Cain Says His Deadly Fence Plan Was 'a Joke'

The New York Times ^ | Sunday, October 16, 2011 | Susan Saulny

[kristinn]

At two campaign rallies in Tennessee on Saturday night, the Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said that part of his immigration policy would be to build an electrified fence on the country’s border with Mexico that could kill people trying to enter the country illegally.

But by Sunday morning, in a dramatic change of tone, Mr. Cain, a former restaurant executive, said he was only kidding.

“That’s a joke,” Mr. Cain told the journalist David Gregory during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he was asked about the electrified fence. “That’s not a serious plan. I’ve also said America needs to get a sense of humor.”

Mr. Cain’s attempt to pass off incendiary comments as nothing but a joke may take more effort, however. In making the initial remarks about an electrified fence killing illegal immigrants, Mr. Cain was detailed and repetitive. He did not introduce his thoughts as anything but serious commentary, beginning with the words, “We have a crisis of illegal immigration.”

And the crowds responded with cheers, not laughs.

[org.whodat]

His whole statement was posted, just no one read it. But i was not joking I am still for building an three layer electric fence, with claymores, and land mines. I think even the illegal idiots can understand, you cross this fence you will die. Simple concept. What I found really funny was you are going to kill babies. Like someone was going south of the border and have a baby drive, and top it off with throwing them across the fence. Maybe that would having a baby crawl and throwing them across the fence. LOL, no one elected me to speak for Mr. Cain.

[Tribune7]

I don’t find the phrase “I will kill you” humorous.

[central_va]

the electric bill would be more than the fence cost

No it will be powered by GE windmills. THis is a shovel ready green project. Get with the program. Of course on those days that the wind isn't blowing will suck....

[Oatka]

Having a sense of humor is one thing but talking policy of a joke, without clarifying is wrong. Some people will believe it.

Indeed. He should know the media and opponents will leap on anything he says, so "kidding" of that kind should be avoided. I still meet idiots who think Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from her porch, and while that was a gag on TV, the mindset that would jump on his joking is the same.

[Nervous Tick]

>> Do prison’s use electric fences?

Sure they do. But comparing a border thousands of miles long with a prison containment might be apples-and-oranges.

Or maybe fried-bananas-and-tomatoes. :-)

[Netizen]

Cain is playing the drive by’s like a fiddle.

Kind of reminds one of someone else that was running an unconventional campaign recently. Hmmmm who was that? oh yeah, Sarah. Perhaps Cain knows a little Sun Tzu himself.

[newfrpr04]

sorry, Im still not sold on Cain...something about him. Unfortunately its the same feeling I get from all the candidates.

I was vacationing in the Midwest last week. 2 foursomes of golfers met after the 9th hole. The question came up of who they would vote for in the primary. All of us said Cain. He may be more entrenched than many think.

[Irenic]

Cain said we would have 3 page bills but that was a joke, too.

Sure, some people may 'get it' but others don't and it is wrong to mislead people in this way.

If it's a joke-joke then turn around and make clear what the plan actually is. Clarify.

Otherwise, it isn't a joke--it is false advertisement.

I suppose Cain lost his sense humor with Stewart?

Jon Stewart Says Herman Cain Does Not Like to Read

Jon Stewart Under Fire for Herman Cain Race Joke

[normy]

Since Cain has surged in only the last few days, I can only assume you used to support someone else.

Cain's comments were stupid if you want to win the election against Obama. Did you not think this through?

This is an election. There are about 75 percent of Americans who don't think like you on every issue. Cain can't break the 30% mark. Cain says stuff like this all the time. Did you not think he would be vetted by Republicans and Democrats? Should everyone just lay down and accept this guy as the nominee so Obama can scorch him?

You have to be realistic. Cain will continue to implode, watch and see and then pick your next not Perry candidate.

Perry hasn't said one word about Cain's electric fence. Perry actually said he might make a good VP, it's Cain who has insulted Perry and that is because he is the Huckabee of today's election. Simply there to get Romney elected.

[LomanBill]

>>you try making a case FOR your candidate?

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2793300/posts?page=706#706

 

 

Now that that's settle -- how bout you tell us again how Jim Rob & Co. are closet homosexuals because it's policy on FR to Zot RINO proponents of the homosexual agenda like Cain Train "leader" Scott Toomey...

 

Scott Toomey

Senior Political Adviser to Herman Cain

Herman has been on a whirlwind tour of the country for Tax Day, participating in more Tea Party rallies than any other potential presidential candidate.

http://hermancainpac.com/2011/04/the-herman-cain-experience/

Scott-The Homosexual in Herman's Boxcar closet-Toomey:

 

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=Scott+Toomey+Herman+Cain

 

....hmmm, MnJohnnie?

 

 

 

>>MNJohnnie Says:  Hysteric fear of homosexuals is a classic symptom of latent homosexuality

"As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc."

Statement by the founder of Free Republic
Free Republic ^ | Jim Robinson

 

Care to rephrase/retract, MNJohnnie?

 

[jdub]

“It’s going to be 20 feet high. It’s going to have barbed wire on the top. It’s going to be electrified. And there’s going to be a sign on the other side saying, ‘It will kill you — Warning.’” At an earlier rally, on the campus of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn., he added that the sign would be written “in English and in Spanish.”<,i>

I was there too. I thought it was a mix of serious policy and humor. No one can honestly say Herman would try to install a fence that would actually kill. Thats just asinine and an obvious intent to knock down a candidate you don't happen to like (not intendd for the person I'm responding to, but other Cain bashers).

[BobL]

“I agree, that would be ‘heartless’. Anyway, anyone dumb enough to expose their kid to that fence deserves to have them popped off.”

Yep, just what I said. And it applies to ANY person, on EITHER side of the border, at ANY electrified fence.

Maybe you see things differently.

[editor-surveyor]

Attack, attack, attack!

That is how one can know that they are on the right track.

Without the NYT attacks, Cain would be ignored; not good.

Herman, you must be hitting their sore spots.

[BobL]

“He owns the electric fence and the shoot to kill illegals crowd.
Good for him !!”

Yep, roughly 80% of the Republican base. Good luck Romney and Perry.

[justsaynomore]

It’s called “hyperbole”

[alicewonders]

How about instead of dreaming up the next attack lie to scream about Cain, you try making a case FOR your candidate?

I've seen you post that drivel ad nauseum. Plenty of people have responded to you with positive points as to why they support their candidate - you ignore them.

Truthfully, you should be shunned and ignored on FR because you don't make any sense at all. You're a flame-thrower. People just need to ignore you, you are seemingly incapable of carrying on a rational discussion.

It's a beautiful day outside, I'm going to leave all of this mean-spirited hypocrisy and go outside to appreciate the beauty of God's creation. This is a top-ten day & I don't want to waste it with juvenile hypocrits like you. You always accuse people of the things that you do.

You are not helping your candidate at all. No more posts to you!

[Mr. K]

I LOVE CAIN

I am not going to change my mind no matter how they slime him

I have looked into his life and background- I am convinced.

No votes for abortion or benefits for illegals...

[Kirkwood]

Mr. Cain, I want to hear serious policy, not your jokes. Save your jokes for an appropriate time. As far as I can tell, you have no serious plan for dealing with illegal aliens.

[C. Edmund Wright]

>>> Note to Mr Cain: As one of your supporters, I am putting you on notice: Your back-pedaling about whether or not you would put a Muslim on your Cabinet was strike one; this asshattery with regard to saying you “favor” and electrified fence and then turning around and saying it was only a joke — is strike two. >>>

I’ll admit the Muslim issue was a bit of a backpeddle - early in the campaign and I think I know what staffer led him down the wrong way on that —

BUT THIS is not a back peddle at all. This is a full speed forward peddle - and too bad for anyone so tightly wound they can’t understand and follow useful hyperbole to make a point. If you had heard the speeches as given - you would understand. That is, if you really want to understand...

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Yeah a real man of integrity.” <<

.
Yes, something that you are not Marty!