Is Herman Cain serious?

Politico via Yahoo ^ | 10/1/11 | Reid Epstein

[freespirited]

Whatever questions come flying at Herman Cain at Tuesday’s night Republican debate in Las Vegas, there is one big one he has to answer: Are you serious?

It is a measure of Cain’s success that anyone would care to ask. For much of this year Cain seemed to be enjoying his role as political novelty act — an entertaining sideshow at debates, and even an occasional presence on the early-state campaign trail — when he wasn’t otherwise occupied with speeches, television appearances and book-tour publicity.

But now that Cain, buoyed by bulging poll numbers, is demanding to be viewed as a credible contender for the GOP nomination, Cain’s greatest peril is that primary rivals, journalists and the political world broadly will grant that wish.

Very little in recent days suggests Cain is adequately prepared for the coming test on his understanding of foreign policy, on his advisers and the origin of his most provocative ideas and, not to put too fine a point on it, on whether he has a factual command of issues equal to what would be expected of the typical congressional candidate.

NBC News anchor David Gregory seemed perplexed, then astonished, on “Meet the Press” Sunday when Cain responded quizzically to questions about whether he is a foreign policy neoconservative before stating that he is “not familiar with the neoconservative movement” — never mind a decade of roiling debate among Republicans about the neocon agenda to remake the world.

Cain said he subscribes to the foreign policy wisdom of Henry Kissinger and John Bolton — never mind, again, that these two men have diametrically opposed views of the world.

[freespirited]

Very little in recent days suggests Cain is adequately prepared for the coming test on his understanding of foreign policy, on his advisers and the origin of his most provocative ideas and, not to put too fine a point on it, on whether he has a factual command of issues equal to what would be expected of the typical congressional candidate.

A candidate who has that command but changes his positions to suit the audience he's talking to is far worse.

[MNJohnnie]

Let see, Cain was a leader in the fight against Clinton care in 1993. He is a leader in the fight against 0bamacare.

What was Rick Perry doing in 1993?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Perry#Early_political_career

In 1993, Perry, while serving as Texas agriculture commissioner, expressed support for the Clinton health care reform proposal, describing it as “most commendable.” The health care plan was ultimately unsuccessful due to Republican congressional opposition.[23][24][25][26][27] In 2005, after being questioned on the issue by a potential opponent in the Republican governor primary, Perry said that he expressed his support only in order to get Clinton to pay more attention to rural health care.[28]

[Fred]

The # 1 RinoRag bought and paid for by Myth

[RexBeach]

Yeah, right. Mr. Obama was prepared, was he? Did he have a great grasp of foreign affairs?

Give me a freaking break.

Hell’s Bells, I could do better than Mr. Obama in foreign affairs by napping through the whole term.

[swain_forkbeard]

Here’s where Newt can help Cain.

[Erik Latranyi]

The media is all about “challenging” conservatives on the issues and ensuring us if they are prepared for the foreign policy tasks facing a POTUS.

When it comes to liberals.....nothing.

[McGruff]

Is Reid Epstein scary?

[not2worry]

What kind of foreign policy experience does Perry have...
oh, I forgot, funding continuing education for illegals and his work with Senor LaRaza....even A&M conservatives have had it with Perry’s foreign policy:

Source: www.aggieconservatives.org

Petition Governor Perry to Call Special Legislative Session to End In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

The Honorable Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711

Dear Governor Perry:

I am deeply disappointed that Texas tax dollars are being used to subsidize the college tuition of illegal immigrants in the state of Texas. The Texas government, especially in these troubling economic times, should not be subsidizing the higher education of adults who cannot legally work in the United States.

Governor Perry, I request you to immediately call a special session of the Texas Legislature in order to end the policy of providing in-state tuition and financial aid for illegal aliens at Texas public universities.

Thousands of United States citizens are currently paying $20,000/year more than illegal immigrants to attend college in Texas; illegal immigrants are also receiving tuition waivers and state financial aid. As a candidate running for the office of President of the United States of America, I ask you to put the interests of American citizens before the interests of citizens of foreign countries, especially those foreign citizens residing in the United States illegally.

Please end this unfair policy, which harms American students and rewards criminal behavior.

Sincerely,

[USS Alaska]

NBC News anchor David Gregory seemed perplexed, then astonished, on “Meet the Press” Sunday when Cain responded quizzically to questions about whether he is a foreign policy neoconservative before stating that he is “not familiar with the neoconservative movement” — never mind a decade of roiling debate among Republicans about the neocon agenda to remake the world.

Cain said he subscribes to the foreign policy wisdom of Henry Kissinger and John Bolton — never mind, again, that these two men have diametrically opposed views of the world.

Herman Cain knew that lil' davey girl was trying to trap him into admitting that he was a neo-con {code words of the elites for jew hater} and Herman wasn't biting.

Herman said that he reads both Bolton and kissinger, not that he worships at their feet.

This writer is...... never mind.....

[Terry Mross]

I wish Cain would say: “To the American people. They say I can’t win because I won’t be able to raise enough money. That will not stop me from trying. I will travel from town to town, county to county and state to state with my message. I’ll do it the old fashioned way of shaking hands and getting to know the people. So, if you can afford to donate a few dollars I’d appreciate it. But the truth of the matter is I want your votes a lot more than I want your money. And when we get to the White House, it will belong to you and not to people who tried to buy it.”

The only way Cain can’t win is if we don’t vote for him. If we all get behind a candidate selected by Rove and the elites like we did with McCain, we’ll get more obama.

[sickoflibs]

I am holding back judgement of Cain on this however Perry shot himself in the head with his ‘Have a heart’ statement. Who was he playing to with that?

[sickoflibs]

I am holding back judgement of Cain on this however Perry shot himself in the head with his ‘Have a heart’ statement. Who was he playing to with that?

[MEGoody]

But now that Cain, buoyed by bulging poll numbers, is demanding to be viewed as a credible contender for the GOP nomination, Cain’s greatest peril is that primary rivals, journalists and the political world broadly will grant that wish.

Good. I'm leaning toward Cain pretty heavily. I really would like to see how he stands up under such scrutiny and, yes, under the innuendos and lies that will be thrown at him.

[muawiyah]

Hmm, let's see ~ Kissinger is right on a lot of things (particularly those current to his time in power) and Bolton is also right on a lot of things (particularly those current to HIS time in power).

Amazing thing isn't it?

BTW, let me ask you, since you're really smart ~ 2 questions. First question is "How many died at Watergate"?

The second is "How many Vietnamese did Senator Leahy murder"?

Those are both fair question. I'll give you plenty of time to answer them ~ both are quite germane to the issue of how much a President needs to know about anything.

[Sherman Logan]

Cain responded quizzically to questions about whether he is a foreign policy neoconservative before stating that he is “not familiar with the neoconservative movement” — never mind a decade of roiling debate among Republicans about the neocon agenda to remake the world.

I have followed this debate, and I'm not sure how I'd answer the question. It's not like there exists a formal Neocon Party one joins, agreeing to support its platforms.

Neocons have mostly been defined by their opponents, who outline a policy and ascribe it to the evil neocons.

I suspect I would have outlined this briefly to the questioner and told him that if he'd care to describe in detail what he means by neocon I'd be glad to tell him whether I are one.

[MrB]

This reminds me of Pelosi when asked whether 0bamacare was Constitutional -

“Are you serious? This is not a serious question.”

Nancy, we see that you didn’t answer the question. Why not just lie like liberals usually do?

[Marie]

My whole family is voting for Cain and my daughter has one full car-load of friends getting ready to go.

The Texas primaries are in March. (tentative) I think my kids will round up at least one more car-load by then.

[muawiyah]

That is a very easily answered question. He was tossing the "have a heart" statement to the Democrats. That was a Republican audience with a Republican issue (shut the border) and Democrats are always open to voting for a Republican who hates Republicans.

Perry was simply a year too soon ~ he forgot he had not yet wrapped up the campaign to be the nominee.

Well, better luck next time.

[SueRae]

A political novelty act? Because he has a sense of humor? A terrific disposition? I think he is enjoying himself...and I want that to continue.

[Captain Kirk]

Cain shouldn’t have to ask questions about the neocons. If he hasn’t heard of them (especially since he moves in conservative circles), it indicates a profound intellectual shallowness or, at least, a troubling lack of intellectual curiousity about the world around him. To some here, of course, that will pose no problem since ignorance is sometimes regarded as a virtue!