[EL] the wiliness of Herman Cain

[Richard Winger]

I am starting to think Herman Cain has the same aptitude for presidential politics that Ronald Reagan had.

Cain has sometimes taken extreme stands, but then he finds a way to back away.  The value of this is that when he initially takes the extreme stand, that makes an emotional connection with the voters who share that emotion.

For example, abortion.  Political Wire earlier today had a description of something he said somewhere recently, an interview or a speech.  He said he is totally pro-life, "no exceptions" for pregnancy caused by rape or incest.  But then in the next breath he says that it doesn't follow logically that his values should be enshrined in law and enforced on everyone else.

Gays in the military...first he was adamantly opposed to repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.  But then later he says this is a settled issue and we should forget about it.

On illegal immigrations, first he says he is so opposed to illegal immigrants, he wants an electrified fence.  But later he backs away.

In each case, his initial extreme stand, in my opinion, makes an favorable emotional impact on voters who like to hear that, even though that voter knows inside that the extreme stand is not really sensible or viable.  So the voter now "likes" Herman Cain, because there has been a shared emotion.

Ronald Reagan did that also.  In his years as a spokesperson for General Electric, he was very, very anti-government.  When he got into office as Governor, of course he doubled the California state income tax, signed a bill liberalizing abortion, etc.  As president he was also pragmatic.

Another trait Reagan and Cain have in common is their sunny good-naturedness.  One would not see either one of them attacking a fellow Republican the way Romney and Perry have been attacking each other.

Richard Winger

415-922-9779

PO Box 470296, San Francisco Ca 94147
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