Herman Cain mania

Politico ^ | December 16, 2010 | Ben Smith

[justsaynomore]

There's a place in every primary for an ideological purist and debate champ — think Dennis Kucinich — and radio talker Herman Cain seems to be the early front-runner for that slot on the Republican side in 2012.

Cain, an African-American conservative with a real private sector background — he was a Pillsbury executive and then took over and ran Godfathers Pizza — is a regular on the conservative event circuit and a compelling speaker, though he's little known outside conservative circles.

He was the pick of a survey of RedState readers this week, with 8,900 votes to Gov. Sarah Palin’s 8,100 votes. Erick Erickson's response: " I wouldn’t put too much stock into it, but I would say it is a good sign for Herman Cain that, being relatively unknown, he can generate that much enthusiasm for himself. Works for me."

And Tim Albrecht, a Terry Branstad aide who knows his way around the politics of the first caucus, just tweeted (I think in earnest): "Prediction: Herman Cain is going to have some serious legs when he begins visiting Iowa."

Cain's telegraphic platform (also known as the principles of the "Hermanator’s Intelligent Thinkers Movement" offer grass-roots conservatives little to object to.

So don't sleep on Herman Cain, I guess.

[justsaynomore]

***Ping***

Also, a FR discussion of the Redstate poll is here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2642513/posts

Seems that although many of us Cain fans support Gov. Palin, many of her supporters did a pretty good job of trashing Mr. Cain. To me, that's a shame, they are both relentlessly and tirelessly fighting the good fight for conservatism across the country.

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[ConjunctionJunction]

“So don’t sleep on Herman Cain, I guess.”

******************************************

What does the author mean by that?

[skr]

Mr. Cain makes too much sense which makes it that much harder to even be considered by a political bureaucracy, er, party.

[dforest]

I don’t put much stock in polls before candidates declare. I will say the more the merrier.

[Servant of the Cross]

Dennis Kucinich?! Hahaha. That sounds like something Mitt Romney would send his stooges out to say about a potential POTUS competitor.

The conservative cause will be WELL served if Herman Cain is 2012's Mike 'Huckabee' in Iowa. Herman forever, Huckster never (again).

[justsaynomore]

That was kind of strange, but I think he means don’t underestimate Herman Cain.

[skr]

I think Palin and Cain would make a superb ticket.

[ConjunctionJunction]

OK, that’s what I thought. Glad it’s not just me!

[justsaynomore]

He is no advocate of RINOS. We found that out in the Senate race a few years back - it will be interesting to see what kind of support he gets. He already has a huge tea party following, like Gov. Palin.

[GoMonster]

Palin will not work this time around sorry, but Cain will. Cain has the biography and would be perfect candidate. I hope he runs

[dangus]

A front-runner to be a meaningless also-ran???

Herman Cain is a great man. Hopefully we can find something much more meaningful for him to be than 2012’s Alan Keyes.

[snarkbait]

Aren’t we a bit sick of ‘politico’ thinking they’re some kind of important?

[justsaynomore]

I agree - in fact, I am hoping our primary for 2012 will be filled with CONSERVATIVES and may the best candidate win.

Some folks would prefer an uncontested primary and I think that it crazy - I want to see how a candidate handles themselves under fire, not coast into the running. Just sayin’.

[justsaynomore]

Oh here we go. Let’s bring out all the comparisons. Alan Keyes. Ross Perot. Michael Steele. Mike Huckabee.

He is nothing like any of these guys - he is a social AND fiscal conservative. He is NOT a one issue person, he is well rounded, and strong on national defense and against illegal immigration. I could go on and on, but the fact is many here would rather hurl insults than actually learn anything about this man.

[FrankR]

I listen to Herman every chance I get, and he's a good Conservative guy with lots of fire in him for what's right.

However - being brutally honest - barack obama has kind of messed things up for the concept of a black president. Obama is totaly incompetent and I don't think there is quite enough support or name recognition for Cain to overcome the stigma that the kenyan has created.

Those who know Herman and listen to him will be inclined to support him, I'm sure, but that might be just enough voters to cause a version of "third party meltdown" to insure that the dems would win.

Also, many will vote for him as a "replacement" for obama, based solely on racial reasons, further dilution of the vote.

And lastly - with the mass panic among the country club set of RINO's against Palin, I don't think they want anyone but some other country clubber like Romney, so there will be that battle to fight as well.

Whatever the case, he'll have to work awfully hard to get the name recognition needed to make the National stage - he's got one hell of a following here around Atlanta, but Atlanta isn't America...lots of opinions out there across the fruited plains.

[Vigilanteman]

I like Herman Cain almost as much as I like Sarah Palin. Either would make a great POTUS. But the truth of the matter is that the redstate poll is crap.

Potential primary candidates are not seeded in one on one match-ups like NFL teams before a Super Bowl playoff.

Godawful candidates can and do win because there is overemphasis on pissant state like Iowa and New Hampshire, there is overemphasis on the news media filter and too many syncopatic voters who follow their advice. Juan McCain is Exhibit A.

I'm glad that the primary season has been spread out a little more for 2012, but it is still heavily front-loaded.

Last, but not least, Herman Cain lost a Republican primary in George for U.S. Senator. He's a good man and very successful businessman. But you need a strong organization and desire to even make it through the first three states-- Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. So far, I see no evidence that Herman Cain has either the organization or the desire necessary.

[NeilGus]

Ditto.

[dangus]

I didn’t mean it as an insult. I used to LOVE Alan Keyes, until he got weird running for Senator of Illinois. Best orator to even enter a debate. I referred to Alan Keyes for two reasons:

1. It seemed cruel to perpetuate the author’s comparison to Denis Kucinich.

2. Alan Keyes was, to me, the perfect example of great person, great orator, great resume, no political base.

I mean what I said: I truly hope Cain ends up so much, much more than Alan Keyes.

[Scanian]

I think Cain as a cabinet secretary in a GOP administration would be more realistic.

But we need to get it through our noggins-—Obama is not a black American. He is a “halfrican.” Nobody in his family was ever a slave in the US (maybe in an Arab country-—I wouldn’t rule that out)...he had to learn about black culture in Southside Chicago to get “street cred.” He went to Trinity UCC to get more of same. And his wife-—well, you get the picture. 0 is ATYPICAL and very odd among American black people.

Cain, on the other hand, not only has no “authenticity” problem, he has no “American” problem either. Meaning he is an American and proud of it. AND he is a huge believer in private enterprise.

Voters could tell the difference in a heartbeat.