There were a few attempted Government-Controlled MSM gotcha's, though, as we knew there would be.
However, truth be told, Mr. Cain did not shine on foreign policy as much as I wished he would have, and in comparison with two or so of the others up there. So having said that, (and I am not a "yes man" in corporate life, and I would tell this to his face, and I hope his people listening here!!!!!!), God love him, but that great, lovable man Herman Cain has GOT to hire somebody ASAP like Amb. Bolton, bring him on his bus, and have 2 hour disciplined tutoring sessions DAILY on foreign policy issues w/ open source intelligence reports on a morning daily basis, to drill down deeper and past the "I don't know, I will hire the best minds to tell me." This is a weak spot and Obama would exploit it and it is unsustainable. It is an area where Herman Cain in fact can excel since he is the turnaround man. I know he can do it. But it simply MUST START FROM TOMORROW MORNING. I don't mean maybe. I have said it before, and I will say it again, for his own darned good.
(Fellow Herman Cain supporters: Don't shoot the messenger now; this is all said and observed objectively for his own good and quality control and upgrading his creds and grasp).
Probably Gingrich won this one as well, being fair. I think the biggest loser was that asshat Ron Paul, and maybe whiny Santorum and Bachmann Overdrive following him (Huntsman of course, too). Perry recovered, but had some illogical, Texas-Shoot-From-The-Hip Red Meat approaches on some aspects (Pakistan) that will not cut it IMHO. I was VERY disappointed that NORTH KOREA did not come up, the country which may very well next attack the United States and our allies in the Northeast Asian Regional theatre.
Yes but Cain is comfortable with what he believes.
He’s learning the details. He seems to have the right instincts.
No hesitation when he was thrown the first attempted gotcha, by the partisan liberal posting as moderator.
Cain should hire Neut as his advisor :)
Cain’s “problem” is that he’s not a career politician. He tries to answer the question asked rather than twist it into a segue into a canned set-piece. Willard by contrast is a master of the art of segue, Perry - not so much.
His answers sounded repetitive because the only honest, straight answer to the questions asked was “I’d listen to the advice of experts then make a judgement”.
I hope Cain can make it through to the nomination without becoming an empty rhetorician like the pro’s.
I agree with you. He didn’t hurt himself, he just didn’t excel. But, yeah Bolton would be good for him. Everyone had a decent night and probably maintained their position.
Absolutely right, AIT. Cain people, please get on this. We want our man to excel, and this will ice the Cain cake. Foreign policy is crucial. Still, the bar was hit by Cain tonight. He did fine. He must do better.
“Fellow Herman Cain supporters: Don’t shoot the messenger...”
I am a strong Cain supporter and I agree and w/your critique of his performance tonight; it was reasonable and fair. I noticed early on in the campaign he was weak on foreign policy. He has improved since then; but, still has a ways to go to be in the same league w/Newt, Romney or even Huntsman (whose policy stance I disagree with; but, he has knowledge and his own logic to support it).
Like you, I believe Cain is capable of improvement and will do so. The main reason I like Cain is that he is passionate about his Conservative beliefs and is willing to stand up and fight for them. He connects w/people. That is a “gift” and something neither Newt nor Romney will ever be able to do; despite their knowledge and experience in governing.
However, Cain, like every other citizen without Top Secret clearance, is not privy to the things that career politicians are privy to, because they are members of various committees with Top Secret clearance.
Do we all remember how one of Obama’s major campaign promises (yes, promise) was to close Gitmo? Then, lo and behold, after Obama was elected and he became privy to the Top Secret information that our Military and CIA have, he suddenly backed off on closing Gitmo.
Cain has stated many times that he doesn't know everything he needs to know because he is a citizen (Cain), not a Top Secret clearance-holder. He may have opinions, but he can't know as much as we would like him to know — any more than one of us can know everything regarding foreign policy.
Does everyone know about the War College? There are military solutions to most conceivable world problems, already drawn up, ready to be acted upon, right now. Any newly elected President doesn't have to start from scratch to come up with military solutions — they already exist. Cain knows this. If a problem comes up with North Korea, he goes to his Commanders and asks, “What are our options?” He is briefed, and he makes the call. No President sets the strategies. The President merely gives the order to go or not go.
My number one priority during this election cycle is saving the United States of America. We don't have a leg to stand on in the world right now because the US is so weak economically, and we have an extremely weak Leader. We need a strong Leader who will focus FIRST on THESE UNITED STATES, and second on Foreign Affairs.
Condoleeza Rice said very few newly elected Presidents come into the White House with foreign policy experience, but they get it very quickly. She did not fault Cain for lack of foreign policy experience.
Cain is weak on foreign policy. By the time the first primary comes around, he may or may not be so weak. We shall see if he can be a quick study or not.
(Full disclaimer: I like Gingrich and Cain)
My sincere, honest opinion following last night in South Carolina on Foreign Policy/National Security in #898. No damage, PTL, but the Cain performance needs to be more solid and convincing in this basket.
I always shoot straight--this is what I feel, sorry if it offends, it is offered as "constructive criticism" so we can all work on the right problem ;-).
Feel free to use. More importantly, if you have contacts senior within the Herman Cain camp, please do feel free to forward them the URL link to this thread and this specific post reference for a reality check. If they wish to "FreepMail" me privately offline too and they have FR accounts, I am open 24-hours-a -day for them, will do ANYTHING to assist, and I have some seasoned, well-reasoned strategic suggestions on the foreign policy component. This is what is called "listening to the guys on the ground" (directly from overseas, directly from Asia). I have reached out before but not heard much in the past. I offer the advice and input once again. I hope they will take up the offer.