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Subscribe to RSSOn the day of the Ames Straw Poll Saturday, Herman Cain told reporters that even if he came in “dead last” in the poll, he would still continue his presidential campaign. Cain is still vowing to march on, despite a fifth-place finish and the long odds of him becoming the nominee.
Just a few days before the poll, on Aug. 10th, Cain had told NBC News that he need to finish in the top six of the nine names that appeared on the straw-poll ballot, three of whom, Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich, did not participate in the day’s events.
“If we come in fourth, fifth or sixth, that’s not a loss,” said Cain, who wound up finishing fifth with just 9% of the vote behind Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty, who dropped out of the race the next day.
Cain had sounded more optimistic, however, less than two weeks earlier. In an interview with conservative website Pajamas Media July 31st, Cain said, “We predict that we should finish in the top three.
And at an August 4th forum in Iowa, he said, “I need to finish in the top three,” according to the Des Moines Register. The Register points out that Cain also said if he finished fourth or fifth, he would not drop out of the campaign, but “it’s just gonna be a harder analysis that we would do to decide if we go forward.”
Cain’s goalpost-shifting suggests his campaign was trying to manage expectations for the nationally watched straw poll, even as the businessman, who has never held elected office, had done well in other recent straw polls, including first place in the Western Conservative Summit’s poll in Denver.
In that poll, Cain bested Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who had not yet announced his presidential bid, getting 48% of the 508 ballots compared to Perry’s 13%. Both addressed the group. But The Denver Post noted: “Typically, the straw-poll results reflect ‘who's given the best speech, not how people plan on voting,’ said Katy Atkinson, a local conservative political consultant.”
Cain still received more votes than Perry in the Ames straw poll, but the Texas governor did not participate in the event and was not on the ballot. Perry, a write-in candidate, beat Mitt Romney, who also was on the ballot but didn’t organize around the event this year.
When asked to comment on Cain’s shifting his expectations, campaign spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael said, “Mr. Cain believes in setting goals and striving to achieve them. Our campaign spent $0 on paid media -- radio or television advertisements -- and less than $100,000 on the straw poll all-together. As a good businessman, Mr. Cain knew it would be important not to 'bet the farm' on Ames, or any straw poll for that matter. He has opted, instead, to save resources as we approach the Iowa caucus.”
Cain rose rapidly earlier this year -- he was well received at many speeches, even compared to top-tier candidates. He was declared by a FOX News focus group the overwhelming winner of the first Republican debate in Greenville, SC. But with the entrance of Rep. Michele Bachmann, questions about his views on Muslims, as well as his knowledge of issues like the war in Afghanistan, the initial momentum that Cain generated on a national scale has all but dissipated.
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Cain reminds me of a Dead Man Walking...
Like Newt, Huntsman & Santorum, they just don't grasp it yet...
Turn off the lights and exit stage right...
Herman Cain told reporters that even if he came in "dead last" because he was marching to "Zion" with his banjo and the rest of the Saints in order to save the nation.
http://www.dubcnm.com/cdcovers/zioni-hhn_l.jpg
Hallelujah
Add President Obama to your list, Feisty.
40% job approval (and, trending downward) for a President seeking reelection is bad news.
Real bad news.
"They don't know they're dead."
-Actor Haley Joel Osment in the movie, "The Sixth Sense", 1999.-
Hi Bev:
It's so good to see you on the boards again. I trust you and your family are doing well. All is well in southern Indiana. We could use some rain though.
I'm told Cain is a businessman. Just wondering how much money he's willing to lose before he decides to cut his losses.
33% approval rating among the Indies too. Well they could be like AM from yesterday who was seeing dead congressmen from what I read.
Ron Indiana
Thanks we are doing fine. The weather has cooled off
I'm told Cain is a Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.. Just wondering how much money he's willing to lose before he decides to cut his losses
I think he is just posturing. Considering he was Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City as well as being a business man, it shouldn't be long.
Besides, he likes the cheddar.
Ironically all the candidates you mention never really had a shot.
I guess Cain wasn't Able... Sorry I couldn't resist.
True that!
Huntsman was the only sane one in the posse...
Oh, my!! That HURT. ;-)
Cain who?
Yes We Cain!
All in good fun AM, all in good fun.
Although I'd like to add, then when people pile on over a misunderstanding it's not generally indicative of them or their beliefs. Bachmann really needs to fire her campaign managers and find new people, although her performance at the debate was jaw dropping. Leaving the stage, coming back late crying? C'mon if someone is going to run for president they need a thick skin. My problem is all her answers were "I,I,I" and "Me, me, me" I've seen and heard enough. I want a plan, on paper to put people back to work and getting the economy moving. Obama should not be telling people to wait until Sept, it's his job to do something right now, instead of waiting to use is for politic. Frankly, they never should have left on the recess. It would have looked good for both sides to stay in DC. That would have been something O could have done to ingratiate himself to the people who are falling off the bandwagon (ie kids and Indies) instead he chose to try and raise money for his campaign. That is going to cost him.
I wish Jon Huntsman had a better chance. I might actually have decided to vote for him. He's a fairly sane man in a group of crazies, kind of like a one eyed man in the land of the blind. Only crazy position he had was to support the Paul Ryan budget.
Oh well, may be he is just trying to get some name recognition to position himself for a run in 2016.
Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. He could have used this time to sell the plan, while Congress was in recess, in order to get a jump on them and consolidate support behind him. Instead, he wandered rather aimlessly around on that bus tour and made a lot of working folks uneasy as he went, instead of reassuring them. A total waste of time.
Problem is, I suspect there is no plan ... yet.
And the longer he waits, the better the plan has to be. Waiting until after labor day? My Jr. high student could come up with a plan in that amount of time, as part of a civics class project.
come on Mr. President, show us a good one and REALLY push Congress to get it done.
Problem is, I suspect there is no plan ... yet.
And that's troubling because he has been saying he will pivot to jobs for a while and it seems like there is no movement on it. There is a lot of talk but no action.
Personally, I like Herman Cain. His "business mindset" could be a refreshing change from the useless incompetence of Washington. No doubt, he's "new to this game" and every word he says is "scrutinized to death under the LAME-stream, Socialist-Regressive microscope" so sure, he is a long shot and that's a shame.
The fact that Cain truly is 100% Black and 100% African-American is an ironic and GLARINGLY HUGE contrast to the "6.25% Black, NON African-American" president currently occupying the White House (until January 20th, 2013 :-)
Since Obama is only 6.25% Black, but at 43.75%, seven times more Semitic Arab, the fact that "anyone refers to Obama as Black" speaks volumes as to just how ignorant average Americans are when it comes to race or ethnicity.
As if that doesn't prove their ignorance enough... some even take it a step further and incorrectly refer to Obama as "African-American?"
Yet, absolutely NONE of those people referring to Obama as Black or Africa-American EVER, EVER, EVER mention or make reference to Obama's race being 43.75% Semitic Arab?
So, the very fair, politically correct and appropriate question is, "Why not?"
Equally important, "Why SO BIGOTED to completely ignore his dominant racial heritage?"
Obama's new campaign slogan:
"DEBT man walking" :-)
Everyone can theorize all they want about "who will or who will not" become our next President... one easy bet is that there is absolutely NO WAY Obama will win a second term... of course, that is "IF" he even ends up "running at all?"
Obama, and his cronies, pushing HIS policies were the #1 reason for the staggering Republican landslide victories last November. Obama was "noticeably ABSENT" from the Democratic campaign trail too?
Remember, the #1 GOAL of all politicians is Re-election. Unfortunately for Obama, how many Democrats seeking re-election in 2012 want to be seen "anywhere near him or his failed policies?"
Obama is more and more "radioactive" every day and his "former base of supporters" are FLEEING from him like rats running from a burning building. He becomes a weaker and weaker by the second, so too do his chances of being in "any position" to seek re-election in 2012.
Watch for some "totally weird reason for Obama NOT to seek re-election" in 2012. The easiest, face-saving and most likely reason will be "some contrived Health issue i.e. Heart problem or some mysterious cancer". Of course, long after the election, Obama's "supposed Health problem" will miraculously just disappear?
LBJ did it in 1968.
Hopefully... this low-life, Marxist ideologue just goes back to Chicago so he and the Mrs. can raise their daughters in that "wonderful community he supposedly ORGANIZED so well?" I'm sure, thanks to his miraculous skills at "Community Organizing" that his community is today a "shining example of his efforts"... FREE from crime and gang violence, with lots of those "jobs he promised?" Right? I'm sure its a "lovely, safe and properous place" for his girls to walk around and enjoy their teenage years? Right?
Anna Molly
I want a plan, on paper to put people back to work and getting the economy moving. Obama should not be telling people to wait until Sept, it's his job to do something right now, instead of waiting to use is for politic.
Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. He could have used this time to sell the plan, while Congress was in recess, in order to get a jump on them and consolidate support behind him. Instead, he wandered rather aimlessly around on that bus tour and made a lot of working folks uneasy as he went, instead of reassuring them. A total waste of time.
Problem is, I suspect there is no plan ... yet.
Finally somebody from the DDI club admitted what everybody else knew. Thanks AM. I hope this doesn't get you thrown out of the "in crowd" by the Red Queen!!! She seems quite vindictive.
If Cain had a (D) next to his name, Feisty would be taunting him as an intellectual, a leader a great businessman and a person with a lot of charisma and grit.
After watching Obama and his administration the past 3 years, there's no evidence any of them are intellectuals. Only wannabe's.
I thought I had Cain angle figured out but since he has never ed connected to the Black community pulling votes from Obama is never going to happen. Then if he thinks he can get real support from the Tea Party crowed well that even more delusional.
Beyond delusional...
Fortune Cookie burbs attractively.
I can picture him now: right hand up, palm open, chanting, "We're number five, we're number five,"
Considering his lack of national profile, I would actually say coming in fifth is not a loss. From no profile to beating out a sitting Congressman, two former governors, a current governor, and "others" is actually stunning.
But ok, let's use your logic. The WI recalls, five candidates, D's win two seats. How can that be a win, if they did not in back the majority?
“If we come in fourth, fifth or sixth, that’s not a loss,” said Cain"
Now I see where the people who think Republicans won big in Wisconsin this week get their math skills from.....
Edit: halo, you type faster than I do, but thanks for illustrating my point!
Well, JoAnne -
not being a member of the t-party, I never learned to understand that type of "funny" counting that wingnuts are so fond of using. Conventional mathematics for me, I'm afraid.
"We're #5, we're #5!" Bring in the cheer squad - excitement abounds.
I remember MSNBC, a lot of posters, and Ed Shultz for crying out loud claiming it was a win.
"I wish Jon Huntsman had a better chance" -
Indeed, dirp101, he is the only one, that if he were to get the nomination, would give Obama a real challenge with the independents. The others are way too polarizing or crazy.
Of course, it is just that quality that will insure he won't get the nomination.
"I wish Jon Huntsman had a better chance" -
Indeed, dirp101, he is the only one, that if he were to get the nomination, would give Obama a real challenge with the independents. The others are way too polarizing or crazy.
Of course, it is just that quality that will insure he won't get the nomination.
Unless you are an independent, you do not know what you are talking about. I've have voted for Dems, Reps, Green Party and others. And I know this, I AM NOT voting for Obama in 2012.
halo3v: unfortunately, you may only have a choice between President Obama and the crazy Republican _______— (fill in blank with name.) The rational, sane part of the Republican party has been drowned out by the Tea Party fanatics.
Cain is an amusing fool without a clue. I hope he stays a long time. I enjoy his ignorance
Halo the dems best hope were to get three and they got two. 2/3 is greater than 1/2 that a win. A real win for the republicans would have been no recalls at all not losing two. If WI voter were happy with the GOP it would have meant no recalls how simple is that.
Herman Cain, Do you really think the Republicans want a black man in their party to become President? A snow ball in hell has a better chance of surviving than you do.
We all saw how well THAT worked out for Michael Steele... lol
Feisty, that is so true. Most of them don't mind him serving them pizzas but prez. Not going to happen.
Well it looks as if the bigotry is coming out in the non-repub supporters here. I guess it's okay for you all to bash the tea party folks for saying things about a man's color (even when they don't) but it is perfectly acceptable for you to do they same. What is it about anyone who has to see someones skin color as anything other than that (skin color)?
The republicans have never had a presidential candidate that wasn't Caucasian until now? I don't know, but so what? How many did the democrats run before Obama? More than that, maybe, just maybe the republicans are evolving faster than you want and you don't want to accept that because that is one less thing you can hold against them.
Here's the deal ITM12 - why don't you go check out the later pages on First Thought's from this morning and get back to us...
Some right wing nuts are actually brazen enough, they're actually referring to the President a n*gger!
Save your POUTRAGE about skin color and racism until you're willing to stand up and denounce THAT kind of HATE speech!
Otherwise - you should GO pick up your white sheets from the cleaners...
You tea baggers should be PROUD! At least real America understand the valid issue at hand & that would be a BLACK man in the White House!
I'm feeling generous this evening - here's a little apetizer for you;
mac@59
I actually remember that and I also remember my response FU@# YOU NI@#$%.I'm not racist but they are,Burak and his bit@#.
#240.8 - Wed Aug 17, 2011 4:17 PM CDT
Wow.
Although you may not realize it, we are on the same page, simply arriving from different routes.
I am appalled that anyone in this country continues to demonstrate any form of civil discrimination either in public or private. My comment stemmed from the comment made by yourself and eye2eye. The later started the comment by saying: "Herman Cain, Do you really think the Republicans want a black man in their party to become President?" It is my opinion that although the comment may be criticizing racial discrimination, it is in itself racially motivated and therefore in my opinion has no place in a public forum. You came into play with your comment about Steele. You and the other person would take exception (I believe) if someone made a similar comment about President Obama, so why not show the same respect for Mr. Cain?
Mr. Cain in my opinion is an intelligent, industrious man with a lot of charisma. His business savvy and ability proves to be a record of success. Rising from humble beginnings to become a college graduate, an executive in a large corporation, part of our nations financial community and now running for the presidency. He symbolizes the great American dream in my opionion, and I hope he realizes his dream as I believe it will benefit the country as a whole.
Recenly, he was taking phone calls on a show and someone called in commenting that he slash funding for public schools while his children attended private schools. He went ballistic on the air, demanding to know who was calling in. When he was to appear again to take phone calls, he suddenly developed his asthma. Was it asthma or was he about to go bezerk again?
Feisty......Well said.
Vey well said Feisty. The Tea Party says all the real nasty racist stuff about anyone of color then cry about the race card they just used. How easy they forget people have records of all the things they say.
Well we have tried politicans(except for ronald) for evey election, made some bad choices and some good ones. This man Cain is pretty straight forward and I think will get the USA back to where she needs to be. Too many of us have been wrapped up in the name of our party more than the good of our country. Obama had the greatest chance to change business as usual with both houses for two years. He was loyal to his party while we got the shaft. Wake up AMERICANS...no more party loyality, but loyal for the best one who can turn things around.