The rise and fall of Herman Cain

By Tom Quiner

I like Herman Cain. He is an American success story. A guy like that inspires others to be all that they can be.

His 9-9-9 tax plan has sparked a vigorous debate on one of the critical issues facing America: how do we tax a nation in a way that is constructive, not destructive. His plan is worthy of continued discussion and study.

Having said all of that, Mr. Cain has made a number of inconsistent statements recently that call his candidacy into question.

At one point in the campaign, he said he wouldn’t select a Muslim to be on his cabinet. Then he changed his mind.

At one point, he supported an electrified fence along our Mexican border, then he said he was joking.

A couple of days ago, he suggested that he WOULD negotiate with terrorists if that is what it took to release American hostages. That same day, he said he misspoke and changed his mind.

Last week, he was interviewed by Fox News’ John Stossel where he emphatically stated that he was “100% pro life.” But in the next sentence, he said that in the case of rape, it is up to a woman whether she has an abortion, that it is a private decision. He followed up that remark by again reiterating that he is 100% pro life.

Mr. Stossel was as confused as the rest of us as to Mr. Cain’s contradictory statements.

Last night, he was interviewed by CNN’s Piers Morgan where he stated that he believes life begins at conception. What followed did not sound very life:

 “… it ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make,” in cases of rape or incest. “It gets down to that family. And whatever they decide, they decide. I shouldn’t try to tell them what decision to make for such a sensitive decision. I can have an opinion on an issue without it being a directive on the nation. The government shouldn’t be trying to tell people everything to do, especially when it comes to a social decision that they need to make.”

Barack Obama couldn’t have said it better.

What does Herman Cain believe in? His candidacy soared as he presented a positive vision for America. It will now flounder as voters scratch their head trying to figure out what he is really all about.

Abortion is a passionate and sensitive issue to legions of Americans. Mr. Cain’s flip-flopping on this issue is the beginning of the end of candidacy.

I’m disappointed. I like the guy.

 

2 Comments

  1. Heather-Freen Manning on October 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Man, I really liked this guy too…



  2. James Baker on October 31, 2011 at 11:49 am

    I like him too, I think he’s got charisma and he can be quite funny. But we need to get serious here. It’s his ideas and conviction on the issues that should be the decisive factor on whether he’s fit to run the nation and he just doesn’t show any backbone in this area. His flip-flops are strange to say the least and he often gets angry and accuses people of lying about what he said when they directly quote his own words back to him.