As Rick Perry announces he’ll possibly skip a few upcoming GOP debates (for the dual reason that they aren’t really “debates,” and he hasn’t looked particularly comfortable with the formats), Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich announce they’ll do a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate (tickets are at a premium), and Cain will open up a discussion on his 9-9-9 plan by appearing at AEI.
Cain’s decisions show his typical flair for boldness — debating Gingrich in a format that Gingrich has long favored, and opening up his 9-9-9 plan to criticism on the conservative side; these moves could end up helping or hurting Cain in the polls, depending on how he performs. But one thing is for sure: by showing himself willing to open up real discussion on real plans and policy issues, Cain is signaling that he’s not the unserious candidate many pretend him to be. His optimism for America is a clear contrast to Obama and the Democrats’ endless parade of scapegoating and demonization.
Similarly, Perry’s decision to (potentially) eschew certain debates so he can concentrate on more direct methods for reaching voters, is another shot across the bow to the status quo, who for too long has controlled the way candidates are showcased, and whose editorial control, by way of the party apparatus (including certain radio hosts, who believe themselves qualified to tell potential GOP voters what candidates should be drummed out of the race early), shapes the way we come to see candidates and decide on their “electability”. It’s a faulty paradigm, and it’s good to see candidates like Perry, Cain, Santorum, and Gingrich all pushing back against it.
I think Perry’s flat tax proposal and economic plan has much to recommend it, and I hope it goes a long way toward getting people to take another look at him. Similarly, I think Cain, Bachmann, Santorum, and Gingrich remain strong choices — with Bachmann among the most likely to outperform expectations in Iowa.
For those who keep suggesting Cain has no real conservative bona fides to recommend him, let me just note that these two decisions — which suggest a decided commitment to exploring ideas, fine-tuning them, and keeping himself open to the public — are themselves quite in keeping with the spirit of free market principles Cain routinely promotes. And he’s already shown himself willing to surround himself with the kinds of people who would do a great service in helping to repair the US, as well as mouth opinions that aren’t always political correct, but that nevertheless articulate conservative thinking on a number of issues.
How he does from here is anybody’s guess. But let me just say that, as with Palin (whose railings against crony capitalism, regulatory agencies, and entrenched GOP leadership that is too often a tool of expanding government, have become key campaign issues), Cain’s ideas are more than just “folksy” platitudes. The success of 9-9-9 likely emboldened other candidates to be more forthcoming about their own plans to subject the tax system to major overhauls, leaving status-quo squishes like Romney out on an island when he pretends, say, Social Security is not a kind of Ponzi scheme, or that we can fix the tax code by jiggering various deductions, or that carbon emissions must be dealt with by the government.
That’s a good thing. And we should thank the likes of Palin and Cain and Bachmann for moving the field toward the kind of True Blue Conservatism — really, no more than constitutional fidelity — that makes some Republicans very uncomfortable.
I’ve noticed now and again (haven’t made a study of it!) that Dana Perino is want to gush about Obama’s televised appearances: “Because he’s the President he always gets to have the best backdrops.” She simply doesn’t understand that she tells us more than she should desire about herself and her political thought, I think.
I’m really looking forward to the Lincoln-Douglas debate between Cain and Gingrich. Also, if it meets expectations, it will create pressure on Obama to have one with the republican nominee, whomever that ends up being.
And that, my friends, would be priceless…
The over/under on “uhhhs” in that debate would have to be around 20,000, Lee.
I’d still take the over.
I haven’t been paying too close attention to the debates. I think Perry is doing the right thing by concentrating on the personal politicking in the early states. The results from those caucuses and primaries will make anything coming from these early debates obsolete, and all of the pundits pontificating won’t change that. Right now is like the pre-season in any sport – yeah, its fun and all that, but it doesn’t count on the way to the championship. Only the regular season counts.
Could you imagine Gingrich debating Obama? That would be so awesome.
Newt: “word word word word, fact fact fact fact, finely wrought opinion, red meat for the base, word word word, fact fact, America-Awrite!”
Obama: “uh er uh uh, platitude uh er, sound bite, lofty BS, fake statistics, uh oh yeah, God too, you morons”
Newt: “Real statistic, real statistic, verbal bitch-slap, fact, crazy-sounding but correct analysis of the situation”
Obama: “uh uh er bad joke in oprah-like ‘ghetto’ accent, more bullshit, fake quote from famous dead republican, why you hate poor people, kids, dogs, and granny?”
Newt: “Real quote from famous dead guy, explains the provenance of the fake quote Obama spouted off, says something like ‘honestly, you should read a book'”
News Media: “Newt is crazy, talks too much and told the Smartest President Ever to Read a BOOK! How racist!”
Heh.
I don’t feel very thankful … there’s simply precious little discussion of the spendings and nobody seems particularly inclined to highlight the fact that America’s credit rating has been trashed for the first time ever. Which is a huge big deal. And to be explicit: we are at a crux. An existential one.
For all of them it’s been very politics as usual so far. Immigrants and fetuses and other such folderol. Wall Street Romney is actually running commercials calling people stupid. He’s the worst, but still – none of these weewacks are showing any enthusiasm for playing in Mr. Paul Ryan’s sandbox.
And America needs somebody to grab the big red tonka truck and make something happen, and soon.
But who?
OK. OK. I’ll do it.
But I want to wear a hat. A cool one. With a badge and a feather.
ok but also you have to make the backing up noise
They discuss it all the time, happy. Just not in debates moderated by Politico or Anderson Cooper.
that might be true … I only get the filtered stuff
They’re talking about the spendings, ‘feets.
Just not as much in the debates because that’s when they talk about Iran-Contra and Mormonism.
Heh, you beat me to it, Jeff.
I should really look into an afternoon cup of coffee about now.
or a klondike bar
I’m not willing to do the things required to obtain a Klondike bar.
What would I do for a Klondike bar? Very, very little. If I was already going to the kitchen for something else, I might be willing to open the freezer door. That’s it. My final offer.
Eau d’Contraire! Such reckless and irresponisble behavior arises from excessive risk taking that positively demonstrates just how unserious he truly is. This is why we’re going to end up with Mitt Romney, who’s the only one who can beat Obama anyways so like it or not we’re stuck with him and you’d best start learning to love it!
We Are the Stupid Party
you drive a hard bargain.
Can’t let those Klondike people sense weakness in my negotiating position, nr. They’re merciless.
I’m still anti-sales tax but you were absolutely right with your ‘bigger-picture’ take, regardless of 999 Cain has made tax reform plans cool.
The current GOP debate system is completely fucked. Why does the GOP not have moderators/questioners like Limbaugh, Levin, etc.? Why do we let MSNBC and CNN host debates, rather than say…the Heritage Foundation? Maybe becuase certain people in the GOP do not want moderators/questioners/hosts like that.
I am glad Cain is taking his chances in long substantive debates with Ginrich than in short editted interviews with CNN and the Media.
Selling a flat tax or the 999 plan is going to be tough sledding in the short term, especially to those who will end up paying more. But the reality is everyone would be better off with a flat tax.
Our marginal tax rate in the United States has historically been no higher than 19% regardless of how much the tax rate is. So back in the sixties when it was 70%+, they never got even close to that in actual recovery. Because people change behavior and either hide or more assets to avoid the tax.
And if everyone has skin the game, everyone has an incentive to control spending.
I can’t help but think that if Cain was doing the whole “maybe I’ll skip primaries since they make me look kind of stupid” act certain people would point to it as evidence of his unseriousness. But instead they’re either in favor of the idea or strangely silent on the issue. It’s weird.
Don’t point it out though or you’ll get a hysterical screed about how no one’s allowed to criticize The One True Conservative Who Used To Be Palin But Is Now Cain. Hypothetically.
Debates. Not primaries. I am an idiot.
mr. ricky perry is the one who floated “i might skip debates” thing not the hermanator
“there’s simply precious little discussion of the spendings and nobody seems particularly inclined to highlight the fact that America’s credit rating has been trashed for the first time ever. Which is a huge big deal. And to be explicit: we are at a crux. An existential one.
For all of them it’s been very politics as usual so far. Immigrants and fetuses and other such folderol. “
Happyfeet, if you ignore the immigration stuff and abortion fluff, since you say you don’t care about that anyway, there has been a lot of discussion of Cain’s 9-9-9 and Perry’s flat tax plan. And yes, that is about the spending.
You just can’t see the forest for the trees.
Yeah newrouter, that’s why he said “if” [it] was Cain…
I know. The point I was trying to make was that some people would have lost their shit and written six posts on Herman’s fundamental unseriousness if Cain had been the one doing it rather than Rick.
But then I referred to debates as primaries and betarded myself.
Betarded = kind of like beclowned but more severe.
i should work harder on spotting ifs. i blame the klondike bar.
I’m not all into the tax plannings minutiae just cause it has to get through congress – just tell me you want tax reform and say flatter fairer blah blah blah and we’re all good – but entitlement reform is what’s key
Not as betarded as me. I thought you were positing a counter-factual about Cain to show biased his supporters are.
Wall Street Romney in particular doesn’t seem to understand this
they should have a debate where mittens debates himself
Link
The old farts in the AARP commercials I keep seeing don’t seem to understand the need for entitlement reform either.
Every time I see one of those ads I want to run through an #Occupy camp screaming, “Teh banksters iz hiding in teh old folks’ home! Go firebomb it now!”
Which, even if I did that it wouldn’t work, ’cause the people in an #Occupy camp only use fire to light their bongs. And they’re never going to jump up and do what some guy in a cowboy hat tells ’em.
That if really changes what I was saying, doesn’t it?
I remember an answer Rick Perry gave that was actually pretty astute from a foreign policy standpoint. Unfortunately, Perry was unable to clearly articulate the reasoning behind his answer.
The question, IIRC correctly, was what to do about a nuclear and aggressive Pakistan.
Perry talked about getting on the phone with India and, unfortunately, wound up rambling and got slammed for his answer. Talking with India and discussing a serious situation in regards to Pakistan seems to be an obvious foreign policy step.
India is our only real ally in the region and it makes sense to work with India to contain Pakistan.
Just tossing it out there. Take it for what it’s worth.
“I’m not all into the tax plannings minutiae”
Yeah, you defiantly seem more motivated by the fetus immigrants. Not sure why you complain about the precious little discussion of the spendings though, sounds to me like you just don’t like to listen to it.
http://theothermccain.com/2011/10/28/cain-hq-crazy-hectic-but-fine/
The old farts in the AARP commercials I keep seeing don’t seem to understand the need for entitlement reform either.
They understand alright. They just don’t give a fuck because they’re, well, entitled.
The grumpy oldsters in the AARP commercials get on my nerves. I thought they bought all the gold? Buy your own meds, Pops.
I see what you did there Lee. Clever bastard.
They’d get it better if we explained it in terms of that jerk down the hall stealing Werther’s Originals from their grandchildren.
Or, not. I just wanted to type that, I suppose.
And they’re never going to jump up and do what some guy in a cowboy hat tells ‘em.
I don’t know McGehee. If the hat comes with chaps and a bullwhip, some of ’em might pay for the privelege of being told what to do.
Just remembered this video, which does a good job reminding us that those AARP geezers on TV are actors.
Do those pants make her ass look fat?
It’s not the pants that are making her ass look fat.
I think most of them understand that, bh. But they’ve been told for years that those Werther’s were there in a lockbox, just waiting until the day they retired. The problem is that they believe the guy down the hall stole their Werther’s. And now you ungrateful punkasses don’t want to do right by your parents. Sure, they feel bad for the grandkids, but ultimately, it’s not their problem.
I don’t totally blame the wrinkled. Used to be family looked after their own, now too many people push grandpa off on the government.
The very young and the very old are vulnerable, and need to be protected. From there we decide whose responsibility it is.
Another contrast: Drew Carey’s full statement, and the particle of his statement Daily Caller chooses to headline.
True Blue Conservatism
Conservatism is red.
Wait. Commies are Reds. But we’re Red-Staters.
All because Russert colored the election map red for Republican and blue for Democrat so that no one could accuse him of stereotyping the Pinko Dems.
Which makes him yellow.
This just in…CNN News has learned that Meghan McCain will announce her support for GOP hopeful Mitt Romney three days ago. Film at 11…
whittle
AFTERBURNER: How to Steal Power
Of course Cain better becareful…
Newt is a Master Debator.
But Rick Perry is avoiding debates.
I’m trying to figure out which is more hilarious. This or this.
There’s a lot to like about Perry, but he can’t debate to save his life. He’s is unelectable…because he’s going to get manhandled by a community organizer. Herman will bury Baracky, and then he’ll do a fine job of leading our little country.
go cardinals beat perry and beck
Which Beck you talking about, nr? This one?
nah he be beck all texas all the time these days. go cards defeat the evil rove!
The full George Will piece on Romney is out. Mitt Romney, the pretzel candidate
*
He claims to be torn, nr. That, and he knows jack shit about baseball…
Romney, please just get out.
Go away.
We don’t want you here.
red beats blue tonight. red is going to keep beating blue ’cause blue is in the lou. slavery and perpetual motion machines don’t work.
Re: Pablo’s 61:
Wasn’t somebody, somewhere, bitching, just bitching about amateur candidates who couldn’t get their positions nailed down not too long ago?
It seems like only Romney can keep Romney from winnning the nomination and saving us from the Obamageddon.
Let’s hope he does it!
perpetual motion machines don’t work
Yes they do. Tax, tax, spend, spend, elect, elect,
rinse and repeat
– Ethanol from organics. What a swell idea. A prominent politician wins a Nobel prize for introducing a brand new way for third world countries to starve their people more effectively.
– That pesky law of unintended consequences just keeps on kicking the Left in the groin.
Fred Thompson comments on Media comments about Herman Cain:
WOrking down the thread this morning…
LOVED LMC’s fist comment. I laughed, I cried, I beat a hippy …
Next:
Eau d’Contraire! Such reckless and irresponisble behavior arises from excessive risk taking that positively demonstrates just how unserious he truly is. This is why we’re going to end up with Mitt Romney, who’s the only one who can beat Obama anyways so like it or not we’re stuck with him and you’d best start learning to love it!
Interesting thought. Risk takers, like small business men – are they more willing to back Cain? Because he’s not the “Safe” choice like Romney?
I feel like I’m in kookie world reading the blogs that are leaning toward Romney NOW. WTF? It’s as if everything that’s happened up to now hasn’t happened. As if the conditions that GOT US TO OBAMA – Bush and his lack of staunch, and McCain, etc – well, that’s was just some apparition. Certainly that won’t happen AGAIN. Romney (should he win) isnot just going to appear conservative on things like guns and the military, and we’re going to go along with all the “just get along” policies because that’s what you have to do. End, run, nothing changes, spending goes up, taxes get tweeked but nothing fucking changes.
Risk takers throw $100,000 dollars down and do w/o the frills because they’re trying to start a business and do some real change to their situation.
I’m a risk taker for Cain. Or anyone but Romney. ugh.
’m not willing to do the things required to obtain a Klondike bar.
A Klondike bar has to be around 300 calories, spitballing. well, I’d have to run for 30 minutes for that.
Totally not worth it.
Now, for a hot-fudge brownie sundae? That’s prolly a good hour of hard running.
totally worth it.
I don’t totally blame the wrinkled. Used to be family looked after their own, now too many people push grandpa off on the government.
The very young and the very old are vulnerable, and need to be protected. From there we decide whose responsibility it is.
ding ding ding.
it is YOUR responsibility to make sure your elderly mom and pop aren’t eating cat food. I’m taking care of my dad, my sister gets my mom (they are divorced) and my brother gets my stepmom.
Divide and conquer.
Herman will bury Baracky, and then he’ll do a fine job of leading our little country.
I ♥ pablo
NY Daily News: Cain’s use of word “cornbread” “troubling” Yes, why can’t he talk about “arugula” like normal presidential candidates? #tcot
bahaaa haaa …
Ok, I’m done owning this thread for the morning.
Moving on.
One last bit – ugh – this is Ace
No thank you Ace, I don’t need you to instruct me. I’m not using my “emotion” muscle. Way to talk down to me though.
Cain an “angry old dude?”
Ace, that’s just fucking stupid. And I don’t modify “stupid” with “fucking” every day.
Ace lecturing people on overusing their emotion muscles – whatever the fuck that means – is like Lindsey Lohan telling people not to be stupid drunken whores. Christ, just call him out on pretty much anything and watch him turn into a little girl whining about how some candidates’ followers are just so irrational and mean.
I thought that “I’m sick of instructing them” bit was particularly revealing.
Look. Say what you will about how pathetic it is that Jeff allows himself to be used like a prison bitch by a whacked-out armadillo, but it keeps him humble, helps him hold on to a proper perspective. You know what I mean?
Clouds, silver linings and all that.
this is Ace
Yep, that is Ace.
As a guy who reads Ace every day (though I now skip over pieces on Certain Topics), I sort of wish the primaries were over already, with Cain as the nominee.
I’m sure that Ace, being a big “Team R” guy, would switch gears to “Cain is freakin’ awesome, and Obama sucks a bag of dicks” mode, which would be entirely more palatable than the current “anyone who doesn’t support Perry is a dumbass, and you people should get it together — how many times do I have to tell you?!?” tone.
…but then I rmembered what a huge Christine O’Donnell supporter he became after she beat the ‘established’ Mike Castle.
I could happily support Perry. Don’t think Ace can support Cain.
I’ll leave it to others to decide where the emotional problems lie.
People, you’re wasting your time. You’re going to vote for Mitt Romney because that’s who we’ve decided is suitable. Now settle down.
Signed,
The Smug Bastards Who Gave You Governor Meg Whitman
carin carin good morning the no-sugar-added vanilla klondike bar is a picayune 170 calories of tastyliciousness what reminds you that you are living in a benign and tasty universe – and sometimes they’re just 160 calories – I’m not sure why it varies