Herman Cain makes splash at first 2012 GOP debate

[Janice]

Herman Cain makes splash at first 2012 GOP debate

To get an idea of the strangeness of the first debate of the 2012 presidential cycle - the unofficial kickoff to the 2012 GOP race - consider this: Based on the Fox News focus group conducted immediately following the event, Herman Cain is about to run away with the GOP nomination.

If you're wondering who that is, you're not alone: The former Godfather's Pizza CEO, who barely registers in national polls, has never held elected office. And he is seen as having virtually no chance to win the GOP nomination.

But the vast majority of the people sitting in with Republican pollster Frank Luntz said Cain had won the debate with his directness and straightforward delivery. >>>

But the debate was seen as such a non-event inside the beltway that House Speaker John Boehner spent his evening not watching it, opting instead to have a few drinks at a Washington steakhouse. "I'll read about it tomorrow," he told Hotsheet.

The absence of the biggest-name potential candidates - Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, even Donald Trump - meant the event it generated little attention despite its status as the first debate of the cycle. Among the five men onstage - Cain, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum - only Pawlenty is seen by Washington insiders as having a legitimate shot at the GOP nomination.

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At last a real conservative steps up. Not my first choice, but better than the others proffered thus far.

They (the GOP, the media and the Dems) will undercut any real conservative who steps forward so I expect little play except for the mud slinging.

[BlueStateSaint]

I'm watching Gretchen Carlson interview Cain right now.  Cain has a "command presence," IMO.  When he says something, he exudes confidence and commands respect.  Let's see if anyone gives Cain the respect he deserves.

[BEG]

I'm watching Gretchen Carlson interview Cain right now.  Cain has a "command presence," IMO.  When he says something, he exudes confidence and commands respect.  Let's see if anyone gives Cain the respect he deserves.

I agree

[Rebel]

Cain told informed voters exactly what they wanted to hear. The American Idol voters who go on sound bites? Not so much. When it came to foreign policy, all these guys were saying what they would do. ...which is BS poltical rhetoric as they don't know the circumstances and aren't privy to certain information. Cain said he'd meet with his advisers to develop a plan. THAT is the difference between a statesman and a politician.

[Janice]

 Let's see if anyone gives Cain the respect he deserves.

Respect for a true conservative? When has this ever occurred before? I guess Im missing something here. No... if he is a true conservative as I think that he is (Ive followed Cain for a couple of years now) ... that is the last thing he will get. He is a runaway slave to the Dems and good old fashioned, grass roots, common sense conservative (In other words an 'embarrassment') to the establishment GOP. Both parties will conspire together behind closed doors against any and all real conservatives.

But thats ok. Its expected. Now if he did get proper and due respect the way that the RINOS get, then I'd be suspicious. No, the only way he is going to get 'traction' or 'respect' is when we the voters give it to him. As we shall.

Cain said he'd meet with his advisers to develop a plan. THAT is the difference between a statesman and a politician.

This is also what is known as executive experience. Something Palin had in spades which all of the other candidates combined didnt have. But again, this is a conservative 'value'. And we all know ( or we should all know) what the media and the elites in both parties think of conservatives.

[IassaFTots]

I was dissapointed I missed it, but I ended up seeing the focus group.  Very interesting indeed. 

[Janice]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0_Xd4nX4M[/youtube]

For anybody who missed the debate

[Janice]

I've noticed that the debate segments on YouTube are dispersed all over the damn place rather than inserted more or less together in a handy manner. You actually have to do a manual search for each and every segment. So I'm goin' to organize all the links together for you right here. The first one is posted above. So here are the others.

First GOP Presidential Debate Part 2
First GOP Presidential Debate Part 3
First GOP Presidential Debate Part 4

My guess is that YouTube video is under liberal management.

[Ptarmigan]

Don't want any career politician. I think Cain would be a great one.

[Karin]

Neil Boortz was saying on the radio this afternoon that he took a look at google this morning.  The number one hit overnight concerned the Kentucky Derby.  The number two?  Herman Cain.

I can definitely get behind him. 

[Rebel]

Neil Boortz was saying on the radio this afternoon that he took a look at google this morning.  The number one hit overnight concerned the Kentucky Derby.  The number two?  Herman Cain.

I can definitely get behind him. 

http://www.google.com/trends

[thundley4]

Herman Cain
I will announce my decision regarding a potential White House bid on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be open to the public and we'll share more details this week! Stay tuned. Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

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I still don't understand why all these guys make announcements about when they will make announcements. I hope he does run.

[docstew]

I've noticed that the debate segments on YouTube are dispersed all over the damn place rather than inserted more or less together in a handy manner. You actually have to do a manual search for each and every segment. So I'm goin' to organize all the links together for you right here. The first one is posted above. So here are the others.

First GOP Presidential Debate Part 2
First GOP Presidential Debate Part 3
First GOP Presidential Debate Part 4

My guess is that YouTube video is under liberal management.

The whole debate in one segment:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Jjp_QvCLc[/youtube]

[FreeBorn]

Cain is definitely a solid prospect. Nothing fake about the guy.

I would not at all mind seeing a Cain/Rubio ticket.

That would kick the race baiters right in the nuts but that's not why I think a Cain/Rubio team would be good. A Cain/Rubio ticket would be a good one standing on its own merits. The fact that it would slap down the racists on the left is just icing on the cake.

As we all know, elections are decided by the middle America swing vote. I think that mushy middle would firm up behind Cain/Rubio.

[Lacarnut]

Cain is definitely a solid prospect. Nothing fake about the guy.

I would not at all mind seeing a Cain/Rubio ticket.

That would kick the race baiters right in the nuts but that's not why I think a Cain/Rubio team would be good. A Cain/Rubio ticket would be a good one standing on its own merits. The fact that it would slap down the racists on the left is just icing on the cake.

As we all know, elections are decided by the middle America swing vote. I think that mushy middle would firm up behind Cain/Rubio.

I would vote for Cain in a heartbeat. What bothers me is that conservatives keep grasping at straws. Remember after Scott Brown was elected senator from MA, many Republicans stated that he should run. The guy is a RINO at best. We have a long way to go before the primaries. Plus, I don't think a conservative who gets the nomination will make a dent in the Democratic black voting block even if Cain is our nominee. Independents decide elections and we better have someone who will take it to Obama with a full blown assault on his liberal policies if we expect to win.

[docstew]

I would vote for Cain in a heartbeat. What bothers me is that conservatives keep grasping at straws. Remember after Scott Brown was elected senator from MA, many Republicans stated that he should run. The guy is a RINO at best. We have a long way to go before the primaries. Plus, I don't think a conservative who gets the nomination will make a dent in the Democratic black voting block even if Cain is our nominee. Independents decide elections and we better have someone who will take it to Obama with a full blown assault on his liberal policies if we expect to win.

Which is what could make Cain such a powerful candidate.  Here we have a man who shares the belief about American exceptionalism and many principles with Reagan, supports comprehensive tax reform, knows how business runs, is a superb speaker, AND is virtually immune from having the race card played against him, having suffered the indignities that led to the civil rights movement.

[BlueStateSaint]

Which is what could make Cain such a powerful candidate.  Here we have a man who shares the belief about American exceptionalism and many principles with Reagan, supports comprehensive tax reform, knows how business runs, is a superb speaker, AND is virtually immune from having the race card played against him, having suffered the indignities that led to the civil rights movement.

Exactly.  If Cain runs, I'm in.  As I said upthread, Cain has command presence.  He exudes confidence, IMO.  He's BTDT--but he doesn't need to remind people about it--it appears that he's fixed on solving the next problem.

[Rebel]

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I still don't understand why all these guys make announcements about when they will make announcements. I hope he does run.

Dumbass McCain-Feingold campaign finance laws. There's a lot of stuff he can't do if he's running. I don't think he can have his own radio show, even though Obama has a 24/7 media conglomerate. Also to see if a candidacy is viable. He'd look like a dumbass or Alan Keyes if he just announced and no one else supported him.

[thundley4]

Dumbass McCain-Feingold campaign finance laws. There's a lot of stuff he can't do if he's running. I don't think he can have his own radio show, even though Obama has a 24/7 media conglomerate. Also to see if a candidacy is viable. He'd look like a dumbass or Alan Keyes if he just announced and no one else supported him.

Cain stopped doing his show back in early February.

[Rebel]

Cain stopped doing his show back in early February.

Then the latter is probably more applicable.

[Lacarnut]

Which is what could make Cain such a powerful candidate.  Here we have a man who shares the belief about American exceptionalism and many principles with Reagan, supports comprehensive tax reform, knows how business runs, is a superb speaker, AND is virtually immune from having the race card played against him, having suffered the indignities that led to the civil rights movement.

That has not stopped the DNC and the media from smearing Condi and Judge Thomas.

I would enthusiastically vote for him. However, I am not ready to fall in love with any of them. Look what happened to Fred Thompson who was my favorite last go round. 

[longview]

I'm glad Cain is starting to get more attention.  I like him. 

[Rebel]

That has not stopped the DNC and the media from smearing Condi and Judge Thomas.

Neither of them are an alum of THE southern "Black" Harvard, Morehouse.

[Lacarnut]

Neither of them are an alum of THE southern "Black" Harvard, Morehouse.

The media and liberals will smear him regardless of where he went to school.

[rich_t]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0_Xd4nX4M[/youtube]

For anybody who missed the debate

Thank you so very much for posting that.