I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
I understand just what Sarah Palin means when she says, “I like Herman Cain, even hearing his name." I'm one of the many people who had never given a moment's thought to Herman Cain before the first GOP debate, but who came away thinking, "Goodness, he's likable."
But alas, I don't think he's ready to be president. Since we're talking clueless comments about Israel, here's one that should really make people think:
“The right of return?” he said. After Wallace explained the Palestinian demand to return to the homes they were “thrown out of” [sic!] in 1948, Cain said that would be negotiated between the Israelis and Palestinians. “I don’t think Israel has any problem with Palestinians’ returning,” he said.
I feel a bit crushed, actually. I like him and want so much to like someone. But that's too clueless.
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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Clearly an unrecoverable error. The leader of these 57 states must aspire to a higher competence.
Oct '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
I only heard the audio on my satellite radio, so my impression is without visuals. He didn't come across to me as unknowing so much as offering a non-answer answer. It sounded like he was saying that it should be up to the Israelis to decide whether and on what terms some arabs should be allowed to return and that he would be okay with that. Obviously, the proposition is a non-starter, thus making it an evasion rather than an answer. The comments suggest my take on his response was too charitable. Perhaps I couldn't accept that a candidate wouldn't be conversant on this issue.
It is no defense, because our candidate must easily clear the very low hurdle of being better than Obama, but this was mild compared to several things Obama said in '08 (57 states, bitter-clingers, didn't know his pastor was an anti-American bigot - i.e. the Hannity litany).
Jul '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
What's wrong with saying, "You know, my depth of knowledge with regard to Israel's specific position is less than comprehensive at this point, so I'd prefer not to comment."?
We already have a President who postures as the All-Knowing One....
Aug '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Heh...
Now for the Instugation chorus (sung to Oh 'Susanna)
I'll vote for a syph-il-it-ic camel over Ba-Rack Obamaaaaa.
Edited on May 22, 2011 at 9:20pmMay '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
If this is the way by which we will evaluate the candidates, then it looks as if we're going to have some very miserable Ricochet voters.
Jun '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
" His answer exposed that he knows nothing about one of the most consequential and long-standing foreign policy issues facing the nation. "
I didn't get that impression. I would categorize the Right of Return as one of many pieces of the Israel/Plaestine issue --- but not one of the most consequential issues. Earlier this week he strongly backed Israel. I think his answer was based on his general understanding that there is no more ethical or democratic nation in the Middle East than Israel & he assumed the Israelis would allow non-Jewish immigration; he was unaware of how the Right to Return would be used by Palestinians to overrun Israel & commit jihad from within. A ten minute consultation with Sec of State Bolton would clear that impression up pronto.
I just don't see this as a deal breaker. Surely there is no doubt that he gets the critical value of Israel & has already let the world know he will stand by their side. A detail or two might need tweaking, sure. But that's fixable, while an anti-Israel mindset is not.
Dec '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
What, better than Herman Cain? That's still debatable.
May '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
StickerShock:
I just don't see this as a deal breaker. Surely there is no doubt that he gets the critical value of Israel & has already let the world know he will stand by their side. A detail or two might need tweaking, sure. But that's fixable, while an anti-Israel mindset is not. · May 22 at 12:46pm
Can't agree that it's a detail.
Dec '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Claire, it's strange that you are willing to defend the President's citation of the 1967 borders as no big deal and open to the most charitable interpretation, yet you find Herman Cain's remark so off-putting. Maybe what Cain meant is that the Israelis have no problem with the Palestinians returning -- to the new State of Palestine, just not to Israel within the Green Line. If Obama's words aren't definitive enough to hold against him, why do you believe Cain's are?
May '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
dittoheadadt
No, what I mean is, he's not running to BE president tomorrow. He doesn't need to be fully versed and fluent in these issues tomorrow. The office of POTUS won't be vacant until 2013. · May 22 at 10:42am
I know what you meant. In that sense, no one has to be ready until the day he's sworn in. But a candidate has to be ready to run for president. That means, among other things, being aware of his weak spots and working to shore them up.
The voters don't have leisure to wait and see if he turns out to be capable and discerning in such vast and critical areas.
It's not enough to be a general supporter of Israel.
Dec '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Wow, I was right with you until you said "Mr. Cain" instead of "Mr. Gingrich."
Dec '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Groan! Here we go again. Cue the feeding frenzy! We must consume our own. The Israel/ Palestine issue is NOT the most important foreign policy matter and, frankly shouldn't be a top 10 item for the 2012 campaign. Figure out who you agree with, line up behind 'em, and STOP this unrelenting drive for intellectual purity against some invisible checklist that keeps changing. Why anyone would want to go though this is just beyond me.
Oct '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
I recall a wise bit of advice from Morton Blackwell: "Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good."
Jan '11
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
StickerShock
I would categorize the Right of Return as one of many pieces of the Israel/Plaestine issue --- but not one of the most consequential issues. May 22 at 12:46pm
If that's what you truly believe, then you know very little about Israel/Palestinian differences, or why Cain's comment is considered contentious on this thread. The right to return issue, as PM Netanyahu said, is not going to happen, ever. How's that for consequential?
Jun '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
I listened to the segment of the interview linked by "lowcountry" (thank you sir). Cain obviously didn't know what "right of return" was and he stumbled on the answer. BUT it was just as obvious that his heart was in the right place. The "palestinians" are not ready for their own country and are not interested in peace. And when they are, that peace will be of Israel and their making...not the United States. Before I heard his actual response, I thought he had made a huge Newt style mistake, judging by all the hand wringing. Claire, Katie, Paul, I am sorry but you guys are really overstating these couple of sentences. No question that the POTUS doesn't often get second chances and possibly Mr Cain will make another gaffe that will lead to his demise. The right of return issue for third and fourth generation arabs to Israel is not the pre-eminent issue for a candidate for President of the USA. It is not our national security issue.
Edited on May 23, 2011 at 2:47amMar '11
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
The program finally aired in this neck of the woods, and I have to say it wasn't as bad as I feared.
Sure, Mr Cain was momentarily confused, but then he went on to say, quite rightly, that immigration into Israel is a matter for the Israelis.
I was actually more worried about his sales tax proposal (I guess Rob should have been pleased).
Also, he kept glancing down at his notes - you can tell he is not a professional politician, otherwise he would have been better prepared with memorized, canned answers.
But I kinda like that.
The obnoxious Evan Bayh in the panel, afterwards, seemed confident that Mr Obama has nobody to worry about in the Republican field - he may well be right...
Mar '11
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
I agree that Cain’s response to the “right of return” question was disappointing and a rookie mistake. Obama’s most recent foolish speech extolling the virtues of the 1967 borders made the Israeli-Palestinian issue a subject Cain should have anticipated would come up and he was not prepared.
In his defense, Cain did get it right when asked what, if elected, he would offer the Palestinians. He replied immediately and vigorously, “Nothing!” Then he went on to explain that he was not convinced their leadership really wanted peace. In this response, it’s clear he saw the big picture and that his instinct was correct. But where dispossessed Palestinians ought to have the right to return to is not a minor or peripheral issue – it is at the heart of the conflict.
I doubt that his performance with Chris Wallace will undermine what little chance Mr. Cain has to be the next president.
Edited on May 23, 2011 at 12:19amJun '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Anon
StickerShock
I would categorize the Right of Return as one of many pieces of the Israel/Plaestine issue --- but not one of the most consequential issues. May 22 at 12:46pm
If that's what you truly believe, then you know very little about Israel/Palestinian differences, or why Cain's comment is considered contentious on this thread. The right to return issue, as PM Netanyahu said, is not going to happen, ever. How's that for consequential? · May 22 at 2:38pm
Well, then enlighten me.
I'm really puzzled about why you consider the right of return the top issue in a decades long conflict. I view it as one piece of the issue. Other Arab states have refused to take in the Palestinians, too.
I agree with the majority of posters, including cdor, who states that "The right of return issue for third and fourth generation arabs to Israel is not the pre-eminent issue for a candidate for President of the USA. It is not our national security issue."
Exactly. Not a dealbreaker for me at all.
Mar '11
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
StickerShock
I agree with the majority of posters, including cdor, who states that "The right of return issue for third and fourth generation arabs to Israel is not the pre-eminent issue for a candidate for President of the USA. It is not our national security issue."
Not ours (the US) - unless you consider the removal of the Little Satan a threat for the Big Satan. But, for Israel, 4-5 million Arabs immigrating might be an issue. Other Arab countries have not taken them precisely so that they remain an issue, and a possible means to "wipe Israel off the map". You may have noticed them climbing over the fences a week or so ago.
So Mr Cain's answer - that it is a negotiating issue between the Palestinians and Israelis - was the correct one. The US President is supposed to be a referee, though, so some knowledge of the history would be helpful.
Of course, if you believe in One World Socialism (or Islamism), Israel is an anachronistic Apartheid state for not accepting the Arabs and merging into the Collective... And there should be Open Borders between the US and Mexico.
Edited on May 23, 2011 at 1:50amNov '10
Re: I Wish Herman Cain Hadn't Said That
Let's stop disemboweling extremely impressive and competent people (Cain, Palin, par exemple), because they may not have accrued the credentials to run and challenge Bibi Netanyahu for the office of leader of the free world. (Tip o' the hat to Scott R.).
It would be in our best interests to focus upon the experienced few that are truly equipped to take on this mighty battle in 2012.