Those interested in the 2012 Republican Presidential candidates have noted the rise of Georgia businessman, longtime activist and current front runner Herman Cain.
IBOPE/Zogby released a poll conducted October 11-14, of over 1,200 likely Republican primary voters. Cain’s support among this key group was at 45 percent, more than double that of Mitt Romney, the leader among the GOP field for months; his rise has been meteoric, resulting in increased media attention, increased scrutiny and an interest in Cain’s proposed “999” economic plan.
Will his rise to GOP stardom result in a temporary front-runner status and quick drop-off? I contend that he will retain his place as a top-tier candidate for several reasons, chiefly his clarity of message, folksy wisdom and the natural emergence of an “Anti-Romney” candidate in the field.
Cain, a retired restaurant industry CEO, ran unsuccessfully for Senate in Georgia in 2004. Since then, he’s participated as one of the most active and vocal members of the Tea Party movement, speaking out against government waste and for common sense at hundreds of rallies around the nation from 2009-2011.
Cain’s message has always been clear , “Renewing the Republic” through the implementation of extensive tax and spending reform, the productive use of our abundant natural resources and a restoration of the unity that has made this nation great in the past and continues to do so.
His economic plan, which would completely scrap the current convoluted, bureaucratic, sickeningly long tax code, would impose a flat-rate 9 percent income tax on individuals, a 9 percent flat tax on all businesses and corporations and impose a 9 percent national sales tax, which would replace taxes already embedded in selling prices.
By replacing higher marginal rates in the production process with lower marginal rates, marginal production costs actually decline, which will lead to prices being the same or lower, not higher. Cain often points out his humble roots in Georgia: growing up poor but happy as the great-grandson of former slaves.
This uniquely American story, which took place in the Deep South during segregation, set lofty goals for Cain and his brother; they wanted to graduate from college and become successful citizens. With faith in religion and themselves, the Cain brothers graduated from private universities and went on to serve successfully in the business sector.
He’s unique and wise as a candidate; neither a Washington insider nor a candidate born into money and power, Cain is an anomaly in the field. Cain is a veritable self-made man, and this informs his answers on the issues and in debates. Unlike other candidates, he answers questions from the heart, and never speaks at campaign events using a teleprompter or prepared notes. This folksy wisdom is reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, who electrified the soul of the conservative movement by speaking from the heart as well.
The dichotomy in the Republican Party is evident to even the most transient of observers, and the divide between Tea Party and “Establishment” conservatives is responsible for much friction and angst in the GOP. As the 2012 campaign progresses, Romney will remain one front runner and another candidate will emerge as the Anti-Romney.
The pattern has been blatant. The first Anti-Romney was Michelle Bachmann, then came Rick Perry, whose entrance into the race shook things up for about one month. However, both Perry and Bachmann swiftly dropped to the bottom of the field. This demonstrates that prospective GOP voters want someone to run against the establishment, lackluster, progressive candidate Romney.
Will Cain be this candidate? With his bold strategies, lack of electorate and courage to speak honestly from his heart about the issues plaguing the party, I think he very well could be.
