2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Herman Cain Rally in Talladega, Alabama on Friday, October 28, 2011 #cain2012

Herman Cain Rally in Talladega, Alabama on Friday, October 28, 2011

Start: 10/28/2011 11:00 am

Timezone: America/Chicago

Who:  Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain
 
What: Rally on Talladega Courthouse Square
 
When:  Friday, October 28, 2011 beginning at 11AM
 
Where: Talladega, AL.
 
Contact: Sponsored by the Talladega County Republican Party, Chairman, Danny Hubbard.
 
Details: Rally for Herman Cain who will speak to the public on the square in Talladega. If rain, it will be held inside the Ritz Theater. All the Clergy are invited to a special meeting inside the Ritz Theater just after the rally to have a personal conversation with Mr. Cain.

Dinner With Herman Cain In Huntsville, Alabama On October 29, 2011

Dinner With Herman Cain

What: Dinner with Herman Cain

When: Saturday, October 29, 7:00 pm

Where: Huntsville Marriott, 5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville

Details: Dinner tickets only are $100. Private reception, picture with Herman Cain and dinner is $200. Private reception is 5:30 pm.

New Nashville-Based 'Artists Raising Cain' Organization Supporting Herman Cain

New Nashville-Based 'Artists Raising Cain' Organization Rallying Around Presidential Candidate Herman Cain

Group Will Appear for the First Time at Herman Cain's Book Signing Today - Monday, October 10th - 12:00 Noon at Barnes & Noble in Brentwood, Tennessee
PR Newswire

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The groundswell of support for Presidential hopeful turned front-runner and serious contender Herman Cain has spawned a new Nashville-based recording artists, entertainment community and actors support group, "Artists Raising Cain."

Cofounder and Spokesman Rick Monroe and members of the "Artists Raising Cain" organization will appear for the first time together with Mr. Cain at his Nashville book signing today, Monday, October 10th at Barnes & Noble in Brentwood, Tennessee (beginning at 12:00 noon).

Country Music recording artist and noted songwriter Rick Monroe (http://www.rickmonroe.net) said, "We need an executive in the executive branch of our government. Members of 'Artists Raising Cain' feel strongly that Herman Cain's amazing background, vast experience in the business world and common sense approach to problem solving (999) make him well suited to hold the office of President of the United States and leader of the free world. Through 'Artists Raising Cain' we plan to rally America's entertainment community around Mr. Cain and do everything possible to help him become our next President."

Cofounder Douglas Warren added, "I felt now was the perfect time to pull our friends in the music and entertainment community together. We're so passionate about this candidate, Herman Cain. We feel he is the right man to confront the serious problems our country is now facing and work to bring our country back together. We're certain Mr. Cain is a man capable of making the tough decisions necessary to bring security and strength back to our great nation, a nation that myself and so many others proudly served to protect."

Artists & Luminaries scheduled to attend the book signing in support of Mr. Cain include: Rick Monroe, Lee Greenwood, Michael W. Smith, Douglas Warren, Bryan White, Craig Wayne Boyd, Cutter Lee, Chad Rowland (Redstone), Charlotte Autry, Krista Branch, Adam Cunningham, Devon Rowe and Jim Labriola (Home Improvement, The Santa Claus).

Herman Cain Will Be The Guest Speaker At The Arkansas Washington County Lincoln Day Dinner on October 27, 2011

Washington County Lincoln Day Dinner
 
Guest Speaker Herman Cain, Presidential Candidate

What:  Washington County Lincoln Day Dinner
 
When:  October 27 at 6:00 p.m.
 
Where:  Springdale at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 1500 South 48th Street
 
Keynote speaker is Presidential Candidate Herman Cain.

Herman Cain Tops Republican Presidential Straw Poll at Midwest Leadership Conference #mlc11

Herman Cain Tops Republican Presidential Straw Poll at Midwest Leadership Conference
Michele Bachmann is second, Mitt Romney third
 
St. Paul–Herman Cain topped the Republican Presidential Straw Poll conducted at the Midwest Leadership Conference, which concluded today, October 8. Conference attendees from throughout the Midwest, MLC volunteers and event vendors participated in the balloting.

Herman Cain captured 52.6 percent of the vote followed by Michele Bachmann with 12.2 percent and Mitt Romney at 11.1 percent.

Earlier Saturday, Cain addressed the conference via Skype and took questions from delegates.

Rounding out the voting Ron Paul captured 10.7 percent, Rick Perry 4.0 percent, Newt Gingrich 3.3 percent, Rick Santorum 2.0 percent, Jon Huntsman 0.9 percent and Gary Johnson with 0.2 percent.

The Midwest Leadership Conference gathered Republican leaders and activists from Republican National Committee's Midwest Region - Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota - and around the nation. The conference includes activist training sessions and speeches by notable conservative leaders including Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, syndicated talk show host Jason Lewis, political commentator Michael Reagan, and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush Karl Rove.

Herman Cain Blog Ads Online At Drudge In 300x250, 160x600, 728x90 sizes #cain2012

   

Herman Cain Statement On Winning The Republican Party of Florida's "Presidency 5" straw poll today in Orlando

Cain Sweeps Presidency 5 Poll, Garners Florida Endorsement

(Orlando, FL)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain swept the Republican Party of Florida's "Presidency 5" straw poll today in Orlando, capping off his strongest fundraising and grassroots week since the establishment of his campaign in May 2011.

Herman Cain: 37.11 percent.
Governor Rick Perry: 15.43 percent.
Governor Mitt Romney: 14 percent.
Senator Rick Santorum: 10.88 percent.
Congressman Ron Paul: 10.39 percent.
Speaker Newt Gingrich: 8.43 percent.
Governor Jon Huntsman: 2.26 percent.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann: 1.51 percent.

This week, Governor Rick Scott pointed out that the winner of the Presidency 5 straw poll would go on to win the nomination. He explained that former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, plus 1995 GOP nominee Bob Dole all won Florida straw polls.

"Thank you to the Republican voters for this incredible honor of being named the winner of the Presidency 5 straw poll in Florida today," Cain said. "This is a sign of our growing momentum and my candidacy that cannot be ignored. I will continue to share my message of 'common sense solutions' across this country and look forward to spending more time in Florida, a critical state for both the nomination and the general election."

On Friday evening, Scott Plakon, the Americans for Prosperity- Florida Legislator of the Year who represents the state's 37th district, endorsed Herman Cain in front of more than 1,000 cheering supporters at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Fla. Scott is best known as the sponsor of the Florida Health Care Freedom Act, slated to be Amendment 1 on Florida's 2012 general election ballot.

"I'm proud to support Herman Cain. Our country is suffering right now from bad ideas, bad policies and bad leadership. Herman Cain has the right ideas, the right policies and is a proven business and conservative leader," Scott explained. "Over the last few days at the Orange County Convention Center, I've seen him connect with Florida voters like few candidates I've ever seen. I look forward to working with Herman Cain to see him win Florida and to become the next President of the United States."

In addition to being named the victor of Thursday night's FOX News/ Google/ RPOF Republican presidential candidate debate and the straw poll, Cain spent the entire week in Florida, touring the Sunshine State on his nationwide "Common Sense Solutions Bus Tour," addressing CPAC Florida and speaking at the Presidency 5 festivities.

Florida State Representative Scott Plakon Endorses Herman Cain

Florida State Representative Scott Plakon Endorses Herman Cain

(Orlando, FL)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain received the endorsement of Florida state representative and noted conservative leader Scott Plakon today in a room of more than 1,000 supporters at the Rosen Center in Orlando, Fla.

Plakon, who represents Florida's 27th district, was named the Americans for Prosperity- Florida Legislator of Year in 2011 and is known for his sponsorship of Florida's Healthcare and Freedom Act.

Cain has been widely touted as the winner of last night's Fox News/ Google/ RPOF debate in Orlando. He addressed CPAC Florida today and continued on his nationwide bus tour throughout the Sunshine State.

Herman Cain at the Fox News/ Google/ Republican Party of Florida Debate Tonight in Orlando, Florida #gopdebate

Cain Wins FOX News/ Google Debate

(Orlando, FL)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain participated in the Fox News/ Google/ Republican Party of Florida debate tonight at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, where he continued to contrast himself with the career politicans as a business leader with real solutions.

On the 9-9-9 Plan

"This economy is on life support. That's why my 9-9-9 plan is a bold solution. It starts with: throw out the current tax code and pass a 9 percent business flat tax, a 9 percent personal income tax and a 9 percent national sales tax. This is the most important part: it eliminates or replaces the corporate income tax, the personal income tax, the capital gains tax, as well as the estate tax. It treats all businesses the same. And the people who are paying only payroll tax, 15.3, that 15.3 [percent], they don't have to pay. They only have to pay 9 percent. And unlike Governor Romney's plan, my plan throws out the old one and he's still hooked to the current tax code. That dog won't hunt."

On Scaling Back Government & Social Security Reform

Lee Doren from Arlington, Virginia, asked:"If you were forced to eliminate one department from the federal government, which one would you eliminate and why?" Cain responded,

"The first department, if I were forced to eliminate a department, I would start with the EPA. It's out of control. Now I know that makes some people nervous, but the EPA has gone wild. The fact that they have a regulation that goes into effect January 1, 2012 to regulate dust says that they've gone too far. So, rather than try to fix it, eliminate all of the things they have right now and then start rebuilding a responsible EPA.

Now with the rest of my time, may I offer a solution for Social Security, rather than continuing to talk about what you call it?

I have proposed the Chilean model. It has been around for 30 years and it works. It's a personal retirement account. In the last 30 years, not only has Chile succeeded with that model, but 30 other counties have done so. I don't think we're doing a service to the American people by continuing to banter about what you call it. The solution is fix it."

On Reforming Education

"All the programs at the federal level, where there are strings attached: cut all the strings. We've got to encourage parents to take advantage of choices, but provide those choices. We must find ways to empower the students. This is how we're going to improve education. Primarily, get the federal government out of trying to educate our kids at the local level."

On Israel

Yigal Marcus from Teaneck, NJ asked, "How would you approach Israel and the threats it faces from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and the PLO?" Bret Baier followed up, "How would you respond to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state?"

"It starts with an extension of the Reagan philosophy of peace through strength. My philosophy would extend that to peace through strength with clarity. This administration has not made it clear how it stands with Israel. When I was in Israel last month, I met with the Deputy Prime Minister and he made it shockingly, chillingly clear, given everything that's going on: Israel will defend itself with all of the tensions going on in the Middle East. He also made it real clear that he wasn't sure how this administration stood when it came to Israel. I made it clear, and I would also make it clear to all the other people in the world, that if you mess with Israel, you are messing with the United States of America. We will stand solidly behind Israel. If, in fact, it was clear to the Palestinians where the United States stood, they might have had second thoughts about trying to pull such a move without negotiating with Israel."

On Cain's Cancer Survival and Health Care

Debate moderator Chris Wallace asked Cain about his claim that under Obamacare, he would not have survived stage IV cancer of the liver and colon. After extended applause from the audience and fellow candidates, Cain responded,

"The reason I said I would be dead under Obamacare is because my cancer was detected in March of 2006. From March 2006 all the way to the end of 2006, for that number of months, I was able to get the necessary CAT scan tests, go to the necessary doctors, get a second opinion, get chemotherapy, get surgery, recuperate from surgery, get more chemotherapy in a span of nine months. If we had been under Obamacare and a bureaucrat was trying to tell me when I could get that CAT scan, that would have delayed my treatment. My surgeons and doctors have told me that because I was able to get the treatment as fast as I could based upon my timetable and not the government's timetable, that's what saved my life because I only had a 30 percent chance of survival. And now I'm here five years cancer-free because I could do it on my timetable and not a bureaucrat's timetable. This is one of the reasons I believe a lot of people are objecting to Obamacare because we need to get bureaucrats out of the business of micromanaging health care in this nation."

Following his response, Cain received a standing ovation.

On American Morale

"Obviously, it starts with economic growth and yes, I have already laid out how I would do that with my 9-9-9 Plan. What Americans are looking for, in order to build their confidence, is leadership. There is a severe deficiency of leadership in Washington, D.C. and once we fill that void, I believe that the American people will begin to develop some confidence again, in terms of believing in this nation. Ronald Reagan was the one who said that we are a shining city on a hill. We've slid down the side of that hill. Americans want somebody who is going to lead them back to the top of that hill. That's how we turn this country around."

On a Potential Running Mate

A YouTube user, Darrell Ownens, asked who the candidates would pick among those on stage for their potential Vice President. Governor Perry responded that he wanted a hybrid of Speaker Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain. Governor Huntsman also chose Cain as his potential running mate, applauding not only his fashion sense, but also his economic plan. Cain responded,

"This is a game, and it is hypothetical, I'll play the game. If Governor Romney would throw out his jobs/ growth plan and replace it with 9-9-9, he has a shot. If he does not, I would probably go with Speaker Gingrich, who I have the greatest admiration for, in all seriousness, because of his history and his depth of knowledge. I could go on because I have respect for everybody up here, but it's a game."

On the Debate

Of the 1 hour and 45 minute debate, Herman Cain received 7 questions and spoke for a total of 6 minutes and 14 seconds.

Following the debate, conservative commentator and CNN contributor Erick Erickson named Cain the winner of the debate. "The winner is Herman Cain. The audience loved him," Erickson wrote. "Cain's answers were out of the park awesome. He provided the most uplifting moments and the most memorable lines, with substance included." Syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin also declared Cain the winner.

Tomorrow, Cain continues his "Common Sense Solutions" bus tour throughout the state of Florida, as well as provide a keynote address at CPAC Florida.

Herman Cain Response to President Obama's Jobs Speech Today

Herman Cain response to President Obama's jobs speech today

(Stockbridge, GA)- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain responded to President Obama's jobs speech today, saying:

Today, the Obama Administration's assault on the private sector continued. In yet another speech, he called for America's job creators to shoulder an even heavier burden than they must already. President Obama promised that his efforts were not "class warfare," but instead "math."

Perhaps he could learn a lesson or two on math from me. I have a degree in mathematics and spent the earlier days of my career as a supervisory mathematician for the Department of the Navy. Then, I worked for 40 years as an executive in the private sector where I balanced budgets, saved failing companies and created jobs. Both obviously demanded a command of advanced mathematics.

Here's what I can tell him about math: raising taxes on anyone, no matter their income level, will do nothing to stimulate our economy, create jobs or balance our federal budget. Increasing taxes on the private sector will destroy jobs, further damaging our economy and sending even less revenue to the federal government.

His eagerness to punish the private sector indicates he doesn't understand the most important truth of basic economics: the private sector creates jobs. These are the jobs that pay for the food for our families, the roofs over our heads, the heat for our homes, the clothes on our backs, the schools for our kids and the plans for our retirement.

Perhaps his ignorance of basic economics is due to the fact that both he and more than 90 percent of his Administration have no private sector experience at all. Thus, they are all too willing to continually punish America's job creators, all in the name of "fairness."

President Obama's once said, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig." I agree. It doesn't matter that he calls it "paying your fair share." It's still class warfare.