But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
So says a conservative strategist about Herman Cain, and it is inarguable that the odds are against him. But take a look at his speech before the Value Voters Summit yesterday (h/t Weekly Standard) and ask yourself: is any other candidate capable of articulating the cases for American exceptionalism and the conservative vision so clearly and persuasively? The answer should give "realists" pause - it's too easy to make the leap from "difficult" to "impossible" when it comes to nominating someone who doesn't fit the mold of a candidate that's set by casting central. Pay particular attention to how he defines leadership - the contrast between his executive approach and the dithering and excuse-making we've seen over the past 3 years couldn't be more stark.
This is a man making a strong case for his candidacy - will enough GOP voters take the time to listen?
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Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
After his performance in the last couple debates, I've decided to throw my support to Herman Cain. But this sort of "But he can't win!" presentation only cements my resolve.
For me, it's the Iocaine Powder problem. The media tell me that Mitt Romney is the only viable candidate. Or they tell me that it's a two-man race: Romney and Perry. But the media should not be assumed to be either trustworthy or correct, and while the Stopped Clock factor must be taken into consideration, given their dismal record in factually or honestly presenting all things Republican (particularly anything relating to the conservative wing) I must naturally assume that both chalices are poisoned, and choose the third way: Herman Cain.
Look at it like this: This week's prize is a 2012 GOP Nominee or one of two also-rans. There are three doors, behind one of which is the man who gets your vote. Say you pick Door 1. I open Door 2 to reveal Rick Perry. Do you want to switch your pick?
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 5:44pmMar '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I just listened to Paul Ryan's interview on Uncommon Knowledge, where he made the point that this election must be about big ideas and not personalities; that we should run on those big ideas at the risk of losing. Otherwise, we're just going to lurch from crisis to crisis until the whole thing crashes around us. Aside from Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain's the only guy willing to go out on a limb with his own ideas. I'm moving more in his direction. Besides, Dennis Miller had the best line for a bumper sticker: "Cain vs. Unable".
Jul '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Damn your hide and logic puzzles! How 'bout I switch doors (it took me awhile to convince myself of that) and follow your third way? It looks a bit less traveled by, but you know, that can make all the difference!
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I'm with you, Drew. I've been consuming enough Iocaine Powder since my conversion to conservatism to be inoculated against its lethal effect. I'll take the third way -- give it to me sans Io -- straight up, pure Cain now. Drinking from the cup of Romney or Perry is inconschleivable!
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Cobalt Blue
Damn your hide and logic puzzles! How 'bout I switch doors (it took me awhile to convince myself of that) and follow your third way? It looks a bit less traveled by, but you know, that can make all the difference! · Oct 8 at 8:46am
Heh. I just can't not try to second guess what the media is telling me. I'm always sitting across from the Dread Pirate Roberts (Cokie? John? Does it matter?) and thinking "I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me."
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 5:54pmDec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Herman Cain is the anomaly that disproves the entire grievance theory of the left.
To directly answer your question: no, enough people probably won't pay attention. They will listen to what the media says and vote for Perry as the non-Romney. Those who are paying attention (like Drew) will vote for Cain. This will split the conservative vote and we'll send up another nominee with 35% support from the party. Time to start looking for just the right spot on the lawn for the McDolemney sign.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Yesterday, one of our Ricocheteers referred to Romney as "the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Obama."
In 1996, Bob Dole was the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Bill Clinton.
In 2004, John Kerry was the guy who lost to the guy who lost to George Bush.
In 2000, Al Gore was the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Bush the Elder.
(Though I must point out that in 1980, Ronald Reagan was the guy who lost to the guy who lost to Jimmy Carter, but we're talking about Ronaldo Magnus here!)
Jan '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Nominating an inexperienced, ignorant of the world, amateurish candidate with ridiculous, totally unsellable, unimplementable plans would be an utter disaster for the GOP, and more importantly, the country. Throwing support behind Caun is the antithesis of a conservative approach to the problems we face and philosophy of government. It was this type of unthinking, foolish enthusiasm that allowed Bachman to push Pawlenty out of the race. You want an anti-Romney? Pawlenty was the guy. But the genius of the tea party turned him out for the pretty face which it subsequently dropped like rotten fruit a few weeks later. The support for Cain has a fetid aroma of Christine O'Donnell about it, as far as I'm concerned.
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
The alternative is?
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
BThompson has the idea right, though with a bit more fervor than I would have displayed. All the desperate splashing about by what Jennifer Rubin just described on LC-RC as looking for the oldest established permanent floating 20% of the primary base that jumps in a microsecond from one Great Right Hope to another belies the thoughts we have always held about ourselves as the grown-up party.
Mr. Cain is an outstanding gentleman, and also has a pile of policy homework to do before he can be taken seriously as a top ticket candidate. If he would do that, he would have great promise as a #2.
These are not the days of Wendell Willkie. Before you can be nominated for the top job, you really need to win at least onbe election, somewhere for something. A local contest for Deputy Dog Droppings Pick-up Commissioner. You don't win your first time out as President.
Feb '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Mr. Cain is admirable in many ways. But it's distressing to hear him say in one breath that he wants to get government out of the business of picking winners and losers and then in the very next breath say he wants to give favorable tax treatment to companies that "buy American" - whatever that even means today.
For example, are the foreign name plate cars built in Tennessee not American?
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
It was not the Tea Party that threw Pawlenty out any more than it is the Tea Party that is throwing Bachmann and Perry out. These people did themselves in by poor performances. I had hopes for Pawlenty and Perry. But who can support men who cannot make an argument.
Jan '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Follow Milton Friedman's advice and create a political environment such that even the suspect politician has to do the right thing, even if it's for the wrong reason. Romney can beat Obama, a strongly conservative congress can keep him in check.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
The primary process is achieving here precisely what it's supposed to achieve.
It's revealed Mitt Romney to be exactly what we've always known him to be.
It's shown Rick Perry, whose electability has from the first been in doubt, to be even less electable and less conservative than we initially thought him to be.
It's eliminated most of the field of also-rans.
And it's revealed a diamond-in-the-rough who not only ignites passion and intensity among the base but who just might be able to beat Obama. That man is Herman Cain.
Trite as it might sound, the prime requirement of electability is likability - and Herman Cain is far more likable than Barack Obama. Secondly, while Cain's 999 proposal may be questionable, it's far more appealing than more of what we've had for the past three years.
And Cain has the potential to split the black and hispanic votes, which would virtually assure his success.
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 7:48pmRe: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
On Cain himself, let me say that -- while I have grave doubts -- in American politics one never knows. Stranger things have happened. There was a state senator who tended to vote present who became a United States Senator and chaired a subcommittee on Afghanistan but never called a meeting. He was even more inexperienced than Cain, and he had ridiculous, totally unsellable, unimplementable plans as well. So one never knows.
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 8:13pmSep '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Pawlenty did not have what it took to become a viable candidate and sold his endorsement to Romney, but would have made a effective, principled, conservative President!! What have you been drinking?
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
That's just as utopian as hoping we will have a candidate who doesn't need the bit and bridle.
Oct '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I have to disagree: this man can articulate the conservative argument with great eloquence. He knows that we need to immediately reverse the welfare state and at least he's putting ideas on the table that are more than baby steps.
An utter disaster for the GOP and country? Imagine President Cain working with Paul Ryan in a GOP controlled House and Marco Rubio in a GOP controlled Senate, with John Bolton running his foreign policy. Sounds pretty good to me.
Mar '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
"It was not the Tea Party that threw Pawlenty out any more than it is the Tea Party that is throwing Bachmann and Perry out"
No, Dr. Rahe, is was not.
But, one might observe, it was one particular incarnation of the Tea Party that saw them as viable candidates in whom to invest our time in the first place. It took only a few weeks of serious scrutiny to reveal their true quality.
As for Cain: there are a number of things I like about Herman Cain; not least of which is his ability to speak plainly and passionately about what it takes to be a good businessman and entrepreneur in America.
However, there are also a number of things I dislike about Herman Cain: his complete lack of knowledge on foreign affairs and his statements about Muslim loyalty tests and gays, among others.
All in all, I wish him well, but do not believe him to be qualified for the office he is seeking.
My advice: Mr. Cain--take your passion and run for a Governorship or a Senate seat.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
To imagine that Herman Cain, with no previous experience in elected office, could become a competent President is as absurd as imagining that a 21-year-old college drop-out, tinkering in a California garage, could revolutionize computing and personal electronics along the way to building the most valuable company in the United States.
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 7:40pm