I like Mr. Cain. He comes from Florida, outstanding Private Sector CEO, and has a fine nature. He long ago embraced the fashion which plays to the Straw Poll devoted - which is very good.

But reality is reality, and his statements on a number of things have ruined his ability to be the Nominee, including some rather regretful folly about religion. He was the flavor of the month awhile ago, just after Trump, then it went to Bachmann, then to another flop named Perry.

The hype now over this Straw result is fun, but hardly a serious reference about much. It does bode terribly for Perry, as it shows he has hurt himself tremendously, the former Al Gore employee is now exposed - perhaps beyond repair.

The vivid question will now only grow, as to whether we will get around to being honest, mature, serious about who is obviously the best Candidate in the Group of GOP hopefuls today - which is clearly Mr. Romney. Or if self destructive impulses will prove too great, and we watch so many lose further credibility over time yet again.

Do we want to continue to enable the disastrous Democratic Party yet again, or are we going to compete in real terms?

Ah, yes, what this country needs is a swift kick in the pants from Mr. Third Place, Mr. Have I Got A Healthcare Plan For You, Mr. Blue State, Mr. Depends On What Day Of The Week It Is For My Position, Mr. Hey Buddy How Much Money You Need For That Ethanol, Mr. I Barely Eeked Out Huckabee In The 2008 Primaries, Mr. For Some Reason Most Republicans Don't Think I'm As Awesome As Old Fan Says I Am.

Typical blather from someone who's candidate finished third.

Perhaps soon you'll finally realize the party doesn't need Obama-lite. We need a real distinction from liberal policies.

Extremely likable, loves America and I love that about him. Can't say he's earned my vote yet (Palestinian right of wha?) but I'd like to see if he can. Even if he doesn't get the nomination there's got to be a place for him somewhere in the federal bureaucracy where he can kick some serious hoo-ha.

Just wait until the left starts saying he's a token black for Republicans to say "See, we have blacks too!"

As a delegate at P5 the last few days, I was surprised and impressed by Cain's victory and Santorum's strong performance. Perry's debate performance hurt and his mailings, phone calls, and breakfast bash couldn't overcome it. It didn't help that he wasn't there for the speech and used a surrogate. Romney didn't go after delegates and didn't speak or have a surrogate today. I believe that Cain and to a large degree Santorum reached out and attracted delegates through very different but appealing speeches. I also think the debate was great because it slows down the two person horse race that was developing and the media was pushing.

Agreed. He will make a fine president of CPAC Florida.

Otherwise, this is another bit of random weirdness in a volatile primary.

“Now everyone start telling me again how ‘unelectable’ Herman Cain is. “

OK, I’ll give you that argument.

There would be so much good to be had in a Cain Presidency. How can you not love Cain? He is cool, ultra-charming, competent; there’s nothing not to like. Plus, if he were the second black President, following so closely upon the heels of the first black (failed) President, we would be spared so much first black President baloney. I would seriously pay a lot to be spared permanent deification of The One.

However: It is a forlorn dream. Cain is not ready. He will blow it. Aside from the debates, I have heard him speak only once, a few months ago, when he was guest-hosting a talk radio program. Here are a couple of his blunders:

“The First Amendment says ‘separation of church AND state, not separation of church FROM state.’” I don’t know what that distinction even means. I have the impression that Cain agrees with me on policy and believes correctly that the Constitution doesn’t require religion to be driven out of public life. However, the First Amendment does not say anything whatever about “separation of church and state,” and Cain seriously seemed to think he was quoting the text, not paraphrasing.

Another: “Unemployment among black people -- 16% -- is 50% higher than among white people -- 8%.” And Cain has a degree in math! So he misspoke, but he’s not going to get away with such carelessness and end up looking good.

Then there were the Muslim gaffes. All told, I am afraid he is a bit of a loose cannon.

Finally, I’m not even sure how staunchly conservative Cain is overall. I have the feeling he is much more of a “go with the flow” guy than the more conservative contenders in the field. If I’m not mistaken, Cain and Paul were the only candidates in the New Hampshire debate who declined to sign on to a Federal Marriage Amendment. Cain has also said he would not reinstitute DADT, even though he wouldn’t have wanted it to be repealed. Economically, I believe he has great intentions, but I am initially put off by his 9-9-9 plan – I say “no thanks” to a national consumption tax without a repeal of the income tax.

There are simply too many hurdles here, however much we may wish it were otherwise. It’s a beguiling dream, no more.

You are starting to sound like Jonah. Rejecting a candidate because he has a funny (non-New York) accent.