Posted on 10/05/2011 4:26:40 PM PDT by justsaynomore
GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, once the longest of long shots, is surging in polls across the country and now leads the field among N.C. Republicans.
Cain's gains have come at the expense of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has fallen as much as the Atlanta businessman has climbed.
Combined with the unsuccessful courtship of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the polls suggest a GOP electorate still looking for a 2012 flag-bearer.
"Part of what these numbers demonstrate is the volatility within the Republican electorate," said Adolphus Belk, a political scientist at Rock Hill's Winthrop University. "Republicans ... haven't fallen in love with anyone yet."
As if to underscore that, Christie on Tuesday formally spurned the advances of establishment Republicans looking for another candidate.
"Now is not my time," he told reporters in Trenton. "For me the answer was never anything but no. My job here in New Jersey was always my passion."
Christie's decision appears to freeze the Republican field, at least for now, in an election season suddenly becoming squeezed.
Monday's decision by S.C. Republicans to move up their primary five weeks to Jan. 21 will push contests in Iowa and New Hampshire even earlier, to just after the holidays. All that gives any new candidate less time to raise the money and build the organization needed for success in the early states.
That leaves many Republican voters still searching.
A survey released Tuesday by Raleigh's Public Policy Polling shows Cain leading his rivals in North Carolina, Nebraska and West Virginia.
In North Carolina, the Atlanta businessman has the support of 27 percent of Republican voters. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich were next at 17 percent.
Perry, who led last month with 35 percent, had the support of 15 percent of GOP voters.
The margin of error is 4.9 percentage points for the North Carolina and Nebraska results, and 5.7 percentage points for the West Virginia survey.
The N.C. poll wasn't the only good news for Cain. A national poll by the Washington Post and ABC News this week showed that Romney leads announced GOP candidates with 25 percent, with Perry and Cain tied for second with 16 percent. That represents a 12-point rise for Cain and a 13-point drop for Perry since last month.
And another poll shows Cain narrowly trailing Romney among Florida Republicans, with Perry in fourth place behind Gingrich.
The polls were done after Cain's surprise victory Sept. 24 in Florida Republicans' presidential straw poll. And they followed debate performances and controversies that soured many conservative Republicans on Perry.
"It's not so much what Cain did but what Perry did," said Tom Jensen, director of the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling. "Conservative voters are really souring on Perry and looking for somebody else to support."
Many Republicans, for example, dislike the fact that Perry signed a bill giving many illegal immigrants in-state tuition at Texas colleges.
"Not only has he endorsed that, but he's been bragging about it," said Bucky Sutton, a retired Rock Hill voter who has been to see Perry and Cain.
Cain, the former chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza, appears to be picking up much of that support.
He's popular with tea partyers and social conservatives. He prides himself on not being a politician or being politically correct. He's pushing a "9-9-9" plan to enact a 9 percent flat tax on business, a 9 percent tax on personal income and a 9 percent national sales tax.
"First, he's talking about a flat tax," said Belk, of Winthrop. "Then I think that his background as a minister helps him with social conservatives within the party. He speaks their language. And he makes a point of telling them he shares their socially conservative values."
In an opinion piece Tuesday on Fox News, Cain acknowledged his rising visibility.
"Even though the Cain Train is picking up steam ... many in the mainstream media still haven't given me a shot," he wrote. "Fortunately, more have started to take note."
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/05/2439419/herman-cain-leads-gop-field-in.html#ixzz1Zx5mC0jX
Are you and Herman aware that vanilla is a SPICE?
I happen to like vanilla as a flavor. Now, when it comes to politics, if Mr. Cain wants to critique other candidates -— who have more experience in governance, btw -— then he needs to do so with words and ideas, not immature cliches.
The issue is race baiting by Cain.
If Perry wrongly attacks Herman, I’d give the same response.
I see you’re still a knucklehead. LOL
Are you saying I was ‘insensitive?’
Oh, we’ll convince you Cain is the best candidate. Just give us a chance. LOL But I’d be okay with Perry. Not Romney, though. NEVER!
NO IT DOESN'T! IT HAS A 9% INCOME TAX!
That’s why he put in the 2/3 majority to change the rates.
Originally he wanted to repeal the 16th first, but after talking to economists, he adjusted it so that there would be some time to cut government spending/programs, bring the debt down, educate people so they will pressure Congress to pass HR25 (Fair Tax)
Satan speaks!
Don’t you worry about me and THE LORD.
AND calling me a low life speaks volumes ABOUT YOU
For you benefit i will repeat my tag line (THRU HIM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!!!!
Your aggressive, condescending insults have persuaded me! You have such a way w words—you should write a book about winning friends and influencing enemies. /s
Seriously, the more you insult people, the less persuasive you are. Why is this such a difficult concept for some to grasp? It’s really very basic. You catch more flies w honey than w vinegar. I know right now that you’re preparing your next fusillade of insults. Fine, bring them on. They will only weaken your case.
I believe they mean, payroll taxes. It replaces the 15% payroll taxes.
Ok, I agree. He jumped to a quick conclusion without knowing all the facts. It happens. I can give one pass but if it’s a trend then I have a problem.
But how is the 2/3 super-majority enacted? Because if you pass a law or make a rule that Congress must have 2/3 super-majority to pass a tax increase, Congress could simply have a majority vote to change the law or rule, then have a majority vote to increase taxes.
Lost respect for Cain over that race card faux pas. But would still vote for him over .... sorry .... he ain’t gonna be the gop nominee. If he was, however ....
I did not insult you in post #56... did you read it?
What are you talking about?
What keeps them from increasing taxes now?
Herman Cain did not bring up the issue about the painted rock - the interviewers did.
You said Cain is the equivalent of Obama—and you don’t see that as an insult? You’re first of all smearing a good man, and secondly telling me I’m too stupid not to discern an Obama-clone. You also told me I’m making a “joke” of the process. Nice put-down there. Ah, but to you, that’s what passes for well-reasoned persuasion, right?
You’re going from bad to worse. If you’re going to insult someone, at least be aware you are doing it. If you’re not even discerning enough to perceive the put-downs and smears you’re making, why should anyone believe anything you say?
He may have taken out half of zero's black base with that, probably the ones that vote. I don't think Cain is losing conservative blacks either, granted a small voting block, and he could make the race issue null and void this election. Ramped up racial tensions is all zero's doing. Not perfect but best choice so far IMHO, and he is not a reparations type.
I will vote for that nappyheaded guy 'cause I don't like people with big ears.
When it comes to racial issues, once the charge is made, the damage is done. It reflects badly on Cain.
Sadly, the Democrat plantation mentality is still running strong. Obama will get 90% of the black vote in 2012.
No, I am saying your manners are lacking tonight.
"It's not so much what Cain did but what Rick Perry did," said the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling. "Conservative voters are really souring on Perry and looking for somebody else to support."
Many Republicans dislike that Perry signed a bill giving many illegal immigrants in-state tuition. "Not only has he endorsed that, but he's been bragging about it," said a retired Rock Hill voter...........
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