Posted on 10/03/2011 8:46:50 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
After Sunday’s Washington Post reported that Texas Governor Rick Perry had utilized a Texas hunting camp named “Niggerhead,” GOP candidate Herman Cain (a former pizza exec. and the only black candidate running for the GOP presidential nomination) wasted little time in accusing Perry of being insensitive to racial issues.
“Since Gov. Perry has been going there for years to hunt,” Cain told ABC’s “This Week,” think that it shows a lack of sensitivity for a long time of not taking that word off of that rock and renaming the place.”
When anchor Christiane Amanpour pushed back — noting that the rock had actually been painted over — Cain doubled-down, saying: “But how long ago was it painted over? So I’m still saying that it is a sign of insensitivity.’’
(Cain made similar comments on Fox News Sunday — demonstrating that this was not a gaffe made in response to a question that simply caught him off guard.)
In a prepared release, Perry Campaign Communications Director Ray Sullivan responded to Cain’s attack, saying: “Mr. Cain is wrong about the Perry family’s quick action to eliminate the word on the rock, but is right the word written by others long ago is insensitive and offensive. That is why the Perrys took quick action to cover and obscure it.”
Sullivan reiterated that the rock had been painted and turned over, and that “The Perrys did not own, name or control the property, they simply rented hunting rights to 1,000 acres of the ranch.”
My take? Cain’s comments were — at best – premature — and at worst, highly irresponsible. It was a cheap shot, and, perhaps is a signal that Cain is willing to play the race card against a fellow Republican when it benefits him.
The fact that Cain spoke out so soon — basing his comments on a newly-posted and thinly-sourced article published by an outlet many conservatives believe to have a liberal bias — speaks to Cain’s lack of political judgment.
This isn’t the first time Cain’s penchant for talking has gotten him in trouble, but in this instance, Cain has aided and abetted those who wish to portray southern conservatives as racists. In so doing, Cain provides cover for anyone wishing to cast Perry as such.
Just last week, Sarah Palin noted that “Herb” Cain was the “flavor of the week.” By siding with the Washington Post and Al Sharpton — against a fellow Republican who appears to have done nothing wrong — Cain might just have proven Palin right.
Will Herman Cain’s Reaction To ‘N*ggerhead’ Controversy Hurt Him With Conservative Base?................... "It’s early yet, but this controversy is shaping up to be the stake through the heart of Perry’s already-troubled campaign. Even conservatives who side with Perry will likely have to concede that cutting through the thick cloud of coverage around this promises diminishing returns. What are the chances that anyone is going to come out of the woodwork to defend their trips to camp “N*ggerhead” with Rick Perry?
If Perry is, indeed, finished, then the blame for his demise falls squarely on Herman Cain’s shoulders. While the Post‘s reporting was solid, there were solid grounds for criticism, especially from a conservative base that’s already suspicious of mainstream journalism. Cain’s denunciation effectively destroyed that line of defense, and placed the story into a Republican-on-Republican frame that’s a no-win for conservatives. Allowing Perry to go down in flames will reinforce mainstream notions about conservatives and race, but so will attacking Herman Cain.".....
I don’t think it was an ‘attack’ at all
I think Herman Cain just correctly pointed out something factual
No biggie
More MSM presstitutes trying to stir up the GOP
I guess I'm stupid.
Give me the facts.
Cain was asked about a false story that was presented as fact.
Cain’s response was with regard to the facts.
The media is responsible for a false story, not Cain.
If someone said to me that Cincinatus’ Wife has posted she dislikes Herman Cain because he is black, I would say that is racist and not a conservative thing to post.
My job is not to investigate the facts myself.
On the one hand, this non-issue will not affect my judgment of either Mr. Cain or Gov. Perry. I only hope both will still be on the ballot when the NC primary finally rolls around ...
On the other hand, I’ve had it up to the eyeballs with “sensitivity.” Grow up, everyone.
It actually wasn’t factual, because he was implying that Perry knew about it and left it there - and then he admitted he actually didn’t know what Perry had done about it or when he had done it.
I don’t think this was malicious, I just think it shows up Cain’s lack of political experience. He has some good ideas, but I don’t think he could ever carry them out, simply because he knows nothing about being a political figure (a governor, a senator, etc.). He’d be better in the Cabinet or perhaps in some other position this time around, and that would give him time to learn the ropes.
I don’t care what was painted on some rock at a hunting camp. I’m concerned that illegal aliens are being coddled and given special taxpayer-paid benefits instead of deported to their country of origin, as the law requires.
That’s the deal breaker.
When anchor Christiane Amanpour pushed back — noting that the rock had actually been painted over — Cain doubled-down, saying: “But how long ago was it painted over? So I’m still saying that it is a sign of insensitivity.’’
I don't like race attacks. I'm supporting Perry but I took off a few days after that idiotic remark about being heartless piled on to his last name statements. I threw GWB overboard for the same kind of statement and the only reason I haven't Perry because I don't see an alternative. Romney's unacceptable and the rest don't have a chance. But Cain is no better with this comment.
Yawn. It’s only Oct 3 - thank goodness. I hope our candidates can get the kinks out before America really starts paying attention.
Cain was asked a question. He answered it. The Perry camp's attempt to turn an embarrassing error in Perry's past into an attack issue on Cain is the mistake.
It merely keeps the issue alive to Perry's determent
I agree. Having said that he probably should have just said he didn't have enough facts to comment. I'm not sure how well informed he was on this.
And I note that everyone in the MSM is still referring to this place as “Perry’s ranch”—does no one understand the concept of a HUNTING LEASE? It wasn’t, and isn’t, Perry’s ranch. He has a hunting lease there. Someone else owns it.
I’m done with Cain. Just another race baiter, it seems.
This is the important take-away here. Cain flipped the finger to Reagan's 11th commandment and in so doing, gave Obama and Sharpton ammo to push the "Tea Party = Racist" lie.
Cain is categorically not ready for the big leagues. The spotlight was only on him for a matter of HOURS before he blundered and gave HUGE ammo to our opponents.
You can that again, and again and again!
BINGO!
I will not vote for Cain in the primary.
No, it a falls squarely on Perry and his supporters for the grotesque incompetence as campaigners.
Running around hysterically screaming at everyone else for their candidates incompetence on the campaign trail is the sort of behavior Conservatives are use to seeing from the Left.
When we see supposed candidates on our side adopting the Leftist campaign tactics, we have to wonder what he is trying to hide.
Here was a chance for Perry to look Presidential.
Instead, of FACTS we get HEARTLESS racism against
Mr. Cain.
FACTS. They are as weak as the “attacks” on
Obama and RINO Romney.
Perry is not able. Cain is able.
Yeah, Cain should have investigated all the candidates so that he was aware of their property holdings well in advance. /s
He did not point out a fact. He interpreted facts as proof of a personality defect in Perry.
Cain stupidly fell for the MSM prostitutes invitation to stir up the GOP.
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