabee).
Is Herman Cain Becoming Legitimate Contender?
Yes he is!
Go Cain!
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