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Herman Cain 2012

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  December 15th, 2010 at 01:31 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

It was all for fun, but I am surprised by the results.

In our 2012 brackets, Herman Cain reigns supreme as the reader pick for 2012.

Now, to be fair, he also has a huge twitter following and microphone to drive people to vote. He garnered 8,900 votes to Governor Sarah Palin’s 8100 votes. Mighty impressive.

Herman Cain is the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, a radio show host on WSB in Atlanta, and, judging by RedState Readers, the Republican Party’s 2012 Nominee for President of the United States.

He’s a tremendously good speaker and a thoughtful conservative. He rejects the idea of “big government conservatism” and believes in empowering individuals. I like Herman Cain and, though truth be told I never thought he’d make it past Mike Pence, I am delightfully surprised by the results.

It’s all for fun folks. I wouldn’t too much stock into it, but I would say it is a good sign for Herman Cain that, being relatively unknown, he can generate that much enthusiasm for himself. Works for me.

P.S. — Herman spoke at the RedState Gathering 2010. See what happens when you fire up the grassroots? Better plan on coming to RedState Gathering 2011. Details on that soon.

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COMMENTS

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  • BigGator5

    Noticed how the top two people in poll, Cain and Palin, currently don’t hold elected office?

    Just something I noticed.

  • aesthete

    I’d like to know: who else was outraged that Mbeck’s Dead White Cat wasn’t in the straw poll? Clearly, the most competent, charismatic, and conservative candidate of the bunch was overlooked.

  • http://hrh40.wordpress.com/ hrh40

    … held public office?

    I’m all on board against “career” politicians, who use elected office merely as resume stepping stones, i.e. Romney and Obama.

    And I’m all on board for more “citizen candidates” who’ve been successful businessmen to take a turn in public office.

    And I did vote for Cain over Pence, because of executive versus legislative experience.

    But it’s mighty steep to START public office service with the top office in the land!

  • acat
  • Scope

    even if Mike Pence knew this fun poll was going on, he wouldn’t have twittered or used his microphone to drive people here to vote for him. In fact I don’t think Mike Pence would do that with any poll anywhere. You acknowledged that yourself in the diary EE. Isn’t that what the Ron Paul supporters did during the 2008 campaign?

    It would be fun to do this all again with just our Redstaters allowed to participate, and, only after they are logged in.

  • graciegirl

    and hey guys the poll depended on who was pitted against who.

  • graciegirl
  • acat

    Just sayin’

    Mew

  • NeoKong

    At least a year before I can seriously start looking at presidential candidates.
    Cain is a good man as I saw him speak in Austin too.
    Everyone loved him for sure but in my humble opinion he will need more than a RedState poll to jump to the front of the line for 2012.
    Like I said I do think the man has the spark to inspire people but in some respectful bluntness …what has he done for us ...lately ?

    Sarah Palin has been on the ground and working hard in the trenches for the Tea Party and the GOP.
    She was a very successful mayor.
    She chaired the Alaska oil and gas conservation commission.
    Palin was the VP that resurrected a stagnant McCain campaign.
    She is a former governor.
    She’s a Fox News contributor.
    She wrote two best sellers and has her own show on TLC.
    She campaigned heavily and was very active in supporting Tea Party candidates in our last election.
    I think I have made my point.

    Herman Cain is certainly a force to be reckoned with but he is going to need a serious increase in his national exposure if he is considering the top of the ticket.
    Knocking down Palin would be a tough hill to climb and is it wise…?

    That would be a hell of a primary fight.
    But like I said, it is much too early to be picking winners.
    A year is an eternity in politics and anything and everything can change.

  • powertothepeople

    is the ability to see if blacks vote for black or for a party. We know the answer already, but it would be nice to have hard proof.

    If Cain ran against Obama, I still bet 95% of the black voters vote with Obama even though he has not kept one promise to them and has not bettered their life in any way. We would be able to respond, for years and years to come, that their claims we are a racist party and that is the only reason they vote democrat is a bogus claim. We could state with proof on our side that they vote democrat for one reason and one reason alone, dependency.

    They thought they found freedom from slavery under Lincoln, but the reality is they traded forced slavery for self induced slavery when they started voting democrat.

  • acat

    that particular voting bloc may be starting to crumble in Georgia.

    If so, the cracks aren’t going to reach the northern urban cores for a while yet, but .. they’ll get there.

    Even the potential of a Cain v. Obama match-up could really get things shaking, even if Cain is not the nominee.

    Mew

  • GISAP

    Is Herman Cain 2012′s Ron Paul of online polls? I’m just saying, since I had never heard of him before this poll.

  • azaeroprof

    The primary debates start on TV this May. Except for the few better-known candidates who can raise money quickly (i.e. Palin, Romney, Huckmeister, Gingrich), any others will need to declare before then. So ready or not, here they come!

  • NeoKong

    It’s six months away and we have no guarantee of who will participate or even watch.
    It’s an exhibition match.
    I don’t think you will see Sarah Palin there.
    I don’t think the race will really become serious until next fall.
    People can try to raise money early but to spend any before next October would be a waste.

  • Change Jar Conservative

    Someone is going to have to show that they have actually governed and governed well before I will support them in the primaries.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    the depths of this recession and events that are already happening.

    more later on that

  • Scope

    I’ve read, and agree with the thought of the less well known candidates getting in ASAP and trying to get the jump on the more well known candidates. I’ve also read that the O will be spending a billion on the 2012 election. Any of our candidates will need to be in soon so they can start working on their war chests. I hate how much it now costs to run for election, even for a House seat. I wish there was some way that every candidate has the same amount of money to run with, and, lets see how well they spend and stretch those funds.

  • Tbone
  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    to save us from losing a game of chicken with Democrats.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine
  • oblio

    And if not, why?

    What are the meaningful differences between private sector governing (executive management) and public executive management? Aside from the graft and corruption or magnitudes thereof component?

    Not being snarky, but an honest question.

  • ron8072

    Maybe a Cain/Obama matchup would be good for a fantasy vote but I don’t even want to consider that on this important issue. Who really cares whether a black votes for a black candidate. A lot of other than blacks voted for Obama. What a mess that has turned out to be. America may never recover. I like Cain. Seems like I have seen him on Fox several times. He is impressive. I would trust him because he has a proven track record of something other than a community organizer. He is thoughtful and knowledgeable. For those reasons I could/would support him. If there is any way to fiscally restore America, I am for it. Probably restoring us morally should come first because if we have no moral or ethical base, then any success would be for the wrong reason.

  • acat
  • E Pluribus Unum

    His national reputation ain’t all that big, but it’s far from non-existent. Along with his nationally syndicated radio show, he spoke at RightOnline and at the RedState gathering this summer that I know of.

    He writes some here, and in fact a couple of days ago had the #1 recommended diary. And if you never heard of him, I don’t think it’s all that nice to compare him to a crazy fruitcake.

  • E Pluribus Unum

    nt

  • http://www.buckforcolorado.com bjwilson83

    Cain is great. He has a lot of talents. His first political office should not be leader of the entire freaking free world.

  • draftcain

    At no other time do people have access to information. The fact of the matter, is that Herman Cain’s life and accomplishments have been well noted. While he hasn’t served in public office, Herman’s voice and influence has been effective. His impact in the ’94 healthcare debate helped sideline Clinton’s universal healthcare scheme. While most folks know about his debate with Clinton in the town hall meeting, Herman also provided testimony in congress on the issue. Herman also served on the committee to explore potential changes in the Social Security system to keep it solvent.

    In his run for the ’04 senate seat in Georgia, Herman was ran an effective issue oriented campaign and brought an enormous about of focus to the key issues. He moved the electorate from zero name recognition to nearly 30% in the primary almost forcing a runoff.

    Unlike most people who have sought high public office and lost, he didn’t quit. He has been a much sought after organizer and speaker at many of the Tea Party events from coast to coast. He’s been a regular Fox News contributor on Cavuto’s program, serves on numerous corporate boards and host his radio program.

    Herman’s showing in this forum is no surprise to many of us who are supporting him. As with private industry, technology has changed the political process (ahem, Redstate, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). I frankly, have no problem supporting a person who has impeccable integrity and knows how to move productivity. America needs solid visionary problem solving leadership. Cain does all of that.

    http://draftcain.org

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine
  • acat

    I’d much rather look at the quality of the service, and the qualities of the candidate that were shown during the service….

    Mew

  • Jim Tomasik

    There are some very good patriots in DC.

    http://iowaindependent.com/22156/steve-king-skips-sons-wedding-for-health-care-vote

  • draftcain

    Single Issue? uh, ok.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens
  • http://westforwestwing2012.com westforwestwing2012

    ron8072,
    you hit the nail on the head in your last sentence.
    I would only ad, that any “success” without shoring up our crumbling moral/ethical base would be short-lived… and possibly provoke a reaction from our opponents that would make things even worse. than before.

  • http://westforwestwing2012.com westforwestwing2012

    oops! sorry, I meant to say I would only “add”

  • rjhfl

    I like Mr. Cain and I read his articles. Alan West (whom I voted for) is my Representative. I also read and respect Drs. Sowell and Williams. I would probably vote for any one of them for President. That being said, I am tired of the pundits who seem to be of the mind that we must replace “their black guy” with “our black guy”. Have we really reached the point in our society where we believe that once a black person has held a certain office or position that said position may only be held by another black in perpetuity? I am sick and tired of our racial political spoils system. Perhaps I am over reacting to this article, but my feelings remain as stated.

  • http://VocalMinority.typepad.com EricTheRedVM

    I’m a HUGE Cain fan, and have argued that the sure way for Obama to lose the presidential election in 2012 is for Republicans to run a black person. Not an incompetent purely affirmative-action pick, like Obama was for the Democrats. But a solid, charismatic, articulate America- and Constitution-loving black American. Herman Cain has my vote!

    http://VocalMinority.typepad.com
    The Jewish Republican’s Web Sanctuary

  • dio55

    yesterday I jumped the gun and said this guy has no name recognition today I e mailed my entire inbox with a link to the draftcain website I love his unapologetic conservatism . so thank you Eric for pointing out this true Believer

  • Locke

    many people I respect so much think so highly of him and his prospects of being nominated and elected, I’m going to watch carefully for chances to hear him speak.

    I am also looking for a chance to hear Sarah Palin give a serious policy talk, so maybe I can get over my main objection to her, that something about her manner of speaking sets my teeth on edge – or that was the impression I came away with the last time I saw her on a TV talk show.

  • acat

    I read the transcripts and summaries from sources I trust, but I don’t usually listen to them speaking the words.

    Yes, how they say it matters, but .. we’re still talking about politicians – their records matter far, far more than their words. As an example, I cite our current president, who is living up to his track record of voting ‘present’ quite well, despite a lot of words.

    Mew

  • davep

    Though good choices don’t forget former NM Governor Gary Johnson!
    DaveP

  • ustraveler

    I love Herman Cain. I loved being surprised by forceful yet charismatic thoughtfulness when he filled in for some of the big name talk radio personalities who were on vacation. I thought he was one of the best speakers at CPAC 2010. I was disappointed he didn’t run for Governor of Georgia in 2010.

    I DO NOT think he should run for President in 2012. He?s too unknown. He?s too inexperienced in public service. (though obviously he?d be better than Obama were he elected).

    But GOP Chair NOW would be a great idea! Think about it. He’s loved by social and economic conservatives alike, he’s a financial wizard, and he’s one of the best conservative communicators we got.

    I think he might be able to do more for his party and country if he were to jump into the GOP Chair race now and lead the party into 2012 and maybe down the road help out Georgia (2014) and the US (2016/2020).

    I’d be curious as to your thoughts Mr. Erickson.

  • powertothepeople

    time has been quite lean during this time of the year.

    The point was not that only blacks voted for Obama or that we should care how they vote, nor is it about a black on black election battle.

    The point is simply, year after year we are accused of being the racist party by people like Obama, Sharpton, Jackson, etc even though they are as wrong as they could be. They know it, we know it, and they know we know it. But other than Alan Keyes who did not win the nomination, we have yet to offer anyone other than white men up for the office. The same could be said about the dems other than this last election.

    So if Cain was to win, which by the way would not be my first choice although I love and respect the man, we would finally have the litmus test so long needed. Blacks have not received the promises that lured them in such numbers to the polls, their lives have not been enriched by Obama, they have not received the bigger entitlements promised, etc etc etc. They have to know, if they are honest, that Obama used them and the dem party used them. So they would have a choice to vote for a liar who did not keep any promises or vote for another man of color who has the right plan. I know how most would still vote and it would allow us to have the throw it in your face card for when they scream racism. It would also be a great card when the dems scream the same.

    It will most likely not happen this election as I do not see Cain winning and maybe not even running. It was simply a hypothetical scenario.