2012 GOP - Herman Cain Rising – Tonight Show Appearance – Cain’s Straight Talk, Take No Prisoner’s Approach – Two Words: Brilliant and Capable

Herman Cain, speaking at crowded event - image World News Blog

On Friday evening, 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate, Herman Cain, was a guest on NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. Both Leno and his counterpart on CBS, Letterman, have been slumping in the ratings lately (NY Times) , therefore, Leno took the step to attract the rest of the available late night audience which may not be overly “left”, with an appearance by Cain. The last time both Leno and Letterman had sky high ratings was when they opened with guests: Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin in early 2010 (LA Times). Apparently, lost on the networks (or those booking for the shows), was a spike in ratings when one brings in the Conservatives – and Herman Cain would be no exception, as he certainly has the momentum in the race at this point.

One knows that Cain’s stock is rising when Democrat “strategists” start playing the race card! (Real Clear Politics). Apparently, to a Progressive Democrat, (i.e. Socialist), Cain is a bigoted racist. That mind boggling remark is sure to be added to other less brilliant or original attacks on Cain from the left, due to the fact that his presence and his rise in the Republican Race, doesn’t’ fit neatly into their mantra of “All Republican’s are white Racists” – wait – that’s where they got it. Apparently, whether one is Latino, a woman, African American, and a Conservative, one is suddenly a "rich white man", in the eyes of Socialists Democrats. How well that plays is well, up to the electorate.
Unfortunately, Cain being embraced by the GOP and Tea Party knocks out that age old theory, so they either have to attack him on his plans, his experience and or his personal life – they’ve got nothing – so, they use what seems to have failed in the past (which explains the current administrations fascination for and implementation of for Carter’s foreign, domestic, and economic policy).

Cain is likeable, and he’s smart, and he’s got a sense of humor. He’s been able to pick up the appropriate tone in the debate arena, faster than any politician’s one has seen in a long time – for someone who is clearly not a politician – His remarks regarding his economic plan are solid, and he backs them up with facts, from a businessman’s perspective. Not a lot of hubris being thrown out there by Mr. Cain.

The highlights of the video clip below (in two segments via NBC):

Cain on the other candidates: Mitt Romney: Good Hair, New Gingrich: Brilliant and Ron Paul: Grumpy Old Man shows a sense of humor that is peppered with honesty.
When asked about the comments by Palin regarding his being flavor of the week (which was a speech not on Cain per se, rather on the media, which concept has gotten lost somehow (last word rhetorical) Cain noted correctly that Palin had called him Herb (and he forgives her now), that she lends a great deal to the national debate, but that he doesn’t feel she’ll enter the race.

Overall it was a good foray into the late night show talk circuit lion’s den, and one can anticipate more appearance by Cain in the future (specifically if Neilson gives the green light to Leno in ratings next week – one can expect additional GOP candidates to be in the rotation.)

Cain is a breath of fresh air, and although one might argue that he doesn’t have experience in “government’ – that’s more of a plus than a negative, whiel his forty plus years in executive positions gives him credibility, the man would be more capable of hiring the right people than any politician to take the reins since the founders – that’s something to think about heading into the primaries.

The Tonight Show with Herman Cain Part I

The Tonight Show with Herman Cain Part II


To learn more about Herman Cain visit his website: www.hermancain.com

Gallup: Most American’s Believe President & Congress Doing Poor Job: Includes 40% Dems and 79% Independents – Democrats Enthusiasm Lowest Since 2004 -

2012 the Year of the Un-Washington Candidate? image Baaiusa.org

From: Gallup Polling’s Headline: “Half Say President, Congress Doing Worse Than Predecessors” speaks to the second poll segment shown in the article, with 52% of respondents noting that the current makeup of the Congress and Administration is doing worse than those who governed in the past. The first question and the answers by party, however, are quite stunning: “In your view, how good a job are President Obama and the current congress doing in dealing with the United States’ Most Important Problems” draws an overwhelming negative of 67%, with 40% of Democrats, 78% of Independents and 89% of Republicans voting Poor or Very Poor.

The general mood, therefore, of the nation has grown to one of severe anti-incumbency, with the emphasis on the President (given the wording of the polls questions – and the natural placement of the President before the Congress, giving those who have a strong negative on the President’s job performance, with a lesser negative on Congress, the impulse to lump the two together. The outcome may also be viewed as anti-Washington establishment, which gives further acceptance to the Tea Party and the candidates that have risen from its ranks. This is especially true when one honestly assesses the makeup of “Tea Party” constituents as a blend of all political party affiliations, the emphasis being on an adherence to the U.S. Constitution and what is seen as an overwhelming tax burden, and little to no fiscal restraint shown by those in Washington.

Further, a poll released by Gallup on the 29th “Democrats Dispirited About Voting in 2012” indicates that over 44% of Democrats and Democrat leaning independents are unlikely to vote in 2012. Compared to 2004 and 2008, with 2008 being a year with high enthusiasm, the level of voter enthusiasm among Democrats and leaning Independents is in line with both the 2000 and 2004 elections. Among Republican and leaning Independents, the mood is quite different – enthusiasm is up over 2000 and 2004 election levels (given the chart included with the article (Link here) – 51% in 2000, 53% in 2004, and 58% going into 2012).


What 2012 elections forecasters may derive from these two poll series is the rise in political fortunes of those candidates who appear less “Washington” and have the ability to identify with the voters. This would include all candidates for both Houses of Congress as well as the White House and explains the rise in polls for those running for the Presidency that are considered “less experienced politically”, but having more “public sector” experience, and, in addition, a policy of strict fiscal conservatism and adherence to the U.S. Constitution. That general distaste for “Washington” would give Tea Party candidates, although dismissed by Pundits and the Major Party Elites, the proverbial “edge”, with the President as most vulnerable compared to those party affiliates in Congress and the Senate.
Although reading crystal balls is beyond anyone of those who live for the Beltway or those bloggers an and analysts on the sidelines (this blog defined as sidelines), it appears to be the general nature of the political ‘junkie’ in the beltway to either forecast in deference to one party or candidate over another, often based on partisan politics, contrasted with those blogs deferring to the poll results and the stark reality of a growing movement that is anti-Washington. Using this theory, logic follows, therefore that candidates such as Herman Cain, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin and Chris Christie (the later: Palin intentions not yet announced, Christie, announced intentions not to run incessantly), an immediate edge over more “polished” candidates who have extensive experience in government and appear more in sync with Washington and the Beltway.

Although money and the huge sums raised by candidates during election cycles (this one being no exception, even with the current economic crisis), is said to play a factor in outcomes, that is more to the general rather than the primary, and that is a risk that the Beltway pundits and Elites are now repeating. Cain and Bachmann may indeed pull out of Iowa, with the South and Midwest following suit: given the early voting schedule being imposed by key states in the process, it is no wonder that the Establishment GOP is concerned. It may be that Cain, Bachmann, or Palin should she decide to announce either before or after her return from the World Knowledge Conference in South Korea, would take the lead with states such as Iowa, South Carolina and Florida now in the mix, with more establishment candidates such as Romney or Perry taking New Hampshire; with Romney leading most likely in the same states as in the 2008 general. As it now stands, one would be foolish not to watch the “underdogs” (as described by “Washington”) due to the high probability that one will be the nominee, Republican’s less likely to use the nuclear option of “Super Delegates”, possibly understanding that their constituency would increase exponentially among those independents, democrats and Tea Party identifiers if this was taken off the table, ensuring a candidate who may not be to the liking of Washington but would bring out the vote in unprecedented numbers in a general.

At this point in the case of the President, one has to take a second look at pundit Dick Morris’ assertion that the President may pull out of the General, and give his resignation allowing Clinton to run in his stead” Although Morris, like any other pundit, should be taken with a grain of salt, (this blog included), Morris’ past affiliation with the Clinton administration, makes his ability to read Democrat “Tea leaves” a bit better than most. That said, although Clinton would be more preferable than Obama in a general, the brand would be of concern, and it is more probable that 2016 would be the year to challenge, depending upon how well the Generic Republican and Congress are faring.

At this point, it would not be going too far out on a limb to project that Republicans/Tea Party Conservatives will maintain the House of Representatives, take the Senate and also the White House, which is why, with a concern over establishment candidates, would place those who are more Tea Party, in the White House. As of now, polling by the conservative (in this respect conservative to mean careful) Gallup organization, gives the Generic Republican a 6 point lead over President Obama, this figure has continued to rise over the past several months. Which is why, those listening to candidate Michelle Bachmann at the debate, and her recent speech at Liberty University, noting “do not settle”, understand that with the generic ballot giving such an edge to Brand X versus Obama, those who vote, should be able to elect a candidate who shares principles based on Strong adherence to the Constitution, shows leadership qualities and an ability to understand the needs of the people. It is a rallying cry for all Conservative leaning voters (be they Democrat, Republican or Independent) to choose wisely, and “not settle” for a candidate until they have been fully vetted – one must agree that would be of import, regardless of experience and of party.

Iran Claims New Cruise Missile’s – Plan to Deploy Ships off U.S. Coast – Obama Administration Downplays Iran’s Capabilities – The Paper Tiger Syndrome

Iranian Navel Vessel photographed passing through Suez Canal - image msnbc.com



Opinion

The headline from Ynet News: “Iranian Navy gets new cruise missiles” speaks to claims from Iran’s Minister of Defense that cruise missiles, capable of a 200 KM range with both on and off shore targeting options, had been delivered to the Iranian Navy. In terms of miles, that’s a 124 miles reach, or, to put it more bluntly, should Iran, as stated deploy navel ships off the U.S. East Coast, in international waters, in order to build up their “open sea” presence(ABC News), U.S. territory ends approximately 14 miles from the coast, putting cruise missiles well within reach of all major U.S. East Coast Cities, including Washington D.C., New York and Boston.


Image depicting International Maritime Boundaries U.S. Coast - NOAA.gov image

However much the Iranians may have a “right” to travel in international waters, the Obama administration’s remarks regarding Iran’s Capabilities, or lack thereof, more to the point, are somewhat disconcerting:

The White House on Wednesday dismissed the reported Iranian threat to send naval ships near the United States, saying such maneuver exceeds the limits of the Islamic republic's capability.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney made the remarks during his regular press briefing, saying the White House doesn't take these statements "seriously."
"They do not reflect at all Iran's naval capabilities," said Carney.

(U.S. China Daily News)


Flashback: Carter and the Hostage Crisis, Nightline's Daily Update image housing panic blogspot blog




Consider the dismissive nature of the press briefing, while Iran has to date, not hesitated to use their Naval Resources outside of their own waters, most specifically crossing the Suez Canel in February of this year(CNN World News). Is it possible that the Iranian Navy has cruise missiles, yes, and is they capable of cruising into international waters 14 miles off the U.S. coastline – absolutely.

One has to ask if the administration is downplaying the latest round of Iranian Saber Rattling in an attempt to calm the populace that is aware of the situation, or are they taking the “Jimmy Carter “route to an entirely new level? Carter’s moniker as a Paper Tiger during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979 (Anchorage Daily News, Google archives November 14, 1979), was appropriate. As the Crisis was downplayed originally by the administration, with repeated attempts at negotiating with Iran, gave Carter, 30 years ago or more, the appearance of helplessness and the Title. A “Paper Tiger” is loosely defined as a Leader or Leadership that is not capable of defending itself, or its nation, all word, no action, or combination of both, seen as vulnerable on all fronts.

Granted, this may be a case where Iran is over stating their capabilities, however, one would hope that the White House has intelligence to back up the claim that the Iranians pose no threat, and are entitled to go where they will in International Waters. However, how comfortable are we with one of the world’s most egregious regime’s, parking their navy 14 miles from say New York City or Boston, with enough fire power to take out strategic interests which are known to be located in both New York and throughout New England?

How committed to the nation is this administration, should the Iranians cross the line and prove themselves capable of not only traveling to U.S. waters, but also testing a few weapons right outside the 14 mile limit (say 15 miles) – even if an error occurred on the part of the Iranian Navy, and alleged cruise missiles were fired, in the wrong direction, and hit say: Boston or beyond, what type of response would one expect from the administration?

One would hope that Obama would find his inner Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann or reach back and grab Maggie Thatcher, in order to “man up” to the situation. Otherwise, this type of Hostage situation scenario is beyond the scope of Carter’s, and brings the definition of “Paper Tiger” to an entirely new level.