Posted on 10/30/2011 6:13:13 PM PDT by Jemian
Last night, Herman Cain wowed the crowd at the Alabama Federation of Republican Women’s state meeting held in Huntsville, AL. He spoke for about an hour to a packed house. Both the meet-and-greet photo session held prior the dinner and the dinner itself were sold-out.
Prior to Mr. Cain’s entrance, the moderator of the event announced that Mr. Cain had garnered 51% of the group’s straw poll taken earlier in the day. The other candidates “weren’t even close” she said.
Bill Armistead, the Alabama Chairman of the Republican Party gave the introduction by telling of his meeting earlier in the summer with Mr. Cain. Mr. Cain promised at that time to come to this meeting in late October. He continued by stating that this shows Mr. Cain is a man of integrity who keeps his word, something that is severely lacking in the current White House.
The republican front runner entered to the music of “Cain Train” and a long standing ovation, the first of several in the evening. He immediately charmed the gathering by answering the media’s questioning his appearing in Alabama. “Why not?” he thundered. “Why not” be in Alabama. Alabama matters in selecting a president. The mainstream media haven’t connected the dots yet because of all the jockeying that’s been going on relative to the process. When Alabama holds its primary in March [13], this thing [the selection of the republican nominee] may not be over. In the south, you visit your neighbors. Alabama is next to Georgia. Alabamians are Mr. Cain’s neighbors and it is filled with great people and patriots. “You see, it is the patriots that have awakened as part of this sleeping giant that I call ‘we the people’.” This giant has been awakened because this nation has been hijacked and we want to take it back.
Mr. Cain went on to say that America is a nation is crisis and he named seven crises that we face. He listed them as
After listing the crises this country faces, Mr. Cain went on to deliver the good news. He declared, “We can fix this stuff.” He looked at the history of this country, our ups and downs and noted that one of the greatnesses of America is “our ability to change for the better.” He segued into his history as a sucessful businessman and the steps needed to take in order to solve problems. He commented that this common sense approach is missing in Washington, DC. Cain indicated that he would use a business approach to solving problems in working on the problems in government.
“Foreign policy.” Herman Cain changed the focus slightly. “I have been accused,” bending that word, “of not having foreign policy experience.” Mr. Cain paused. “And the guy in there now does?” The audience broke into chortles of derision. Mr. Cain did state that he had a foreign policy philosophy and that leaders are the ones who establish the policies and the guiding principles. There are experts who can implement the philosophy.
Mr. Cain declared that his policy is an extension of the Reagan philosophy, peace through strength. The Cain philosophy is peace through strength and clarity. We must clarify who our friends are and who our enemies are. The crowd rose to its feet in agreement when Cain went on to say that we must stop giving money to our enemies. He went on to reiterate his position that Israel is America’s friend and that we stand by our friends. He put it in a vernacular expression familiar to everyone in the room: “If you mess with Israel, you’re messing with the United States of America.”
He continued by explaining that weakness invites attack and that if Israel’s enemies think that we’re not going to stand with them, “they just might feel froggish” and want to “jump.”
He elaborated on his plan to contain Iran. Cain said that Iran understand economic pressure and they understand our military might. He said that by implementing an energy strategy using our energy resources will bring down the cost of oil and undermine Iranian ability to pay their bills. He vowed to invest in upgrading the technology for our ballistic misile defense capability. He plans to make it a priority to give us an advantage in terms of our military capability. [This played very well to those from Redstone Arsenal.]
He swore that if Iran wanted to attack our friend [Israel], he invited them as Clint Eastwood would say, “Make my day.” Israel is our friend and we will stand with our friend. He will analyse every country in terms of our friendship.
The biggest problem facing the US is that our economy is on “life support.” He contrasted himself with the current administration accusing them of not understanding that the private sector, not the government, drives economic growth. During next several minutes, Mr. Cain explained his 9-9-9 plan and how it would simplify the tax burden yet return, initially, the same amount of revenue to the system. He also vowed to work to repeal Obamacare viewing that as a stumbling block.
He brought it home to the audience by telling them they had three things to do:
Mr. Cain did not mince words when talking about staying informed. He said, “Stupid people are ruining America.”
The closing words reviewed his personal history and why he is running. He then cited President Reagan and called us to become the Shinning City on the Hill. He wants Christians especially to be informed and active.
This was a republican gathering. I am not a republican; I am a conservative. I will only vote for a conservative. I hope the republicans are listening to that.
I left out a bit as Mr. Cain talked about his personal history and calling to the presidency. I'll go over that tomorrow, but I wanted to get this first bit out.
That speech is a good one... but he’s wearing it out.
Time for a new speech Herman... just trying to help!
Ping to the list!
When we left the event, there were SIX, just six, protestors on the corner. They informed us that Cain has already been bought by the tobacco lobbies. It put a sense of comedy to the close of the evening. The protestors were a grubby, scruffy sort.
It was the first time I had personally, up close and I did touch him ~ actually, he put his arm around me when we posed for a picture ~ heard the speech and I loved it.
bump.
Ben, please put me on the CAIN-TRAIN!
Onyx, thanks for pinging the list. It was so much fun last night. I was priviledged to be part of the meet-and-greet. We didn’t really have enough time to exchange more than just a few words. But I did get to tell him I’m a freeper for him and that my daughter is following his campaign. Then, I was able to hand him an invitation to him and his wife to attend that daughter’s wedding in December!
We don’t really expect him to attend but would be so honored and excited (at a wedding!) if he and Mrs. Cain could.
Excellent! Thank you.
Ha! What a surprise if he did show up.
“And the guy in there now does?” The audience broke into chortles of derision.
I love chortles of derision!
Hmm, the same stuff is coming out of the Ron Paul camp too...and the supporters match the types :-)
It could be. At first I thought they were occupy Huntsville types, but you’re probably correct. A whole entire six mustered out. I hope they froze their little ... off.
Thank you for posting this article.
“...is a man of integrity who keeps his word.”
Now THAT is one of the key REQUIREMENTS, in my book, for getting my vote for the office of President.
Smiling! He’s on us! I’ve met him too and got the chance to speak with him, but passed up the photos to let 4 older ladies who were behind me, get their pictures taken with him. They were so thrilled, I’m still happy I pulled them through to the front and center where I was stationed.
“Stupid people are ruining America.”
Can I get an AMEN ????
I look forward to the day that all Americans can see themselves, again, as brothers and sisters of good men and women, and realize that the only real difference is the one they put into their own heads.
He did get several “Amens”. Some of them were from me!
When Cain was leaving that event we were at (Tampa post debate candidate speeches) his publicist was trying to get him disengaged from the many people that wanted to talk to him.
When he finally broke free, I walked with him and asked him to sign my hat, which he did.
He mentioned as an aside how I waited for him to be leaving to engage him for a little howdy.
He's a good man.
Great report. Thanks.
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