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:
Mar '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Katievs: Your comments in #35 and #37 are right on.
Feb '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
The bit about the order of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" in the seventh minute, is nice. Is that original?
Apr '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Cain has a BS in math, a MS in computer science, was a mathematician in ballistics for the US Navy, has turned two failing divisions of Pillsbury around, was Board member and Chairman of the Kansas Federal Reserve and was a principal in a leveraged buyout of Godfathers Pizza where he was CEO. His so called lack of experience in certain areas might be more than made for by his experience with private enterprise, knowledge of which is in very short supply in Washington, DC. His real world knowledge of the economy may exceed any other candidate. He has shown a great deal of excellence as a CEO. If he needs foreign policy expertise John Bolton might be available. In fact the think tanks are crammed with all kinds of high level experts who generally have very little effect on events as far as I can see. Maybe he could put some of them to work.
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Tom Paine
The President will be surrounded with contending experts. He'll be surrounded with enemies and traitors, liars, deceivers and manipulators, plus countless people more interested in advancing their own careers than the wellbeing of the nation. · Oct 8 at 11:28am
Sounds just like every corporation I've ever worked for. · Oct 8 at 11:35am
Right. But you must understand that politics is just not business. They are two different worlds. They operate by different laws and principles and traditions. They call for different bodies of knowledge, different sets of skills.
It is naive in the extreme to imagine that business experience is enough to prepare a man for success at the highest level of politics.
Dec '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
This is too optimistic, I fear. It's not as if "experts" agree. The President will be surrounded with contending experts. He'll be surrounded with enemies and traitors, liars, deceivers and manipulators, plus countless people more interested in advancing their own careers than the wellbeing of the nation.
This suggests that the man has no core, can't pick advisers, and can't discern the various interests they represent. I would never say that about either Herman Cain or Barack Obama. Barack Obama derives his principles from hard left ideology and chose his advisers accordingly. Herman Cain derives his core from conservatism. I would advise him to announce his team early and to choose proven conservatives with the political experience he lacks. His experience of the world is more than adequate.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
It is naive in the extreme to imagine that business experience is enough to prepare a man for success at the highest level of politics.
Depends on the sort of success you want. Do we want someone who is a successful politician?
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
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.
Edited on October 8, 2011 at 9:03pmMay '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
DrewInWisconsin
katievs
It is naive in the extreme to imagine that business experience is enough to prepare a man for success at the highest level of politics.
Depends on the sort of success you want. Do we want someone who is a successful politician? · Oct 8 at 11:53am
Of course we do. The Presidency is the nations top political office, is it not? The President is not the national CEO, nor are his fellow politicians employees. Politics is its own art and science, it's own field of endeavor.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
Tom Paine
The President will be surrounded with contending experts. He'll be surrounded with enemies and traitors, liars, deceivers and manipulators, plus countless people more interested in advancing their own careers than the wellbeing of the nation. · Oct 8 at 11:28am
Sounds just like every corporation I've ever worked for. · Oct 8 at 11:35am
Right. But you must understand that politics is just not business. They are two different worlds. They operate by different laws and principles and traditions. They call for different bodies of knowledge, different sets of skills.
It is naive in the extreme to imagine that business experience is enough to prepare a man for success at the highest level of politics. · Oct 8 at 11:49am
As naive as to imagine that experience as a community organizer is preparation for the presidency?
As naive as to imagine that a failed half-term Governor is adequately prepared?
As naive as to imagine that an unprincipled, erratic Senator from Arizona is adequately prepared?
Apr '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
This is too optimistic, I fear. It's not as if "experts" agree. The President will be surrounded with contending experts. He'll be surrounded with enemies and traitors, liars, deceivers and manipulators, plus countless people more interested in advancing their own careers than the wellbeing of the nation. · Oct 8 at 11:28am
Sounds just like every corporation I've ever worked for. · Oct 8 at 11:35am
"Sounds just like every corporation I've ever worked for."
Exactly, Cain has worked at the highest levels in several corporations including failing corporations and always excelled.
Imagine taking over a failing 1,000 restaurant chain where you''ll "be surrounded with enemies and traitors, liars, deceivers and manipulators, plus countless people more interested in advancing their own careers than the well being"
In fact, isn't the US Government one giant turnaround project?
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
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. Now matter how great an athlete you may be, you can't just step from the top of one to the top of the other. · Oct 8 at 11:58am
Katie, I think what's bothering me about this approach that you and others place on having previously held political office is that I don't put a lot of stock in holding political office. To me it's the equivalent of saying "to be a fine, accomplished actor, you have to start out by doing a lot of porno."
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Tom Paine
As naive as to imagine that experience as a community organizer is preparation for the presidency?
Yes. As naive as that.
The most-just critique of Sarah Palin's potential presidential run is that she wasn't experienced enough. Even so, to have won elective office by running against a corrupt establishment in her own party was a stunning political achievement. Her effective governance in office was proof of usually great political ability. We have no such proof with Cain.
McCain's deficiencies were not lack of political experience.
Mar '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Here's what it boils down to for me:
As a conservative, I refuse to make the best the enemy of the good. But I also refuse to lose sight of the best even while I pursue the good.
By my lights, all of our candidates this year (so far) fall short. They fall short both on their records as defenders of the kind of conservatism and governance I support, and as intellectual leaders who can articulate a vision of society that broadly accords with ours as conservatives. These aren't trite failures.
Therefore, I feel no compunction not to air my grievances with each of the candidates. President Reagan's 11th Commandment is suitable gentlemanly guidance to conservative office holders and opinion leaders asked their opinion in public--this does not make it anathema to conservatism to critique our own (even if, occasionally, someone on the other side might share our criticism).
Were Mr. Cain to get the nod, I would put my support behind him because he would be less dangerous (generally) for the country than a second term for Obama. But its not as though I'm blind as to the glaring problems in his resume.
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
DrewInWisconsin
Katie, I think what's bothering me about this approach that you and others place on having previously held political office is that I don't put a lot of stock in holding political office. To me it's the equivalent of saying "to be a fine, accomplished actor, you have to start out by doing a lot of porno." · Oct 8 at 12:04pm
Rather it's like saying to be a fine accomplished actor, you have to have acted.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
It's simple: what counts right now is a candidate with the principles to do what needs to be done to restore the Republic.
Romney fails that test. Rick Perry, with his comment about the heartlessness of those who disagree with in-state tuition, has proven he does, too.
That leaves Herman Cain.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
DrewInWisconsin
Katie, I think what's bothering me about this approach that you and others place on having previously held political office is that I don't put a lot of stock in holding political office. To me it's the equivalent of saying "to be a fine, accomplished actor, you have to start out by doing a lot of porno."
Rather it's like saying to be a fine accomplished actor, you have to have acted.
Aw, don't mess up my aphorism!
But what I'm pointing out is that, to me (and, I'll wager, to a majority of Americans), the world of "politics" is just as sleazy as porno. And I don't limit that to Democrats. With very few exceptions, it seems like every proper and upright Mr. Smith goes to Washington and gets run through Slyvester McMonkey McBean's Automatic Political Corruption Machine.
So why do I want someone who's been through that machine? Or, more accurately, why would I trust someone who's been through the machine? Why would I trust them to not fall prey to the money, power, vanity, bribery, etc. . . . ?
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
Viator
In fact, isn't the US Government one giant turnaround project? · Oct 8 at 12:04pm
Yes. But it's a political project, not a business project. It can't be done as if it were a business. For instance, in a business, the other players are all employees of the company. Congress is not in the employ of the President. They are independent agents answerable to their constituents, not to the President. In business the prime "end" is profit, the "theme" is efficiency. In politics the "end" is better expressed as justice or a well-ordered society. The "theme" is law.
Obama's inexperience becomes particularly glaring when he talks to and about Congressmen as if they were a community and he their organizer. It's embarrassing.
May '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
DrewInWisconsin
But what I'm pointing out is that, to me (and, I'll wager, to a majority of Americans), the world of "politics" is just as sleazy as porno.
Well, I can only say you should resist that imagination. Objectively, political science and republican governance is a noble human endeavor. It's also one we can't do without. And if we want good governance at the highest levels, we had better elect good men and women, skilled in those arts.
Aug '11
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
katievs
DrewInWisconsin
But what I'm pointing out is that, to me (and, I'll wager, to a majority of Americans), the world of "politics" is just as sleazy as porno.
Well, I can only say you should resist that imagination. Objectively, political science and republican governance is a noble human endeavor. m
Where did we ever get the idea that politics is a science? It's not even an art.
Sep '10
Re: But Anyone With a Half-a-Brain Knows He Won't Be Nominated
I hear Clark Kent is thinking of getting into the race as well, but I am not too excited about it. His resume is too thin, too.