Posted on 01/29/2012 12:17:48 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
When the political history of this era is written, two of the most colorful figures are likely to be Sarah Palin and Herman Cain.
The once-obscure former governor of Alaska, picked as John McCain’s running mate in 2008, went on to create a Palin-centric industry as public speaker, author, reality TV star, Fox News commentator, and potential presidential candidate who made tons of money while tantalizing millions of tea party supporters around the country with suggestions that she might run this year. She was (still is) catnip to the media.
Herman Cain, the businessman who’d never held elective office, similarly dazzled the tea party with his conservative policy positions, his self-confident and humorous manner, and an ability to hold his own in those early crowded debates with career politicians. That he’s African American seemed to dispel the charge that the tea party movement was tinged with racism. For a while, he was winning straw polls, but he had to “suspend” his presidential campaign when a series of women made allegations of sexual misconduct.
As the Republican nominating campaign has been whittled down to a four-man race, becoming a gloves-off rhetorical fight – mainly between alternating front-runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich – do Herman Cain and Sarah Palin have any remaining political clout?
At this point, it’s hard to imagine either one of them playing a prominent role at the GOP’s convention in Tampa, Fla., in August. For the most part, Republican presidential politics has moved beyond them. Despite their ability to rouse a tea party gathering, each carries certain baggage the Republican Party would just as soon not remind voters of that close to the November election.
But this past week both Palin and Cain weighed in on behalf of Gingrich....
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
"My sons are all adults and they've made decisions about their careers and they've chosen not to serve in the military and active duty and I respect their decision in that regard. One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.