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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Dear Herman Cain

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  November 10th, 2011 at 09:09 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Herman,

I owe you a good bit of my present career in radio. You leaving opened the door for me.

I still believe you can win the Republican nomination.

I still believe you can beat Barack Obama.

I still believe you can be one of the most inspiring Presidents since Ronald Reagan.

The Herman Cain I know would not and could not do what you are accused of. And I know it is incredibly unfair to ask you, in effect, to prove a negative. How the hell does one prove one did not do something?

But Herman, part of your refreshing appeal is your willingness to say things like “I don’t know” and “I’ll surround myself with the best people who do know.”

It is abundantly obvious to a lot of us Herman that you are not living up to your own words. You said you would surround yourself with the best people — the competent people to help you.

Last week, J.D. Gordon had a disastrous performance on a Blackberry on Geraldo’s show. His performance set the tone for the Monday news shows, all of which pointed out that your own communications vice president would not deny the story.

Then Mark Block went on TV to blame Curt Anderson only to walk it back the next day.

This week, Mark Block again went on TV, said he had verified the identify of a reporter as the son of your accuser, and got it totally wrong. But he said it was verified. It was a lie.

Herman, you said you’d surround yourself with the best people and you’ve surrounded yourself with Class A failures. The problems you are facing are problems of campaign staffing. You’ve failed to live up to your own standard of hiring the best people.

I still believe you can win. But to do so, you must fire your staff and start over. It is the only way forward for you. This communications strategy has been an unmitigated disaster. And if this story doesn’t kill your campaign, the one about Mark Block initially running your campaign through a 501(c)(3) surely will.

Herman, you must reboot for victory.

Your friend,
Erick

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COMMENTS

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  • tngal

    No, not quite. But very nice of you to say everything you did. Mighty nice.

  • manvan

    …EE saying that Cain’s candidacy was over and that he had no path to victory. That he and others should back out of the race to clear a path for the front runners. Me thinks Mr. Cain knows more about how to win this race than he is given credit for.

  • bzip

    Tea Party Nation leader: Cain should drop out
    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/192735-tea-party-nation-leader-cain-should-drop-out

    I am not going to be nice about this:

    Cain is a big distraction, he is an embarrassment to the GOP and the conservative movement.

    Cain uses the race card, the blame card, the victim card continues to accuses others without proof.

    Cain has no substance, which was shown in the debate, talk about gaffes, the guy is a walking gaffe machine.

    Abortion Flap,
    China Weapon Flap,
    GITMO Flap,
    Gun Control Flap,
    Sex Flaps,
    Lying Flaps,
    TARP support
    Fed Audit flap
    New Taxes morphed VAT new national sales tax.
    ?opportunity zones? a form of affirmative action
    No prior record or experience.
    Cain wouldn?t fully support Perry as the nominee
    Race Card flap.
    Foreign policy flaps

  • http://www.planettron.com NickDeringer

    You have a choice: donate to Cain or take your money in the back yard and set it on fire. Either action will accomplish absolutely nothing and you will be out all that money.

    InTrade this morning:

    Romney 71%
    Newt 10%
    Cain 5.4%
    Perry 4%

    Unless there’s a miracle, Mitt Rino will be our nominee.

    BTW: Glenn Beck “Romney is the one”

  • manvan

    …from the face plant that your chosen candidate executed last nite.

  • NeoKong

    I think that Herman Cain suffers from one of George Bush’s character traits.
    He is loyal to a fault.
    Mark Block ain’t cutting it.
    If Cain decides to keep him on the team he should not put him out front anymore.
    He is awful on television and that in turn reflects poorly on Cain.

    In my opinion Cain needs a strong and forceful, articulate and personable female spokesperson to become the media face of his campaign.
    A Donna Brazille type or a Dana Perino.
    Actually he could use a platoon of female surrogates to get out in front and snow plow for him.
    In all the media appearances I have seen from his campaign there has not been one single well spoken and credible woman out there vigorously defending Cain.
    Has he no women up to the task….?
    This is clearly an Achilles heel for him and his failure to shore up that weakness gives me pause.

    To be honest I don’t even think I should even have to say this as it only seems like common sense.
    At the very least he needs to shift Block to the rear echelon.

    His personal charm and his common sense approach to things are clearly some of the reasons people like him but they cannot be the only things his campaign has in their arsenal.

    He needs respectable surrogates and he does not have them.

    Come on Mr. Cain with all do respect.
    Let’s tighten this up.

  • austinandy

    I love Cain. He has my vote wrapped up. BUT Cain has always been quick to say “I don’t know” when appropriate and that seems to have disappeared. IMO the people surrounding him are anything but “the best”. Cain even called his camera/multimedia guy a genius! What media has Cain put out that has even been good enough to be called mediocre? The smoking ad was a lucky break that only shows that he’s got no money to hire professionals.

  • roguegovt

    This was a blunt, honest, hysteria-free assessment of the Cain campaign. Erickson was both respectful and frank. I do think Cain can become the frontrunner, but he definitely needs to clean out his staff. He also needs to tighten up his foreign policy statements quite a bit, and explain more succinctly and clearly his stances on social issues, so that both social conservatives and moderates understand his positions.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIK2mxZuK50

  • chamblee54

    Isn’t Mark Block the connection to the Koch Brothers? If he were to leave the campaign, wouldn’t Mr. Cain be cut off from his sugar daddies?
    Mr. Cain is right. We should quit talking about the dog stories,and focus on the issues. He boasts about being owned by the Koch Brothers. Corruption is nothing to be proud of.
    The numbers about Mr. Cain and the draft.
    chamblee54

  • clintonformccain

    Is that the candidate is a rank amateur, who has no clue what he’s doing, and no business running for President of the United States of America.

  • craigbardo

    Between Erick’s valid criticism and yours, Cain can mount a credible candidacy, even if, as some have suggested, the Cain campaign was begun for a purpose other than actually winning. Though I don’t believe the allegations against him are credible, it has damaged him and he needs a strategy to combat the smear.

    Mark Block was endearing to a point but the time for he and J.D. to be out front has passed. He must, has to, cannot fail to prepare himsel on foreign policy. He doesn’t have to be as wonkish as Newt or as solid as Bachmann or Santorum but he’d better bring it lest he endure more carping from the Weekly Standard and NRO boys. While I agree with his premise that here is only so much you can know until briefed, like my wife tells me when getting into an area where I’m not proficient – don’t scare the children.

  • jqcjones

    It just makes you sick, doesn’t it? Poor Herman keeps defying logic and all you can do is whine about it… What’s the matter? Your candidate not up to the task? Go boohoo somewhere else.

  • onionman

    Thanks Erick for not breaking Reagan’s 11th commandment!

  • tailfins1959

    Different people have different tastes. Even the losing candidates help generate interest in the election. Think of it the way you would fans of the losing Red Sox generating interest in baseball in general.

  • jimmuy8

    I mean, I get it, you keep telling us you’re serious about winning the nomination and all that.
    That’s why you spent the last few days in Alabama (3/13/12 primary date, after Super Tuesday) and Arizona (2/28/12, one week before Super Tuesday). Instead of say, IA, NH, FL, SC or NV.
    But, you’ve got an ad buy on Rush Limbaugh, that’s almost exactly like being on the ground in Iowa.

  • draftcain

    Erick,

    You’ve been a nipping chihuahua from the get go. You pious arrogance is pretty amazing.

    Put a sock in it. Stick to your sicking ship Rick Perry….and the local democrats you so strongly embrace….

  • draftcain

    Erick,

    You’ve been a nipping chihuahua from the get go. You pious arrogance is pretty amazing.

    Put a sock in it. Stick to your sicking ship Rick Perry….and the local democrats you so strongly embrace….

    Maurice

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    other than scale, and I don’t see any reason why conservatives would want to go back down that road again.

  • unclefred

    The details are in the link. No news here, Gingrich supporter calls on Cain to drop out.

  • eabjr

    As an 85% Cain supporter, I very much agree with this article Erick. Also worth noting is this report from Atlanta where Cain already passed a high tech lie computer detector test…interesting and here’s the link…

    http://www.breitbart.tv/investigator-uses-lie-detector-technology-to-proclaim-herman-cain-innocent/

  • retire05

    that a true lie detector test requires the monitoring of your pulse rate and is the only partically reliable test? Some computer generated program can not do that.

    You are aware, are you not, that lie detector tests are so unreliable that they are not admissible in a court of law?

    Welcome to the world of the gullible.

  • manvan

    …(and all other Perrybots)

    Try to keep up fred.

  • izoneguy
  • tngal

    For the “good of the candidacy” I could see Mr. B offering to move out. But I could also see Cain giving him a different role instead of accepting a resignation. Cain works his campaign as a business model, so B could be like executive secretary or Master of all things Internet.

  • manvan

    Now I getcha. Sorry unclefred. I just had my own Perry moment without the boots. My bad.

  • gawken

    She’s been on FOX a lot of late, doing a superb job of defending Cain AND eviscerating his accusers and their attorneys.

    Monica is a TRIPLE “B” THREAT: Brilliant, Beautiful, and Blonde

    Contemplate for a moment Monica conducting the WH Daily Press Briefing…

  • lineholder

    in communicating his positions on foreign policy. I don’t disagree with that in the least.

    I think most people associate foreign policy decisions (and being involved in wars) in the context of possible life or death. Anything that remotely conveys indecisiveness or complacency bothers them. They look more for absolutes in this particular context.

    But even in that context, there can be cases when it isn’t wise to rely on absolutes. The closest thing I can think of is an analogy of doctor and patient. Suppose a physician has scheduled a patient for surgery. The plans that have been made are indicative of absolutes. The time for surgery comes, and there could be symptoms indicating that it would not be wise to follow through with the surgery exactly in the manner that it has been planned. The patient could have some other infection that has complicated the process, and it may be necessary to either resolve that infection or attempt to make other arrangements than what had been originally stipulated, whether it is the type of surgery, the place of surgery, the surgeon who had been scheduled to perform the surgery, etc. Depending on the factors that are identified at the time, it might be necessary to make an adjustment in plans “on the fly”. The absolutes end up being discredited, and in light of variables involved in the situation, it can very much so be the right choice to make. That’s just how life is sometimes.

    Business executives often have to make decisions “on the fly”. It just becomes part of their decision-making process, part of how they think and how they view situations. Business executives are also strongly inclined to “delegate authority”, which means that they often rely and depend on the input that comes from others and take that information into consideration in the ultimate decision that they make.

    I may be wrong, but I think this is likely to be true for Mr. Cain, although he’s not said as much in so many words. If it is the case, he’s done a terrible job of expressing to the American public that this is just part of his manner and approach of making important decisions.

  • retire05

    Block and Cain obviously are not on the same page, and have not been for some time.

    Cain needs to dump Block. Last week. If this is an example of Cain’s business acumen, to stick with the guy who is not managing well and who is only taking your company down the drain, then that brings into question Cain’s judgement, not Blocks. Cain was willing to close over 400 Godfather Pizza stores, putting thousands out of work, and reducing the value of the company for what he claims was the good of the company but his loyalty to Block is so great that he will let Block complete the destruction of his campaign? Why? What does Block have on Cain?

    But then, I suspect you like a lot of Cain supporters, have no real clue how business actually works.

  • retire05

    when she obviously is working for him for free?

  • ceili_dancer

    …

  • clintonformccain

    We are setting the bar kind of low, aren’t we?

  • ceili_dancer

    Some guy that would play back audio tracks backwards and say that’s where the subconscious reveals the truth. Maybe we can go to that guy next.

  • paulplantowin

    But behind the scenes they clamp down on problems. Try to rehab a guy who has helped in the past.
    Block is probably getting some ‘support’ right now.
    The real point is that we – as outside observers – do not know how Cain has achieved his successes – but he has done a lot.
    If he fails to learn from all this he won’t get the nod.
    Ps Perry will continue his learning curve too. He has won in Texas, but he is in a larger show now. I expect him to improve over time. Flub last nite will grow his character – he handled it with humor.
    Neither Perry or Herman is a quitter. Nor is Newt.
    I’m good with whoever of those three can pull this early round off.

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

    http://strata-sphere.com/blog/index.php/archives/17583

  • manvan

    I sure am put in my place. Tell you what, why don’t you bookmark this and then you can use it against me when I run for leader of the free world.

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

    http://strata-sphere.com/blog/index.php/archives/17583

    Would a different team have been able to prevent serial accuser feminist NAGS from trying to destroy Cain? No

    Would a Beltway-savy team have gotten better reviews from some conservative bloggers and talking heads? Yes

    Primaries and caucuses count votes, not chattering class reviews.

  • izoneguy

    Plenty of time for Cain to screw up, some more….

    I would rather have “brain fart” Perry than Cain drain – anyway of the year.

  • http://nerds4cain.com Brookhaven

    Block is the designer of the “out of the box” campaign strategy that has been working so well for Cain. Build a wide base of enthusiastic supporters, then build your ground game in the early states.

    It’s the opposite of the traditional method (build a big ground game in Iowa and NH, have an early big win, then build a wide base of enthusiastic supporters) and why the old-school pundits (like Karl Rove) keep saying Cain isn’t running a serious campaign. Cain’s not running a TRADITIONAL campaign, but he is very serious.

    Block is important to the campaign from that perspective and should be kept on, but he obvously shouldn’t be the front man for the campaign. Block has things he’s good at, and things he’s not good at–just like every other person.

    Cain does need to bring in more people on the PR side, but there’s a big difference between needing to bring in more advisors and needing to dump the people he has.

    The focus should be on constant improvement, not dumping people and starting over.

  • iidvbii

    You probably has as much credibilty as Cain or Romney. I mean if a pizza peddler and a failed single term liberal governor can run in the GOP primary why not you. You just need a catchy marketing slogan “9-9-9″ has been taken unfortunately and the willingness to say whatever the audiences in front of you wants to hear. A goofy hat poor vocabulary and a willingness to deny your previous statements that people have video of you making is also a must. Yeah file third party and run, its not like we could be more embarrassed than we are with our “front runners”

  • maxtruth

    If Cain actually admitted when he didn’t know something, there would be no reason for him to have participated in last night’s debate. 999 is not the answer to every question.

  • jgge

    can be the most inspirational President since Reagan? Based on what? His record as a Pizza guy or a talker? Or because he is black and we need to be inspired because we have black guy as a President?

    And if he is the nominee then we are going to have a Christine O’Donnell on a national level, a person nominated by the fringe of the party but only to lose badly in the general elections.

  • jgge

    he would not grope her? He seems to have an attraction toward blonde women.

  • manvan

    …for your man Perry. Really, I do. There is no joy achieved by watching one of our own go out in a pitiful manner as exhibited last nite. But frankly, all of you Perry bots had this coming. All we heard from you all was negativity and piling on with the liberal memes. You engaged with the Alinsky tactics of the left, and now you are out in the cold by the implosion of your chosen hero. Cope and move on. Tomorrow is a bigger battle.

  • usedtobelib

    friendly, upbeat, charming, fun to be around, is ….blinding. The person who is all these things we imbue with inner qualities that may or may not exist at all and admitting that to our ourselves is painful. Charm hides many flaws.

  • manvan

    …didn’t think so. how ’bout you let the left pull their own wagon of filth!

  • lineholder

    Erick’s post bothered you, huh?

  • congressworksforus

    We all know these are fraught with potential issues.

    But when Cain passes and whats-her-face fails the test, it raises far more questions about the validity of the claims.

    Besides, any objective person at this point knows it’s all crap, because the LSM is no longer biting at the story. Even the drive-bys know when they’re on to a loser…

  • retire05

    Business 101.

    When you have an associate that is doing your organization more harm than good, you get rid of them. You dump the dead weight. And lately, everytime Block opens his mouth, he sticks his foot in it.

    Ever wonder why John F. Kennedy, who hated J. Edgar Hoover, and had the authority to appoint a new head of the FBI, never got rid of him?

  • pttx333

    The original snake oil salesman! OR as my beloved Mom used to tell me, and I quote: “Beware, honey, the devil is not one with horns, a pitchfork, a long tail, and eyes afire; the devil is very charming, debonaire, appealing, well-spoken and smooth talking – otherwise no one would ever follow him.”

  • iidvbii

    That’s rich.
    Romney has a whole web site devoted to misrepresentimg Texas.
    Hermain Cain has blamed Perry for everything that has ever happened to him while calling him despicable.

    Don’t try to get on that particular soap box.

    As far as out in the cold goes, how warm do you think Romney is going to feel campaigning in Texas this spring? After spending a year calling us liars? Misrepresenting our record on immigration, education and job creation.

    Not to worry, its not like we are a furiously loyal and independent people who see ourselves as Texans first. I am certain Romney is going to do just peachy. Good thing Texas isn’t important to the GOP electoral map huh? Oh wait that’s right, WE ARE THE LARGEST RED STATE AREN’T WE. Stick that in your alinsky play book. Romney nomination equals four more for Obama….. Remember that when you go vote for Romney oops i mean Obama. We will still have the most successful governor and the best economy in the country. You….. Well…. You already have it.

  • lineholder

    Why insinuate that Cain’s methods of business management were ineffective? Evidence indicates otherwise. Why insinuate that Block is “holding something over Cain’s head”? Why go after the character assassination?

  • ihavehadit

    I have no idea where Eric is coming from other than Herb gave him his radio program and he wants to keep it. This is distrubing. But you are right about Christine O’Donnell. We are already the laughing stock of the world with our present candidates. Does anyone wonder why everyone on both sides didn’t want Perry??? The democrats were afraid of him and so were the Establishment Republicans. He won’t play ball with them. Herman Cain is a joke and they know can’t win the nomination. There are not that many insane people in the party. Romney will win if Perry can’t regain his support. Gingrich is damaged goods and everyone knows it. Does anyone wonder why Eric and others on the right didn’t come out and say Cain was finished after that debate (love fest) with Gingrich??? He passed questions to his opponent because he didn’t know what the heck the moderator was asking??? He was clueless, on more than one occasion. But I didn’t hear anyone sayng he was finished. What about his stupid remark about China developing nuclear weapons?? That would have finished any other candidate but everyone gives a pass to the lying Pizza Man. He has had more stupid mis steps than any one else

  • avagreen

    about Cain.

    ’tis puzzlin’, isn’t it that he’s been given so many chances over and over w/o a (word deleted) said about it from the talking heads.

    I still think it’s reverse racism. When will we start seeing people sans the color of their skin? *sigh*

  • manvan

    There, there…its OK…you’ll be back in 2016 I’m sure…Its gonna be alright…be brave little toaster!

  • retire05

    has actually done more harm that good? If so, you need to go back to school.
    Cain is running on his business acumen and the ability to select qualified, wise people to advise him. Block has proven Cain to be terribly lacking in that claim.

    There is a reason that men who are seeking the most powerful office in the world hold on to those who drag them down. You figure it out. Perhaps you have an alternate reason why Cain would hold on to someone who continues to make his campaign look inept.

  • avagreen

    is wear something like a nail in your shoe and press down on it while answering truthful questions…..messes up the readings from physiological responses from stress.

    In fact, just found a wiki article on this very subject:
    Other suggestions for countermeasures include for the subject to mentally record the control and relevant questions as the examiner reviews them prior to commencing the interrogation. Once the interrogation begins, the subject is then supposed to carefully control their breathing during the relevant questions, and to try to artificially increase their heart rate during the control questions, such as by thinking of something scary or exciting or by pricking themselves with a pointed object concealed somewhere on their body. In this way the results will not show a significant reaction to any of the relevant questions.[45][46]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie-detector
    Look under “Countermeasures”

  • avagreen

    ……..no one can cover those points.

    Ignore the knownothings and snide comments. ;)
    Don’t let them deter from the truth.

  • usedtobelib

    conservative , any voter, can possibly consider voting for a man or a woman who says he knows nothing about foreign policy (after pretending he did by issuing non-sensical answers to questions in interviews and debates and discovering that didn’t fool anyone) and then offering up, “Well, I would just listen to the experts and the generals in the field.”

    My gawd, we rely on civilian control of the military for good reason or does he not know this? This was the single most disturbing statement he has made–that he doesn’t know “much” about foreign policy (and yes, not knowing what the “right of return” meant indeed proves he knows NOTHING ) but that he can rely on advisors. Oh, great. And just how can I trust that his advisors, civilian or military, won’t manipulate him up the ying yang?

    This was the end of any consideration I gave to Herman Cain as President. A man who knows nothing of the world beyond these borders yet feels himself ready to be President scares me. Narcissist.

  • lineholder

    Personally, here’s what I think…you support Perry, Perry hasn’t been doing well, Perry supporters have often expressed the idea and sentiment that (1) if Cain is out of the race, Perry benefits from it and (2) if Erick would just go ahead and endorse Perry, this benefits Perry as well.

    I think that when Erick expresses anything even remotely positive about any candidate other than Perry, in light of how things stand, it tends to put Perry supporters on the defensive. They respond to it by trying to convey, imply and insinuate all sorts of things negative in an effort to countermand anything positive Erick has said.

    That’s what I think you’ve done here. I can understand it, but I don’t agree with it.

    Just my 2 cents worth.

  • iidvbii

    :)

  • rudyardkipling

    It seems to me the attraction to Cain has been mostly about his personal magnetism, pure and simple.

  • chamblee54

    Many people think that Mr. Hoover knew about a plan to off Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hoover could have stopped this plan, but allowed to go forward. This is difficult to prove or disprove. This also could work if Lee Oswald was the lone gunman, working without a conspiracy.
    There was an article in Vanity Fair about Mr. Hoover’s alleged cross-dressing. ( Please forgive the visual.) In that article, the comment was made that Mr. Kennedy “would sleep with anything that wore a skirt”.
    Regarding Mr. Block…he is the “Koch Cain connection”. If Mr. Cain were to fire Mr. Block, he might be cut off from the Koch money.
    chamblee54

  • manvan

    Now let’s all work together to:

    A- Defeat Romney
    B- Defeat Obama

    Regardless of who the (R) nominee is.

  • notpropagandized

    DearHerman – Some of us come back to the CainTrain if you make it plain that you’re in to win and not for 2ndPlace. It’s fine if you support Romney, but make it clear it’s NOT support for you to be his VP or that if some unbelievable turn of events that you do not win the nomination that you thereafter endorse MittRomney.

    I realize individual voters cannot determine your beliefs and preferences, but please know that many of your supporters are very dubious about Romney. Many, now, may opt for Newt if not you, or Michelle, or whomever. Some even put Jon ahead of Mitt.

    Also, I don’t believe all this harrassment garbage. You’re not winning any votes by trying to foist it on Perry. Go talk to AnnCoulter and have her refresh her erstwhile commitment to the theme that if we just nominate a real conservative, then voters will emerge from the woodwork to vote for him/her.

    Godspeed…

  • lineholder

    Guessing that you’re talking about the articles released last week from Think Progress and other liberal sites? Call me a cynic, but I put no more confidence in what they’ve said about this than I did in what was said about Perry and Dominionism. (although I do think theories pertaining to Dominionism per se could easily be used by the left to try to undermine and destroy the credibility of Christianity in general).

  • iidvbii

    Elect an actual conservative that has a chance of winning the general.
    While it will no doubt be a hard fought election I am thinkimg obama might have an easier time if he is shadow boxing himself.

  • ericblair00

    Herman Cain’s success in the polls indicates the complete collapse of the GOP. How frightening that a person who actually embraces his own ignorance is rising to the top.

  • ericblair00

    The losing candidates are driving people away from the GOP with their radicalism. It could do lasting damage.

  • clowngirl

    The fact you mention your radio show – and how Herman Cain’s Presidential run opened up a spot for you makes it very clear to me that you aren’t trying to hide anything. I certainly don’t doubt that your admiration in this post is sincere.

    But even the most honest among us are likely to have difficulty being objective in matters where we are an interested party. For readers who respect and may even be influenced by your opinion – as well as for those who may assume you are an interested party – it would be useful to have clarity: is your continued employment on this radio show potentially tied to Herman Cain remaining in the race/ eventually becoming President, or do you have a contract or some other assurance that the gig would remain yours even if Mr. Cain dropped out of the race? Or is the matter, for some reason, confidential?

  • usedtobelib

    What about Herman himself? He’s blamed everyone. He’s blamed the Perry campaign, the Democrats, the GOP establishment, you name it. How can you attack the performances of Gordon and Block as if there were merely poor choices without realizing they are simply mimicking Herman’s responses. Or perhaps he is mimicking theirs. Either way–what kind of a man would do either?

    You’ve lost your ability to reason, Erik.

  • izoneguy
  • congressworksforus

    It’s voice pattern recognition that shows a “low risk” or “high risk” of whether the subject is telling the truth. (Can we run some of Slick Willie’s denials through it for comparison?) It can be run against someone talking live or as a recording.

    And the most important aspect to the story is that not only was Cain “low risk” for lying, the accuser was “high risk” …

  • avagreen

    used along side it.

    The prospect of Truster or similar programs installed on thousands of home and business PCs, however, worries traditional polygraph specialists. They argue that even if the technology is sound – which many of them question – untrained individuals convinced they can divine another’s honesty is a recipe for disaster.

    “If it were being marketed as a novelty, that would be one thing,” said Frank Horvath, a criminology professor at Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice. “But people will use this for making real-life
    serious decisions, believing it really works.”

    Truster’s developers insist it does work – by analyzing the stress in a person’s voice.

    http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THE+TRUTH+IS+OUT+THERE%3b+SOFTWARE+PROGRAM+CLAIMS+TO+DETECT+LIES.+BUT…-a083834720

  • gracie

    We have told no lies.

  • avagreen

    http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/16002149/investigator-herman-cain-innocent-of-sexual-advances

    Grasping at straws.

  • avagreen

    :/

  • gracie

    as has been Ingraham’s, Rush, Sean, & Levin.

    Erick there is an opening for CNN to become truly fair and balanced. How about suggesting someone Great for the 8:00 slot against Hannithy?

    (never thought I would say that)

    I believe they have done the best debates.

  • izoneguy

    were in the tank for Palin.

    They have blamed Rick Perry for the failure of Palin to run.

    And especially Malkin. Now she is on the Cain train.
    She did not run any stories about Cain’s “alleged” harassments.

    But Perry has a small brain fart and she writes an entire column about it.

    I wonder if she is preparing material for a book about Perry?

  • bzip

    I have completely lost all respect for: Hannity, Rush, Ann Coulter, Malkin. The Ann Coulter Malkin and Hannity are like little school girls/guys with a crush on Cain – it is sicking.

    I don’t believe it but I have started watching CNN. Most confusing.

  • bzip

    The death to the conservative movement. Anyone that takes Cain seriously and leads the charge for Cain to be president is signing the death warrant to the conservative base.

    If you hadn’t notice Cain is a laughing stock with his scandals, his gaffes, his lying and is completely unqualified.

  • Scope

    I didn’t even have CNN on my cable package until I got it to watch one of the first debates. Now I am off Fox, unless I hear that Perry is going to be on one of the shows. I never followed Malkin, and now think she has been infected from some disease from not being vaccinated. Coulter was always a blowhard big mouth that made her fortune saying some of the most outreageous things. Rush is the biggest shocker. I haven’t listened to his show for a few weeks, since he started going all in for Cain, and ignoring all of the other candidates for the most part. I would love to see what Rush’s ratings are now. They have to have gone down as everyone who supports other candidates would be PO’d at him for pimping for Cain. If I was a conspiracy theory believer, I would have to think there is something going on there.

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

    anyWAY of the year, I prefer Cain and Perry over Mitt, Ron, Jon, Michelle, Rick and even Newt…

  • runner12

    The more information that comes out, the more I am less likely to believe these charges against Cain. The women in question have serious credibility problems and are not acting in a manner that would be consistent for someone who had actually experienced sexual harassment.

    The problem with Cain is how he initially handled it. Mr. Block blamed everyone but the Tooth Fairy within the first week. He needs to go and fast. Cain did not do himself any favors either by seemingly contradicting himself, although I think it was more of a lack of foresight that this might come up more than anything.

    I am not a Cain supporter, but I do hope he replaces Block and is eventually is completely cleared of these allegations for the sake of the party. But Cain needs to let the conservative media do the digging as to who leaked this story, not his campaign. BTW If this does get linked to Axelrod, Obama is toast.

  • texasref

    For the good of his campaign and indirectly for the good of the country, it’s time to reboot.

    I hope he hires you.

    Would you take it for the going salary?

  • izoneguy

    On Rush, Hannity, Malkins site and HotAir and probably more that I don’t know about. Money talks and you know what walks.

    999 does not mean jobs. 999 means a different tax scheme.
    A tax scheme that I might add will probably go nowhere.

    The congress will have to have radical changes in make-up before
    radical tax plans can be adopted. Even Perry’s flat-tax
    won’t go anywhere until the RINO’s and dems are voted out.

  • Scope

    that Cain is running ads on those shows. I know that Rush has said in the past that he doesn’t just take sponsors to advertise for unless he believes in their product. It is striking me very odd that he has decided to run Cain ads on his show. Is it possible that no candidate ever before didn’t try to buy time to advertise on his show? If Cain is the only one to ever advertise on his show, I am going to believe that it is something deeper than the ad buys.

  • don12345

    I am shocked that Cain would double down on his mistreatment of women in last night’s debate. I am shocked that he lacks any knowledge on any subject and uses his 999 answer whenever he doesn’t know the answer, which is every other question.

    If your wife or mother or daughter had to work for Herman Cain, I would feel sorry for you. I would do anything to not let that happen.

    Herman, please stop humiliating the Tea Party movement and conservative Republicans everywhere, and drop out Herman for the good of the party, please drop out.

  • bzip

    I am shock that many of the women’s groups aren’t standing against Cain on this entire scandal of his.

    Boy, if he makes it to the general (god help us if he does) those women’s groups are going on full hit mode against Cain.

    Cain needs to apologize to the American people for his behavior.

  • don12345

    Here’s the flaw in your thinking.

    If you defeat Romney, who do you have left to go against Obama?

  • danielbdp

    As well as the strong, articulate, personable female and professional spokesperson.

    Block is embarrasingly amateurish. He should be kindly and gently moved down a couple of knotches and replaced by a true professional.

    Also, Mrs. Cain needs to appear in public with her man. Seems weird (and suspicious) at this stage she hasn’t.

  • gekster

    Anyone of the other candidates, even loony RP, would beat Obama.
    Obama could use the line, “With me you know what you get”.
    “With Romney, even ‘he’ doesn’t have a clue who he is today”.
    I’d even go with beckers dead white cat.
    who would have more of a ‘solid’ (pun intended) position.

  • avagreen

    ^^

  • center77

    even with Perry making silly mistakes, he has a record that keeps supporters loving him, even if you brain you should understand beyond the american idol shallowness of sum, record matters. Being a true conservative matters. I think some people are funny, Cain has done himself damage, even today when he makes jokes like “Anita Hill is going to endorse me” so lets me think, Romney cannot do anything about having no core, Cain cannot do anything about his past harassment charges, but Perry will always have a record that none of the others can match.

    I would hate Perry too if I like a shape shifter like Romney, our a true man who has no clue what it takes to govern like Cain. Cain is a former lobbyist for god sake, Newt is the ideal Washington insider, even lobbying for the failed mortgage giant.

  • williamjameson

    thus far. Only liberals convict before proof so you should avoid the liberal clap trap. Cain has gone into detail on many questions, avoid the liberal media analogies, they are simply hoodwinking viewers as Cain has received praise from many professionals.

    Better to say you don’t know than talk circles around the answer only to have the media say you didn’t answer the question.

    Cain isn’t humiliating the TP, you are. Clearly you’ve been programmed by the liberal media to react with emotion first, intellect last, if ever.

  • williamjameson

    and they see freeloaders looking for attention and cash.

    A real woman would have gone public when Cain ran for the US Senate. People like you are an embarrassment to the conservative movement. React first, think second. That’s how the emotional operate

  • williamjameson

    who pick and choose based on party rather than facts. John Edwards got a free pass. Now the black conservative hating liberal media are showing what they really think of blacks based on party preference. I don;t see racism as a factor, a total rejection of someone who thinks for himself while maintaining his ideals.

    I don’t see Cain starting over but he could restructure and take some good advice from people outside the campaign. This dairy should serve as an eye opener should Cain read this. Win or lose, Cain has a career in politics either as a politician, bureaucrat or in the media.

  • Scope

    trashed, bashed and discriminated against by the liberal media? Are you even paying attention? Every one of the GOP candidates have been trashed by the leftist without relent. Why is Cain so special?

  • bzip

    Excuse me but there is a huge difference between senate and president and the attention given at the national stage is very different.

    I think you lost what little brains you had. Its candiates like Cain that give conservatives a bad name.

  • williamjameson

    need a refresher on liberal tactics. Cain deserves better treatment even from people will not vote for him.

    If people stood up to the media we’d see conservatives treated better. You should know why Cain is special, he’s being ganged up on with flimsy evidence and these bimbo’s are offering no proof yet the media slander and defame. Cain should be used as example of why the media must change.

    Or would you rather be the victim your whole life because they slander and defame us all. I don’t run from the liberal shit storm, I am a shit storm out to rain down on media corruption. The soon conservatives take a stand the sooner we see intelligent debate in the media. Cain is the perfect example to take power from the media or humiliate them.

    Doubt he’ll win but we can all win by standing up to media scumbags. I thought they believed in PC? Discrimination is the norm in the liberal media.

  • williamjameson

    to react rather than think for yourself. Easily fungible and quick to make excuses without examining the facts.

    You give conservative a bad name when you judge without considering the lack of evidence.

  • center77

    Here read for yourself.

    http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/11/10/why-perrys-campaign-is-not-quite-dead-yet/

  • center77

    if you do more research beyond just conservative sites, you will see what most of the country is hearing, that her problems are with money, and bad work places, which I’ve dealt with both. The thing is, I think they stood to make more money off this if Cain had become president, then came out, because they could sell the story. I could believe one woman had motives, maybe even two women, but four, and then a radio show host says Cain said something to his staff, another person said he was in a very contentious conversation with one of the women just months a go.

    I do not know if Cain did it, but just because he is conservative, does not mean I should deny logic, the way he has handled the scandal, and his blatant lies and race card uses, just because I agree with him, and hate the left does not mean I should not be concerned about his past, oh no, not at all. I want someone with the core to fix this country, and I do not know what most people will do outside of the political bubble, but I know one thing for sure. I have seven women in my family, and they are all independent, no ideology, and all of them said they would never vote for Cain, even in the gen election.

  • davesinsanantonio

    senator and for president. I never heard anything about Herman Cain running for the Senate. But, I heard about him running for president before he even announced. So, maybe his accusers didn’t even know he was running for the Senate as well.

  • davesinsanantonio

    nt

  • davesinsanantonio

    Not by being in front of a TV camera? Not by having a stressful situation talked about in public? Not by being stared at by a crowd of reporters? Not by taking the risk of exposing one’s past to the public?

    How interesting that some are willing to jump at any excuse for their candidate, but unwilling to accept facts about other candidates. Or, quick to judge others but demand absolute proof for their own guy. Very interesting indeed.

  • nathanalbright

    ….and it’s our job (and right) to chatter. Don’t be so dismissive of the rest of us, seeing as you are one of us too. It’s professional discourtesy.

  • nathanalbright

    Most of what I’ve read that could be called Dominionism (Theonomy or Christian Reconstructionism) is very conservative Calvinism that believes that virtue cannot be coerced by law (only by God, with that whole “irresistible grace” bit that Calvinists believe in). If you’re an Arminian, as are most Evangelicals, you believe in the free will of mankind, which means that the goal is to call for spiritual revival leading to a more godly and biblical law-abiding society. Getting all flummoxed about such matters and considering them beyond the pale would mean that any practicing Christian who would believe in the importance and desirability of obeying biblical law would be unacceptable as a political figure, something that would disenfranchise a whole lot of people, myself included (and I’m no Dominionist).

  • arthurmanger17

    The tea party nation leader, the tea party nation leader? who is the tea party nation leader? Tea party nation is a business, not really part of the grassroots movement.

  • Xasteius

    no text

  • arthurmanger17

    I remember when Erick declared Newt was finished when his “Professional campaign staff” left Newt and went to Perry. Erick now advises Cain to get some good… what? “professional campaign people”. How many postings here are really from professional campaign people worried that their profession in the new world of grass roots politics will no longer be needed, thank you. Hear anyone complain about “there are to many debates” or “debates don’t really mean that much” as got skin in the campaign profession. Oh my God a campaign without raising tons of money and spending it no us professionals is not good. what do you want us to do flip burgers? I say no go to work for Obama!

  • daniel22

    folks Herman Cain is guilty as all get out. according to don12345. Okay so why does he read like a troll? If you studied at all about these types of lawsuits you might have a point. Some of the accusations brought to court have been utterly rediculous. In the harassment charges the victim is the expert as it is the perceived act that is a problem. Therefore the victim has the final word on the reality and validity of the charge. In other words what these women say cannot be questioned as ; like Gore, it is a settled issue. Outside of publicity why do bottomfeeders like Gloria Alred get involved?
    Don’t you think that this issue should have a fair hearing or not? If this is all it takes to knock out a candidate then might as well pack it in. Because any conservative candidate will get the same treatment. You might as well say Obama in 12. Yuck!!!

  • Xasteius

    His name is Obama. (seriousness): I agree, we don’t need another amateur in the Oval Office.

    The Cainiacs response to this logical supposition:

  • Xasteius

    didn’t see the end before I published it.

  • Scope

    or knowledge. Many of the Tea Party people that support Cain (the libertarian Koch Bros.) have removed the social and foreign policy planks from their interest, and their websites. They only support fiscal conservatism, and would be wide open to cutting and gutting the budgets that pay for our national security. The world has become a very dangerous place, and Iran is about to get nukes, but according to some, just put your hands over your ears and sing over and over, I can’t hear you. So why does Cain need to know anything about foreign policy?

  • pttx333

    I agree with your comment here. Cain apparently doesn’t feel that he needs any experience in anything, that all he has to do is stand there and say 999 once in a while or make a joke, then BINGO he’s the nominee. That is the height of arrogance, wouldn’t you say? Then you pile on all of his uh, er, uh escapades, and it is no big deal? And the supporters don’t care? Wow. So, Slick really did set a low bar, didn’t he. There is no way that we can allow this society to continue down the road to Soddom and Gommorah – we’re almost there as it is!

  • don12345

    Your attack on bzip and others on the grounds of giving conservatives a bad name is outlandish and crazy.

    Do you really think there is going to be a conservative movement left when my wife along with the rest of American women are convinced that conservatives are womanizers and bigots?

    You won’t win anything if you minimize the movement to less than 25% even before getting out of the gate.

  • pttx333

    who are liberal by its definition, so they are never going to condemn a liberal man – only a conservative one. So that alone tells me that they read Cain as a fellow lib, so there ya go.

    And I say this as a senior female who has seen the whole feminist mess evolve!

  • don12345

    Even if there isn’t a single thread of evidence, Herman Cain needs to apologize. He needs to at least say, I am sorry if I have said or done anything that could be interpreted as harassment. I care about women’s rights and am sorry if I misjudged people.
    Herman has not even come close, instead he attacks these women and pokes fun at other women in mean ways.

    Laughing about Anita Hill, calling Nancy Pelosi Princess Nancy, attacking his accusers is not going to win him the women vote. We conservatives need him to apologize and drop out or we will be minimized greatly as a movement.

  • bzip

    Well Cain does tend to be liberal. His 999 plan includes a new national sales tax (increase in taxes), sounds and look very liberal to me. Then Cain supported TARP so that clearly is another liberal trait. It appears he isn’t sure if he is pro-life or pro-choice but surely leans toward pro-choice. Not sure but at the very least Cain is a liberal republican.

  • pttx333

    though I listened to him on talk radio and agreed with what he would say, I believe what we have seen is his conservative mask slippping off and, for the most part, is now he’s almost completely revealed as … TA DA … nothing more than another arrogant lib.

    But that is just me.

  • wbf

    http://jayraskin.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/herman-cains-appointment-to-the-federal-reserve-unethical-or-criminal/

    Could someone at RedState give me some input on this information?

  • http://www.nucre8ion.org nucre8ion

    I honestly gave it a shot at trying to believe you were not in bed with Perry but this piece closes the door on any doubt in my mind.

    Perry is finished. He cannot win in the general. He’s a nice guy and a good governor but he’ll be a lousy president.

    For me its either Newt (brilliant tenacity) or Cain (brilliant focus). No one else can win.

  • richsr7

    Herman,
    my opinion:
    Herman, These women, and now the liberal left, are trying to do harm.
    Think on “THE DONALD’S” thought of a lawsuit ;all the accusers in
    If not a Suit, then demand EVERYONE face a lie detector test.
    WITH your campaign staff in the room as well as the media (include FOX NEWS). And or

  • bzip

    I forgot to mention that Cain’s liberal 999 new tax plan also adds in these empowerment zones, can we say affirmative action. Sounds very Obma’ish to me.

    Could someone please xplain what make Cain so conservative and how can we check without any prior experience or record?

  • richsr7

    Who is this teaparty nation that is making noise like Al Sharpton?
    When was the last time a non politician was in the running for President?
    When was the last time a beeath of fresh air came to politics?

    This person wants to squash it!

    Herman; Get your campaign together with all those accusers;
    Get the MEDIA (biased and Fox) EVERYONE take the SAME lie detector test; then TELL AMERICA the results!

  • pttx333

    perhaps the Berlin Wall, too, huh? Very, very, very un-American and absolutely insane tactic – and the only tactic there could be and further and further control of us unwashed masses – heathens that we are, doncha know.

    No one can explain that Cain is conservative, there no “there, there” on that issue these days. He’s morphed into his natural habitat now that the removal of the mask has revealed him to be just another moron.

  • dcacklam

    Hobbles both Gingrich and Cain – Cain more-so than Newt…

    But Newt makes up for that ‘not quite-as-bad’ by having been Speaker of the House – in case you missed it, Congress is the most despised of the branches of govt EVEN WITH Obama as President…..

    Perry or Romney… And from those two, Perry.

  • bzip

    Cain has a side that is entirely questionable and not very well vetted. From the federal reserve, to his lobbyist ties, to his sex scandals that haven’t been proven one way or another to his CEO time:

    http://jayraskin.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/checking-the-fact-checkers-on-herman-cain-and-godfathers-pizzas/

  • justandordinary

    I too have been sexually harrassed, many times, in my younger years. Here’s the “thing”. Before we judge the man, we need to know EXACTLY what these women claim is sexual harassment. I’ve had many men say suggestive things to me, I handled it, it was over. I’ve even had a man do a quick “touch”, I handled it, it stopped. No harm no fowl. However, I had one boss who asked me to come into his office where he had a porn magazine open on his desk. Now THAT is sexual harassment, he lost his job thanks to me. I had another boss to threatened some staff members with termination if they didn’t perform a sex act with him. I reported it, he lost his job, thanks to me. But… if you invite a man out to dinner, drive in his car with him, wear suggestive clothes, expect him to think that you’re interested in something… else it’s a trap. There are two sides to every story. Voice of experience.

  • nathanalbright

    …about his time on the Federal Reserve. Given that the Fed is a huge problem (and one doesn’t even have to be a fan of Ron Paul to see that), his ties to that institution would automatically discount him as a viable “outsider” in my judgment.

  • manvan

    and he needs to apologize. He needs to at least say, “I am sorry if I have said or done anything that could be interpreted as goat molestation. I care about goat’s rights and am sorry if I misjudged goats.”

  • paulplantowin

    And I see you have loads of disrespect left – even after all you have used up on the names you have listed.
    My translation?
    bzip disrespects anyone who doesn’t see things the way bzip sees them.
    After you find a few on CNN you disrespect you can try MSNBC and WaPo next.

  • bzip

    Ah, I only disrespect those who don’t have an ounce left in their brain cells to think on their own – and I guess you meet that criteria.

  • annplato

    I don’t give flip about “apologies” when you are NOT guilt of anything!

    These women accusers have had their chance to go after Cain for 15 YEARS, and since Cain announced his run for the nomination another few months, yet they NOW HAVE to air their “hurt feelings” when he is in the top tier for the Republican nomination?! Is this NOT a liberal Democrat HIT? Can’t anyone with an ounce of brain see that?

    I am a woman, and worked for YEARS in corporate America; I had come across skirt chasers in my professional career, yet I was able to handle it with a quick rebuttal to put them in their places without having to appeal to “higher powers” to defend me! What kind of women would need that, and then 15 YEARS later bring it up? Anyone who believes any of it, is as much of a weasel as these women are, or just don’t want to give this man a chance because they want someone else!

  • tngal

    Several new polls out today have Cain still in the lead. He’s dropped somw, but not large and not fast as many predicted. Gingrich continues to move up steadily, Romney still in the top three. CBS, Insider Advantage, Quinny stil showing Perry down in single digits. He is not, I repeat not moving up for some unknown reason…

    So for all your…perry is the logical, Perry is the best..Perry is the adult..Perry is delightful, perry is smartest, perry’s experienced, WHATEVER— you can scream purple on this website but what about the millions of people you’re not reaching out there in the real world.

    Cain is not holding your candidate back, Neither is Newt. Perry is and people like you are. You’re becoming irritating, and obnoxious and I try not to say that about posters, but cain supporters have asked you (and a few others) to back off the bad behavior. Support your candidate, pump up your candidate, but snippy remarks like “an ounce left in their brain cells to think on their own” is not productive. Don’t you have something else in your life to annoy? A chicken, a bowl of water? Anything?

    If you want to help Perry, I mean really help your candidate, go to Iowa. Hit the Iowa newspapers and blogs. He needs you out there. He needs boots on the ground same as all other candidates. Convince the voters in the upcoming caucus and primary states why your guy is the cream of the crop.

  • jakeofalltrades

    My exact statement was, “[d]umb is massive and has a lot of inertia.”

  • manvan

    …and your overuse of the word “We” gives away your group mentality.

  • bzip

    You seem to be forgetting or selectively forgetting some basic information: Cain is losing the women?s vote, Cain is way behind in a Obama match and the race is still wide open with 70% of the primary voters unsure. See below for links and details.

    51% Now Say Allegations Against Cain Likely to Be Serious and True (Wednesday, November 09, 2011)
    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/51_now_say_allegations_against_cain_likely_to_be_serious_and_true

    ?Most voters now say that the sexual harassment allegations made against Herman Cain may be both serious and true. At the same time, two-thirds believe Cain?s ethics are at least as good as most politicians. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of voters nationwide say it is at least somewhat likely the allegations against Cain are both serious and true.?

    [At this rate Cain will not be able to win the general election without the women?s vote (not only conservative but independent women voters. In addition, with the Cain continued lousy jokes, Princess Nancy and Anti Hill jokes you can bet he will have 0 (Zero) women supporting him]

    Obama 48%, Cain 37% (Wednesday, November 09, 2011)
    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/archive/election_2012_archive/november_2011/obama_48_cain_37

    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57322894-503544/poll-cain-tops-3-way-race-with-romney-gingrich/

    ?In a new CBS News Poll, 61 percent of Republican primary voters say the sexual harassment accusations against Cain won’t make any difference in their vote, but 30 percent say the charges make them less likely to back him, and that rises to 38 percent among women. Cain has lost support among women since last month – from 28 percent in October to 15 percent now. He has lost ground with conservatives and Tea Party supporters as well.?

    ?But the race could still change; seven in 10 Republican primary voters say it is still too early to say for sure which candidate they will support.?

    So in other words this race is still wide open and anything can happen.

  • retire05

    You have been the strongest voice on this site in favor of Herman Cain. Yet, you are unable to answer one simple question regarding your chosen candidate.

    It is hypocritical for you to chastise others for what you have done yourself.

  • bzip

    Below is exactly what I ask tngal and the onkly respone I got from her was “I like him”. Boy what an answer, what a way to elect the next POTUS.

    I’ll ask any Cain supporter, why do you support Caion knowing the below?

    Could you please remind me why we should support Cain?

    Even you must realize Cain?s problems:

    Abortion Flap,
    China Weapon Flap,
    GITMO Flap,
    Gun Control Flap,
    Sex Flaps,
    Lying Flaps,
    TARP support
    Fed Audit flap
    New Taxes morphed VAT new national sales tax.
    ?opportunity zones? a form of affirmative action
    No prior record or experience.
    Cain wouldn?t fully support Perry as the nominee
    Race Card flap.
    Foreign policy flaps

    So do please remind me tngal why we should go out and support Cain?

  • wwwhank

    No ones talking about Huntsman or some of the others. So Herman Cain’s strategy is working and working well. Time to tighten it up at the end and take this thing.

  • paulplantowin

    but here goes one try.
    You state in every post ‘I firmly believe in conservative principles’ and “I am a staunch supporter of Gov. Rick Perry.’
    So far – so good.
    But you support your guy in such single-minded fervor that when he stumbles or losses support you seem to take it too hard.
    I came here to learn – I learn from Rush, Hannity, Coulter, Malkin, EE, and many others.
    When you throw them all away for saying something in defense of Cain or failing to see Perry as you do – well – at best that is an ill considered reaction.
    These people are part of (indeed, leaders of) the conservative resurgence you need to get Perry elected.
    Your extreme defense of Perry is causing you to turn on many good people.
    You think people are devoid of ‘brain cells’ and worthy of your disrespect.
    Do you not see how short sighted such a position is?
    To insult so many people who have accomplished so much only demeans you
    I appologize for the sarcasm in my heading – but I have much respect for many people who I do not completely agree with.
    I find things to disagree with in all 4 celebs you named, but far more that I agree with.
    I support Perry, Cain, Newt (less) to the extent that I want them to succeed or fail on their own – not due to MSM attacks.
    I would hate it if Romney wins – but I can sort of see why some support him. He is a manager – I personally believe we need far more than that at this point.
    Thx

  • pttx333

    Your abrasiveness does nothing more than make folks tune in, tune out, turn off. There are ways to debate, then there are NOT to debate. There’s a step missing in your post somewhere seems to me.

  • bzip

    It is pretty hard to respect people that do not stand up for the conservative principles and use double standard. Clearly, do you think Ann Coulter using the race card (Our Black our Better than Yours), Rushes statements on Cain race and Cain himself using the race card ? do you honestly think this double standard is good for the conservative movement? Do you think Malkin?s hate spewing of Perry is good for the conservative movement?

    These people are supposed to be standing up for the conservative principles, we yap about how Dem?s and Obama play the race card but we seem to be doing the exact same thing. If Cain?s name was replaced for Obama?s name in all this sex scandal stuff ? don?t you think the conservatives would be reacting totally different. I can just hear Hannity having a fit f this was Obama. Come on, there is a clear double standard of principles and it isn?t becoming for the conservative base.

    Where or not you see it or agree with me, the double standard is there and is seen by others.

  • JSobieski

    Rush has said as much on numerous occasions. Thus there are times when talk radio practitioners will have somewhat different strategic priorities and tactical interests than the conservative movement generally.

    Cain, Palin, and O’Donnell are all examples of where talk radio was primarily focused on media hypocrisy and double standards.

    There is some truth to the idea that pushing back against the media is a necessary prerequisite to a genuine victory in public policy. Thus, Rush et al appear to be in the tank for Cain because they perceive that the strategic importance of attacking the media is more important than addressing that tactical issues of a particular candidate.

    I find this frustrating as heck myself. The O’Donnell campaign really brought this distinction to the forefront, since O’Donnell would never have been challenged as an “unaccomplished person” if she was a liberal.

    Half the conservative movement focused on the hypocrisy/double standard of impugning her candidacy because she was right of center.

    The other half of the conservative movement focused on the fact that we were lowering our standards to the standards of the left.

    While I could see the merit to both positions, it was clear that people like Rush and Levin did not. While people like Rush, Levin, and Hannity did criticize Rush at times (immigration, SCt nominees), they were largely muted on issues like prescription drug benefit. They very much view politics as a team sport, and in most cases will make attacking the MSM as their number 1 priority. I specifically remember when Tom “the Hammer” Delay made a comment about having cut all the waste that there was to cut. I could tell that Rush was genuinely exasperated by the comment, but he didn’t say anything directly against the former majority leader of the House. Cain benefits from the same kind of tactical assessment that kept Rush silent on Delay’s really stupid comment.

    I am not putting Cain in the same category of O’Donnell. Cain does have a lifetime of impressive accomplishment. I offer this comparison simply to explain what I think motivates Rush and other pundits. It helps explain their behavior without making our appreciation for them either 100% hot or 100% cold.

    There is a fundamental disagreement on tactics in the GOP. On different issues, people fall on different sides of that line.

  • gracie

    You are correct about my overuse of we.

    I think there is an overuse of the word bot re: Perry. There is a group of folks who came to the choice of preferring Perry from many different views. I came to mine through having him as my governor plus great study and consideration. Therefore I resist the implication that I am robotic or worshiping him.

    Cain followers seem to get a pass no matter how many missteps he makes. He is not sliced and diced as Perry is nor do his followers receive relentless ridicule. Seems to be a double standard. IMO.

  • buddyp

    “Talk radio grew out of media hypocrisy and double standards”

    That’s funny. Talk radio hosts on both ideological “sides” are America’s greatest practitioners of double standards, even more than politicians of both “sides”.

    Funny thing is when both sides accuse the other side of hypocrisy and a double standard, because they are almost always both right.

    Hyperpartisans fixated on winning politically can be relied upon to (either consciously or via gross bias) see a given accusation or questionable act or whatever completely differently depending on if it’s vs. “one of our guys” or “one of their guys”. It’s like sports fans who lose any sense of objectivity (or sincerity) and automatically scream “Bull!” at a ref’s penalty call against their team while automatically approving of a ref’s penalty call against the other team. I highly recommend http://www.amazon.com/True-Enough-Learning-Post-Fact-Society/dp/0470050101 for anyone who wants to see how strong this tendency can be.

    Talk radio at its best raises issues and presents perspectives that the MSM miss or choose not to address or give voice to, and it also of course gives people a place to turn for a given ideological perspective (or spin) on something in the news. But at its worst it’s full of hyperpartisan spin, gross double standards, misrepresentation of facts, misleading oversimplifications, and in general discouragement of exploration and serious consideration of important complexities and alternative perspectives (including from the other “side”), which encourages ideological and intellectual inbreeding that is bad for our intellectual culture, our political discourse, and policy outcomes. Best to view it as a small part of a healthy news and opinion diet, viewed for what it is as a combination of legitimate ideological perspective and pandering spin.

  • gracie

    and why would they not love to get rid of the estate tax considering the family farm?

  • avgjo

    if we are fool enough to nominate this guy.

    They are waiting to fire until they see the white of our eyes. (Is that politically correct?)

  • manvan

    …as a group, the Perry supporters on this site have decide that Cain is the enemy, and that he MUST be defeated at all costs – including the truth! There is NO evidence to the harassment allegations, yet Perrybots have been all aboard with the Alinsky left to try to drag the man down – regardless of the EVIDENCE! Yes, yes I know that Cain has called out Perry similarly (incorrectly, IMO) by accusing him of the leaks to politico. But my beef is not with Perry per se. Despite Perry’s flaws, I think he would be a fine and acceptable nominee. My beef is with his supporters (you, et al) that have become too much like the Paulistas with your scorched earth mentality regarding ANY other potential nominees. it is disheartening to many Americans.

  • JSobieski

    ironically very much in the mindset of team players (i.e. “one of our guys” vs. “one of their guys”). Some of that is personalities/relationships and some of that is policy. How often do Rush, Levin, and/or Hannity disagree on something? I can think of only one instance—the Dubais ports deal, and Rush’s support of that wasn’t explicit.

    The fact is however that there are pervasive double standards in the MSM, and yes that means many conservative pundits/talk show hosts end up being hypcritcal.

    I would cut them a bit more slack than you do—people like Rush have been subject to such attacks for so many years that it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he sees things through a more our guys vs. their guys lens than most voters/citizens do.

    Having said all of that, I agree that two wrongs don’t make a right. I also agree the public discourse is ill served when the only bipartisan media exchanges involve shallow talking points, people talking over each other, etc.

    I wish there was a modern equivalent of WFB’s Firing Line, were people like a Reagan and WFB would debate things like the Panama Canal. Unfortunately, that is not the world we live in.

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

    my “job” (when I’m paid, which is much less frequently since Great Depression II started) or myself too seriously, unlike most of the mostly Leftist (but not all) elitist/Beltway chatterers.

  • gekster

    I didn’t know you spoke for America.
    I didn’t get the notice.

  • Nelson Head

    Why should he appologize when he didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just the Chicago smear machine. It’s obviouos that the one Obama fears facing the most is Cain.

  • manvan

    go inside and get your pants changed and then we’ll talk about letting you ride without training wheels.

  • tricianc

    What’s funny is we’re not to believe these women unless they come out in public and tell all. Why? So they can be further humiliated, and by conservatives no less. So they can be called liars again because they can’t prove it? Yet Cain has all the facts as well, but no one is asking why he won’t come out and tell all. There is no way he doesn’t know the allegations. The NRA even stated he did on the one in 1999. And it goes to reason then that he also knows them from the woman in 1998. Therefore, we KNOW he lied.

    Then Herman hires a lawyer, that comes out and basically threatens the women and others who may have wanted to come out with the “they’d better think twice” remark. This is the problem with power and money. If they are true, they can’t come out anyway as they don’t have the resources to fight.

    Oh and remember that I’ll take a lie detector test except I won’t remark? Now he’s stating he’ll take one if the woman do. The problem with this is he just made sure they won’t because of his lawyer’s threat of action if they do.

    Is this the kind of President we want? One who won’t let others speak out? One who when there are allegations, threatens them? We have that President now.

    Just as you say Herman can’t disprove the claims, the women can’t prove them either. The irony is they probably couldn’t prove them even at the time they happened. People typically don’t harass people in front of others. They may banter, flirt or make a joke but they don’t have witnesses to an actual harassment. But with Cain’s arrogance and love of power, who knows?

    Just as other sexual crimes, they are usually done in secret. When assessing or investigating whether the person actually harassed someone, all a company can go by is a pattern of behavior if it isn’t in front of witnesses.

    The company has to assess with the information they have..

    Has he been accused before? In the case of the woman in 1999, yes he had…a woman made a formal complaint with the NRA and received a settlement in 1998.

    Did others witness the behavior? We don’t know the full story on this. But we do know many others have stated they witnessed some of his behaviors and the sadness and pain of the women afterwards. According to many, it was also a public joke that they called Cain’s apartment “the love nest”. Why is that since he was away from his wife 5-6 days a week?. It was also well joked about amongst those back then that Mrs. Cain “Madame X” as none of them had ever seen her. So how did he have a “love nest?.” (as a side note: I keep hearing people like Hannity and others who say I consider him a close friend, I’ve known Herman for years but we never really hung out and I’ve never met his wife)

    And why not believe THESE witnesses? You want them to show their faces. Why? So their lives can get torn apart too?. Yet it’s jumped on as truth when an anonymous person comes out and make remarks about the 2nd woman. Where’s the asking for proof from them on her? Or finding the real truth from the story?

    How many times have you heard I would have never thought that of them? He seemed so good and honest? The problem is that those who knew him well during that time did see it. Did feel the tension and the pain of the women.

    Maybe we’ll never know the truth but let’s at least ask some questions. Mr. Cain, did any of the allegations include physical contact? Mr. Cain, why did you leave the NRA right after the allegations and complaint was
    filed with the NRA in 1999?. Mr. Cain, the NRA says you knew about the allegations in 1999 and JD Gordon from your camp verified this, so how could you have then not known about the ones in 1998?.

    Etc.

    Additionally, I hear people saying if it’s true why nothing since. (Well there is the invitation to an audience member 3 years later.) But the problem with this
    theory is he worked alone. He ran a PAC that rasied money to lobby Congress, he lobbyied Congress, he was a self-employed motivational speaker, and he worked as a talk show host. All of these either have a limited exposure to others, mainly had contact exclusively with males, on a stage alone in front of audiences giving speeches, or on a radio station publicly aired.

    Put it this way: It’s hard to imagine anyone would sexually harass someone walking the halls of Congress lobbying etc.

    Maybe there has been something since but with again the threat of legal action looming over them, the tearing apart of their lives, etc. why would other women, or even witnesses come out?

    Without knowing, do we really want to put someone in the highest position in the land? And in one where, as we’ve seen with our current occupant, can do what he damn well pleases?

    I’m sorry but I need to know…and from Herman Cain.

  • gekster

    I have to bow to your wealth of intelligence.
    Clearly you are the smartst kid on the block.
    I still want to see the notice where you were appointed to speak for America.

  • tricianc

    Mark Block Says He’d Do Things Differently, and Also Exactly the Same
    http://tinyurl.com/8x6np8q

  • williamjameson

    about the magnitude of the job so that’s a given. These women have a major credibility issues and there are facts coming out of Bielicks time working for CBS so she has a clear pattern of behavior commensurate with whiny bimbos out for money. The second woman has sued before. This is about money and power over someone who obviously hasn’t done much.

    I knew about 8 months before because he was popular at tea party events and was singing at several of them. He may not win but he’s being treated unfairly by the same media that protected John Edwards and Clinton. Next dem presidential scandal is gonna be ugly for them. To bad no one ever tied Vera Baker to Obama.

  • williamjameson

    what is wrong with people today. Its crazy to think prejudging will win anything other than discriminating a good man without any evidence.

    The conservative movement shall be fine so long as rinos don’t overwhelm the desire for Romney

  • williamjameson

    judging him the same as every other liberal idiot with drive by analysis. In politics you only apologize if you did something wrong.

    The Anita Hill remark was only to say is she supporting me, no big deal.

    Pelosi acts like a princess, so what, this is the woman who said “first we have to pass the bill before you get to read what’s in it” Sounds like a princess to me. You politically correct cops really don’t get it.

    Conservatives are doing just fine so long as liberal thinkers stop interfering with sound judgement. Perhaps you should prejudge Obama and get back with us.

  • williamjameson

    Cain. You clowns certainly know little other than how to react like emotion liberals. Congrats on exposing yourselves…..opps, that liberal for being freer to denigrate society with discriminating judgements.

  • williamjameson

    economic incentive for job growth that creates jobs that help gov to get people off welfare and other entitlements. Its true you want a liberal plantation and deeper debt because you have no solutions, only inept judgements.

  • williamjameson

    the situation maturely and took care of the perv effectively. Women are targeted by some men unfortunately. Always best to learn all the facts then progress with Cain especially considering to way this story is unfolding. George W Bush went through a small accusation, today any Bush would be tarred and feathered before the day was over.

  • williamjameson

    and any settlement for less than six figures isn’t worth a weeks worth of ranting lunatics on TV. Cain made a few misstatements but he deserved better. Considering the alternatives Cain doesn’t have as much baggage as the rest. He’ll never sell 999 to congress,, they can barely pass small bills.

  • clintonformccain

    It’s always reassuring when the settlement aggreements for charges of sexual harrassment againt a Presidential candidate weren’t that big! That’ll be a great defense in the general election:

    “Listen, those settlements with those women really weren’t that big….” Now, there’a real family valyoos platform.

  • nathanalbright

    …I’m a missionary teacher who gets paid 1000 baht (about $33) per month to teach in Thailand. Trust me, the Great Recession hasn’t been kind to me either. That said, I take full opportunity of my right to chatter on, despite it not being a well-paying job.

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

    Hollywood. We must compete to save the culture, economy and government policy.

  • iidvbii

    They demand “evidence” to convict Cain and then convict his accusers with no evidence.
    They condemn Perry for for forgetting the DOE and support cain who cant seem to answer a single question.
    Abortion (what a nightmare)
    Foriegn Policy (pick a gaffe)
    Role of the presidency (Got his constitutional amendment signing pen all picked out apparently)
    Economics (apples and oranges, really???)
    The guy is a clown…. Consider his ability to speak is his selling point to these people and I think you’ll have to agree it’s pointless debating these people. After all they seem to believe taking a national chain from 3rd to 6th is business success.

  • ericblair00

    worse is that they think Cain has any suitability for the presidency at all. The man has demonstrated — even embraced — his ignorance of critical issues so often I’ve lost count.

    Perry is similarly problematic, but at least he has been in elected office. I think he has also discredited himself through ignorance of many issues as well, but at least the guy has been governor.

  • calinda

    Why does Mr. Cain have to follow the norm. He surged to the top with this crew he has advising him and I have not heard one pundit in the past few months criticize him or his ‘handlers’ until now. He would have lost support no matter how he first came out. I, for one, think he’s doing just fine.

  • nathanalbright

    …and not just be conservatives, but to express, defend, and affirm a conservative worldview as well.