In watching Herman Cain on Sean Hannity’s show tonight, I heard something that was new (for me) in this whole saga. Cain said with a conviction more solid than obsidian:
I am going to clear my name.
I had a growing anger at the possibility that these charges ARE false, and that the Democrats will have succeeded in their plan. Although I’m not convinced Cain is the strongest candidate, I’ve always thought he was the most dangerous to Obama. I also realize that if we allow this to happen to Cain – whether we are supporting him for the Presidential nomination or not – we are TEACHING the liberals and mainstream media what works.
Limbaugh said today he doesn’t think this is coming from Obama because they would wait until the general election. Rush may usually be right, but not in this scenario. The Ulstermann “insider” information that Obama was going to ramp up the issue of “race” to get reelected has only grown more credible with the news these past two weeks:
Obama has written off the “white” voter
Via a speaker at King Street Patriots – the $1 Billion Obama is supposed to raise is primarily aimed at voter fraud, and,
African American communities are showing an increase of activity hiring “community organizers”
There is still something funky about the suspected white Presidential assassin with a Jewish tattoo who claimed God told him to kill Obama whose hi-def picture looking at the camera just happened to make it to the state-run media MSNBC about 40 seconds after he was named as a subject. (Never mind the shooter was using the equivalent of a scattergun 300 yards away but miraculously hit and cracked a bulletproof window without any military training.) But if Obama WAS going to make it White versus Black through a faked “racial” attack or whatever, you couldn’t have Cain running in a general election. You would HAVE to take him out now. And just in case that is the case – we conservatives can not allow that to happen.
So PolitiJim’s advice to Herman Cain that will give him a shot at getting back in the race – even if only to be a Vice Presidential Nominee.
Take a Lie Detector Test. I am all but certain Herman is getting set up. And certainly polls show most conservatives (lesser conservative women) don’t buy the charges. But a report today by the AP cites Cain supporters who reiterate what I’ve heard on Twitter. It’s just a steady drip and it’s not worth the effort. I beg (on my little birdy knees) to differ. My contention is that although Cain has other hurdles, the continuous charges are like holes in a garden hose draining not just the focus of his campaign, but the punch and power. I breathed a sigh of relief with Cain’s conviction to contend for his character. And he actually doesn’t need to prove every charge from here to resurgency. He only needs to debunk the two strongest -Bialek and White.
Cain said he would be willing to take a lie detector test. The longer he waits to do so – it just seems like MORE “he said.” I hope an FBI certified (and vetted by conservative intelligence analysts) lie detector test is given which not only would prove that HE was not lying about these two (and it would then put the pressure back on them to do the same), it would inoculate Cain to further “bimbo eruptions.” His supporters would strengthen their support and any further revelations would quickly be discounted. It would be affirmed that Cain is who he said he was.
He said tonight that the campaign was vigorously preparing “things he couldn’t talk about” to address these charges once and for all. With hard proof – not rumor or gossip. That is good, but had he done this directly after Bialek – he would already be back on topic. Leading us to action number 2:
Fire your old campaign leadership and hire a top notch crew. The ads are underwhelming and poorly produced. The reaction to what is happening dynamically is always not just a step behind, but a half marathon. The advice has not only been slow, it is has been WRONG. Go hire the Perry campaign staff. They are probably looking for a way to be thrown from that bronco. But do it now.
Use 9-9-9 as dessert, not the main entre. Your economic plan is among the best out there. Some make the ridiculous argument that the sales tax could be raised (uhhh, like an income or flat tax couldn’t?) but that isn’t even that important to the overall strength which is the reduction of capital gains and business tax, along with the elimination of the IRS. Don’t be so rigid on the sales tax suggesting two other alternatives (many like jumping completely from just “9-9” to a fair tax like Newt or Perry’s), but people already know that song.
Start attacking Obama’s lack of records and stolen Social Security Number. Trump didn’t soar to first place in the polls because we all thought he would actually be a good president. Or because he sells condos to the Chinese (or whatever he said his foreign policy experience was.) It was that someone finally was pointing out the hypocrisy of the chief law enforcement officer blatantly passing off forged papers as real and then laughing at us. It also would make him stronger as a VP pick to “get in the gutter” and give a great contrast to his Inspirational Story in contrast to Obama’s. I still can’t figure out why Bachmann or Cain haven’t already been doing this. The reason it is derided so much by the MSM is BECASUE they know it is effective – like the prohibition at MSNBC to bring up Jeremiah Wright. Cain is the only one who can effectively do this!
Start announcing a serious transition team. If you have generals, credible Secretary of State or other cabinet officials who you have been courting – it is time the minute the resurgence happens to start showing America WHO these great leaders are you would have help you to do the job. You released a wonderful list of foreign policy advisors. Now is the time to actually put the final nail in the coffin concerning your leadership and don’t wait to announce your cabinet. Do it now! The benefit is that your cabinet will multiply your voice and add the depth some have had concerns about. Even on 9-9-9 sign Laffer up to be Secretary of Treasury. Then he can start painting the picture of what policies a Cain cabinet would contain.
And one other final note. Cain of all candidates has the ability to create inspiration as Reagan did. He needs a “morning in America” phrase to give people that hope. No one can deliver inspiration like Cain. And you’ve got an edge the others don’t. You already escaped a “death” 5 years ago. You know miracles can happen.
Allen West is a patriot and a fine conservative. I wouldn’t presume to tell him what to do. And he shouldn’t be guilty of the same transgression to Herman Cain. This from the Weekly Standard:
Rep. Allen West, a Tea Party favorite from Florida, tells radio station WMAL that Herman Cain is a "distracter":
Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain has become a distraction in the race, says GOP Congressman Allen West.
"Beyond reassessing his campaign, he probably needs to understand that he is a distracter for what's going on right now and we should move on," said West, a Republican congressman who represents Florida.
As I posted today even prior to the new Florida and National results, Newt is almost certainly the nominee based on 4 key factors. I think not only is Cain cooked, Bachmann is baked and Perry is all puckered out. But I have the same problem with CALLING on them to get out as I did when many were telling Palin to give up the ghostly apparition of a run. It’s not of their (or my) damn business.
I wont go back to the “Screw you Erick Erickson” rant (I’m more mature now, you know,) but the points I made there still stand. These candidates have already put their reputations, fortunes and political futures on the line. Who are we to tell them when or how to run or quit?
It is no more conservative than telling someone else how to spend their money. I’m just now getting over Allen West’s betrayal of the Jim DeMint “HOLD THE LINE” battle cry during the budget debate. Like Ryan, they folded like a cheap suit and West of all people should have realized the enormous danger that deal put our defense budget (and readiness) in.
Cain’s voice and input on “9-9-9” are still useful to keep Newt, Mitt and nation educated on why the current tax structure needs to go. In the free market of political ideas, his timing will take care of itself.
Daren Jonescu of Canada Free press has written an article called Cain’s World. When he begins with “Herman Cain knows too little about foreign policy to be President of the United States,” I am actually a little bit DEFENSIVE of Cain preparing for another attack on a good conservative. Instead, Jonescu pulls a bait and switch. He attacks (unfairly in my opinion) Gingrich and glosses over the problems with Cain. Go figure. My (likely poor) summation of his points:
Cain’s fall is all because people still believe the sexual allegations, and it gave an excuse for lookey-Lou’s to jump to Newt.
The Republican Establishment coordinated with the liberal media and played a “gotcha game” with Cain on foreign policy because he was an “outsider.”
Cain answers aren’t any worse than Palin’s “I can see Alaska” and should be respected for saying he doesn’t know anything.
Newt is a flip-floppin’, political phony with profuse moral failings.
Sex Scandals Can’t Stain Cain – Lying and Lying Followers Can
With the new sexual affair allegations coming out, (Ginger White is her name,) I think it is important to rally around Herman Cain unless there is 100% convincing proof he is lying (I don’t think he is by the way. This woman lost a libel lawsuit.) I think the evidence the Obama/Axlerod machine is at work is more and more transparent since Obama seems to be counting on racial division to get him re-elected in 2012. (The NYTimes ran an article today essentially confirming what Ulstermann Report has been saying for months.)
As Dick Morris explained a week or two ago, the impact of the sexual allegations (except among conservative women) has been marginal. By and large 3/4ths of conservatives have dismissed the charges and, as you know, on the first surge of accusations - he actually maintain a strong lead. Morris says that the Clinton affair taught him most people don’t WANT to know. I can’t imagine this is true in the conservative community to the same extent it is in the general voter population, but he had effectively rebuffed these charges quickly.
Dick Morris Discusses Cain Accusations
Cain’s fall in the polls can be traced more accurately to the Lincoln/Douglass style debate. (Don’t get me started that it was NOTHING like the Lincoln Douglass debate itself). Cain's thrice shy response to avoid answering questions first from a conservative congressman moderator did more (in my opinion) to shake the confidence of those taking a test drive on Cain Train than any other factor.
DJ complains that Nervous Nellies bailed on Mr. Cain due to perfect storm of false scandals and RINO-LIB motivated attacks. Well pardon me. None of the candidates automatically deserve our support. Cain had less “strong support” than either Perry or Bachmann and couldn’t maintain it. How will he do when battled in a general election or once in office? Is it MY devotion to him, or his ability to earn my devotion that makes a good president? They must earn it. More so with candidates we have never met or evaluated before. This is a job interview. We know what we are getting with Gingrich and Romney not just because we can evaluate their positions and track record giving us MUCH more data to go on - but we can watch their REACTIONS and RESPONSES to issues.
Herman Cain has had curious responses to not just foreign policy, but a simple question on his views of abortion. It turns out Cain may be the strongest pro-Life candidate in the field except Santorum and HAS put over a million dollars of his own money behind it. That is better than a congressional vote record any day. It is also why - after OTHERS (not even his campaign) pointed out his pro-Life credentials, it hasn't come up since. But if one of Cain's strengths is supposed to be his ability to communicate - how can he be so continually inept at answering straight forward questions? If my big three issues on car buying is price, looks and gas mileage - and the price is way too high - that car salesman still has a shot at me. But if the salesman can't PROVE it really saves gas, do you get mad at the customer for not buying it "on faith" when it will take a month of driving to figure out if it did indeed do well in that regard? Of course not.
A series of blunders by Cain following or horrific performance by Cain at the Lincoln/Douglass debate reinforced the idea that Cain may not just be well versed in foreign affairs, he may not even make the right choices on conservative principles with the necessary data. He would release Gitmo terrorists conditionally. It is what he said. He isn't aware of the details of a war initiated in the past year with US ground troops CURRENTLY on the ground, or what Obama's position and actions have been in that country (Libya.) And forgive me if I want a leader that doesn't have to that our largest creditor has nuclear weapons and has had them since 1960.
DECISION MAKING. Cain keeps saying that he is a great decision maker and hires good people. A campaign would be a great place to demonstrate that and yet he continues to hire sub-par (if not embarrassing) campaign and advertising staff promising us that when he is in charge of the US economy and a nuclear bomb he'll do just fine. For now we have to evaluate his ability to sell pizza to stoned college kids, albeit profitably. THIS is what is holding Cain back. He isn't demonstrating an ability to recruit and run a team NOW. It is all the data we have to go on and he is failing. Miserably.
And let's assume that he hires good people and can make decisions. Do we have time for Cain to understand the entire nuance of China/US relations, China's internal policy and before having to make a decision that may be required in a split second? Hell no. That is WORSE than a flip flop. Even Romney wouldn't need a week to be educated on China's currency manipulation and economic models to INCLUDE that understanding when making a decision. I almost got lockjaw from my mouth flying open when Cain suggested his 9-9-9 plan would be an answer to make American goods competitive with China. China keeps their currency artificially low SO THAT they have an unfair competitive advantage. Trade with China might not even be a central issue when determining a US economic policy - but the lack of HOW it would impact surrounding issues isn't just a benign political argument.
How will Herman Cain respond at 3 a.m. in the morning to a nuclear attack by Pakistan on India? We have no idea because Herman has no idea and he will rely on the advice of an unknown Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State whom hasn't even been hired yet. The world is getting WORSE, not better. China has increased their cyberwar effort and escalating their military spending. Russia is hinting at reinstating communist control. More nations adopted sharia-loving regimes than at any time since Mohammad was "marrying" 9 year old little girls. I don't think expecting a candidate to have a remote idea of the MECHANICS of a policy that would stop Iran from getting nukes (other than drilling for more oil in the US which was Cain's answer) is "accepting a RINO." How would Cain even know WHO to hire if he doesn't have the basic grasp of the situation before he puts someone else in control of it?
I’m not trying to say Cain would be terrible. Or that he wouldn’t be better than Obama. I am sure he would. But a reporter asked Cain recently about an issue on Iran and (no kidding) Cain answered him "9-9-9." Sorry, that isn't a conservative answer. Neither is praise for Alan Greenspan who was Cain’s favorite Federal Reserve Chairman. We wouldn't let a Democrat or liberal get by with that, and it is embarrassing that some want us to just "accept" Mr. Cain because he is a good church going man.
And while we all admire a 43 year marriage and a vocal commitment to Christ, can I ask where the repentance is in accusing both the Romney and Perry campaigns for the false accusations with ZERO proof of the sexual harassment attacks? Last I looked in my Bible, gossip and slander were no less of a sin than adultery and murder. And where is the apology and public repentance to Governor Perry for trying to insinuate he was a racist because of where he went hunting? Is this the action of a God fearing Christian? Yet I get emails daily from Cain supporters who act more like propagandists for Pravda than Christian conservatives. Although I am convinced Cain is innocent of the worst harassment charges, conservative Iowa talk show host Steve Deace has testified that he WITNESSED Cain making inappropriate remarks to two of his employees. Sorry if I am NOT convinced Cain is Jesus Christ. And Newt most certainly is not the devil. I am convinced of is that many conservatives are not worthy to wear that title. Especially with Alinsky character assassination.
Newt's personal problems don't plague him because A) he has publicly confessed his failings where they occurred, B) he hasn't repeated them, C) his own daughter has put to rest many of the false accusations, and D) the man has been consistent in pushing for morality in our "civilization" for 20 years now after his own failings. His "flip flops" - for anyone intellectually honest enough to study them - don't belie a hidden liberal. We don't despise ALL of Washington and Jefferson's actions because they owned slaves. Similarly, when the Heritage Foundation is "for" an individual mandate and the "father" of the conservative movement signs legislation to allow amnesty and raise taxes - it is a bit misleading to assume Newt's views were that of flaming liberal in the prosperity of another era. Hell, Churchill LED the dismantling of the British fleet following WW1. Would you really not want him to lead the United Kingdom in War World 2?
I'm not white washing Newt or trying to dissuade those from following Cain. I like both men and could live with either as the GOP nominee. I am, however trying to be ACCURATE. And falsely accusing Sarah Palin of mentioning that you can see Russia from Alaska (which you can) is a poor response (and lazy research) to the truth. CBS has never released the full footage from the interview, but Palin explains in Going Rogue:
Though Katie edited out substantive answers, she dutifully kept in the moments where I wore my annoyance on my sleeve. For instance, when she asked me how living in Alaska informed my foreign policy experience, I began by trying to frame the geographical context. Lower 48ers grow up seeing our state tucked with Hawaii in a little square off the coast of Mexico on the nightly news weather map. So I began by trying to squeeze a geographical primer into a ten-second sound bite, explaining that only a narrow maritime border separates Alaska from Russia, that we're very near the Pacific Rim countries, and that we're bordered by Canada. But Katie interrupted and I did not complete my answer. I wish now I had stopped her and said, "Here's the geographical context. Now may I answer your question?" (p. 274)
So do you believe the only conservative voice in the 2008 election who largely facilitated the tea party movement or the former morning talk show host whose network promoted faked military documents to try and derail George W. Bush? Do you really want to make THAT argument? Until I SEE the footage for myself, I don't' think I'm terribly wrong to give more weight to Palin's recollection than the media's fact-devoid line. I think I’m even righter (PolitiJim grammar) to wonder why a supposedly conservative supporter of Cain would want to trash another iconic conservative falsely to make a point.
Do you really want to compare the records of a successful Governor that dealt with international shipping and water rights, border control, national guard duties and military bases with an ordained minister, talk show host and successful CEO from Atlanta? Why? Why demean (and falsely misrepresent) Palin to make your candidate look better? Those that continue to trash other conservatives - especially without well documented facts - end up embarrassing themselves and loosing credibility.
Is the very solid, conservative New Hampshire Union Leader correct in endorsing Gingrich over the rest of the field? To me Gingrich is like Captain D's seafood dinner.
It doesn't taste too bad while you're eating it but you remember the health code violation from years back and quite can't enjoy it like that fine Santa Barbara seafood restaurant. We do know this. Gingrich allowed himself to be interrogated by the NHUL editorial board. Cain refused. I seem to recall a number of us screamingly "Holy hell" over Obama's unwillingness to be interviewed by Fox News. It was Cain who himself said, “I’m not supposed to know anything about foreign policy?” Let's try not to be hypocrites and not hold OUR guys to the same standards we used on the Liberals, ok? I think those wishing for Newt’s demise might better focus on why Bill Clinton praised Gingrich this weekend. THAT is what has me really concerned.
in my book, honesty is honesty no matter where the needle points. And if conservatives can’t be honest about the pluses and minuses of their candidates – how can we ever gain credibility with independents or liberals?
So what is an honest view of Cain and Gingrich? They BOTH are pro-life, pro-Israel, claim to care about the Constitution and reducing government. Newt has both a longer ‘Con” list and “Pro” list than Cain, mostly because we know more about him.
PRO-CAIN
PRO-NEWT
Can do more damage to the Democrat Party than anyone and his inspirational story focus poor on hard work rather than hand outs.
Can defend conservative position in media and debates better than anyone and would eviscerate Obama on policy and knowledge.
9-9-9 may be most aggressive economic growth plan put forth and certainly understands creating jobs and reducing regulation.
Has a very good track record of creating a national agenda to elect conservatives, balance the budget and implement welfare reform.
Understands the government machine which may help in dismantling revising.
ANTI-CAIN
ANTI-NEWT
We have no idea if running a successful business will translate to governing.
Newt has proven he has a ton of ideas but has held a LOT of positions that are not purely conservative .
Has proven he simply does not understand US or foreign policy on a host of issues and if he will have a Dan Quayle moment that could kill him in a general election.
Newt still doesn’t understand current data on global warming and showed bad judgment on Pelosi’s couch, Dede Scofozza and (most importantly) Paul Ryan.
We have no idea if he will “flip” on TARP, role of Federal Reserve and (frankly) any issue but pro-life because he has no record from which to extrapolate.
Unsure if pride or being an “insider” will corrupt him as it did when he was Speaker.
Newt’s mixed record of government programs leaves us unsure if truly believes in limited government.
The “compassion” over “conservative” reasoning make us wonder if he is guided by conservative core principles and if he would settle for amnesty.
We can be assured that the Democrats and media will not fight fair, and will be tougher on our candidate than they are on their own. As always (going back to How to Pick A GOP Candidate), the question is not just who is more ELECTABLE, but also who will effectively SELL conservative policies to the masses and GOVERN fearlessly and conservatively.
Neither of these guys are God or Goofy. But I’m leaning toward categorizing conservatives who want to myopically do so to either one of them into the latter.
Wednesday night's debate will be remembered for its less-than-stellar moderators, Rick Perry's senior moment, and Newt Gingrich's rise to the top.
The former Speaker of the House made the most of his camera time and showcased his intelligence, knowledge of history, and statesmanship.
In a debate that was supposed to be solely about the economy, CNBC moderator Maria Bartiromo upset the audience, and most of the people watching when she asked Herman Cain about the recent sexual harassment accusations that have been brought against him.
I give kudos to Mr. Cain for handling the question professionally and not going up to Ms. Bartiromo and kicking her in shins like everyone else wanted to.
Also, Mitt Romney deserves credit for taking the high road when asked if he would hire Mr. Cain.
Both questions were unnecessary in a debate about the economy and the people at CNBC should apologize to both Cain and Romney.
Now, on to substance!
Herman Cain really needs to step up his game if he wants to remain a front runner in this race. He continues to speak in generalities and market his 9-9-9 plan as "bold".
The New Deal was bold too, but it failed and prolonged the Great Depression and led to many of the entitlement programs we struggle to fund today.
When asked how he help America compete, he responded by saying we need to, "grow this economy" and repeated that phrase several times during the debate. We need more specifics from Cain, not just flashy rhetoric.
Mitt Romney just keeps getting better and better in the debates. On more than one occasion, including the question I described earlier, the moderators attempted to trap him with a question.
Governor Romney was asked about his flip-flopping on the auto industry bailout. The moderator suggested that he supported government intervention before but now he thinks it was a mistake.
Romney very easily put the moderator in their place and said his call for government intervention was in reference to repealing regulations that were favoring foreign car manufacturers and hurting American ones.
Rick Perry may become the butt of many jokes after he failed to name the three government agencies he would eliminate. He named two, but could not recall the third one, which he later revealed was the Department of Energy.
This may seem like a minor gaffe for any other candidate, but Perry has had a rough go of it in the debates and people may just give up on him.
Now, Newt Gingrich continues to have strong debate performances. He relies on his immense knowledge of history to justify his positions, a strategy that should be successful in both the primary and general election campaigns.
Gingrich knows his stuff, and that's important. He is a very accomplished politician and person.
In addition to his time spent as Speaker of the House, Gingrich was a college professor and a successful consultant.
You can call this an endorsement or not, but as of right now Newt Gingrich is getting my vote.
In the debate, he called out the moderators and shed light on the ludicrous debate format.
When asked to describe in 30 seconds what he would do to fix the health care system he responded, "in 30 seconds?"
I like the fact that Gingrich wants to have Lincoln-Douglas style with Obama, as I think Obama will make a fool out of himself if he had to go one on one with Gingrich for 3 hours.
As for the rest of the field, Huntsman needs to just drop out; he is a non-factor. Ron Paul sounds smart until he starts talking about foreign policy. Michele Bachmann needs more face time in the debates, and Rick Santorum needs to stop whining.
There is still something funky about the suspected white Presidential assassin with a Jewish tattoo who claimed God told him to kill Obama whose hi-def picture looking at the camera just happened to make it to 
price, looks and gas mileage - and the price is way too high - that car salesman still has a shot at me. But if the salesman can't PROVE it really saves gas, do you get mad at the customer for not buying it "on faith" when it will take a month of driving to figure out if it did indeed do well in that regard? Of course not. 
DECISION MAKING. Cain keeps saying that he is a great decision maker and hires good people. A campaign would be a great place to demonstrate that and yet he continues to hire sub-par (if not embarrassing) campaign and advertising staff promising us that when he is in charge of the US economy and a nuclear bomb he'll do just fine. For now we have to evaluate his ability to sell pizza to stoned college kids, albeit profitably. THIS is what is holding Cain back. He isn't demonstrating an ability to recruit and run a team NOW. It is all the data we have to go on and he is failing. Miserably. 
