Herman Cain is surging in the polls and gaining the attention of more Americans, perhaps even garnering vaunted "first tier candidate" status.
And why not? He's a brilliant, articulate man with executive experience. He knows how to lead and manage and he has the successful track record to back it up.
Fred Barnes has written a thumbnail sketch profile of Herman Cain based upon his review of Cain's autobio: This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House. Barnes' article, Raising Cain, is well worth five minutes of your time. He compares and contrasts Cain's background with that of the current White House occupant.
Unlike Obama, Cain's upbringing was stereotypically American and one shared by millions of blacks in this country. Both parents worked, his father had three jobs, they were discriminated against, and they went to Church on Sunday. Despite the hardships, Herman's parents taught him to love his country, love his fellow man, and to work hard and believe in himself.
This particular paragraph in Barnes' article stopped me in my tracks...
His upbringing may explain his gift for delivering a conservative message with a friendly face, as Ronald Reagan did. “I also like to smile, laugh, and have fun with people,” he says.Of all the candidates in the field, Cain is perhaps the most Reaganesque. Folksy and eternally sunny, he has a talent for delivering a serious message with a smile and good humor. You can just tell he has a love and respect for his fellow man, and that he enjoys the give and take of the campaign trail. He has a lifetime of experience and he has spent years writing and talking about the great issues facing America.
Herman Cain could once again put a friendly face on American conservatism.
