I don't think Cain has a realistic chance, but a general election with Cain in the field would be fascinating to watch.
On one hand, we have a man who springs from a hardscrabble home - the son of two laborers; A self-made, Morehouse grad who is a direct decedent of slaves, which would be the first time a descendant of American slaves would be on any national ticket. And, a guy who was by any account, a successful businessman whose calling card was turning around a failing national enterprise. On top of that, he's a man who has real experience in monetary and other fiscal policy, and experience in national defense policy positions, too.
On the other hand, we have the son of a white, professional academic/activist mother and immigrant, Ivy League-educated father, who grew up in privileged Suburban HI, where he enjoyed the finest private education that state has to offer. And after graduation, he went onto arguably some of the most elite private colleges in the world. What private enterprise experience does he have? Zip. What financial experience does he have? Nada. What has his record been as sitting President? Unremarkable at best, miserable at worst.
Yep, Cain probably doesn't have a prayer, but it sure would be fun to watch.
Just to be clear, I think Cain's greatest hurdle comes in the primary, not the general election. I'm not sure if he'll catch-on outside a few states, to be able to capture the requisite number of delegates.
But, if he does, I think his chances of beating Obama are just as good as anyone else's, his lack of political office experience notwithstanding.
His presence in the general election would entirely moot Obama's only marketable strength - his minority status. Minorities aren't going to come out of the woodwork to vote against Cain, as they might for some other (white) GOP candidates.
At his first outings, he appeared to be just another fringe candidate, a know-nothing when it comes to national security or foreign policy. He also flubbed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” attributing it to the Constitution, as opposed to the Declaration of independence.
And yet, every time I've seen him (twice on CNBC, once on Fox), he comes across as a leader, as a man on fire to lead America back to a true prosperity. It is his passion and his background as a Baptist preacher that tell me he's for real, that he is grounded in something much bigger than politics.
A man can learn about foreign policy and national security; character can't be bought or learned in school. It is woven into his fiber.
As a plus, we know that the Obama crowd will play the race card against any conservative who runs. Mr Cain is a conservative against whom such a play will backfire.
Of course, I should have said "major party" nominee. There have been several African-American candidates who ran as Independents, or on minor party tickets, in the general election.
While I'm no fan of the Fed, I'm even less a fan of Ron Paul, which makes this prospect absolutely wonderful to ponder.
I think that Cain would positively destroy Paul on this issue-- Paul would spout off half-baked conspiracy theories of what the *imaginary* Fed is all about, while Cain could explain that, no Ron, the Reptoids aren't controlling our money supply.
Yes I knew this, and it fully explains how he knew in 2008 that TARP for the banks was actually necessary and unavoidable, unlike some more utopian tea party types with less empirically informed views on the subject.
Another part of his career you may not have heard a lot about - he has a serious hard analysis intellect. As in, his undergraduate degree is in math, and he has a masters degree in computer science. He got into business by being the computer systems and numbers guy who could make the back office work.
He is not a Po-Mo who majored in spin, in other words...
You said "it fully explains how he knew in 2008 that TARP for the banks was actually necessary and unavoidable, unlike some more utopian tea party types with less empirically informed views on the subject."
Can't politicians make this argument for everything? That we need higher taxes, or we are doomed. We need cap and tax, or we are doomed. We need government involved healthcare reform, or we are doomed.
I am perplexed how a so called conservative can be so eager to forget about all that when it comes to TARP. The reality is businesses are not too big to fail and the roly of government is not to prop up failing businesses with tax revenue.
A Cain and Rand Paul debate would be edifying. A Cain and Ron Paul debate would be entertaining. I hope that Cain is able to stay in the race as his presence could prevent other candidates from getting bogged down in tangential issues. It might also be good if Ron Paul stays in the race so that the majority of the candidates can appear to be 'reasoned' and electable!
NRO is effective at knocking down conspiracy theories from the right like the layered PDF birth certificate. I would like to see the hard facts on the fed, fractional reserve banking, "Creature from Jekyll Island" type conspiracy theories. Seem to me that the fed and fractional reserve banking has been a fantastic success, From the Dutch to the Bank of England to the FED.
A debate between Paul, Cain and four other candidates may not get to the meat of the matter.
Boards of directors of the regional Fed banks don't do much. It's really a ceremonial position. They come in a week or two before each FOMC meeting, hear a presentation from the President of the bank (Thomas Hoenig currently in Kansas City), and then take a symbolic vote following the bank president's recommendation on a request to the Board of Governors in Washington for where to set the discount rate. The only time a regional board of directors is important is in organizing and conducting the search for a new president when the old one steps down but even this is subject to strong oversight and veto by the Fed in Washington.
"But it's rare for someone to journey from the top of the business world to the tea party political fringe. That's what Cain has done."
"[T]ea [P]arty political fringe"? How unprofessional to allow one's disdain to drip into one's reporting. And has this "ace" reporter ever heard of the newly elected Senator from Wisconsin, Ron Johnson?
Come to think of it, what is the "norm" for Tea Party candidates? The movement is still in its nascent stages, no?
I don't ever look forward to hearing Ron Paul speak. He has the most annoying voice I've ever heard, save one (1924-1945).
This article seemed like an attempt to drive a wedge between Cain and his base of supporters, not an informative news or feature article.
Another example of how the days of hard reporting are gone with T Boone's wind farm.
How does a man go from Fed Chairman to CEO of a pizza delivery place?
Oh the face of it, it seems odd that a man with this kind of resume would be generating so much enthusiasm. I hate saying this, but I think he's kind of a Republican Obama...people think his black skin will be an asset against Obama, and I think that is dubious.
My gut feeling is that Cain is a plant sent in to split the GOP ticket. He is there for those white guilt ridden republicans to be able to say "You see, I voted for Cain, so I can't be a racist for not liking Obama"
If the best "skeleton" that other Republicans can find in Cain's closet is his Fed service, he's a shoo-in compared to the rest of the field.
Cain gets better and better, and meanwhile "front runners" keep getting worse. As far as I'm concerned (and I liked him last time a lot and felt bad that his faith kept him from consideration by a lot of so-called conservatives) Romney is "dead to me" with today's ringing endorsement of ethanol subsidies--not only wrong policy but obvious Iowa-groveling. Couple that with Romneycare and you have an empty suit. How many more have to drop out or self-destruct before people start considering Cain seriously? I am, I do, and I like him.
Vanity candidate. His campaign is a Cain Mutiny, not a Soul Train. Expect him to drop out after Iowa, where the winners will be 1 Bachmann 2 Perry 3 Romney... Unless Thune gets in the race. Bye bye to Gingrich and Santorum.
I don't think Cain has a realistic chance, but a general election with Cain in the field would be fascinating to watch.
On one hand, we have a man who springs from a hardscrabble home - the son of two laborers; A self-made, Morehouse grad who is a direct decedent of slaves, which would be the first time a descendant of American slaves would be on any national ticket. And, a guy who was by any account, a successful businessman whose calling card was turning around a failing national enterprise. On top of that, he's a man who has real experience in monetary and other fiscal policy, and experience in national defense policy positions, too.
On the other hand, we have the son of a white, professional academic/activist mother and immigrant, Ivy League-educated father, who grew up in privileged Suburban HI, where he enjoyed the finest private education that state has to offer. And after graduation, he went onto arguably some of the most elite private colleges in the world. What private enterprise experience does he have? Zip. What financial experience does he have? Nada. What has his record been as sitting President? Unremarkable at best, miserable at worst.
Yep, Cain probably doesn't have a prayer, but it sure would be fun to watch.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI look at your analysis and see Cain's glass as half full. I think he can win.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJust to be clear, I think Cain's greatest hurdle comes in the primary, not the general election. I'm not sure if he'll catch-on outside a few states, to be able to capture the requisite number of delegates.
But, if he does, I think his chances of beating Obama are just as good as anyone else's, his lack of political office experience notwithstanding.
His presence in the general election would entirely moot Obama's only marketable strength - his minority status. Minorities aren't going to come out of the woodwork to vote against Cain, as they might for some other (white) GOP candidates.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHerman Cain grows on you.
At his first outings, he appeared to be just another fringe candidate, a know-nothing when it comes to national security or foreign policy. He also flubbed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” attributing it to the Constitution, as opposed to the Declaration of independence.
And yet, every time I've seen him (twice on CNBC, once on Fox), he comes across as a leader, as a man on fire to lead America back to a true prosperity. It is his passion and his background as a Baptist preacher that tell me he's for real, that he is grounded in something much bigger than politics.
A man can learn about foreign policy and national security; character can't be bought or learned in school. It is woven into his fiber.
As a plus, we know that the Obama crowd will play the race card against any conservative who runs. Mr Cain is a conservative against whom such a play will backfire.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOf course, I should have said "major party" nominee. There have been several African-American candidates who ran as Independents, or on minor party tickets, in the general election.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhile I'm no fan of the Fed, I'm even less a fan of Ron Paul, which makes this prospect absolutely wonderful to ponder.
I think that Cain would positively destroy Paul on this issue-- Paul would spout off half-baked conspiracy theories of what the *imaginary* Fed is all about, while Cain could explain that, no Ron, the Reptoids aren't controlling our money supply.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes I knew this, and it fully explains how he knew in 2008 that TARP for the banks was actually necessary and unavoidable, unlike some more utopian tea party types with less empirically informed views on the subject.
Another part of his career you may not have heard a lot about - he has a serious hard analysis intellect. As in, his undergraduate degree is in math, and he has a masters degree in computer science. He got into business by being the computer systems and numbers guy who could make the back office work.
He is not a Po-Mo who majored in spin, in other words...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJason,
You said "it fully explains how he knew in 2008 that TARP for the banks was actually necessary and unavoidable, unlike some more utopian tea party types with less empirically informed views on the subject."
Can't politicians make this argument for everything? That we need higher taxes, or we are doomed. We need cap and tax, or we are doomed. We need government involved healthcare reform, or we are doomed.
I am perplexed how a so called conservative can be so eager to forget about all that when it comes to TARP. The reality is businesses are not too big to fail and the roly of government is not to prop up failing businesses with tax revenue.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseA Cain and Rand Paul debate would be edifying. A Cain and Ron Paul debate would be entertaining. I hope that Cain is able to stay in the race as his presence could prevent other candidates from getting bogged down in tangential issues. It might also be good if Ron Paul stays in the race so that the majority of the candidates can appear to be 'reasoned' and electable!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNRO is effective at knocking down conspiracy theories from the right like the layered PDF birth certificate. I would like to see the hard facts on the fed, fractional reserve banking, "Creature from Jekyll Island" type conspiracy theories. Seem to me that the fed and fractional reserve banking has been a fantastic success, From the Dutch to the Bank of England to the FED.
A debate between Paul, Cain and four other candidates may not get to the meat of the matter.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBoards of directors of the regional Fed banks don't do much. It's really a ceremonial position. They come in a week or two before each FOMC meeting, hear a presentation from the President of the bank (Thomas Hoenig currently in Kansas City), and then take a symbolic vote following the bank president's recommendation on a request to the Board of Governors in Washington for where to set the discount rate. The only time a regional board of directors is important is in organizing and conducting the search for a new president when the old one steps down but even this is subject to strong oversight and veto by the Fed in Washington.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"But it's rare for someone to journey from the top of the business world to the tea party political fringe. That's what Cain has done."
"[T]ea [P]arty political fringe"? How unprofessional to allow one's disdain to drip into one's reporting. And has this "ace" reporter ever heard of the newly elected Senator from Wisconsin, Ron Johnson?
Come to think of it, what is the "norm" for Tea Party candidates? The movement is still in its nascent stages, no?
I don't ever look forward to hearing Ron Paul speak. He has the most annoying voice I've ever heard, save one (1924-1945).
This article seemed like an attempt to drive a wedge between Cain and his base of supporters, not an informative news or feature article.
Another example of how the days of hard reporting are gone with T Boone's wind farm.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow does a man go from Fed Chairman to CEO of a pizza delivery place?
Oh the face of it, it seems odd that a man with this kind of resume would be generating so much enthusiasm. I hate saying this, but I think he's kind of a Republican Obama...people think his black skin will be an asset against Obama, and I think that is dubious.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy gut feeling is that Cain is a plant sent in to split the GOP ticket. He is there for those white guilt ridden republicans to be able to say "You see, I voted for Cain, so I can't be a racist for not liking Obama"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf the best "skeleton" that other Republicans can find in Cain's closet is his Fed service, he's a shoo-in compared to the rest of the field.
Cain gets better and better, and meanwhile "front runners" keep getting worse. As far as I'm concerned (and I liked him last time a lot and felt bad that his faith kept him from consideration by a lot of so-called conservatives) Romney is "dead to me" with today's ringing endorsement of ethanol subsidies--not only wrong policy but obvious Iowa-groveling. Couple that with Romneycare and you have an empty suit. How many more have to drop out or self-destruct before people start considering Cain seriously? I am, I do, and I like him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseVanity candidate. His campaign is a Cain Mutiny, not a Soul Train. Expect him to drop out after Iowa, where the winners will be 1 Bachmann 2 Perry 3 Romney... Unless Thune gets in the race. Bye bye to Gingrich and Santorum.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse