Why Herman Cain could be the GOP's perfect Obama rival

Yahoo/Christian Science Monitor ^ | Jul 5, 2011 | Charlton McIlwain

[kingattax]

Herman Cain defies the stereotype of blacks as liberal. And his embrace of conservatism and rugged individualism might make him the Republicans' best salesman – and counter to Obama.

Black candidates must be especially image savvy to navigate the delicate contours of today’s racial politics. They must cultivate racial appeal, without provoking racial resentment, and expend their racial capital, without succumbing to the litany of stereotypes whites associate with them.

We thought Barack Obama mastered this art, believing future black candidates must learn at his feet. But Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain might prove more teacher than apprentice.

My co-author, Stephen Caliendo, and I analyzed over a thousand ads researching our recent book about racial appeals in US elections.

We always returned to Mr. Cain’s 2004 Senate ads. Two aspects of those ads demonstrate why Cain might be the Republican’s best salesman and contrast to his fellow black rival.

[kingattax]

Herman Cain - America's CEO

[kingattax]

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[RockinRight]

Cain fares far better versus Obama than he does in the primary itself, IMHO.

He has a tough fight to win the nomination, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that IF he does get the nomination, he performs better vs. Obama than any other contender.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Well, it would be interesting if Barry Soetoro came all the way from Indonesia only to get Cain’d here.

[bopdowah]

Yes, I would vote for Herman. If H is the nominee, the race card goes away. A debate between Herman and the Obamessiah would be something to see, for sure!

I’m curious though: how many blacks would leave the reservation and vote for Herman? Obama got 90% of the black vote in 2008 and many thought Obama was going to pay their mortgages and fill up their gas tank.

[ASA Vet]

Herman Cain

born December 13, 1945 in Memphis, TN (Meets the Jus Soli Requirement)

Parents were
Luther Cain Jr., born March 16, 1925 in TN, died March 29, 1982 in Atlanta, GA
Lenora Davis, born July 27, 1925 in GA, died August 20, 2005 in Atlanta, GA

Both parents were US Citizens at the time of his birth (Meets the Jus Sanguinis Requirement)

Herman Cain is a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN

Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama ISN'T!

[freedumb2003]

Excellent article. Too bad the author had to dance around the elephant in the room: all liberals are racists, especially liberals of “color.”

[FrankR]

The inference would be so obvious, it would backfire.

With all due respect for Cain, the liberal press would take it and run with it, declaring the GOP to be racist by putting up a rival to obama only "because he happens to be black".

All of Cain's wise words and comments would be foreshadowed by a race-mongering media and their ultimate conclusion would be that we only nominated him because of his color, in order to be obama. That would not play well in the light that the right has been saying for almost three years that obama was elected ONLY because he was black...which, IMHO, is right because Herman Cain is more qualified for the office than obama - in more ways than one.

And, while Cain has pockets of rabid supporters, I don't think he would win - partially due to what I have already said, and partially due to folks that are just tired of the race card...no matter who is playing it, or how.

A leader has to inspire - not by throwing out stimulus money or supporting unions - but by leading us out of harms way and into prosperity. We all see that obama is the "head lemming", leading us to the cliff, however, he's going to craftily step aside as the rest of us go over.

All that to say, I don't think America will trust having another black president this soon, obama has pissed in the punch bowl and no body is wanting to sample it anymore.

I've been listening to Cain for years in Atlanta on talk radio, so my suggest would be for FOX to can obama sychophant Juan Williams and replace him with Herman Cain. Maybe Herman would be a good replacement for Glenn Beck. He opinionated, animated, and can rally a good following.

IMHO

[Theodore R.]

Almost no blacks would vote for Cain, as they are pre-committed to all Democrat nominees for all offices at all times.

[Maverick68]

Herman Cain would make a great President, but it ain’t gonna happen.
America is going to elect a white President in 2012.
Obama and his flash mobs may be assuring a white President and Republican majority for the forseeable future....

[rhombus]

What a shame that Obama went and wrecked being black. ;-)

[ilovesarah2012]

It may supress black voter turnout if the thinking is “well, at least a black man will be president”. JMO

[ilovesarah2012]

Oh, come on. He only wrecked being half-black.

[San Jacinto]

Sterotypes -— Phffffftttt!

Just because Dick Obama is lazy and shiftless doesn’t mean Herman Cain is.

[Kartographer]

Bring on the CDSer’s! It’s up to you to save us from Cain!/sarc/

[JFC]

We family is very excited about Herman Cain!

[Cheetahcat]

I am SO tired of hearing these half men, bleat Race!!! Take it elsewhere,BTW just who gives a crap Really ?? about those 12% of the population that are extreme Racist,The Black Democrats!

[hosepipe]

Caine is a newbie to politics.. unvetted and untested..
Going from nothing all the way to President is Affirmative Action..

I thought we just did that with Obama?..!!....
Didn’t work out to well either.... both of them tell you what you want to hear..

I say let Hermie run for something else first.. he does talk good..
But I’m “Rangled out” of black politicians.. they have much to prove..

[Honcho]

Liberals will just portray Cain as an Uncle Tom, not black enough, etc. We should nominate the candidate who best conveys conservative ideals and who can best articulate our position. If that’s Herman Cain, I would be proud to vote for him. But I think there is some fanciful idea that we can currently combat race baiting by the left by nominating a black person. I just think we should nominate our candidates based on who they are, not what race they are.

[so_real]

I'd happily cast my vote for him. And if he wins I will hound him to make good on his Fair Tax advocacy. If it's truly all about jobs, jobs, jobs ... this is the single most beneficially transformative thing we can do for the economy today.