Cain to Debate Newt: What Is Herman Thinking?
Polls show Herman Cain as the frontrunner, and things are going his way. Now, he has agreed to a “modified Lincoln-Douglas”-style debate with Newt Gingrich, where Cain has little to gain and a lot to lose.
On November 5, Gingrich and Cain will go mano-a-mano in a debate about entitlement reform, with no moderator and only a timekeeper from the Texas Tea Party Patriots. “It will be divided into parts, one for each major entitlement — Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid — with each candidate detailing their arguments,” says Bill O’Sullivan, the treasurer of the group. Obviously, the candidates will find ways to bring up other issues if they believe it to be advantageous.
Gingrich’s campaign says it will be respectful, and he will contrast his proposals with Cain “in a friendly way.” There will probably not be any heated, interruption-filled confrontations as happened between Romney, Perry, and Santorum during the last debate.
This debate is a blessing from Cain upon Gingrich. Whereas Cain has frontrunner status, Gingrich is in third place. He is steep in debt and unable to purchase the advertising he needs to be considered a top-tier candidate. The media still isn’t giving him much attention. He’s done well in the debates, but is restrained by the presence of seven other candidates on the stage. Gingrich needs to take away from Cain’s support, or he has no chance of winning. Now, he gets to take on Cain — and only Cain — in the forum that best suits Gingrich.
What does Cain have to gain? It is possible he could best Gingrich and take some of his support, but this is an unnecessary gamble. Cain could simply wait as the right-of-Romney vote coalesces around him and Gingrich’s campaign suffocates. Cain is in a strong position to become the sole alternative to Romney, and if he does he probably wins the nomination.
An important fact that is being overlooked: Cain was hammered in the last debate, yet his support hasn’t dropped at all.
This separates him from Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, whose candidacies quickly fell after being piled on in the debates. As a matter of fact, Cain has a slight lead nationally in the RealClearPolitics poll average. His campaign says he is now raising $1 million per week. At the same time, Rick Perry intends to use his large war chest for a “total destroy mission” against Romney, in the words of someone familiar with his campaign’s plans. This will take negative attention away from Cain, and brings to mind the mutually caused destruction of the Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt campaigns in 2004.
The Iowa caucus comes on January 3. Cain has a 5.5% lead in the RealClearPolitics average. Should he win, there will be a media firestorm, and in all probability Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann will drop out. Rick Perry’s campaign will be injured, probably fatally. All of their support goes to Cain.
Mitt Romney will win New Hampshire (likely on January 10). This eliminates Jon Huntsman, whose miniscule number of supporters he will take.
South Carolina comes on January 21. Here, RCP’s average has him with a 5.7% lead today. Gingrich’s campaign depends upon winning this state, and if Cain wins Iowa, it’ll be hard to see how he overcomes Cain’s momentum. He and Perry are gone if Cain wins. At this point, Cain has rallied the anti-Romney vote behind his candidacy, and he is the favorite to win the nomination.
Cain now has two options. He can move forward with the debate and plan on criticizing Gingrich, such as by mentioning his support for the individual mandate. He’ll have to be extra careful not to make a gaffe worth reporting, as no broadcast networks currently plan to cover it. He can hope that not many people will see Gingrich at his best. Or, he can find an excuse to drop out. It’ll be obvious he realized he made a mistake, but if his supporters stuck with him through the last debate, they’ll stick with him through that decision.
Herman Cain’s campaign is in a position that very few people, especially in the media, ever thought it would approach. Debating Gingrich one-on-one is a gamble he doesn’t need to make.
Also see: Dem Wit: GOP Likes Cain Because ‘He’s a Black Man Who Knows His Place’”
And check out: Is Karen Finney Secretly Working for Herman Cain?
Why would the frontrunner give a chance to middle-of-the-pack Gingrich, a great debater?
Be it wise or be it not, Herman Cain is not a typical cover your ass political piece of s**t. The man has balls.
Cain realizes he is going up against Obama next year, so he is sharpening himself by going up against the best debater in the Republican team this year.
agreed
he needs to practice. He will be going up against a dude who has played the Presidential run game for 8 years.
What a great opportunity for the two of them to get comfortable together and be able to find common themes to engage on. Preview of Cain/Gingrich 2012 campaign.
My take on it, as well.
It maybe eighteen years but Gingrich is the only one with experience taking a Democrat fortress. He knows everyone in politics for the last thirty years and most who call themselves Republican owe him. Cain is going to need about three hundred people to become president. I don’t know how many he has but Gingrich will have anyone else he needs.
As it turns out, you were right! They presented more of a united front than anything else, right from the beginning, but when Cain asked Newt that VP question at the end, I was really surprised. Not that Newt would be his choice for running mate, but that he would be so transparent about it this early in the race. They would be a great team, though.
Cain is nothing more the a piece the establishment is using to help Romney. As soon as his use is done, they will destroy him. They just need to split the conservative away from Perry, and Cain does this well. Cain will be a easy target for them because he has no experience, and has no foundation to get the vote out. If Cain or Romney is the nominee, I will just work to keep the house and win the senate, because the presidency is gone. Romney’s people paid to have Cain win the Florida straw poll for a reason, because they knew it would give them an opening to push Cain until its time to dispose of him, they would have a hard time doing that with a strong Perry, because he has the record and money to fight back. Cain has his role, but it is to help Romney. This is why conservative had to damn near force him to attack Romney.
The remaining 7% sticking to Perry all think it is a grand conspiricy against him involving everyone else. Perry is a flop because of himself. Perry supporters want to make a bogeyman out of Romney and make him the issue instead of Perrys own hopeless positions on issues. Perry is an ex Al Gore supporting Democrat who flipped red as the state moved red. Cain is a great man. Romney is a great man. Bachmann is the best of all (how does the House tea party leader get passed over?). Perry supporters need to man up and accept there is no conspiricy. Their candidate is a dud.
Mike, you simply don’t know the facts. I don’t care if you like Rick Perry or not, but you should tell the truth. I have lived in West Texas for over thirty years. It is and always has been a Conservative area. During that time, the Democrats became increasingly liberal, and the state shifted to the Republican Party. About twenty years ago, Rick Perry switched parties. Perhaps you didn’t know, but at that time, Al Gore was a different person. He was much more Conservative than his is today. Also, Ronald Reagan switched parties at a later age than Rick Perry.
I have seen people make the snide comment you did time after time. It is based on ignorance not fact. The only dud here was your answer.
You are right. Perry voted for Carter, who was never even remotely conservative and ONLY got into office because of reaction to Watergate.
Until this current President, it is likely that Carter was the Worst or Second Worst President of the last 100 years. Obama may beat him though.
Oh, please! I was a delegate at the Florida Straw Poll, and from the day before the vote we were sure there was going to be a Cain upset. If you had been there to hear him speak at town halls, at CPAC, then witnessed his speech immediately before the straw poll (he and Newt were the only two to stick around to address us, by the way) and had seen the sea of people holding Cain for President signs in the audience, you would never have made this comment that Romney bought the Straw Poll results. Nobody seemed more surprised or delighted than Governor Rick Scott, who also comes from a Corporate background.
I personally know of some 50 people who were there that day as delegates and changed their minds to Cain when they were supporting other candidates prior to Presidency 5. Romney doesn’t have to pay to take votes away from Perry – Perry, I’m sorry to say, is doing a fine job of alienating the American public a little more with every debate that he participates in. It’s actually rather disappointing.
Absolutely. As well, in one of the debates, when Cain was asked, who among the panel of contenders he would pick for veep (if her HAD to) Cain was not coy. He said it would absolutely be Newt.
I think this is a win-win for both, and a real chance to see good discussion of how to implement the conservative agenda. I love it.
It could make both of them look really good.
Newt could do the party (and society) a favor by attacking the high-tech lynching on the way for Cain as it gains traction. It would also allow Gingrich to improve his standing as being against the media and as a spokesman for reform.
(And if this media-led attack on Cain fails, the they will pull something else up and make it sound legitimate.)
give Newt a chance
Newt is a crook, he has always been one. Yes he is slick, yes he is smart, but he will never be president. Lets remember, why he was going after Clinton for cheating and lying, Newt was doing the same thing. This is why the establishment has not helped him. They know he is toxic.
Did Newt commit perjury, because I missed his lying under oath.
Newt had and affair, and so did Clinton. The affair was not a crime. Clinton’s crime was falling into a perjury trap.
He was being deposed in his sexual harassment lawsuit and he lied under oath.
Newt and Clinton did not do the same thing. Clinton broke the law.
Wow, nice to run across someone that knows the facts…
If they publicly contend well, and go mano-a-mano, they could get a serious boost by conjoining their campaigns afterward.
The debut of the Cain/Newt ticket?
Or possibly Cain is starting to believe his own press, and now thinks he’s God’s gift to the political arena. Thinking thus, he would no doubt be convinced that he could out-debate Gingrich, who, for all his flaws, is a savvy and experienced statesman; whose knowledge of how the government works could and has filled volumes; and who can, and will, run circles around Herman Cain in any one-on-one. I wouldn’t say this is the smartest move on Cain’s part.
Personally, I think this is just an attempt by both campaigns to get away from the soundbite format of the debates and really focus on the issues. These two care about advancing conservative ideas as well as gaining the White House.
This forum gets rid of the liberals, Romney and the moderator. Gets ride of the libertarian, Paul. It places the two most articulate conservatives on stage and will be a fun night.
And yet liberal and conservatives alike are having to break out the smelling salts because Rick Perry is contemplating giving up those useless debates where–so far–almost all questions have been virtually the same in each debate and the venue and questioners are all lefties.
This is pure genius!
And I very much prefer this to become a Cain vs Newt primary, instead of the Romney vs Anybody but Romney.
I agree with you. There are men in this primary, and there are boys. Romney and Perry are the boys and they both deserve to get a firm kick in the hinie and to be knocked out of the race altogether. It is my fervent hope that Newt and Cain have put their heads together for strategy purposes and decided that what is needed is an adult approach to catapult Obama and the Democrats out of power for a very long time to come. Look for a very civil but enlightening debate and for a Cain/Gingrich or Gingrich/Cain ticket. I would be delighted with either.
Katinka: “There are men in this primary, and there are boys.”
So is Michele Bachmann a man or a boy?
Bachmann is still in?
Rick Perry is a “boy” who need his “hinie” kicked? I don’t know where you come from but it’s obviously somewhere that real men don’t hunt, join the military, love their families or have any idea what integrity is at all. Romney and Cain are a couple of slicksters who are going for President and Vice President. We’re being played and double teamed and it amazes me that so many of you fall for it.
Nicely put.
And who can forget: “If you oppose giving American tax dollars to foreign invaders, you have no heart.” I have no confidence in Perry (aka Bush III) as commander-in-chief. He’ll make little effort to secure the borders and continue to allow Moslem barbarians to flood-in creating more Dearbornstans and Jihad Alleys, Virginia.
Real men (and patriots) don’t play footsies with Islamists.
Just what the country needs, another RINO Texan who spouts such utter nonsense as:
“We have a huge Muslim community in the state of Texas,” he says, and many of these Muslims are “great businessmen and women, very good supporters of mine. … We are an incredibly diverse state. I sell it as part of our strength.”
Perry is still a Deathocrat and opportunist.
Every single foaming at the mouth thing you just said was either taken out of context or deliberately misquoted–which is lying.
Such a dilemma, should I believe Kathryn or my own lying eyes and ears?
Kathryn, don’t forget to give my regards to Aga Khan.
You’re correct Kathryn, Rick Perry is not a boy.
He’s a dolt (or at least he’s played one on tv lately), and a pay for play crony capitalist who has some issues with the Constitution and the individual’s rights/freedoms.
Oh, and he’s an opportunist who has never met a campaign donor he hasn’t loved…and given some quid pro quo to.
You can say until your blue in the face that everything negative about him has never been proved and is unsubstantiated smear…but at some point it might be wise to consider: why are so many people wondering the same things about him if some hint of a problem wasn’t there?
Rick Perry has shown himself to be a petty, small minded man who panics in hard times.
As a Texan I would probably support a republican who would oppose him for governor.
Debating Gingrich will eliminate the inane moderators with their loaded questions, and certainly catapults both men into national focus.
Is Cain making his VP pick? If you could put Cain and Gingrich in a blender, you would have a perfectly balanced candidate. Gingrich is strong exactly where Cain is weak. It is a startling move.
Cain/Gingrich is an all Georgia ticket. Does that still matter? For regional balance Perry, Cain or Gingrich need to go to Wisconsin for Paul Ryan.
It does matter. The President and VP cannot be from the same state. This was one of the arguments thrown up against the Bush/Cheney ticket – that they were both from Texas – so Cheney had to re-establish himself as from Wyoming.
Stop spreading this misinformation. There is not provision in the constitution barring candidates from the same state from appearing on the same ticket for President and Vice-President.
Refer to the article at Snopes.com why this common perception is incorrect.
Upon further investigation, I stand corrected. The President and Vice President can be from the same state.
I apologize for adding incorrect information into this discussion
Cheney did change his address and voting places since the twelfth amendment to the Constitution does forbid electors from voting for President and V.P if they reside in the same state.
From Wikipedia:
A few months before the election Cheney put his home in Dallas up for sale and changed his drivers’ license and voter registration back to Wyoming. This change was necessary to allow Texas’ presidential electors to vote for both Bush and Cheney without contravening the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which forbids electors from voting for someone from their own state for both President and Vice-President.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Text
Newt resides in McLean, VA.
I like the idea. It will give us an opportunity
to dig deeper into each candidate’s positions.
Each of these men have something to gain and/or lose
but “we the people” will benefit.
I love the Herminator but he needs to prove he can play
with the big dogs.
what is not to like about this?
I hope Perry does find his place nuking Romney in the early states. He will do the conservative movement a huge service if he does. Hell I might send in a check if I know it goes to a Romney-care attack ad in Iowa et al.
Actually, this is pure genius.
It works if they stick to one thing…respectful “coopetition” of ideas.
True, this breathes life into Newt’s campaign. It shows Newt at his best. In a circus of ideas, Newt is the ringmaster.
The forum is a boon for Newt. He can unleash idea after idea, articulate them with clarity and forcefulness, and he doesn’t have to waste time answering imbecilic “gotcha” traps from the propaganda machine.
But, Ryan…think this through thoroughly for Herman. IF…Newt doesn’t slyly attempt to dismantle Herman, but rather, pays him back the favor by giving Herman’s own plans and ideas RESPECT…Herman can play this like a Stradivarius.
Herman doesn’t have a glove lain on him. These two guys play the adults in the room…show how to exchange ideas without going negative, talk to each other in a respectful…maybe even an admiring way for each other’s positions …and personas.
They carve themselves away from the pack…and subliminally plant in the minds of those who perpetually claim they don’t like negativity…a way to give the people what they want. A mature, adult conversation…unfettered by the propaganda machine, …with no wasted time by fringe candidates.
Herman will be charming and likeable. Newt will be erudite and professorial.
If Newt sticks to the agreement…Herman comes off as holding his own with a clearly bright, articulate, lifelong politician…with a commanding presence and a treasure trove of ideas. It elevates him automatically as a peer to a master.
Newt has a damaged “brand”. That “brand” can be improved by appearing with a charming. likeable, “down to earth” type. He can appear more “genuine” and warm. But…Newt is who Newt is. You can’t erase or overcome his “image”…you can only remediate it to a certain extent.
If Newt sticks to the gameplan…he gets a bump in his image. Herman builds a brand. Elevates his standing. Shows he can hold his own with a top gun in the idea/debate arena.
It’s Newt doing Herman the bigger favor….IF…he sticks to the gameplan. They both win…but Herman knocks Romney off his perch. If they do this right…Herman wins the nomination.
I agree with your comment and see this as a BIG potential WIN-WIN for both sides. However, the important point I take away from this is that this true debate is going to showcase the fact that the Republican Party is the party with the BIG ideas for moving America forward focusing on individual responsibilites with very little talk of group think politics.
I think Herman is going to exceed expectations and do very well in this format. Remember, Herman has worked at the upper echelons in the corporate world and has had to make plenty of presentations in front of powerful executive committees and boards of directors and defend his positions. Yes, this is different than running for POTUS, but I think Herman’s experience of being in the hot seat will serve him well. Herman and Newt, I believe, have a genuine like and respect for each other and both men will be genial and professional and, who knows, we just might be getting a preview of the Republican ticket for 2012.
My first reaction to the headline was huh? But after reading your assessment I tend to agree. Well said!
I was thinking along the same lines. In addition to your observations, there are several good things coming out of this.
Undermining the media sponsored debates, showing them for the shallow mediocre soap-opera-esque events they have become. There is no room for substantive debate in the format adopted by the tv networks. I can foresee these debates, if done right, attracting millions of viewers, on par with network sponsored debates if not higher numbers.
Conservatism will be exemplified. No matter their disagreement on the particulars, the overarching discussion will center upon conservative philosophy; limited constitutional government, the individual’s sovereignty, American exceptionalism. The contrast to Liberalism alone is worth it.
Putting the focus on the track record of the Obama administration as well as the previous Congress. The debates so far turns fire inwardly, except for the first two.
Lastly, letting Cain be Cain and Newt be Newt would give a truer impression of the substance behind the men.
In addition to what you said, cf, Cain is setting Newt up to be his VP. Or maybe Vice-versa (pun intended).
Newt will also see it as showcasing the idiocy of the regular debate formats. They really should be man-to-man events, 30 minutes, round-robin style.
This will be two adults discussing serious matters in adult fashion. If folks tune in, it will be very well-received. It would really display Conservatives in their natural light.
The only risk is if it turns into a slug-fest. I think it won’t. Each is the other’s probable VP, or at least Cabinet member. This will more likely be a love-fest.
This is very smart. They are colluding in this.
What cf said.
Cain-Gingrich…hmmm. I’ve heard worse thoughts. A black gentleman with a head on his shoulders and a white statesman. That works for me. Herman Cain can give black America a look at what a responsible black man can do. Mr. Gingrich will bring some stability and experience to the #2 position; I’m sure that he won’t be a coat in the closet like so many VPs have been. His experience will be there for Mr. Cain in matters he has none in, so this is a great thought.
Two middle aged men in the top positions, with a decent Congress, might go a long way in starting to repair some of the problems we have in the political arena. Bring back Condi Rice to State.
Bring back Condi Rice? The woman who fed Israel to the wolves during Bush’s second term? No way!
Agree, cf’s analysis sounds right.
My thoughts exactly — if Cain manages to even hold his own against Newt, it could bolster his campaign in areas it needs bolstering.
I think there’s a lot to be said for this. Having a real exchange of ideas will benefit both (likely at the expense of Perry). If Cain does well, it could pull over those who worry about his ability to handle a long-term political campaign. It also freezes out Romney. But what it does most, and this is the true genius of it, is sets Cain up to challenge Obama to a similar debate, where Obama’s second-best weapon (besides the teleprompter), the moderator, would be neutralized. Cain is looking ahead.
There’s no danger that Newt will gain much from this. Everybody KNOWS that Newt is a brilliant guy who can handle this well. We just don’t trust him to be conservative anymore. Newt can’t gain from this because he’s already got the respect such a debate can bring. Only time and consistency can heal the damage he’s done to himself – more time than he has before the election.
Cain & Gingrich cannot be on the same ticket because the president and vice-president cannot be from the same State.
Cain & Newt should both dismember Romney in a firm, clear-thinking manner. Romney is not a conservative. This election needs to be about moving the perceived middle significantly further to the right!
I find Cain immensely likeable, but unfortunately out of his depth. We have learned that the presidency is not a place for on-the-job training. That would necessarily be the situation with Cain. He has admitted as much on foreign affairs, which is the primary purview of the presidency.
Newt must dismantle him gently, with good humor and grace.
Cain could easily fit as a cabinet officer, or a potential VP for Perry or Romney.
I can also see Newt as a VP or at the State Department in the next administration, which must be won by the GOP.
Incorrect. There is not a provision in the constitution barring candidates from the same state from appearing on the same ticket for President and Vice-President.
Please refer to the article at Snopes.com why this common perception is incorrect.
They can be from the same state, but that state can’t vote for both of them – which makes it an electoral disadvantage that would preclude it in most cases.
I think he just respects Newt more than he respects Romney or Perry. I’m not sure it’s even about the horse race, or winning or losing.
It’s about showcasing what two articulate, intelligent men believe on a subject. How refreshing.
I respect the fact that Cain is willing to debate him even though it does look like a risky decision that could jeopardize his front runner status. Perhaps we need more leaders like this.
Speaking of debating Newt, there is a humorous cartoon at http://drawfortruth.com/2011/10/28/obama-newt-romney/ related to this topic.
Another cartoon at http://drawfortruth.com/2011/10/29/mitt-romney-plastic-man/ shows you why few people support Romney.
“,,,no moderator and only a timekeeper from the Texas Tea Party Patriots”.
Makes me say, “hummm”. Does anyone think the Texas Tea Party Patriots might possibly have a favorite dog in this race and want to give a platform for him to learn? And since none of the MSM outlets plan to cover the event, without national coverage to what end? It will do little real good except to give Cain some much needed experience debating with a top notch political mind. Even if Newt mops the floor with Herman in a one-on-one, Herman still wins because there won’t be a huge audience to see it and he walks away with valuable insight into the process. Herman Cain might just be getting some 1st rate tutorials for everyone’s favorite professor.
As I said,,, makes me say, “hummmm”
Because this debate will be by and for reasonably smart adults there is a good chance that most of America will not watch, care, or understand. (Santorum will whine. Paul will stammer about the Fed. Bachman will get louder. Romney will be combing his hair .) Gingrich, as usual, will win the debate but Cain will get the boost in polls. Go figure. The Old Guard Republicans will ultimately find their John McCain to lose to BO. Where is the Tea Party ?
Wouldn’t be a hoot if Cain and Gingrich team up for the assault on Obummah? THAT TEAM WOULD BE UNSTOPPABLE!!!
Very clear choice to Imam Obummah and Brain Tumor Biden.
NOBAMA IN 2012!!!!!!
This “debate” is going to be an infomercial for Newt. Good for him. It’s about time people see what a great mind Newt has and that he could actually be an alternative to Romney. You can like Cain all you want, but for a guy with absolutely NO government experience, he’s not going to go far in Washington. And no matter what your agenda is, if you can’t get it passed in Washington, it’s useless. Newt can get the job done and if Bachmann can’t get the nomination, take a second look at Newt.
Although it sounds good, there cannot be a Cain/Gingrich ticket. They are both from the same state. Constitution says the President and Vice-President must be from different states.
No, the Constitution does not preclude President and Vice-Presidential candidates on the same ticket from the same state from running.
If in doubt, refer to Snopes.
Can’t be true, Seadad: the current President and Vice-President are both from the State of Incompetence.
He’s thinking that Gingrich is known as the thought leader in the GOP and that he (Cain) does well in debates. If he does really well against Newt, he shows himself an intellectual leader as well, and he expects to do well.
JBTX – Those were my thoughts exactly. The article said that no national broadcast was planned (MSM or otherwise.) So, who’s gonna know? The voters are being cheated on this. We’ll probably be treated to the text the next morning, but it won’t have the impact of watching body language and listening to inflections.
Another poster above said that Pres. and VP can’t be from the same state. Is that true? If so, one of them could move-??
No, it is not true that the Pres and Vice Pres cannot be from the same state.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/vicepresident.asp
Check it out.
Thanks for the link!
You are correct that it is not true that the Pres and Vice Pres cannot be from the same state.
It, however, appears that no state’s electors may vote for a Pres & VP from their own state.
By my reading, should a Cain/Gingrich ticket win Georgia, the Georgia electors would be forced to vote for a non-Georgian for one of the two positions — VP being most likely.
So long as the electoral vote isn’t closer than 16 votes, no big deal. If it is within 16 votes, it seems we could see a Cain/Biden(Clinton) administration.
It looks like the last time that the Pres and VP electoral college totals diverged was in 1896. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781450.html
The “Cheney Maneuver” is still on the table, though.
You are welcome for the link.
Since Georgia has a total of 15 electors, I don’t honestly know how that would play out if the popular vote goes completely Red on a Newt/Herman ticket, or vice versa. I can see the votes being split 8/7, or so,,, one way or the other if the Dems take a significant portion of the precincts, but I don’t really see the odds of that, I’m guessing Georgia would get behind the home boys.
Some body smarter than me will figure that out.
I hate it when I hit the “submit” instead of the “preview” button before I’m finished thinking…
And,,,, I think this is an exercise in counting chickens before the eggs hatch, the race is still very fluid at this point. However you have to admire Cain and Gingrich for having the guts to make a break from the herd. This is a chance for them to put their own stamp on the nomination process and leave the MSM jerks in the dust. I am damned tired of the “Good Old Boys” in NYC and DC telling us who our candidate should be, they are the ones who gave us McLame and have also told us Sarah Palin is “unelectable”.
There, I think I’m done now.
Cain’s decision to debate Gingrich was a gutsy one and I applaud him for making it. It was a judgment call and judgments are sometimes right, sometimes wrong.
As with most judgment calls, the proof of its wisdom or foolishness will be in the result. If the debate goes well for both, Cain wins because he will have dispelled the notion held by some that he can’t think on his feet and is just a pleasant conservative guy with a pleasing voice who lacks smarts. Gingrich won’t win because he has nothing to win. He has already established that he has lots of smarts and is a good debater; he has come up a bit in the polls but reestablishing his smarts and ability as a debater won’t give him much of a bump. If Cain stumbles all over the place and does very poorly, he will lose but probably not disastrously. I don’t think that will happen.
The Cain-Gingrich debate will not have the absurd structure that made the multi-candidate debates a gotcha farce. That should be a big plus for Cain as well as for the rest of us.
I do have a suggestion for PJ Media. If the debate is not televised nationally and PJTV can carry it live, it would be great. I would even pay a bit to watch. Some drunk blogging would also be good.
So a “debate” with only two candidates? Wow, I thought these guys shunned debates with little to no coverage/questions to all the other candidates. Now they are gonna take part in one with just themselves. Ha! No, I’m not picking my candidate out of only those two. I’m fact, I won’t be voting for either one of those two at all.
Oh, one more thing. I’m from Texas, and the Texas Tea Party Patriots are by far the worst and dumbest Tea Party group out there. They truly suck big time! Have NO credibility whatsoever.
We will not be voting for the Texas Tea Party. We
will be listening to two candidates debate issues
and determining if they will get our vote in the primaries.
If MSNBC put on the same type of debate, I would watch it.
It is not nice to accuse groups or people without proof of the
accusation.
Really? Is that because they/we don’t just fall over ourselves in looove with Ricky?
Texas Tea Party Patriots Rock! They were the only major Tea Party in the Houston area who continued to GROW from event to event until a major split made them start anew. And here they are doing what they do best: thinking big and working hard to elect true conservatives that support our Tea Party values of Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets.
Way to go, Julie, Sandy, Bill and all of you at Texas Tea Party Patriots!
This is like a Dragonball Z training fight between Goku and Piccolo..
both win by increasing their fighting power.. the evil Freeza (Obama) awaits..
That’s too good! The boys and I watch Dragonballs every Saturday morning while my wife gets a deserved sleep in.
Yes, in Randian fashion the good vs. the good. We love Dragonballs and I particularly enjoy the flat-out Good vs. Evil, no holds barred approach the creators and producers were willing to articulate. Great animation and a great story arc. Maybe the same can be said for Cain and Newt. Much promise.
I’m completely puzzled by this, especially when it won’t be televised and no one will see it, UNLESS someone makes a major gaffe.
With that said, it seems to me that there could only be one outcome, a negative one, if Newt or Herman screws up big time…….
The Lincoln/Douglas debates weren’t televised either but, obviously, word got out.
There IS the internet(GBTV, PJTV?).
Excellent! This will place MSM (We The Elite People)in the passenger seat by literally transforming their hegemony on Presidential debates, political reporting, putting the reins back in the hands of We The People.
Three fundamental programs,entitlements, all from progressive thinkers and doers of 1930′s will come under the microscope (if Lincoln-Douglas, even modified, is done right).
We The Elite People must be stunned, in disbelief.
MSM must be spasmodic. Can you hear the silence? They don’t know what to make of this. A coup d’etat by both Cain & Newt. Show We The Elite People how We The People handle our affairs.
We The People lay all matters on the table (no fear) analyze each issue, decide on an appropriate action and either execute in one fel swoop or phase solutions in over time. Go, Newt & Cain…you’ll both win, show a new face to US’s citizenry, be brave, be bold. Git’r-done!!!
Since neither Congress nor the Senate have courage to come to terms with Our Beloved USA’s cry for help, We The People will take the reins, get our well taken care of horses to ride in a new direction to that light upon a hill.
Ride hard, ride firm take Our USA to its rightful place of Excellence.
Perfect, We The People will be in the drivers seat. Both Newt & Cain will show the way. We The Elite People can come along for the ride (smell the roses).
Vote massively this primary and general election for massive fraud will befall our Beloved USA. God Bless America.
I subscribe to the theory of 2012 being an election like no other. For instance, in the conventional wisdom of the “polished and professional” candidates in the Romney mold, you avoid offering specifics until you are cornered into it, so you maintain fluidity in your position and seize opportunity when it comes.
But Cain resolved to break this rule, and stick his neck out early with the bold 9-9-9 proposal. He would not be where he is without having violated this technical rule of conventional prudence. Romney did propose something, but it’s a long and complicated proposal, so it’s not really audacious, because nobody feels familiar with it, and Perry did propose something, only in response to Cain’s leadership.
For the guy who starts near the bottom, risk taking is the only viable strategy. What has been called “debates” so far are not debates as much as colorful spectacles. In this “format” there cannot be any authentic debate, where ideas are examined and counter-examined in good depth. Two adversaries agreeing to join in an authentic debate within the bounds of civility, and perhaps even with some humor, are elevating themselves above the electoral folklore, and both stand to gain from it, by showing more respect for the electorate than for the media’s big guns.
Cain admires Newt, and many of us admire both. Cain has a picture of Newt in his office, and when asked in one of the early circuses what would be his choice for VP, again, he stood out by being specific, and chose Newt and complimented him. Gingrich is somewhat handicapped by his academic-slash-professorial demeanor, and it is good for him to sit down with a main street fellow and demonstrate his chops in matters of economy and common sense. In my view, they both win, but even before that, they both distinguish themselves from the pack.
Would we be so lucky as attending the debate on PJTV? After all, (before all?)2012 a very pivotal election, including the unprecedented importance of new media.
He’s the only candidate that could give Newt a run for his money. But, you won’t find obama debating either one of them. Ever. He’s a coward. Typical commie.
I love making easy predictions.
I predict that the Cain groupies will be ecstatic with his performance. Herman will destroy the man generally considered to be the best brain in politis today. The groupies will delight in pointing to the good humor that Cain will display as he is schooled by the only Republican besides Reagan and Dubya to have an impact on the national politics since Nixon. Every Cain gaffe will be countered by emphasizing his enthusiasm, honesty and conservative bon mots.
It’s a win win for Mr Cain, just like every other situation he has been in since Perry fumbled his run. Herman’s standard conservative talking points will be hailed as rocket science. The gaffes will be hailed as charming examples of a fresh voice unsullied by ever casting a vote.
The only problem with a man like Mr Cain happens when he gets elected, and is suddenly like the owner of a pizza chain trying to run the biggest bureaucracy in human history, and a rigidly liberal one to beat.
You heard it here first. Cain will win this debate by a landslide. I don’t know why they even bother to hold it. Just give him 3% more primary votes and save the effort.
Cain is shallow and not presidential. He uses his race to get attention and get people to like him. I’d never support someone who uses his race to say things that others cannot. I hate it when this happens in the real world, and I dislike it even more when it happens with a candidate. I’ve had enough with this shallow primary process. Romney, huh, really people. Cain helps Romney, and people act like this guy has ever done anything but use his race to get attention.
I like that. “Shallow”.
It’s kind of like Tim McCarver saying that Ron Washington is unorthodox.
Having watched both Cain and Gingrich in action, it seems to me that Cain isn’t even close to being in the same league with Gingrich—in intelligence, in education, in experience, in the depth, detail, and feasibility of his proposals, or in rhetorical ability–so, if Newt wants it to be, it will be a slaughter. But, I don’t think that Newt will go down this self-defeating path but will rather, somehow, finesse this debate to his advantage and likely to Cain’s disadvantage, by showing up Cain’s weaknesses/deficits in many critical areas.
This being said, if this debate is, indeed, not going to be nationally televised, and even if it might be available in toto on the Internet, its impact will be muffled and far less than it could be.
Now this was a ridiculous post.
“Cain isn’t even close to being in the same league with Gingrich—in intelligence, in education, in experience, in the depth, detail, and feasibility of his proposals, or in rhetorical ability”
Gingrich has a PhD in History. Cain has a bachelors in Mathematics and a Masters in Computer Science.
Gingrich has been a professor and a politician. Cain has worked his way up through the ranks of corporate America, achieving true success every step of the way, mostly through hard work.
Gingrich has not really offered any plans, none that I have heard of. Cain’s plan is solid in its numbers. It was worked out by a professional institution. It has been endorsed by Art Laffer.
Gingrich is an experienced commentator. Cain has done radio. Both are effective.
Gingrich has huge knowledge of, and experience in, politics. That is his only advantage over Cain. Yet Cain is beating him all over the place in polling. Cain is now raking in the cash. Gingrich is deep in debt. (Not STEEP in debt, Mauro! Duh!)
I have chosen Cain as the best of a bad lot. The best men are not running. It is what it is. But to say that Gingrich is far superior to Cain in every way, without even making an argument for it, is just ridiculous.
Oh for Pete’s sake. The one thing you can NOT say about Newt is that he doesn’t offer any plans. Where on earth have you been? Newt has offered more comprehensive, solid, detailed plans than any of the other candidates.
Legislative proposals here: http://www.newt.org/contract/legislative-proposals
Be sure to click on the link at the bottom of Section 9, about judicial reform. The link takes you to his 54-page white paper on reforming the judiciary.
Herman Cain debating President Clinton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WP5dYfBBzU
I’m looking forward to this debate more than any of the other messes the lsm has foisted upon the Conservatives. Those have been nothing more than 30 second cage matches where nobody wins, especially the voters. HOTAIR.COM will have a link up to watch this live, they always do, and I will definately be in the audience. Regarding Newt/Cain being from the same state, although both are from Georgia, Newt is now a resident of, I believe, Virginia, while Hermain still lives in Georgia. But, a previous writer is correct, it is not illegal for a President/Vice-President to be from the same state. Probably more BS dished up from the DNC/lms. Never take what they say as truth….lol. We all should know better by now, dontcha know???
Let the better man win.
Mauro, you’re acting like a scared school girl. If Newt is more qualified, smarter and a better choice to lead the country, why wouldn’t we want to find it out as quickly as possible?
You’re thinking the way a leftist would think; everything about politics the country be damned. Go in a quiet room and think before you write.
An aside.
Except for Christian Adams and Roger Simon who produce a top notch product, the quality of pieces like yours is starting to make the quality of PJ Media fall like a blind roofer. And, to take a line from “Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las, that’s called sad.
How’s this for a startling thought. Both men care so deeply about this country and where it is headed that instead of the clown circus debates we have had so far orchestrated by the mainstream media whose sole goal is to destroy each and every possible Republican candidate (you too Fox News, your debate format was disgraceful), we will have an actual intelligent straight forward debate addressing the critical issues upon which the fate of our nation rests. How refreshing! What the author of the article fails to consider is that this debate will in the end benefit immensely both of the candidates, and wonder of wonders, actually educate the American citizen at the same time. Bravo Mr. Cain, Bravo Mr. Gingrich.
I admire both Cain and Gringrich for having the courage and love of country to stage this debate. Count me in as an avid watcher.
Thank you, Junius. Folks just can’t comprehend a truly passionate and committed individual. Believing you have an answer, passionately believing, means not just a willingness to explain, but an eagerness to explain so others can believe and help. Cain and Gingrich. I’m a definite viewer or reader or whatever I have to be to find out what these guys have to say.
If this debate is about entitlement reform, what’s to disagree on? It seems to me to be more of an exhibition for both guys than a duel.
Mr. Cain is the kind of guy who never backs down from a challenge. Back in his school days he took a hard major – Mathematics I believe — instead of sliding through college. Instead of becoming a bureacrat he went to work in fiercely competitive corporate america.
In sports he would be the kind of coach that schedules the toughest competition. Sure you lose a few, but it makes you tougher.
As a cancer survivor he also knows that we are only here for a quick minute.
Cain is no fool.
Romney only polls as high as he does because of name recognition.
This debate is between can Gingrich with Romney getting no free publicity out of it.
If Gingrich and Cain split the anyone-but-Romney-vote with the other half dozen candidates, then Romney will get the nomination.
The analysis is too accepting of the status quo in political analysis. Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich both seem to genuinely want to help the country. Maybe they think they can learn from each other. Maybe they think we all gain from a reasoned exchange. The “normal” debates are ludicrous with each candidate trying to wedge in little sound bites and catchy phrases. Good for both of them. Maybe Romney should offer to have a similar debate with Perry.
A Cain/Newt Newt/Cain ticket would be awesome.
I hope they don’t attack each other and instead attack the real issues this country is going through and ram home that 0bama needs to be OUSTED. Period.
Good luck, dudes! Take the gloves off for the issues, not for each other.
I think it is great. That last debate was beyond absurd. 30 second responses? Plus Perry thinking who mows Romney’s lawn was worth 5 minutes of debate time?
This elevates both Cain and Gingrich as the adults in the room.
I don’t think Cain’s strategy in debating Newt is about beating Newt, it is about showing the primary and general election voters where the ideas are. These two men are the best in the field and I admire them both.
I have really liked Newt’s performances – I am happy he will get some more airtime. Looking forward to seeing if Cain can match wits with him, might swing my opinion a little more towards him.
It is wonderful that teaparty will control an event, no biased host, idiot questions, sound bite time restraints.
Does anyone know if these two were selected by the Texans? if others were excluded from the invite? or chose not to appear? can we take it these are the faves of the Texas teas?
this move is genius on the part of both camps for all the reasons others here have stated so well
There’s only one thing wrong with this whole concept from my point of view and that is its billing as a debate on “entitlement programs.” It can hardly lay claim to that if it’s only going to focus on Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid, which are more accurately defined as reciprocally structured, pay-as-you-go programs, while completely ignoring the real entitlement programs, those 69-odd means-tested Great Society welfare programs that are costing the taxpayers a staggering $700 billion a year. That’s the real elephant in the room. It doesn’t seem likely to me that our problems are going to be solved by beating what’s left of the middle class into a pulp.
If the proposed debate were to be wide open, I would have to question Mr. Cain’s decision to participate in line with the reasons articulated by Mr. Mauro. My understanding, however, is that the debate is to be limited to a discussion of entitlement reform. Under these circumstances, I have no fear that Mr. Cain will come well prepared and more than hold his own to the benefit of both candidacies.
Now if Mr. Gingrich suggests they meet again the following week to discuss foreign policy . . . .
I am guessing that Cain will do much better than virtually anyone in the MSM and the Beltway is expecting. This is a good thing, and not expensive.
Perhaps Cain is trying to lend a hand to Gingrich specifically to deal a death blow to Perry’s candidacy.
Cain has said repeatedly how much he disagrees with Perry. He really doesn’t like him.
If after this debate, the Tea Party thinks better of Gingrich, then Perry comes out the loser. Perry will end up in permanent fourth place behind Cain, Romney and Gingrich–and that will be the end of his candidacy.
We’ve seen this kind of gamesmanship before: At one recent debate, Romney threw a softball question to Michele Bachmann just to keep her in the game. Romney knows that if the staunch conservative vote is fragmented among Perry, Cain, Gingrich, and Bachmann, Romney can sail through the primaries by winning the Independent vote in primaries where crossover voting is permitted.
If that were true, it would make me think better of Cain.
But I don’t see any evidence of deep thinking in Mr. Cain. He spits out whatever pops into his brain. Much of it sounds good, but there is also a lot of nonsense.
Newt won’t turn on him, but if he did, we would catch a glimpse of what Obama would do to him in a debate. Cain would be reduced to mouthing his slogans over and over. It would be a sad thing to watch.
Faith and blind trust isn’t going to elect a Republican president in 2012.
I really like this concept. The “debates” to date has given us little to judge these candidates by. Largely because the “journalists” conducting them have no interest in exposing the candidates positions on KEY (i.e., meaningful) issues. I hope this is the first of several such head-to-heads. Kudos to Mr. Cain. Agreeing to the debate indicates wisdom.
Here’s the future, folks: Cain announces at the debate that there is a great correspondence between Gingrich and his ideas. Therefore, if nominated, he will take Newt as his running mate.
After this anticipated great debate, I am looking forward to a great debate between Cain and Obama,debating among others,the American black people’s plight.
let’s go over that debate
O: I will give you money
Cain: I won’t
guess who will win?
I think Cain is loyal and grateful to the TEA Party for his rise. He feels comfortable and at home at TEA Party events. The event is a fundraiser. He sincerely wants to give back by helping them raise money and he also knows he needs to maintain their support. Finally, there’s also the possibility that Cain is not in this for the long run and his chosen candidate is Newt Gingrich. He is reintroducing Newt to the Tea Party. If he gets out, Newt is his man.
these comments are far more insightful that Huffington Post comments
but unfortunately less plentiful
I have been seeing this pop up a few places (especially in Team Cain) so I am going to re-post my rebuttal here. On the topic of the Newt/Gingrich Lincoln/Douglas style debate:
In the business world, there is a common competition misconception:
Say there are two Country Bars in town. Some guy walks into town and decides to open another. The two other bars get all upset because they think that the third bar will take some of the pie and they will now have less. So they fight and demean the new bar. They are actually very wrong. Here is why: If the three bars work together, they make the pie bigger and there is actually more to go around.
Mr. Cain and Mr. Gingrich have been friends for a very long time. Most do not know that. This will not be about struggling over the votes between them, this will be about making the pie that they share bigger.This is another brilliant idea that you must think through before judging it.
This debate will probably not swap many votes between the two of them. It will peel off most likely MANY votes from the other candidates, especially Romney. His following is very thin skinned. Made up of many who do not really pay much attention until the weeks before the election and chose him because he was on top.
Think of it this way…it is a debate with all the candidates…except…only Mr. Cain and Newt have their mics turned on.
Scott – I somehow missed your post, but that’s the same point I was getting towards two below yours. Limit Romney’s base and he won’t get above 25%.
This analysis is nonsensical and shows a lack of insight in the poll numbers.
This debate will have very little effect on Romney’s poll numbers. More likely it will take from Perry, Paul and Bachman — a bit from Cain and add those to Gingrich.
Which is fine with me. But Gingrich cannot beat Obama.
The only candidate who pretty consistently beats obama in national polls of all voters — not just republicans, is Romney. People who want to defeat Obama better figure this out if they want to win.
The person who comes in second to Romney, in defeating Obama is Ron Paul. He never actually wins in polls against Obama, but he is in “second place” I don’t like him though — he is dangerous for America. The person who comes in third seems to be Cain.
A Romney-Cain ticket has more support among Republicans than any other ticket and defeats Obama more than any other ticket. It is a winner.
Unfortunately, Gingrich does horribly against Obama in national polls. Which is just awful because he is a great man. But he cannot win.
Rick Perry is a small-minded, petty man, not fit for the office.
Fox built Cain up to split conservatives up, because they know he will never be able to withstand the heat when they feel it is time to destroy him. He has given them a bunch to work with. The whole plan revolves around keeping Perry from being Romney’s challenger, that is what gets Romney the nomination. If conservatives do not wake up, they will be stuck with Romney, which means Obama wins. This is a bad joke, and makes me wonder why conservatives seem to not vcare they are being played by the establishment.
This is a smart publicity stunt by both candidates. Sure it could turn out bad. The risk is well worth it and shows that Cain has good political instincts. Gingrich would need divine intervention but this might get him the VP slot.
What could Cain gain? Well if he can managed a decent showing he will gain a lot. No one is expecting Cain to keep up with Newt, but what if he does? He could win over a number of skeptics of which I’m one.
This could be a powerful precedent if it works and the format is demonstrably superior to the “quiz show” format we’ve been going with for the past few decades. Here’s why: if the voters like the idea, the eventual nominee can challenge *Obama* to the same kind of debate in fall 2012. Obama will either be completely humiliated, or he’ll refuse to debate at all. Either way, our guy wins. (This is why they should make explicit a “no teleprompters” rule from the start.)
I agree with Ryan. I have always like Gingrich and i totally support Cain. I know he is non-conventional ( i have rarely voted for the winner, so take that for what its worth) but Gingrich is a HELL of a DEBATER and I fear that this could hurt Cain. Dont do it!
If Cain goes through with this, it’s to bolster Newt as a way to box Romney.
Not all Perry people go to Cain if Rick dead-ends, so Cain needs Gingrich as a net to stop the “govt experience needed” group from going to Romney. Then, Newt joins Herman in some capacity. Gingrich could be the most effective Chief of Staff in history, if he felt it wasn’t a step down, but he probably does want Veep since then he could oversee the Senate.
It does not box Romney. Neither Cain nor Gingrich get the same voters as Romney — and are not likely to. This is a matter of polling data analysis, not merely opinion.
But, there is virtually no air of space between Cain and Gingrich on most issues. This will tend to give Gingrich more publicity and help him. It is unlikely to hurt Romney. — It may hurt Cain. It will almost certainly take from Perry and Bachmann and possibly Paul, as things Gingrich will say will appeal to the intellectual Paulians.
People are forgetting that Newt is very establishment in 2011, even though he was quite the renegede when he was first elected to the House in 1978 (just ask former GOP House Minority Leader Bob Michel) and that many of his supporters are prone to support Mitt Romney if, and when, his campaign ends after the first couple of primaries.
As for this debate – I don’t understand why Cain would want to open himself up to Newt Gingrich for three hours, without moderators, and with Gingrich having full opportunity to destroy 9-9-9 for thirty someodd uniterrupted minutes…..
Is Cain a “place holder” backed with big money for someone else? Do we now know who?
This indeed poses a conundrum, sort of, as I like Mr. Cain, but I’m pretty sure he isn’t too bright, and I dislike Newt, but he’s as smart as a whip.
(although I would grudgingly vote for Cain if I had to)
I just hope that Rick Perry hangs around long enough for people to realize that Mittens can’t be trusted, Cain isn’t very intelligent, and the other pretenders to the throne haven’t a chance of beating “King Barack the Growth Slayer”.
Buck up, GOP and keep the unqualified off the ballot.
~(Ä)~
Why would you say cain is not to bright?
Compare his work record to Obamas.
Cain was a math major in college. There is a limited group of people who can do that sort of course work.
Bush was supposed to be of limited intelligence as well, yet he was a qualified military pilot, again not something that most people are capable of.
High intelligence, once it is present in all applicants for the presidency, becomes a non-factor since smart people make as many errors as those who are less smart when the target is moving about some place off in the future.
Mr.Cain is refreshing..not afraid to speak his mind,offer solutions (999) and debate a great debator.
obuma will NOT debate Cain, Gingrich or Romney. Maybe Perry…. if all agree to allow the host to be msnbc and obuma be given a teleprompter.
Newt Gingrich is the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in forty years Under Newt’s leadership, Congress passed the first balanced budget in a generation, leading to the repayment of over $400 billion in debt.
Congress also cut taxes for the first time in sixteen years and reformed welfare, leading to over sixty percent of welfare recipients either getting a job or going to school. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities.
All spending bills originate in the House of Representatives and all taxes are voted into law by Congress. This means Bill Clinton did not balance the budget, the Republicans did, and Newt was speaker of the House and he also had a Consrervitive Senate as well after the shellacking we gave Democrats during Bill Clintons reign.
Since the Democrats have controlled the purse strings of congress since 2006, it would appear that Obama is merely continuing the slow destruction of our economy that was started by the democrat’s, and continues today. Why is it they can’t take the blame for things when they go badly as fast as they take the credit “if” things go better? Oh, and by the way, unemployment was under 7% near the end of the Bush administration, the deficit was actually only about $400 billion. This is something democrats will not and cannot admit! It will be a check mate moment!
The author, like most, underestimates Herman Cain…..He would never do
this if it wasn’t a planned collaboration between he and Newt. If executed
properly, this is simply beyond brilliant. Both need each other to win ending
with the conservative movement winning in the big race.
Almost everyone is missing the point – free press. He has had several million free impressions from the ‘smoker’ ad by simply doing two politically incorrect things at once that millions of voters identify with: smoking a cigarette and giving a ‘cat that ate the canary’ smile indicating “he knew that.” Crafty guy, guerrilla marketing at its best.
A Cain / Gingrich (or Gingrich / Cain) ticket would be outstanding – the governmental know-how of Newt with the straight-forward marketing / sales genius of Herman Cain (the humor also takes the edge off these intense times) could shore-up conservative values for decades. You’d sure know what you were getting.
Great points! In total agreement with you. A Cain/Gingrich or visa versa would be exactly what our country needs!
Make it happen, boys!
How to Lose an Election
Definitive results of Republican preferences for their party’s 2012 nominee for president of the United States are far from in although thousands have expressed their opinions in non-binding state straw polls. There won’t be any real results until the numbers from the January 3rd Iowa caucuses and January 1oth New Hampshire primary are tabulated.
Still, based on early polls, the debates, educated guesses, and inconsequential straw ballots, pundits and non-pundits alike have a gut feeling on who will snag the gold GOP ring and, perhaps more importantly, who should be the nominee’s choice for a running mate.
As of now, it looks like former Massachusetts governor Willard Mitt Romney for the top spot. Assuming Mitt wants to win on November 6th,2012, he will pick Florida’s Senator Marco Antonio Rubio to run with him against President Barack Hussein Obama and Person-to-be-Named-Later, after Obama tests how the fickle political winds are blowing.
Designated late night Democrat hatchetmen Leno and Letterman would have tons of idiotic fun poking ridicule at “Willard” and “Marco” while ignoring the equivalent hilarity of “Barack” and his comical gaffes and ineptitude but they won’t get the chance unless Willard and Marco share the GOP ticket.
As we all know, things can change quickly and dramatically in the world of contemporary politics. Witness New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s unexpected fade in the 2008 Democrat presidential sweepstakes and, more recently, Rep. Michelle Bachmann’s and Gov. Rick Perry’s falls from grace among Republicans.
We also know the sheer terror Rubio has struck in the liberal minds and soul-less hearts of Obama’s MSM as seen in the current campaign by the Washington Post, et al. to deconstruct Rubio based on an innocent error concerning the date of his parents’ flight from Castro’s Cuba. The lib theory seems to be, when you have nothing, go with it, the same angle they unsuccessfully used on Herman Cain.
Good man that he is, Cain can’t be elected despite his recent popularity; he’s even more inexperienced and unqualified to be president than a certain community organizer was three years ago and lacks the advantage of mainstream media backing him and concealing his flaws.
Barring some catastrophic event, a Hillary insurrection, or Obama pulling an LBJ, he will head the Democrat ticket next year and, barring a miracle, Romney will be the Republican nominee. He will then have to decide whether to beat Obama or try once again to win in 2016. . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=5846.)
I also want a mud wrestling between Palin and Bachmann but, alas, Palin didn’t run.
Now, seriously, I think PJTV should get in and transmit the Newt/Cain duel, people has spoken.
Palin and Bachmann jello wrestling match (fixed that for you).
LOL!
Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich both love America. They are also the most serious thinkers in the race. The four Governors in the race are Perry, Johnson, Huntsman and Romney in that order from fist in the nation to forty seventh. Yet some how the MSM expect the country to play that its Mitt Romney and one anti-Romney canndidate.
There is no reason for the country to dance to the MSM’s tune. Mitt Romney is not a serious candidate and like John McCain never will be.
Romney has a 70% chance of being the Republican Nominee at this point. He has the first two primaries pretty strong, he has huge money backing and he has a national organization. He consistently beats Obama in national polls — more than any other Republican candidate.
Ignoring him and declaring him to be irrelevant is just silly.
I agree with the article. This makes no sense at all for Cain. On generally ideology, there is almost no space between Cain and Gingrich — and Gingrich is seriously brilliant. Cain will not look good by comparison, even though he is also pretty smart.
I like many things about Cain. I also like Gingrich. Either one would be fine with me as would Romney. But not Perry, who has shown himself to be a small-minded, petty man — entirely not fit for President, nor Ron Paul who has some great ideas that are wonderful, but mixed with seriously bad ideas that will hurt the USA deeply.
No one else is even in the running at this point.
I think that as other candidates have in the past, Cain will fade vs Romney and Gingrich will be the next “fad” to challenge Romney. It will probably be a four-man race in the Primaries — Romney, Cain, Perry and Gingrich. I believe there is a 70% chance that Romney will be the nominee. I’m good with that as he is sufficiently conservative for me, very bright with an excellent track record of solving problems like those we are facing now as a nation. Plus his personal integrity is unimpeachable.
But I am also really fine with Cain and Gingrich although I don’t think Gingerich could beat Obama very easily. I think Romney and Cain are most likely to beat Obama and should team up in a Romney-Cain ticket. I have believed this for months now.
For years now, Newtie’s been yearning to be part of another Lincoln/Douglas debate series. If the closest he can get is a mano-a-mano with Herman Cain, so be it…
I see this as a win-win for both of them. Newt gets to showcase his verbal skills, and “Herb” gets to sharpen his. I hope someone will record it and upload it to YouTube, because I want to SEE and HEAR it, rather than read the transcript.
According to Newt Gingrich’s daily email, the debate will be broadcast on CSPAN and streamed on cspan.org and local to Atlanta on WBS radio. It might be nice if others cast it as well.
It is very sad that almost everyone seems to acknowledge Mr Gingrich as the most knowledgeable and experienced man in the race and then so many dismiss him casually. He has in the last 10 years since leaving the House, been involved in foreign affairs in the Bush administration and in medical reform in a foundation he and others founded.
In addition to writing books, he and his wife have also made movies and thus he has business experience as well. All this in addition to the achievements mentioned in the earlier post on his record as a Congressman and Speaker of the House.
As to plans, look at his web site. He has been thinking about this long before anyone else and requests feedback from the public. Listen to what he says to get a fair idea of plans – when asked he lists specific details where others talk generalities.
Why would the most adult and experienced person in this race be dismissed so casually? I’d like to see him as president but VP with Cain is ok too if that is what it takes to get over the notion that he can’t win the general election.
What is so sad is that people are treating this election as a popularity contest when the issues will determine the fate of this country for the foreseeable future.
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