Why Not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but…

You hear it a lot—a whole lot. I’d dare say Herman Cain would be the #1 choice of 80% of GOP voters, except for the but… I’m asking you to take a moment to reconsider your position and instead ask yourself: why not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but he can’t win.

Like Mitt Romney? He’s won one (and only one) political election, and that with only 49% of the vote. Did you ever wonder why Mitt Romney didn’t run for a second term as governor of Massachusetts (he could have)? He would have been creamed, after four years as governor he was so unpopular he was polling in the teens. In the 2008 presidential primaries, Romney pulled in only 22% of the vote. In this election cycle, his support remains in the 20-30% range. Mitt Romney has never pulled in more than 50% of the vote in any political race—ever. Does that sound like a winner?

Herman Cain is drawing voters to him seemingly out of nowhere. The stories are countless of people that went to a straw poll event intent on voting for someone else, hearing Herman Cain speak, and immediately changing their vote. Once people hear Herman Cain, they love Herman Cain. His clear and powerful speaking ability draws supporters to him. The highest voter intensity rating, charisma, a powerful speaker—that’s the formula for a winner. If a winner is what you’re looking for, why not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but we need someone with political experience.

Like Rick Perry? He definitely has political experience, perhaps a little too much political experience. When asked about illegal immigration, he said people that opposed his stance “had no heart”; on social security he does well to call it a “ponzi scheme”, but he doesn’t offer any solutions. Demonizing your critics by calling them “heartless” and demagoging a problem without offering concrete solutions (which would open yourself up to criticism) are old-school, political-hack tactics. The problems facing our country are real and serious, do we need to be playing politics?

On top of that, Perry’s political efforts so far (in debates, interviews, etc…) have been—to put it kindly—less than stellar. If someone’s claim to fame is that they are a great politician, shouldn’t they actually perform like a great politician? Maybe there’s something unique about Texas that makes Perry a great Texas politician, but a poor national one. Whatever the reason, Perry isn’t getting it done.

Politics is the art of drawing people to you. Herman Cain is getting it done. In the Tea Party era, the political rules have been turned upside down and inside out. Herman Cain understands the current political environment. Voters don’t want politicians, they want problem solvers. They are demanding honest talk and concrete solutions, and their tolerance for political gamesmanship is zero. If you’re looking for someone that understands politics—today’s politics—why not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but I want someone that is strong on social issues.

Herman Cain is rock solid on conservative social issues, and has been long before he decided to enter politics. But it’s not enough to just advocate these issues; you must be able to engage the opposition, keep their attention, and pull them over to our side. Call it charisma if you want, but the ability to talk to people (people that disagree with you) about tough social issues without pushing them away is vital if we’re ever going to get a majority of Americans over to our side. Ronald Reagan had the ability to do it and so does Herman Cain. If you’re looking for someone that is solid on conservative social issues, why not someone that can expand the base of support? Why not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but I want to support an evangelical.

Herman Cain is an ordained Baptist minister. Did you know that? When he retired after his business career he wanted to get more involved in his local church. He was so serious about it that he took the time to go through the process of becoming an ordained minister. He’s soft spoken about his faith because he is humble before God and takes his faith seriously. Unlike other candidates, you won’t find Herman Cain “trumpeting his faith” (Mat 6:2) for personal gain. But when asked about his faith, he is open, straightforward, and unapologetic. He has his priorities right. If you’re looking for an evangelical to support, why not Herman Cain?

I love Herman Cain, but I want someone with more business experience than running a pizza chain.

Herman Cain is more than just a pizza guy. A full bio is here.  The short story is: Herman Cain started out as a rocket scientist (literally a rocket scientist); became head of Corporate Data Systems for a major, multinational company (Pillsbury); later became CEO and then owner of a restaurant chain (Godfather’s Pizza); and then was the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (this was not a ceremonial position, he ran the thing). Dick Morris said Herman Cain has the most credentials of any candidate in the race (yes, even more than Mitt Romney). If you really want to support a candidate with a superb business background, why not support the candidate with the broadest and deepest business background? Why not Herman Cain?

I happen to like the field of GOP candidates. I believe though, that Herman Cain is unique. He brings a potential none of the other candidates possess. Herman Cain could be a special president—special as in Ronald Reagan special. Why not support the candidate that has the potential to not just be a good president, but a great president?

Why not Herman Cain?