Posted on 05/27/2011 9:45:24 AM PDT by justsaynomore
Herman Cain appeared Thursday on Fox & Friends, and spoke strongly in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) controversial proposal to privatize Medicare. And Cain quite proudly called the proposal a "voucher" program -- a word that Republicans are trying to avoid.
Fox host Gretchen Carlson asked Cain what he thought of the fact that none of the various budgets in Congress can pass.
"Well what's going on is, they're not being honest with the American people," said Cain. "The fact of the matter is, Ryan's plan represents giving people a choice -- but if you're 55 years of age or older, you're not gonna be affected. Nobody's talking about that.
"Secondly, nobody's talking about the fact that the centerpiece of Ryan's plan is a voucher. Now, a lot of people don't like to use that term because it has a negative connotation. That is what we need."
The GOP talking points on the plan have carefully eschewed the word "voucher" in favor of the friendlier "premium assistance" or "premium support." Cain, on the other hand, is apparently ignoring that particular memo.
Carlson noted that Cain is supporting Ryan's plan, but other Republican candidates have not done so fully. For example, Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty have given it some praise, but also said they would wait to come out with their own plans, which will have many similarities but also some differences.
"I support Ryan's plan 100 percent. We don't need to come up with another plan," Cain responded. "The people who are backing away from Ryan's plan -- which is very well thought out, he's already had it scored -- they simply lack courage, Gretchen. I don't know any other way to put it. They lack courage.
"Don't back away from something just because it's controversial, or because it's difficult to explain to the American people. The American people are not stupid. Explain it to them."
I've said that the Ryan budget left the door open for Democrat demagoguery and I was right and perhaps they should revisit it...however, if they could go out and SELL the plan, they can turn it back against the Democrats.
It's a war of words, and Herman's in it to win it.
Go out and SELL IT! EXPLAIN to the people why it’s necessary and why it’s a good thing for THEM.
If the ticket was CAIN/PALIN, all I’d have to do is spray paint over the “Mc” with blue paint which is already on my car bumper!
That would save a lot of people a lot of hassle...
;-o)
The MSM and libs have MADE it a negative term.
Second: "The American people are not stupid. Explain it to them."
Unfortunately most elected officials are stupid (including the Ivy League grads) and haven't the capacity to understand the Ryan plan themselves let along know how to explain it to anyone.
I appreciate his support for the Ryan plan, this sort of thing is in Cain's wheelhouse.
Unfortunately he's made some blunders including misquoting the Declaration as the Constitution, the infamous "Right of Return" flub (both this week) and in March applying an unconstitutional religious test to theoretical administration appointments. For a guy who started his campaign by saying we need to read the Constitution these are serious gaffes.
If anyone could explain it to the American people, Herman Cain can. No doubt.
Your other talking points have alreadly been addressed by Mr. Cain in several interviews this week - Beck, Hannity, FoxNews, and CNBC. And, in fact, unlike most politicians, he uses no excuses. His honesty is quite refreshing.
Looks like Cain and Marco Rubio are the only two to do so publicly.
I didn't hear the Declaration/Constitution thing, but as far as the religious test, he clarified that it's really about Sharia law and supporting the Constitution. He's right in that someone who adheres to the true tenet of Islam, and therefore, Sharia Law, cannot serve, since they will have beliefs contrary to the Constitution. I see no inconsistency there.
Coupon? There's the "cents off" connotation but it might test OK.
Ticket? Might be compared to traffic tickets but people understand tickets get you in somewhere because you paid for it: movie, concert, etc.
Cain/Palin or Palin/Cain 2012 - either would work great and be a great team, IMO
Links - Mr. Cain addresses lots of controversy in these interviews this week. Enjoy!
Glenn Beck interviews Herman Cain (5/26/11)
http://www.therightscoop.com/glenn-beck-interviews-herman-cain/
Cain on CNBC
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000023682
Cain on Hannity
http://video.foxnews.com/v/956512667001/herman-cain-on-his-run-for-the-white-house
Kudlow interviews Herman Cain (5/26/11)
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000024367
That's a mistake, actually. The Dems are already attacking the plan. Allowing the Democrats to turn the election into a contest about the Ryan plan, allows the Democrats to pick both the battlefield and the terms of the debate: the GOP would be stuck trying to respond, rather than attack.
So, instead, the GOP needs to attack the Democrats on what the Ryan plan is about. And it's about trying to deal with the looming economic crisis that is being made immeasurably worse by Obama's and the Democrats batshit insane deficit spending.
Something has to be done, because doing nothing will spell disaster. Ryan's plan is one "something" -- but not the only possible one.
If the GOP has to sell the story of Obama's disastrous economic crisis. Then --and only then -- they can start a rational discussion of doing something about it; and Ryan's plan is a good place to start the conversation.
By the way, Herman Cain has been quoting both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in his speeches for years. He knows the difference, thank you.
I’m sure the candidate you support never misspeaks. Right.
I’m stealing that. :)
I love Herman Cain!
Palin/Cain.
He’s free to apply any “test” he wants to when choosing his cabinet. The government can’t make laws applying religious tests.
Well, but mixing up the Declaration and the Constitution! I think that disqualifies him instantly.
All the other candidates are PERFECT, after all.
*Rolling eyes*
The Ryan plan does NOT cut off people from anything.The Ryan plan does not push granny in a wheelchair off a cliff like the idiotic alinsky tactic progressive commiecrats are saying.
It’s rather funny that the tone over the debt has been reduced to mere demagoguery of all Republicans.
Okay, I have heard very little about Cain before now (mostly that he’s “unelectable”).
So I watched the video: Be still my beating heart!
If this guy is even close to being sincere in what he’s proposing, I’m going to become a Cainiac!
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