[TBBT]

Your problem is Newt excites no one. You can talk knowledge of foreign and domestic issues all you want and throw in political theory, and Gingrich will probably top everyone. But practically nobody gets excited about Newt. After Palin dropped out of consideration, nobody has generated excitement like Cain. He’s not necessarily my number one choice, but he’s far more likable than Gingrich. You can call it charisma or whatever, but Tea Party conservatives like Cain because he, of all the candidates, most closely represents them. Career pols like Gingrich just get respect.

You make my point...

Experience, knowledge, depth, competence, communication skills - non of that matters.

What matters - the ability to "excite", become a fad, create the bandwagon for all to jump on...

The '08 campaign of the "ONE" (aka Obama)was all about "excitement". How's that working out?

[driftless2]

It's not that none of that matters, it's the unfortunate fact that personality/likability counts for a heck of a lot in politics. No matter how much they know or how smart they are, if the candidate arouses little enthusiasm in the electorate, they will go nowhere. But don't make the mistake of assuming because one candidate can recite facts better than the others, that candidate would make a great president.

Don't forget that Newt has his flaws, for instance supporting climate change legislation. There are no perfect candidates. Newt is not perfect, and neither is Cain. However, Newt has been around and is viewed as more establishment than outsider. Cain is the ultimate outsider. And conservatives are looking for the candidate that is most likely to demolish the liberal edifice that crushes the spirit of the country. For many conservatives, that person looks like Cain.

[Politicalmom]

Actually, character matters. Gingrich has NONE. He’s a narcissistic man with absolutely no ability to make good decisions.

Herman Cain has proved he can make good decisions, has integrity, and has lived a conservative life, vs talking about it.