[driftless2]

Your problem is Newt excites no one. You can talk knowledge of foreign and domestic issues all you want and throw in political theory, and Gingrich will probably top everyone. But practically nobody gets excited about Newt. After Palin dropped out of consideration, nobody has generated excitement like Cain. He’s not necessarily my number one choice, but he’s far more likable than Gingrich. You can call it charisma or whatever, but Tea Party conservatives like Cain because he, of all the candidates, most closely represents them. Career pols like Gingrich just get respect.

[TBBT]

Your problem is Newt excites no one. You can talk knowledge of foreign and domestic issues all you want and throw in political theory, and Gingrich will probably top everyone. But practically nobody gets excited about Newt. After Palin dropped out of consideration, nobody has generated excitement like Cain. He’s not necessarily my number one choice, but he’s far more likable than Gingrich. You can call it charisma or whatever, but Tea Party conservatives like Cain because he, of all the candidates, most closely represents them. Career pols like Gingrich just get respect.

You make my point...

Experience, knowledge, depth, competence, communication skills - non of that matters.

What matters - the ability to "excite", become a fad, create the bandwagon for all to jump on...

The '08 campaign of the "ONE" (aka Obama)was all about "excitement". How's that working out?

[justsaynomore]

GOod point. Cain will never match Newt on Foreign Policy, the man is an encyclopedia, but he is getting briefings and he is a quick study. His answers on O’Reilly last night about Iran were as astute as any other candidate I’ve seen:

He has a strong foreign policy team:

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/10/26/raising_cain_inside_herman_cain_s_new_foreign_policy_team