Candidate seeks to curb spending

Clayton Neighbor Newspaper ^ | 2-5-04 | Aisha I. Jefferson

[Veritas_est]

Candidate seeks to curb spending

Thursday, February 5, 2004 3:59 AM EST

By Aisha I. Jefferson

Clayton Neighbor Staff Writer

U.S. Senate candidate Herman Cain is accustomed to finishing first when it comes to the race of life.

He is the firstborn of two sons. In 1980, he became baking giant Pillsbury's first black corporate vice president, and in 1982 he was the first black vice president and general manager in the Burger King Corp.

In 1986, as president of Godfather's Pizza, he was the first black to run a subsidiary of Pillsbury. Two years later he bought the pizza chain from Pillsbury, becoming its chairman and CEO. He sold the company in December.

And if he wins the Republican primary in July and the general election in November, he would become the first black U.S. Senator from Georgia and only the fifth in Senate history.

"I've been a lot of firsts, but I didn't do it to be the first. I did it to be the best," Cain said.

Raised in Atlanta since the age of 2, the Georgia native is running on the Republican ticket. Cain faces competition from two GOP House members, 8th District U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, R-Jackson, and 6th District Rep. Johnny Isakson, R-east Cobb.

Cain said he believes his goals and plans should be the focus of his candidacy, not his race.

"I don't focus on that because that doesn't motivate me to run."

So what lies behind a man of so many accomplishments?

Referring to an old saying, Cain explained that people generally spend the first third of their life, from birth to age 30, learning. Age 30 to 60, the second third, is spent earning one's income. And the last third is spent serving and giving back to people.

At age 58, with the comfort that comes from the accumulation of personal wealth, Cain said he is ready to move on to a new phase in his life.

"This is why I am running. It is time for me to serve," Cain said.

Replacing the country's current income tax laws, Social Security structure and controlling government spending are Cain's three top priorities.

"Spending in Washington, D.C., is out of control and we can't blame the president. He can only sign what Congress sends him," he said.

Cain's solution is to push for mandatory caps on spending.

"We need to take the best of good business principles and apply them to how we run the government. The biggest thing we need to apply is spending discipline," Cain said.

Jack Kemp, former vice presidential candidate and secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said Cain would be big government liberals' worst nightmare.

"A conservative Republican (and) African-American who has been successful in business, who knows how to solve problems and knows how to lead people (has) a very powerful set of skills," said Kemp, who is national co-chairman of Cain's campaign.

Cain received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Morehouse College and his master's degree in computer science from Purdue University. He is a father of two grown children and has one grandchild, with another on the way. Cain lives in McDonough with his wife of 35 years, Gloria. He also is an associate minister at Antioch Baptist North in Atlanta and has written three books.

Al Bartell, also a black businessman, is throwing his hat into the election, too. The four men are vying for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., who will retire at the end of this term. Cain's campaign headquarters is in Forest Park.

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[kevkrom]

Cain received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Morehouse College and his master's degree in computer science from Purdue University

Hey, I already liked the guy, but a fellow Boilermaker? Wow!

[Veritas_est]

PING

[Republican Red]

Isakson is my representative. Cain is very impressive though. I will be investigating his campaign.

Do any other Georgians think he has a chance? Isn't the White House behind Isakson? I think they backed Isakson's run before Cain threw his hat into the ring. Cain's commercial is very supportive of the President. I hope the guy has a shot at it.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

I would say yes, the WH is probably behind Johnny on paper as he has "paid his dues". Johnny, however, does not always pull the party line as necessary.

Herman has a REAL shot at this. He is a true conervative, something that Johnny will never be accsued of.

Want proof that he can win? Just ask Sonny and Saxby.

[NewLand]

((((( HERMAN CAIN PING LIST )))))

FReepMail me if you want to be ON or OFF this list

Go Herman Go! Click Here for the Herman Cain for US Senate Web Site

[EternalVigilance]

One thing that needs to be mentioned that hasn't is the fact that not only is Mr. Cain a solid conservative, he a great communicator.

Not quite Alan Keyes, but very powerful.

As another poster aptly said, he is the liberal's worst nightmare. Herman Cain on the floor of the U.S. Senate will be a dream come true.

I consider him to be one of the brightest stars in the political firmament right now.

Isakson is a liberal, period.

Add to all of that the fact that Herman will serve to continue to debunk the slander against conservatives as harboring racial bias.

We all know that it is the Left who are the pandering racists, but the rest of America needs to finish learning that very important fact.

[ForOurFuture]

"I've been a lot of firsts, but I didn't do it to be the first. I did it to be the best," Cain said.

[onyx]

Georgia should be so fortunate to have this fine man as US Senator. I know he has to win the primary first, and I've been praying he will.

[NewLand]

We all know that it is the Left who are the pandering racists, but the rest of America needs to finish learning that very important fact.

Eloquently stated...sad...but true.