2012 Candidates

[HisDaughter]

Most likely, this summer we will hear of, or rumors of, who is going to run in the 2012 Presidential Election, so I am starting a new thread where we can post news of those folks.

HisDaughter

[HisDaughter]

Bachmann: Obama has neglected to prove eligibility
'All he had to do is just answer some questions and show his document'

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., says President Obama has neglected to clearly demonstrate he's eligible to hold his office, and says it would be simple for him to do so.

"It's an interesting issue that has gone on for so long and it's one that the president could have solved very early on," Bachmann told Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro last night. 

"All he had to do is just answer some questions and show his [long-form birth] document and then have people do an attestation that this in fact is a legal document and it's over, it's done. And I think the president has neglected to focus on answering that question for people, and that's why a lot of people still have it lingering in their minds. None of us can prove, none of us can do attestation. Only the president and someone who is legally tasked with attesting to the validity of that document can do that, and I think that's what the president should do."


Bachmann, who is considering her own run for president next year, said, "One thing I know is that people have weighed President Obama in the balance, and he's been found wanting. I think we have a real opportunity to win back the White House. And it's not about again a political party winning, it's about taking the country back. That's the bigger issue, and I really think it's going to happen in 2012."

Regarding her own potential candidacy, Bachmann told Pirro she'd make a formal announcement "probably sometime in June as to whether or not I'll be in this race, but I have laid groundwork in South Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire, meeting with influential people in the state, but also meeting with voters on the street and it's been a wonderful response that I've been getting from people."

In a previous interview, Bachmann said if she were to run, she'd quickly establish her constitutional qualifications for the presidency.

"I'll tell you one thing, if I was ever to run for president of the United States, I think the first thing I would do in the first debate is offer my birth certificate, so we can get that off the table," she told radio host Jeff Katz last month.

[HisDaughter]

Trump, Palin, Bachmann Turn Tea Party Into Kingmaker for 2012
newsmax.com

For a loosely organized coalition, the tea party has displayed remarkable unity since it emerged in early 2010. But that discipline is being tested in the run-up to the 2012 GOP presidential primary as three top Republicans aggressively court the conservative movement.

Those Republicans – former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Rep. Michele Bachmann and billionaire developer Donald Trump – are motivated by distinct agendas that may or may not include a presidential campaign. But all three would-be candidates are forcing tea party activists to make some important decisions as they try to grow into a more enduring force in American politics.

“In 2010, the tea party was trying to prove itself. In 2012, it may be suffering from an excess of success,” said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. “You have multiple candidates taking all the positions your activists agree with. Who do you pick? Splintering is inevitable.”

Early polls suggest that Trump is dominating the GOP field – among Tea Party activists and more mainstream Republican voters. A new PPP poll showed Trump leading his nearest GOP competitor by 9 points. (That’s likely a result of Trump’s towering name recognition; according to a Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday, 39 percent of Republicans named him as the potential candidate they’ve heard the most about lately. That was more than all other candidates – combined).

Characteristically, Trump has appealed brazenly to tea party activists by reviving the debate over President Obama’s citizenship and sending investigators to Hawaii to sleuth out the president’s birth certificate.

But critics - and there are many of them - say Trump is capitalizing on what he believes is another buyer’s market to help promote his omnipresent brand and further boost the net worth about which he frequently boasts. The most vocal critics of Trump come from the GOP establishment. Former Bush adviser Karl Rove recently called Trump a “joke candidate”, for example, while columnist Charles Krauthammer said Trump is the “Al Sharpton of the Republican Party.”

In the face of such critiques, Trump may be changing his tune. “I have spoken my piece on this [birther] issue,” Trump wrote in a USA Today op-ed published Thursday, reminding readers that “many people have the same doubts as I have.”

Still, one high-profile Republican said Trump is busy doing the hard work necessary to launch a national campaign. “Anybody that thinks he’s doing this for name recognition – that’s just not true. He's very serious about it and he's convinced he can win,” South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) said this week.

While Palin is still actively courting the tea party, GOP strategists see little evidence that she’s planning to mount a presidential campaign in 2012. Her thinking may be influenced by a battery of recent polls that suggest her once sky-high popularity is plummeting on many key fronts – among Republicans and independents, for example, as well as Alaskans.

Somewhat surprisingly, Bachmann may be the trio’s most serious candidate – at least, her recent fundraising suggests she is. The three-term congresswoman raised $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2011, according to her newly released Federal Election Commission filings. Of that total, $1.7 million came from her congressional committee, and $500,000 from her political action committee. She even outpaced former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who's noted for his fundraising strengths and is viewed by many as the party’s 2012 frontrunner. Romney raised $1.9 million in the first quarter of this year.

“I'm in for 2012, in that I want to be a part of the conversation,” Bachmann said last month in Iowa. “I haven’t made a decision yet to announce, obviously, if I'm a candidate or not, but I'm in for the conversation.”

Indeed, political insiders say Bachmann has distinguished herself from Palin and other GOP candidates by “walking the walk” with tea party activists. “She’s got so much money, and she’s a true believer. And she’s beaten the odds, repeatedly,” Sabato said. “She’s egged on by the media in a different way than Palin. Palin gets irritated, while Bachmann gets even. And she gets even by running.”

[Soldier4Christ]

I would love to see Allen West in the running. He considered it at first but then after discussing it with his wife he made the statement that he wasn't going to run as he felt he could do more good where he was.

[HisDaughter]

I would love to see Allen West in the running. He considered it at first but then after discussing it with his wife he made the statement that he wasn't going to run as he felt he could do more good where he was.

Yeah, I like him too!  It will be interesting see what the next 18 months bring about.  I like how outspoken Michelle Bachmann is.  I just want someone in there that will do the right thing.  Probably an impossible dream when we're speaking of 'politians' in the same breath as 'the right thing' no matter what party we're talkin' about.  But I'll take a Rebpublican over a Dem any day of the week.

[Soldier4Christ]

Yeah, I like him too!  It will be interesting see what the next 18 months bring about.  I like how outspoken Michelle Bachmann is.  I just want someone in there that will do the right thing.  Probably an impossible dream when we're speaking of 'politians' in the same breath as 'the right thing' no matter what party we're talkin' about.  But I'll take a Rebpublican over a Dem any day of the week.

The only problem that I have with Michelle Bachman is that she wants to cut programs for the Veterans. Programs that already are way to short and ones that are well deserved and actually earned by people unlike many of the other programs that are not necessary that no one wants to cut. Another person that is a possible is Herman Cain that I've been looking at as a possible. So far he sounds and looks good, too.

[HisDaughter]

The only problem that I have with Michelle Bachman is that she wants to cut programs for the Veterans. Programs that already are way to short and ones that are well deserved and actually earned by people unlike many of the other programs that are not necessary that no one wants to cut. Another person that is a possible is Herman Cain that I've been looking at as a possible. So far he sounds and looks good, too.

I liked Cain too but haven't heard anything about him since I quit Facebook.

[Soldier4Christ]

I liked Cain too but haven't heard anything about him since I quit Facebook.

There has been a lot out on him besides FB. I'll try to post some of it as I get time.

[HisDaughter]

There has been a lot out on him besides FB. I'll try to post some of it as I get time.

That would be great!  I never see him on fox or wnd.  I only get the news online because with the limited channels that I have, the news that I do get is all secular.

[Rhys]

Does anyone ever consider that the perpetual obsession with who will be the next president is a symptom of a major problem with our country? The Founding Fathers established a Republic, not a monarchy. It is supposed to be Congress that originates legislation and deals with problems requiring government action. The President is supposed to be an executive, carrying out the wishes of the people expressed through their Congressional representatives.
Unless Congress is reformed, people will continue "looking for a man" to solve their problems every four years, and being perpetually disappointed, until they finally find a man who will dissolve Congress, suspend or ignore the Constitution, and attack problems with dictatorial strength. This is what happened to the Roman Republic, and the process is well underway here.
The "looking for a man" mindset is also what will lead to people welcoming and accepting the Antichrist.

[nChrist]

Hello Brother Rhys,

I think we are looking at the systematic destruction of our way of life and everything we stand for. Oddly, it's being destroyed from within. Personally, I just vote for people who I think are most likely to take things in the opposite - right - direction. That includes my representatives and everyone I vote for. When God's time comes for the ushering in of the Tribulation Period, no combination of powers will be able to stop it. I think that time grows near. In the meantime, the only thing I know for Christians to do is pray and try to do God's Will every day. Sadly, I think that we will see much worse before Christ comes to take us Home.

[HisDaughter]

Pollsters: Debate Makes Herman Cain Overnight 'Star'
newsmax.com

Atlanta talk-show host and businessman  Herman Cain stole the show in the GOP debate in Greenville, S.C., Thursday, and may have vaulted himself into the front tier of Republican candidates according to several pundits and observers.

“If you want the real headline today it would say, ‘A star is born,’” Matt Towery, the conservative syndicated columnist and CEO of the nonpartisan InsiderAdvantage polling firm, told Newsmax Friday.

 
Cain, he said, could be the come-from-behind candidate this season, like others have done in the past,  including former President Jimmy Carter, a relative unknown who won his party’s nomination anyway.

Towery’s evaluation seemed to mirror that of Fox News contributor and pollster Frank Luntz, who said a focus group’s reaction to Cain’s articulation of conservative principles was “unprecedented.”

Only one of the 29-member focus group initially was a Cain supporter. By evening’s end, however, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, who also served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, had won an overwhelming majority among those on Luntz’s focus group.

“I have never had this kind of reaction until tonight,” said Luntz. “Something very special happened this evening.”

University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Dr. Larry J. Sabato cautioned, however, that focus groups aren’t representative of the larger electorate.

“Cain’s performance was fine, but most of the others did reasonably well, too,” Sabato tells Newsmax. “A debate cannot change the fundamentals. Most of the people on that stage were exotic, boutique candidates. Their chances of being elected president are almost nil.”

Other Republicans competing in the Fox News debate telecast were former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Libertarian-leaning Rep. Ron Paul, and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

Each candidate had his moments during the debate. Pawlenty was generally credited with coming across as the most polished on stage. Paul roused the crowd with libertarian positions on the prohibition of drugs and U.S. military interventions abroad.

But some in the crowd expressed disappointment that none of the so-called “first tier” of GOP candidates – including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Rep. Michele Bachmann, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -– participated in Thursday’s debate.

“Herman Cain's success points out the weakness of the field that showed up in Greenville, SC,” Democratic pollster Doug Schoen told Newsmax. “He offered no-nonsense, straight talk. But no candidate offered a clear narrative on the economy, as Sen. Jim DeMint correctly said the Republicans need to do.”

Cain spoke repeatedly during the debate about the importance of a strong energy policy and job creation. His high point came in response to a question about his lack of governing experience.

“I’m proud I haven’t held public office before,” he said. “Most [of the candidates], they have held public office before. How’s that working out for you?” he asked to applause.

The mainstream media took notice of Cain as well. CBS News called his performance “the big surprise of the night.”

Rasmussen Reports President Scott Rasmussen said it’s too early to say whether the debate can make Cain a major player in the fight for the 2012 nomination, saying the debate was “like the first game of spring training in the baseball season.” But he said there is a “very good chance” this year’s nominee will not come from the current presumed frontrunners.

“Four years ago at this time, nobody knew who Mike Huckabee was … he was not a national name. He came from nowhere, did very well in the Iowa State Fair, surprised all the pundits with his performance in the straw poll there, and obviously went on not only to do well in the Iowa caucus, but to get more delegates than anyone but John McCain,” Rasmussen said.

Cain, a Georgia businessman and talk-show host, earned a Master’s Degree while serving in the U.S. Navy. In addition to his stint at Godfather’s Pizza, which went from bankruptcy to profitability during his time at the helm, Cain also served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

In addition to answering questions about his lack of governing experience, Cain will also have to reassure primary voters that he can effectively master foreign policy questions. He appeared to stumble Thursday when asked to articulate his policy on the war in Afghanistan, for example, stating he would need to study the matter further.

Towery said that the performances of both Cain and Pawlenty vaulted them into the front tier of GOP candidates for 2012. While conceding Cain lacks experience on how government works, he added GOP primary voters are looking for a candidate who will downsize government, rather than one who can manage its growth.

“I think Herman Cain does do a little bit of what Ronald Reagan did, and that is, he captures the hearts of the Republican conservatives very early on which Reagan did when he challenged Gerald Ford,” Towery said.

He also said the decision by most of the major Republican candidates to stay out of the South Carolina debate was “a really stupid move.”

“You saw a group of younger, fresher faces emerge and really win the heart of the S.C. Republican Party,” Towery said. “I don’t know how those bigger candidates are going to get that back.”

[HisDaughter]

I have heard of and read of and heard interviews with Herman Cain before.  This morning I typed his name into my browser and came up with a webpage full of videos.  I gotta tell ya that I'm impressed!  I think the man has a good head on his shoulders, nows the issues, has listen to America's questions and has some answers.  One thing he said back in March when asked if he would appoint a muslim to his is cabinet was, "No".

And he gave what I thought was an excellent answer as to "Why?".   He said he would look very closely at who he thought were true patriots of America before appointing anybody.  He wants to surround himself with people that are pro America, pro our Contitution and Bill of Rights!  End of story.  He sees and knows the agenda that Islam and Muslims have for our country and he's not having it!

I say Thank YOU, Herman Cain!

[HisDaughter]

I found this article this morning on the "American Thinker".  Thought it was good.

January 26, 2011
Top Ten Reasons to Support Herman Cain for President
By C. Edmund Wright

Even those conservatives who will not vote for Herman Cain to win the Republican nomination should hope that he does run -- and that his candidacy lasts a long time during the nomination process, perhaps even succeeding.

Not the least of reasons is that a Cain candidacy would be a hoot.  And I do not mean that in a derisive or condescending way at all.  I mean that it would be the kind of doggone honest and refreshing campaign the country needs.  It would be the opposite of the stale McCain run.  Cain does not speak Washington drivel, and he's not afraid to take a strong position.  Dare I say it?  He'll call a spade a spade, and he'll reach across the aisle only to smack someone down.  He will admit what McCain would not: that we do have a lot to fear from an Obama presidency.

Herman Cain is peerless among the long list of potential candidates -- and his impact on the field and the direction of the party will be in the direction of free enterprise, less government, and speaking with boldness -- you know, pretty much the opposite of what the GOP has done since Newt's Congress lost steam in the mid- to late '90s. 

To codify, here are the top reasons to support Cain based on my observation of the man over a period of years:

10. The "race card": A Cain candidacy not only takes the race card off the table -- it might in fact put it in the Republicans' camp.  Frankly, Cain is "blacker" than Obama in every way imaginable.  He does not have a white parent.  He has a slight black dialect and does not "turn it off" to impress Harry Reid or Joe Biden, nor does he "amp it up" to impress Jeremiah Wright.   

As Obama's presidency has shown, America did not need a black president.  What America needs is to just get over the race thing, period.  Cain is over it, and I bet he would flat-out tell Obama to get over it, too.

9. Been there, done that: Cain brings a lot of "been there, done that" to the office, and that is in stark contrast not only to Obama, but to almost anyone else running.  Cain is not shy about making fun of politicians' lack of understanding of the reality of the free-enterprise system, and certainly no group embodies that ignorance more than Obama and his administration.  Making a payroll; dealing with employees, the IRS, the INS, insurance companies; dealing with rents, lawsuits, unemployment commissions, etc. -- Cain has been there, done that.  Obama has not.

8. Not forgettable: One Herman Cain soundbite is worth ten from Tim...um, what's his name?  Oh, yeah, Pawlenty.  Cain's boldness and confidence and accent and voice will cut through the noise out there, and this makes his candidacy dangerous even if he faces some financial handicaps versus other folks running.  He is a talk radio host now by trade and knows how to hold folks' attention.

7. Will break every rule set for him by "strategists": This one might be my favorite.  Cain has never counted on political strategists to get him where he is now, and this alone separates him from all other candidates.  Lord help the first "strategist" from the RNC who advises Cain to "tone it down" or "soften his position."

6. Will really get under the skin of the Washingtonian class: A Cain candidacy would drive David Brooks to apoplexy.  Charles Krauthammer -- doing his best to run off legions of his longtime fans -- would no doubt find some Palinesque reasons to object to Cain.  And those are the conservative ruling-class folks.  Imagine what the liberals will say about this non-Ivy league, non-elected Southern black guy running for president.  I can't wait to hear it.

5. Will not get in way of the 2010 Congress' momentum: This might be the most important reason to support a Cain candidacy.  He has gained momentum as part of the Tea Party movement that was the defining factor in the 2010 congressional elections.  A Cain candidacy would be in lockstep with what the country told Congress it wanted in November 2010.  It will be an extension of the 2010 campaign, and that's preferable to a presidential election that will distract from the 2010 results.

4. Never held office before: While Cain's opponents -- on both sides of the aisle -- are licking their chops over this one, they should rethink this.  Mr. Cain already has a lethal (can we still say that?) response to this one: "Everyone in Washington has held public office before.  How's that working out for you?"  Case closed.

3. Ann Coulter's second-favorite pick: So Ann's first choice is Chris Christie, and Cain comes in second.  With some 25 names floating around out there, being number 2 on anyone's list is pretty good at this point in the game.  Besides, I predict that Cain will overtake Christie on Ann's list.  Cain is more conservative and even less afraid to speak his mind.  While I love Christie's boldness on the issues where he is conservative, he will wobble off to the Jersey left a bit on some issues.  Cain will not. 

2. Will not be cowed by the new speech police: The attempt by the left to silence conservatives in light of the Tucson shootings will not be the last.  And you can bet that when they do, some on the right will recoil and fall prey, regardless of how mindless the attempts are.  If you have followed Herman Cain, you know that this will not be an issue for him.

And the number one reason to support a Cain candidacy?  It opens the door to a ticket of Cain and Haley Barbour in some order.  OK, maybe this is not earthshaking, but imagine the "racist Republican Party" putting forth a national ticket including a drawlin' Mississippi good ol' boy and a black businessman who still speaks a smidgen of Ebonics.

This would be the hope and change America thought they were getting in 2008.  This would be ticket not so much of "racial healing" as it would be the ticket of "just get over the race thing."  Because liberalism is joined at the hip with the race pimp industry, a liberal African-American cannot by definition do for the country what a black conservative can.  A black liberal winning reinforces counterproductive stereotypes.  A conservative black winning crushes them.  Period.

Yes, I know that reasons number one and ten seem a lot alike.  They are.  We have just about destroyed our country trying to put this issue to bed, and the result is that tensions are higher than they were before Obama was elected.  Which we predicted.

A Cain presidency would actually go a long way towards solving this.  And besides, Mr. Cain has some great ideas for getting government out of our way and letting America be America again.  And we all need that.

[Soldier4Christ]

Although Allen West said he wasn't planning on running I would like to see him join in the run. A Cain/West ticket would be a very strong one indeed. The majority of the comments made about Cain in the article above also fit West.