Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: My problem with Obama isn't that he's black. My problem is that he's a white liberal.
In fact, I recommend this as a seriously good way of driving a liberal crazy. Next time you hear a reference to "America's first black president", counter by referring to Obama as "America's 44th white president." Explain that you're doing so on feminist grounds: "What? You're trying to tell me that his Caucasian Mom's genetic input doesn't count? But that's so SEXIST!"
If this seems offensive or insensitive it shouldn't be. We know for a fact that fully 96 per cent of the African-American vote went to Obama. In other words where politics are concerned, skin color really can be a game changer. So we shouldn't be squeamish about discussing its nuances or the way it can so easily be exploited by those of a liberal persuasion to game the political system. To do so is to give the opposition a free pass they simply do not deserve.
This, incidentally, was what was so disgusting and frightening about the recent court case involving Andrew Bolt, Australia's answer to Mark Steyn and Rush Limbaugh - and probably the world's greatest living blogger. Bolt had made a similar point about 'political aborigines': fair-skinned Aborigines who used their legal “indigenous” status to intrigue themselves into lucrative positions open only to indigenous Australians and further their (predominantly activist) careers. Unfortunately, the judge decided that the fundamental truth of this was no defense.
But on to Cain. At the moment I'm rooting for him, I'm really excited by him and I'm not ashamed to admit that part of this is down to his ethnicity. As a conservative/libertarian, my ideological position is that skin color is a sublime irrelevance: we should all be equal under the law; positive discrimination is demeaning and divisive; identity politics is a game played by liberal shysters; etc. But as a realist, I can't help noticing that Herman Cain does have dark skin, that this probably isn't just because he's fresh from vacationing in Bermuda, and that this is something we conservative/libertarians should be delighted by rather than consider an irrelevance or even a problem.
Call me a racist, but I think there's something extra special about a black man who has chosen to become a conservative. (It's why I worship Thomas Sowell). It's because we inhabit a culture where there are so many financial and socio-political temptations for him not to be.
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May '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
It's not only genetics. Obama was raised by his mom and her white parents. I think his embrace of black liberation theology had a lot to do with a desperate effort to identify himself theoretically to a group he had little natural identity with.
Just try to imagine him saying, "Ah was po' before ah was poor."
Edited on October 12, 2011 at 5:19pmRe: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
There was something very "only Nixon could go to China" about Herman Cain pointing out that Barack Obama has never lived the American Black Experience.
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Herman Cain is a revelation and a delight. What I like about him, more than his cheerful pugnaciousness, more than his fearlessness in the face of pundits and TV cameras, is that he seems happy. Happy to be there, happy to be himself, happy to have a chance to lead his country, happy to be an American, living in America in 2011.
We're all looking for the next Reagan. Cain is starting to come pretty close.
Sep '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Lately when people say to me "You just don't like the president because he's black" (none of these people I would call a friend) I say, "I don't hate the president at all, but I admit I don't like his white half." And then I remind them that he checked "black" on his census form, whether to be able to call himself the first black American president or because he truly identifies more as a black American (which I would have no problem with), it's nonetheless a falsehood; what would you think of him had he checked "white"?
Oct '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
I think his ethnic identity is interesting because even on his father's side he's not a Black American but a first-generation American of an east African father. I am closer to Obama, genetically, coming from that part of the world myself, than most Black Americans, who are descendants of west Africans.
I wonder if the reference to him as Black is an application of the one-drop rule. Of course, Obama identifies himself as Black and he has every right to define his identity, but he is biracial and I wonder if it's a good thing to think about him as only Black, ignoring his mother's side of his heritage.
It would be great if we could get beyond race but in the meantime I think we're stuck with it, especially since the Left has such a dominant position among minorities. Republicans ought really to be seeking the Black vote because the marginal benefit of each Black voter at this point is as high as it's ever going to be, to think about this in economic terms. Only 17% or so is enough to get the Democrats worried.
Sep '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
James Delingpole: Call me a racist, but I think there's something extra special about a black man who has chosen to become a conservative. ... It's because we inhabit a culture where there are so many financial and socio-political temptations for him not to be.
I could not agree more! Being more of a libertarian than a conservative on most issues (I part with libertarians on foreign policy, and as it turns out, that's a pretty big divide) as well as being gay, I think I have a small but meaningful perspective on how brave Cain is, as well as Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Ward Connerly, Albert Murray, Joe Hicks, AlfonZo Rachel, Sonja Schmidt, and countless others in regular life. And what's so especially great about all of them is that they don't try to make points by talking incessantly about how difficult it is for them—quite the opposite in fact. In other words, they're much more interested in the content of their character than the content of their bank accounts.
Feb '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
I have been reluctant to jump on the Cain Train because I fully expect him to screw up in a big way. He proudly declares that he is "is not a politician", and I fear that will be his undoing.
But he hasn't done it yet, and every time I see him I like him more. I wish I could get over the nagging feeling that the minute I board the Cain Train it's going to crash into something at full speed.
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
I'm comfortable with Cain on economic and social issues. Is there any evidence that he's given much thought to defense and foreign policy?
Aug '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
If we're going to crash either way, then let's all go down together! Choo-Choo!
But I feel like with Cain, there's a little hope that we won't crash.
Sep '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
I'm concerned the guy is sowing a minefield for himself with his blunt rhetoric. "Brainwashed" is a good example. We know what he means, but it's the perfect thing for the latenight comediens and soundbite engineers to mock and repeat.
Aug '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Well, there's THIS.
“I would make it a priority to upgrade all of our Aegis surface-to-air ballistic missile defense capabilities of all of our warships, all the way around the world," he said. "Make that a priority, and then say to Ahmadinejad, ‘Make my Day.’”
My first thought was YIKES!
And my second thought was "You know, that sounds like something Ronald Reagan would say . . .
Edited on October 12, 2011 at 6:00pmAug '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I can't help thinking that four or eight years of President Herman Cain just might give young black Americans a whole new political outlook.
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
DrewInWisconsin
Well, there's THIS.
“I would make it a priority to upgrade all of our Aegis surface-to-air ballistic missile defense capabilities of all of our warships, all the way around the world," he said. "Make that a priority, and then say to Ahmadinejad, ‘Make my Day.’”
My first thought was YIKES!
And my second thought was "You know, that sounds like something Ronald Reagan would say . . . · Oct 12 at 8:59am
Edited on Oct 12 at 09:00 am
Wow. I see what you mean about Reagan, although I'm not sure he would say that when the microphones were on.
Aug '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Adam Freedman
Wow. I see what you mean about Reagan, although I'm not sure he would say that when the microphones were on. · Oct 12 at 9:06am
Heh. Well, he did say it once.
The scene in the Senate Budget Committee this past week was a disappointing one, I think, for the American people. They seem to be in full-scale retreat from spending cuts and are talking about raising people's taxes again. When push comes to shove, I guess it's always easier to let the taxpayer take the fall. Well, let them be forewarned: No matter how well intentioned they might be, no matter what their illusions might be, I have my veto pen drawn and ready for any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up. And I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead, make my day.
Aug '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
So what I'm saying is that Herman Cain stands in stark contrast to the President. He makes bold statements regarding American power (rather than apologizing for it) and that's going to have appeal.
May '10
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Cain winning the nomination would make my day.
Apr '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
In the style of an interview feedback email:
I think Cain is our guy and here is why I'm giving him a "HIRE"
1. unlike the other top candidate, he passes the core conservative test. He is authentically so, no question.
2. his experience as a CEO has been provably successful and I think that translates well to the job we are considering him for. The key part here was his ability to choose a winning team and execute on a sound strategy.
3. he held up under questioning very well and seemed to honestly enjoy the exchange. When he didn't know the answer to something he was forthcoming about it and had an excellent mitigation strategy for dealing with the situation if encountered in the real world.
4. This candidate has not been jaded by too much experience in our industry yet. We rarely get someone with this kind of executive experience and a history of dealing with adversity who isn't burned out already. I saw no evidence of bitterness. We should call his references to find out if he's the real deal.
Edited on October 12, 2011 at 7:04pmApr '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Mr Cain is castigated by self appointed spokesmen of the Black community for his comment about being brainwashed and don't see the hypocrisy in how they define the very terms on which that same community is to judge and accept him by.
It's funny, thinking back now, at how both my wife and myself at that very first debate found him the most interesting, refreshing and likable. The country along with the congress might just support and be willing to work with and yes even like a president called Herman Cain. Can you even imagine him giving a finger wagging, condescending lecture cloaked in the guise of a speech as we have been forced to contend with these last three years.
My wife and I certainly cannot!
Apr '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Rob Long: Herman Cain is a revelation and a delight. What I like about him, more than his cheerful pugnaciousness, more than his fearlessness in the face of pundits and TV cameras, is that he seems happy. Happy to be there, happy to be himself, happy to have a chance to lead his country, happy to be an American, living in America in 2011.
We're all looking for the next Reagan. Cain is starting to come pretty close. · Oct 12 at 8:28am
Exactly Rob.
We all thought Rick Perry enjoyed engaging the public when he first entered the race but he doesn't seem to enjoy having to articulate his positions when he is in a debate setting.
Herman Cain on the other hand reminds me of Ronald Reagan in that he seems to enjoy, as you stated, being an american in america at this very juncture and he projects that very image to me when I see or hear him.
Can we get Governors Barbour and Daniels to jump on the Cain Train! That would be two wonderful endorsements.
Mar '11
Re: Herman Cain: America's First Real Black President?
Goodness me, I agree with everyone :-)