Herman Cain Is Sprinting

Standing behind the pulpit rather than on the stump, Herman Cain had them shouting and he had them dancing -- and it had nothing to do with his politics.

An electric bass was putting down the bottom, a drum was pounding out the syncopated beat and the congregation at Spirited Filled Ministries was ready for church. So was Cain, a conservative Republican on grounds where only liberal Democrats usually venture.

Pastor Wayne Baker introduced him, and what the preacher said had little to do with the business world where Cain made millions or the political arena where he now seeks votes.

"He believes what I believe," the pastor said. "He believes in the Bible and he believes in hope."

Cain stood, wearing a dark suit and bright smile, wired with a cordless microphone that is as much a part of his wardrobe as his white shirt and tie.

Twice on Sunday, the Rev. Cain did preach, at South Columbus United Methodist Church and at Baker's church. This strategy is new to the GOP.

During their two-day convention, every back was slapped, every hand was shaken and every Democrat from Kennedy to Kerry was dissed. Politics was as old school as Eisenhower or Reagan.

In the Republican handbook, little is said about campaigning in African-American churches. Even in 2004, the party is overwhelmingly white. Blacks are portrayed as liberal and Democratic, so at campaign time their congregations receive obligatory visits from white Democrats who clap their hands on the wrong beat and expect black voters to fall in line.

"For Republicans, this has always been a part of the community that is hard to reach," said Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza. "The Democratic congregations accept me and it is faith that unlocks the door."

Cain describes the technique Democrats use in black churches as Sunday wave-byes. "I don't have to do that," he said. "I happen to like church. Faith is colorblind. When it's genuine, people know it."

Veteran congressmen Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins are Cain's opponents in the July 20 primary. Their campaigns are traditional. Quietly, Cain -- an associate pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta -- has been in church, preaching or praying at congregations all over Georgia.

After the worship service, Baker said that while his white brethren shy away from politics, it isn't unusual at his church. "We see life as more holistic," he said. "Some people have hang-ups about having politics in church but I believe life ought to be more than spiritual. The Bible itself ordains good government and we need good Christian people in government."

Though Cain didn't ask for votes at either church, Baker and the Rev. Joe Roberson of South Columbus were openly political.

"I don't know who you're voting for, but I'm voting for Herman," Baker told his flock. "Can I get a witness?"

Roberson remembered his grandfather in rural Georgia going to the polls though blacks in his generation couldn't vote unless they paid a poll tax and passed a social studies test.

"He'd show up to let them know he wanted to vote," Roberson said. "This is the kind of days our grandparents were praying for."

In his sermons, Cain touched on his own life briefly, telling folks that "Success is a responsibility to help somebody else," and "God never said the milk and honey was free."

His message was hope, hope Cain sang about in a clear baritone voice: "Oh, Lord, just a little while longer. Everything gonna be all right."

Relaxing in a restaurant after church, Cain said it is the message that connects him -- not his party affiliation or the color of his skin.

"We haven't given black Democrats a compelling reason to vote Republican," he said. "I'm not compelling because I'm black. It's my message."

"A black preacher can do that - at least for a black or (usually the same thing) a Democrat candidate. If the Christian Coalition did that for a white Republican, we would never hear the end of it."

From a legal standpoint, ANY pastor can say whom he will vote for, but my understanding is that it shouldn't be done within the context of a worship service or other official church function. About the only thing he/she can't do is tell the congregation that they should vote for or against anyone specifically. Most who do acknowledge their candidate usually step from behind the pulpit first. This is just a symbolic gesture, and is legally questionable at best. These rules apply to all (501-c-3) tax exempt organizations (corporations).

The argument about whether an organization can be a church and a corporation at the same time is a subject for further debate at another time.

I wasn't at the convention, but I have talked to several who were there.

The general consensus seems to be this:

The candidates were allowed to speak for 5 minutes each.

Herman Cain did his usual good job of dominating the other two in eloquence, content, and presence.

Mac spoke for about 15 minutes, but only had 5 minutes of somewhat worthy comments. It seems that he spoke more about the possibility that his son would be taking over the political reins of the family than about his candidacy for US Senate. The rest of the time he mostly put people to sleep.

Isakson practically gave a concession speech, saying something like, "I might never get the opportunity to stand before you like this again."

All I can say is that it is clear that Rev. Cain's sights are set on first place, not second. If Rev. Cain is in a run off it will be with Isakson, and it is becoming more likely every day that Isakson may actually be in second place.

Herman Cain definitely has the big MO (momentum) on his side.

Herman's got the MO.
Go Cain Go!!!!

You are 100% accurate in your assessment, except that Cain was far more forceful than he has ever been. Monday he had the gloves off in Warner Robins.

I nearly fell off my chair at work today when I read Mac's website. The Government is not God PAC is endorsing Collins. It was my understanding that they were supporting Cain. But what was stunning was their assessment.

They obviously have not seen what is happening here. Cain has done more for the local Republican Party than 10 Ralph Reeds combined. As 3rd Vice Chairman in Bibb County Cain's willingness to visit and work with candidates and the party has been enormously helpful. Collins has been here twice, Isakson once.

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