TeaCon establishes Herman Cain as a ‘real candidate’

examiner.com ^ | 10/4/2011 | Keith Liscio

[Servant of the Cross]

After his performance at TeaCon 2011 over the weekend and polling a remarkable 77% in the straw poll there, it seems like the Republican primary electorate is dividing itself into two camps: those that love Herman Cain and those that have not seen him yet.

This is a phenomenon that has been building for a long time. When Cain officially entered the race less than six months ago, his name recognition was only 21%. Now at 51%, he’s still one of the least recognized Republican candidates, but his Gallup Positive Intensity score is consistently the highest of anybody in the GOP field. Basically, this means that only about half of voters even know who he is. Those that do, have very favorable impressions of him.

[Servant of the Cross]

... it seems like the Republican primary electorate is dividing itself into two camps: those that love Herman Cain and those that have not seen him yet.

[Grunthor]

I do not “love” Herman Cain. I do admire his story and plan to do my best to help make him the next President of these United States.

[MNJohnnie]

Well actually, their are some of them that really do not like Cain. You are about to find that out as the Perry supporters will soon be swarming this thread.

[Grunthor]

Bitter little trolls aren’t they?

[Kartographer]

Herman Cain grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with loving parents and little else. His father worked three jobs—as a janitor, a barber and a chauffeur—and his mother was a domestic worker. Even though these jobs required hard work and little glamour, his parents knew this life was better than the dirt farms upon which they grew up. They also knew that this hard work was the key to achieving their American Dreams.

Herman’s parents had two dreams. First, they wanted to own their own house. Secondly, they wanted both of their children to graduate from college. During the segregation era in the Deep South, these aspirations might have seemed lofty, but they knew that if they kept their faith in God, faith in themselves and faith in the greatest country on the Earth, they could achieve.

The first dream was realized in a modest brick house on Albert Street in Atlanta, Georgia. After years of saving from his many jobs, Herman’s father surprised the whole family, even his wife, by purchasing a home for their family. The second dream was realized when Herman graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in mathematics in 1967. His brother, Thurman, would go on to graduate from Morris Brown College.

Inspired by the work ethic and character of his parents, Herman continued his education by earning his Master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University while working full-time developing fire control systems for ships and fighter planes for the Department of the Navy. Though Herman enjoyed using his talents as a civilian employee for the Navy, he gravitated towards the culture of business.

Herman returned to his home of Atlanta to begin working as a computer systems analyst for the Coca-Cola Company. After considerable success at Coca-Cola, he moved to the Pillsbury Company. Within a short period of time, Herman rose to position of Vice President. Although the comforts of a corner office on the 31st floor of a majestic corporate building seemed satisfying, Herman knew that he needed a challenge.

He became the regional vice president of Pillsbury’s Burger King division. This meant starting from the “ground up,” dodging grease fires and broiling hamburgers. Herman was assigned to lead a low performing region of 450 of their restaurants. Within three years, it became the best performing region in the company.

Energized by overcoming the many obstacles of his job at Burger King, Herman took on the biggest challenge of his career. He accepted the call to become the President and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, a company that was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. In just 14 months, Herman returned Godfather’s to profitability and he led his management team to a buyout of the company.

His professional successes garnered the respect and admiration of industry peers who named him the President of the National Restaurant Association. Under Herman’s administration, the group grew significantly and began to lobby for the interests of America’s restaurateurs and small business owners.

In 1994, as head of the National Restaurant Association, he had the opportunity to speak with President Clinton during a nationally televised town hall meeting. Here, Herman challenged the President regarding the impact on businesses if his health care overhaul proposal were passed. President Clinton attempted to assure him and the millions of viewers watching at home that his legislation would not harm American business owners and their employees.

Herman was skeptical. “Quite honestly Mr. President, your calculations are incorrect,” he said. “In the competitive marketplace, it simply doesn’t work that way.” His words echoed across America, and Newsweek named Herman Cain the primary saboteur of Hillarycare.

Through these and other appearances on behalf of the National Restaurant Association, Herman began working with business leaders across all sectors of the American economy. This led to his acceptance of a position on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and he was subsequently elected their chairman. In this role, he analyzed economic conditions in the region and notified the Federal Reserve of how their policies should respond.

Most recently, he hosted a radio talk show, “The Herman Cain Show,” on Atlanta’s WSB 750 AM/ 95.5 FM. He serves as a regular contributor on several broadcast networks and as a keynote speaker at conferences and events around the nation.

Despite the many professional commitments of his life, Herman continues to enjoy most the time spent with family and friends. As his children got married and had their own children, he knew that he had an extraordinary obligation to do what he could to make this a safe and prosperous nation for them. The paramount joys in his life are his wife, Gloria, his children and his grandchildren.

Now I highlighted and underline Herman's working at the Fed to meet a promise that I made to many of the Paulist on FR. Herman was not a member of the Board of Governors which sets monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is more or less a bank for banks and what they do is provide financial services to depository institutions including banks, credit unions, and savings and loans, much like those that banks provide for their customers. These services include collecting checks, electronically transferring funds, and distributing and receiving cash and coin.

I know that sounds so very ominous.

[Netizen]

Tell me again how Perry is more of a Tea Party candidate than Cain is?

[sickoflibs]

A Cain vs Obama matchup would be the election of a lifetime to remember, which is probably why we wouldnt be that lucky.

[meatloaf]

I agree with that division. Republicans and independents have been looking for someone that represents their views. With Palin’s decision, Cain has no real competition.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls a substantial chunk of the Democrat vote too in the election.

[Recon Dad]

You must be referring to Clarity, who has become the “Choo Choo Willie” of the Cain posts, very trite to say the least.

[South40]

Well put. I don’t love Cain either. But I do see him as our best chance to retire the Marxist in Chief.

[South40]

Tell me again how Perry is more of a Tea Party candidate than Cain is?

Rick Perry TEA Party? lol!

The TP does not agree with Perry on the big-government, nanny-state Gardasil debacle.

The TP does not agree with Perry on his opposition to the border fence.

The TP does not agree with Perry on his opposition to Arizona trying to defend itself from the ILLEGAL hordes that he wants to make citizens.

The TP opposed Perry on the TTC.

The TP does not support Perry’s warped view that anyone opposing instate tuition for ILLEGAL aliens does so because of the ILLEGAL aliens’ last names.

The TP did not agree with Obama and Pelosi’s stimulus bailout plan yet Perry took stimulus cash anyway.

Rick Perry is a big government, progressive neocon candidate. He is a fraud and anything but in line with the TP's core principles.

[NoGrayZone]

"A Cain vs Obama matchup would be the election of a lifetime to remember, which is probably why we wouldn't be that lucky."

I don't know about that. I keep thinking of Sarah's speech this Sat., how she said "it was a prayerful decision".

Herman Cain said that black people have been brainwashed (I agree with him on that. The brainwashing keeps them dependent the on gov.)

God loves His people and wants us all. This is just my humble opinion, but what if Herman Cain is the one to lead the blacks out of their own "slavery"?

Look at what the gov. did to the black family....almost obliterated it. I'm sure He is none to happy about that.

I'm still trying to make sense out of this upside down world we have become. Herman Cain is also a Christian.....a practicing one with full belief.

Perhaps this is His way of gathering His people together for the battle that will soon take place.

[Netizen]

Supposedly, Palin listed off a list for the potential nominee and only Perry fit it! LOL

I just can’t imagine one of the most prominent faces in the Tea Party thinking Perry was Tea Party material. It boggles the mind! :)

[MNJohnnie]

Supposedly, Palin listed off a list for the potential nominee and only Perry fit it! LOL

Hmm you mean after calling Perry a "crony capitalist" Palin decided he was just what our country needed?

Some how I find that hard to believe :-)

[sickoflibs]

RE :"A Cain vs Obama matchup would be the election of a lifetime to remember, which is probably why we wouldn't be that lucky."......
I don't know about that. I keep thinking of Sarah's speech this Sat., how she said "it was a prayerful decision".

This is the only part of your reply to my Cain comment that I dont know what you are getting at. God told her not to run?

[NoGrayZone]

"God told her not to run?"

I don't know. We're not privy to that info. I don't know if He's speaking, showing or intuiting (probably not a word). I do know the Bible states He will start speaking to us once again in the end of times....the end of the system of things.

I'm just trying to make heads and tails of this screwed up world. From her speech, that is what I got from it.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”I'm just trying to make heads and tails of this screwed up world. From her speech, that is what I got from it. “

Speech? I recall she went on Levin and Hannity and gave a press release last Wednesday night.

I didn't need those to tell me she wasn't running. There were way too many signs telling me she wasnt long ago. The most obvious was the fact that she was working for FNC giving her opinions/commentary on other candidates. FNC wouldn't have allowed that if there was even a slight chance she was running, I don't she would have either.

Why she decided not to run I will leave up to you to decide/believe.

[sickoflibs]

Sorry, I mean ‘Levin and then Greta last Wednesday night”

[NoGrayZone]

I’m talking about her speech at the Extraordinary Women Conference at Liberty University in Lynchburg Saturday.

[gardencatz]

Wow,that’s impressive! Such a varied skill set. He’s had important jobs in both the public (Dept. of the Navy & Fed Reserve) and private sector and extremely successful at both. Just the kind of person I think the founders had in mind. He’s got a lot to overcome, though. Two professional politicians (Romney & Perry) with scads of money, big money donors with years of campaign experience. If anyone can do it he can considering his successes bringing businesses from nowhere to the top of their field.

You know it’s interesting, I’ve had to do almost no research about Cain. Everything about his character, life, careers, values & beliefs and plan for the country I’ve found here on FR. And he really impresses me. The biggest reservation I have (and it’s a big one) is the 9% sales tax. We’re tapped out and unless it’s going to replace something like payroll taxes it’s a bit more than the citizens can take right now.

I read the articles on Perry, follow the links, looked on his webpage and I still don’t feel like I know him. I know he grew up in a small town & I know he has a strong faith. One huge reservation I have is I’ve never heard why he broke a promise to his state that if they elected him he wouldn’t run for president. In one debate he said it several times. Maybe his reason outweighs his promise but I’d like to know what it is. This could also be a deal breaker for me because this goes to a person’s character. I’ve heard about his more controversial legislation (none of which are particular deal breakers for me) but I know nothing about his plans for the country. I’ve heard vague beliefs and am impressed with his reconciling his immigration (or lack thereof) policy with federal law.

I even know what Palin’s 5 point plan is even though she’s not running. It was clearly laid out in her Iowa speech and is an excellent plan. How does he feel about crony capitalism? Will he work to eliminate it? Does he have a record (other than the guardisil connection with his chief of staff & the small donation to his campaign) of engaging in it? Does he even want to eliminate it? He’s taking donations from corporations and people who are movers and shakers in the country. Is it going to affect the way he governs? Are there going to be perks for those that have donated large amounts as most have done in DC. Will his cabinet be a revolving door between certain industries and the White House?

I’ve heard an equal number of Texans on this board say he’s a RINO and that he’s not. What’s he specifically going to do to reduce the deficit? What are his priorities? What is his tax policy? How will he deal with special perks congress seems to endlessly include in bills they send for signature? Reducing the size of government? What about foreign policy? This is important. The world is in chaos because they have no leader. For all their whining and complaining about us they need one. What about Iraq & Afghanistan? This one is very personal to me.

An executive is an executive is an executive so both men have the ability. To have the kind of success he’s had Cain has an excellent ability to surround himself with the best. There’s no possible way he had the depth to understand how every department works so he has to have a keen eye for knowledge & competence. A good Sec. of State and VP can negate his lack of knowledge and we know he’s a quick study considering how fast he turned around failing corporation. And he knows how to delegate. A good CEO does, whether in government or a corporation. No one can be everywhere at once and a president who tries to micromanage is a disaster. One thing I don’t know is what his policy will be on crony capitalism. This is one of the key things destroying this country.

Of course, by the time the primaries reach my state the nominee will be all but chosen so maybe it doesn’t matter in my case. But still, I’d like to know all I can about our eventual nominee.

Cindie