Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama
On Thursday night, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain is said to have "bested" ex-Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, ex-Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and ex-New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson in the Republican's first debate for the 2012 campaign.
Cain, a successful businessman and CEO and co-owner of Godfather's Pizza, first burst on to the scene with his negative comments, regarding President Barack Obama: "Now people are over this first black president thing," he said. "But there are some people who will say, 'I'm not going to vote for another black guy because this one didn't work out. And my response is, 'Well, what about those 43 white guys you put in there? How did they work out? Don't condemn me because the first black one was bad."
And at last night's event, viewers gave their reaction to the debate, which was moderated by pollster Frank Lutz and cosponsored by Fox News. The majority said that Cain was "articulate," "refreshing," and "had solutions" where his peers had none.
Watch their reactions here:
There are some who find Cain's entry in to the GOP presidential foray as a positive development, showing that blacks -- just like other groups -- aren't some monolithic group who are all Democrats and liberals. Indeed, I suppose it is healthy for there to be diversity on both sides of the aisle.
Many have argued that our dependable presence on the left has made Democrats lazy about taking care of our needs because they take us for granted. If African Americans are healthfully represented throughout all political groups, then everyone has to work harder to address our needs and, in turn, get our votes.
On the other hand, though, I cringe at having another Micheal Steele-esque (remember him?) candidate shoot to the top of the GOP presidential crowd because he is going to insult and needlessly discredit President Obama. To have a "negro" do the work of the delusional Birthers or Tea Baggers seems like the worst kind of race betrayal to me.
Republicans were so eager to embrace Steele as their answer to Obama -- and Steele was even more eager to take the role -- except that once his appointment proved to be a disaster and embarrassment to the Republican party, they were quick to throw him under the bus.
For Cain's part, I hope he can have an honest go at becoming the GOP presidential nominee, but his earlier comments don't leave me particularly optimistic.