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Cain taps Rumsfeld spokesman
Daily Mail ^ | 10/1/11 | Don Surber

Posted on 10/01/2011 7:15:55 PM PDT by justsaynomore

Herman Cain will add a heavyweight to his campaign staff on Monday. Taking over as campaign spokesman will be J.D. Gordon, who served as a Pentagon spokesman from 2005-2009 under Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Gordon is a retired Navy commander. He succeeds Ellen Carmichael, a 2009 graduate of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

So how did CNN report this story? From CNN: “Herman Cain communications director resigns.” No mention was made of J.D. Gordon, at all.

Reporter Shannon Travis made it sound as if Team Cain was on the rocks:

“It’s a very amicable departure,” Carmichael said. “He wished me the best of luck. And I will forever be fond of him and appreciative of this opportunity.”

In June, two other staffers left the Cain campaign. CNN asked Carmichael if her and Boustany’s departures are a sign of more trouble for Cain.

“No comment,” she said.

“I have served Mister Cain for more than a year,” Carmichael added. “We’ve had ups and downs. We’ve had tons of money and very little money. And I’ve stuck through some very difficult and some very rewarding times on the campaign. And it was just time for me to go pursue other professional opportunities.”

The timing of Carmichael’s resignation is sure to raise eyebrows. Cain’s candidacy is currently generating headlines, having recently won a Florida straw poll, seeing some momentum in some polls and earning some positive reviews for recent debate performances. On Friday, the candidate snagged a spot on NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

But newspaper reporter-turned-blogger Robert Stacy McCain reported: “Ellen Carmichael Out, J.D. Gordon In as Cain Campaign Communications Chief.”

Gordon is a big snag for Team Cain as he has been a contributing columnist and commentator to Fox News, The Washington Times, Human Events and Capital Insider. Since leaving the Pentagon, Gordon has been a Senior Fellow and Communications Consultant to several Washington-DC based think tanks, including Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Americas Forum, Atlantic Bridge, Center for Security Policy and the Liberty & Freedom Foundation.

Who would you rather have as a spokesman: a young woman 2 years out of college or a chap who handled questions about Gitmo, Iraq and Afghanistan during the 4 most unpopular years of the War on Terrorism. On the other hand, Ellen Carmichael must have done a pretty good job as part of a team that put a political novice in third in the Republican presidential sweepstakes. It’s an upgrade, CNN.

UPDATE: Robert Stacy McCain: “Surber throws a couple of shots at Ellen, which is rather unfair. She joined Team Cain early last fall when the candidate was Herman Who? She leaves with the candidate now ranked third and poised the challenge the front-runners. Ain’t no shame in her game.”

Oh I agree wholeheartedly. I do not know the woman but I do know many bright people out of college who can kick my rear professionally.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2012; communciations; donaldrumsfeld; election2012; ellencarmichael; hermancain; jdgordon; robertgates
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This was a necessary move for Cain, but I agree with Robert Stacy McCain - Carmichael did a fantastic job as spokesperson for Cain.
1 posted on 10/01/2011 7:15:58 PM PDT by justsaynomore
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To: justsaynomore

Gravitas is nothing to sneeze at.


2 posted on 10/01/2011 7:19:43 PM PDT by corkoman
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To: K-oneTexas; Tucker822; Kartographer; freekitty; carmody; Dead Corpse; MsLady; Publius772000; ...

Pinganator!

Herman Cain on Jay Leno (Video)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2786334/posts

Hot Air Candidate Survey Results: October Edition (Cain wins with 39% )
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/10/01/hot-air-candidate-survey-results-october-edition/

Herman Cain Addresses Throngs of Racist Women at the National Federation of Republican Women Convention (Video)
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/17710/herman-cain-addresses-throngs-of-racist-women-at-the-national-federation-of-republican-women-video/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allamericanblogger+%28All+American+Blogger%29

In Florida GOP Presidential Primary, Romney Edges Cain, with Perry Well Back in 3rd Place:
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=ab381464-4b12-4dec-ab94-0e9516575817


3 posted on 10/01/2011 7:20:18 PM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore

Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Wins TeaCon 2011 Straw Poll
“Schaumburg, Ill. - Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain won the TeaCon 2011 Straw Poll with 77% of the vote. Organizers say Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich came in second and third place.

Greeted like a rock star, newly crowned Republican presidential candidate frontrunner Herman Cain was the main attraction at the Midwest Tea Party Convention, TeaCon 2011 in Schaumburg, Illinois.”

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/herman-cain-teacon-michele-bachmann-newt-gingrich-presidential-candidate-20111001


4 posted on 10/01/2011 7:25:04 PM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore

JD Gordon. Hmmmmm
http://www.jdgordoncommunications.com/page/about.html


5 posted on 10/01/2011 7:25:14 PM PDT by Donnafrflorida (Thru HIM all things are possible.)
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To: justsaynomore

Sounds like a well-organized campaign when someone ‘resigns’ and is immediately replaced.

In any case, Cain KNOWS how to run a ship...disorganization is for dunces like Perry.


6 posted on 10/01/2011 7:27:39 PM PDT by BobL (PLEASE READ: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2657811/posts)
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To: justsaynomore

PTL!


7 posted on 10/01/2011 7:29:02 PM PDT by ken21 (ruling class dem + rino progressives -- destroying america for 150 years.)
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To: justsaynomore

Thank you, Mr. Rumsfeld.


8 posted on 10/01/2011 7:32:50 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
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To: justsaynomore

I have the sense something is building.... who better than a spokesperson for Rumsfield?


9 posted on 10/01/2011 7:38:12 PM PDT by mnehring
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To: BobL
"Cain KNOWS how to run a ship..."

Yes, and therefore Cain is going to be the next President of the U.S.A.

"...disorganization is for dunces like Perry."

You betcha! And Perry is for even bigger dunces.

10 posted on 10/01/2011 7:40:28 PM PDT by Savage Beast (The Tea Party: La Resistance)
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To: mnehring

I have the sense something is building.... who better than a spokesperson for Rumsfield?


I agree. This is a solid move.


11 posted on 10/01/2011 7:41:26 PM PDT by unkus (Silence Is Consent)
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To: BobL

“In any case, Cain KNOWS how to run a ship...disorganization is for dunces like Perry.”

I don’t know if he can run a ship but he did work on ballistics system for the Navy :)


12 posted on 10/01/2011 7:42:30 PM PDT by ari-freedom (I'm a heartless conservative because I love this country.)
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To: mnehring

Paul supporters are going to implode over this :-)


13 posted on 10/01/2011 7:42:49 PM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: Savage Beast

Yes, and therefore Cain is going to be the next President of the U.S.A.


I think you might be right.


14 posted on 10/01/2011 7:43:32 PM PDT by unkus (Silence Is Consent)
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To: justsaynomore

Herman was great on Leno.


15 posted on 10/01/2011 7:46:32 PM PDT by no dems (No matter who it might be, when I find out a person is a Democrat, I lose respect for them.)
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To: BobL

For what it’s worth, it appears that Carmichael really did resign, and that she has some sort of new job in DC. She’s getting lots of congratulations on twitter.

Sounds like Cain was able to replace her quickly with someone who is, at the very least, her equal.


16 posted on 10/01/2011 7:49:31 PM PDT by Hawk720
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To: Hawk720

“For what it’s worth, it appears that Carmichael really did resign, and that she has some sort of new job in DC. She’s getting lots of congratulations on twitter.”

Sounds good to me, then.


17 posted on 10/01/2011 7:50:32 PM PDT by BobL (PLEASE READ: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2657811/posts)
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To: no dems

Came across as smart, quick witted, funny, knowledgeable and able to break down difficult topics into easily explaiable pieces.

He’s the guy.


18 posted on 10/01/2011 7:52:27 PM PDT by Personal Responsibility (Cain 2012!)
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To: Hawk720

It might have been one of those situations where her role might have been to be reassigned to assist JD Gordon. Or even that she saw it coming. Who knows? From what it looks like, she and Cain are parting on good terms.

Carmichael did a good job, she even won a press award recently. It is no surprise that she was picked up quickly. She is young - 2 years out of college - and this was her big break as a spokesperson. JD, from what I can tell, is a good choice to take Cain to the next level


19 posted on 10/01/2011 7:54:57 PM PDT by justsaynomore (Cain 2012 - http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore

Herman was great on Leno.


20 posted on 10/01/2011 7:56:03 PM PDT by no dems (No matter who it might be, when I find out a person is a Democrat, I lose respect for them.)
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