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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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I'm also supporting Cain. Political "experience" consists of people telling you what you can't do. I do not get the sense that he would be deaf to the people he chooses to advise him. No one can perform their best without support.
Mr. Cain has been the most compelling of the candidates. He has a simple message, and, as someone else pointed out, it is a message of ideas. I like the concepts behind the ideas.
He also just seems comfortable and confident. The type that can take it or leave it. I'd rather have someone who feels compelled to serve as president, rather than someone that has long held the ambition of being president. The former has ideas and policies to bring to the office, the latter will be satisfied with being in office.
Jul '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Cain has the principles, knows and respects the Constitution, and has rolled up his sleeves and learned and delegated and strategized his way through every job he's ever held. And he owes no one anything. The last President with that kind of a resumé was Eisenhower.
I am glad he has decided to run and I am happy to support his bid over those ankle biters, Perry and Romney.
Jul '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Come to think of it, I cannot imagine a better reason for nominating this brilliant, steadfast conservative than as an in your face response to the race baiting slander monkeys in the media and on the left. Last election Americans were "too bigoted to elect a black man!" Now the GOP is "too bigoted to nominate a black man."
Why don't I pay any mind to paleomedia any longer? (Present company excepted, of course.)
Oct '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
the GOP nomination is herman cain's for the taking--if he can deflect the skepticism on his 999 plan and reassure the public re foreign policy.
I expect him to be side by side with mitt romney in the middle during the next debate. i expect the moderators to direct more questions towards cain than perry. perry got scrutinized last time. it's cain's turn this time.
Win or lose, Herman Cain will overtake Sarah Palin as the standard bearer of the Tea Party movement.
Feb '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Western Chauvinist:
Well then, is Romney's preferred political experience having run a presidential campaign previously? 2008's GOP runner-up?
Wasn't Huckabee the runner-up last time around?
Apr '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Here is something I found very interesting about Herman Cain. I have been puzzling over it for a while. When black Herman Cain was being interviewed and harangued by white Larry O'Donnell because both Cain and his family were not black enough he never played the race card on O'Donnell.
He never budged from his position, he never raised his voice but he also never played that joker. Initially I thought, Herman, why the hell didn't you put that bastard O'Donnell in his place? Now I think he showed both enormous restraint and strength while standing on THE fault line of our society on national television. He epitomized a very high level of emotional intelligence.
Feb '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I love Herman Cain. Listening to him is like a cool drink on a hot day. His good cheer, his optimism, his clear sense of humor and his love for America are absolutely delightful. He has a clear lodestar -- he places his vision exactly where it needs to be, on the higher things that unite us as Americans. As a man descended from slaves there is not doubt in his mind that the United States is not a perfect utopia, but there is no doubt either that the United States is EXCEPTIONAL. What a man! I have very limited funds, but I have given $$ to this candidate and can't imagine supporting any others with a penny. I will hold my nose and vote for any schlub the Republican party nominates if he or she is not Barack Obama, but I would love to vote for Herman Cain.
Apr '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
First time poster here.
I worry that some Republicans are overestimating the value of political experience when they look at Mr. Cain.
A great American private company I worked for had some interesting criteria in hiring: They downplayed the importance of previous specific knowledge of the candidate, and rather would primarily focus on thinking skills, good judgement, and philosophical orientation. The reason: knowledge can be easily acquired by someone who has the other characteristics, but the reverse is certainly not the case. Knowledge of the mechanics of being president can be easily coached and learned, I would think. What can't be easily learned is how think through an issue and come to a logical conclusion, and most importantly, why conservative principles are critical to the well-being of the country.
To my mind, this is why we yearn for another Reagan. Reagan understood at his core why conservative principles mattered. That is extremely rare in politicians, even on the right-wing, but Mr. Cain has it. Let's not downplay the value of his philosophical orientation, good judgement and leadership skills he has shown through his non-political experience.
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
Western Chauvinist
This suggests that the man has no core, can't pick advisers, and can't discern the various interests they represent.
No, only that Presidential level politics isn't for political beginners.
Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player ever in the world. When he retired to try his hand at baseball, he had to start in the minor leagues. He never got very far. It's a different sport. No matter how great a natural athlete you may be, you can't just step from the top of one to the top of the other.
Because as everyone knows there's no politics in the board room.
I've been remembering VDH's excellent Ripples of Battle and how the aspiring Wm T Sherman had been such an utter failure at everything he had done up until the Civil War -- in the view of the society elites of his wife's association. Not even Sherman himself knew that running a supply depot in the western territories would prepare him for his March to the Sea.
There is one difference between Cain and Sherman. Everyone acknowledges Cain has succeeded at everything he's ever done. Cain 2012!
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Brian Gillis:
I worry that some Republicans are overestimating the value of political experience when they look at Mr. Cain.
A great American private company I worked for had some interesting criteria in hiring: They downplayed the importance of previous specific knowledge of the candidate, and rather would primarily focus on thinking skills, good judgement, and philosophical orientation. The reason: knowledge can be easily acquired by someone who has the other characteristics, but the reverse is certainly not the case. Knowledge of the mechanics of being president can be easily coached and learned, I would think. What can't be easily learned is how think through an issue and come to a logical conclusion, and most importantly, why conservative principles are critical to the well-being of the country.
To my mind, this is why we yearn for another Reagan. Reagan understood at his core why conservative principles mattered. That is extremely rare in politicians, even on the right-wing, but Mr. Cain has it. Let's not downplay the value of his philosophical orientation, good judgement and leadership skills he has shown through his non-political experience.
Welcome aboard, Brian. I regret I could only LIKE your comment once.
Jun '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Excellent thread, thanks to you all. i have just jumped in from a busy weekend to read up here. I have commented positively on Cain several times in previous threads. The man has a lifetime of successful business experience and a wonderful demeanor. I am sick of politicians. All of D.C. is filled with lifetime politicians. Every time Congress is in session, I cringe. You just know they will pass some new laws. Curiously those laws always cost money. Right now we have three leaders at the top of our nominating process. Cain is the only one capable of articulating the conservative message. I will not let the Roves and the Murphy s and the Bushes tell me to vote for and I hope they don't prevail, because I believe their support is behind Romney. I also believe Cain is the only candidate who can take a huge bite out of Obama's core Black and Hispanic vote. Cain's values are much better aligned with a large chunk of those voters than Obama..
Sep '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
You're late for work, WC. Please make sure some Annual Leave is reflected on your time card.
Apr '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
One standing ovation after another. Cain at Value Voters Summit.
http://www.therightscoop.com/herman-cain-brings-the-house-down-at-values-voter-summit/
The lefty MSM reviews events:
http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-stump/95954/how-cain-soared-and-perry-flopped-the-values-voter-summit
Edited on October 9, 2011 at 8:46pmNov '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Oct '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
It is the vision thing, as noted by Bush I, that Cain and Paul have. The media ridicules Paul, as do many alleged Conservative Republicans because Paul harkens to the principlesy of America that sees internationalism as dubious and the first interest to consider is what is best for America within a Constitutional structure. Paul terrifies the " betters" in the " we know better class." It includes the Obamas and the Cheneys. The Founders did not provide a President the right to kill citizens without due process in a secret proceeding. There is little difference in that distortion of the Constitution for Presidential Murder, than requiring one to buy health care. Principles matter and Cain has them. Romney will be beaten like a piñata by Obama. Bain Capital followed the Private Equity playbook and reduced headcount as the first step after acquiring a company. "Made his money by firing people" and all attempts to explain will sound like Obama and saving jobs. "Electable" to the professional political class means be " like the last guy that won. " Cain grew business that hired more people. That experience is different than leveraging others' money for its own sake.
Oct '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
It is the vision thing, as noted by Bush I, that Cain and Paul have. The media ridicules Paul, as do many alleged Conservative Republicans because Paul harkens to the principlesy of America that sees internationalism as dubious and the first interest to consider is what is best for America within a Constitutional structure. Paul terrifies the " betters" in the " we know better class." It includes the Obamas and the Cheneys. The Founders did not provide a President the right to kill citizens without due process in a secret proceeding. There is little difference in that distortion of the Constitution for Presidential Murder, than requiring one to buy health care. Principles matter and Cain has them. Romney will be beaten like a piñata by Obama. Bain Capital followed the Private Equity playbook and reduced headcount as the first step after acquiring a company. "Made his money by firing people" and all attempts to explain will sound like Obama and saving jobs. "Electable" to the professional political class means be " like the last guy that won. " Cain grew business that hired more people. That experience is different than leveraging others' money for its own sake.