Rasmussen Reports released a poll today showing an interesting development in the Republican presidential field. Rasmussen puts Mitt Romney and Herman Cain in a tie for the lead, with both holding 29% of the GOP vote. But coming up in third place is not Rick Perry. Or Michele Bachmann. Or Ron Paul. Or Rick Santorum. Or Jon Huntsman.
No, the new third place candidate is...Newt Gingrich with 10% of the Republican vote.
A couple of things about this:
First: As of this moment, Cain and Romney are walking away with the race. With nearly 30% each, they are head and shoulders above every other candidate in terms of GOP voters' preferences right now. Newt, with his 10%, isn't even close. So let's maintain some perspective.
That said, here's the second point: Cain is rising because he's dynamite. He's got an incredible "only in America" personal story. He's a successful CEO. He's smart, dynamic, personable, warm, and funny. He commands a stage. He advocates for his positions in an unapologetic way. He looks like he's happy to be running, meeting everyday Americans, and engaging the big issues. Most importantly: he looks like he's running not simply to serve his own personal ambitions but for what he can do for the country. That simple point is not to be underestimated. It is one of the most profound reasons people vote for one candidate over another.
There is another reason for Cain's rise: many conservatives and other GOP voters simply don't trust Romney. If this election is going to largely about the economy, Romney has the advantage. If, however, this election is going to be about the economy AS WELL AS the proper size and scope of government, Romney suffers. As Governor of Massachusetts, witness how he viewed the role of government as he instituted government-run health care in that state. It is now bankrupting Massachusetts. And this week, we learned that some of his RomneyCare advisers were advising the ObamaCare team. Horrible. Romney is not exactly a small-government guy. That worries GOP voters. Hence, the Cain surge: Anybody But Romney, please----that's the refrain from many on the GOP side.
The surprise mini-surge by Newt seen in this Rasmussen poll suggests that he may be capitalizing on that sentiment as well. But there's something else here, which brings me to my third point: As we get closer to the general election campaign, voters are trying to visualize how it will go down. In less than 12 months, we will have already had at least one presidential debate. We're trying to picture the GOP candidate at a podium next to Barack Obama, he of the silver-tongue. More and more of us are coming to the conclusion that Newt---and ONLY Newt---could wipe the floor with Obama. He'd kill him politically with facts and conservatism. No other GOP candidate could destroy Obama in a debate so completely as Gingrich.
Does that mean he's going to vault into the top tier and give Romney and Cain a run for their money? I have no idea. Maybe he'll gain even more momentum and pull off a huge upset. Maybe this poll is just a burp, and he'll settle back down to 5-7%. But one thing is clear: GOP voters are worried about Romney's too-slick-by-half super-ambition and Cain's lack of political and national security experience. Newt may not come off as the most likeable guy, but he is the most serious conservative intellectual in this race. And his rhetorical skills are second to none.
The conventional wisdom is that Newt can't win a general election: too much baggage, too much weirdness, etc. That may be true. Then again, who would have thought that this race would be Romney vs. Cain in mid-October? And who would have thought that Obama could have smashed the Clinton machine to be the Democrat nominee in 2008?
This election cycle, anything can happen.
Newt had better be prepared. And so should we.
"Will leave that feeding chore to DJ etc." (--Gringoman)
-------------
I know, I know... I've already violated the pledge I made yesterday to completely ignore the bathhouse boys.
BAD DJ!
BAD BAD DJ!!!
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Hey! How about a nice Constitutional Convention?
Let's discuss ALL the things Congress won't ever touch with a ten-foot pole and the Supremes would never do to reinstate our Democracy:
1. Abolishing the fed and returning the ability to print money to Congress AFTER
2. Public funding of all elections; NO private, corporate, business, organizational, or foreign money or lobbying with the harshest of penalties
3. A southern border wall manned by troops brought home
4. Returning power of war to the Congress and Congress alone (AFTER getting all the money out of politics)
5. And all the silly rightwingnut gut government and returning power to the states destroying civil rights and all social programs and unions and all big biz Kochhead ideas which will never get enough states to pass. Let's discuss them anyway and put them up to the vote of the states. Takes 37 state to ratify.
Are you in?
TRUST ME. It sure beats a revolution.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 11:33 AM
"I know, I know... I've already violated the pledge I made yesterday to completely ignore the bathhouse boys." - DJ
Are you suddenly vying with Gringwhore to become the MOST homosexually-obsessed fool on here now?
You know what they say about "he who smelt it dealt it" don't you.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Heard the bathhouse boys formed a band.
They call themselves: Jay and the GaySSapos
Gay and the GaySSapos featuring X-Lax on the skin flute and Liberace (aka Liberator) on the 88s.
LOL
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Dang it!
I just broke my pledge again.
BAD DJ!
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Gay and the GaySStapos
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 11:52 AM
More and more of us are coming to the conclusion that Newt---and ONLY Newt---could wipe the floor with Obama. He'd kill him politically with facts and conservatism. No other GOP candidate could destroy Obama in a debate so completely as Gingrich.
--
Bullhockey.
This is a transparent effort to sneak the Neut onto the Cain ticket. I am certain Herman Cain knows what to do when faced with a Presidential debate with the Bummer.
Monica is definitely on the Gooper Gravy Train.
As evidenced by her troll coddling.
Sad conclusion but now you know why Monica keeps pushing the Neut. They ware scared sh*tless by Cain and are looking for a babysitter.
Forget the stuff she wrote about McRomney. Consider it chaff.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | October 14, 2011 at 11:54 AM
.
The X-lax is crapping onto the Memo more than ever. Notice the recent Bama boosterism coming from this very same clown who accused US of being clandestine Bamanauts.
Just thought I'd point out the glaring contradiction.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | October 14, 2011 at 11:59 AM
"Heard the bathhouse boys formed a band." - DJ
Yes, DJ is obviously vying in dead heat competition to be the most homosexuality-obsessed fool on Monicamemo.
Sad.
And DJ... you found my band a very long time ago.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM
"Bullhockey." - UG
I just KNEW I could lure him back.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:02 PM
"Just thought I'd point out the glaring contradiction." - UG
No glaring contradiction to those who have a mind. I've rarely been a fan of Obama. Say, 5% out of 95%. MAYBE 10% out of 90% of the time.
He is, however, the lesser evil. Always. Because the man is pretending to be a liberal, he has to end up doing more liberal things (even against his will) than an ultimate evil in your face conservative.
And with Hillary at his side, waiting in the wings... what's not to like?
As far as you coming back to the blog and spouting your insanity and elevating the lesser evil even more, WILLKOMMEN!!!
"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!
Fremde, etranger, stranger.
Gluklich zu sehen, je suis enchante,
Happy to see you, bleibe, reste, stay.
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome
Im Cabaret, au Cabaret, to Cabaret!!"
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:07 PM
"The X-lax is crapping onto the Memo more than ever." - UG
UG, you know it just takes a cool mil to make me go away for a very long time.
Trying to do some good for the planet. Maybe forever. Until the wedding, anyway.
C'mon, you've got that much in your terrycloth robe pocket.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:11 PM
UG,
Could it be the establishment Goopers are pushing the Newt because their favorite backup guy to Romney, Rick Perry, is turning out to be a big dud? Newt would be the logical next pick as the establishment backup just in case Romney falters, no?
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 12:11 PM
.
DJ, that is a very logical conclusion. The motto is: ANYBODY BUT CAIN or if we can't get rid of him, get a babysitter on his ticket.
Good thing the guy is black and they have to be ultra-careful.
They def can't screw around with him the way they did with other Tea Party people.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | October 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM
"They def can't screw around with him the way they did with other Tea Party people." - UG
Oh, we can't, can't we?
You need to read the recent archives the past few days. You've been remiss.
The man who wants to tax Grandma's cat food after stealing her social security and medicare AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE WHATEVER COLOR HE IS on the outside.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:17 PM
And someone needs to tell Rick Perry's wife to lay off the sauce. Those bags under the eyes are evidence of some pretty severe liver damage going on there.
Reminds me of my dear departed Mother at that age, she does... which is probably perfectly appropriate for a woman living in the "Mad Men" era and trying to turn the clock back to 4000 B.C.E.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:21 PM
DJ, well the GaySSapos won't be releasing anything soon on the big 10 inch....
Posted by: thebuckstopshere | October 14, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Hmmmm.... I wonder. I wonder just how many coat hanger warrior princesses and queens of today have secret abortions in their past.
Hmmmmmm.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:24 PM
They def can't screw around with him the way they did with other Tea Party people.
.
Posted by: Ummahgummah | October 14, 2011 at 12:14 PM
------------
Indeed.
For that reason alone, Cain is best suited to get in there and acually shrink the size and scope of the Federal Government.
Posted by: DJ | October 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM
"DJ, well the GaySSapos won't be releasing anything soon on the big 10 inch...." - TBSH
Uh, 10" vinyl went out mid-1950's, O clueless one.
However, 12" LP's still survive thanks to club DJ's.
Ditto the 6" plastic CD, although most all music delivery is going cyber these days.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:27 PM
"For that reason alone, Cain is best suited to get in there and acually shrink the size and scope of the Federal Government." - DJ
Unfortunately, your Uncle Ben there just doesn't have what it takes to shrink the intelligence of the overwhelming majority of the American People enough to put him there to tax Grandma's cat food and trailer rental AFTER taking away her SS and Medicare.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Hermie Cain's 999 plan:
Nine of you are going to like it (the top .001 percent)
Nine of you are going to love it (the VERY top .00001 percent)
Nine MILLION of you are going to be killed by it.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:32 PM
What's not to like?
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:33 PM
If Herman Cain wins the nomination and (God forbid) the Presidency, does that mean he's going to have to give up the Uncle Ben rice package gig?
Posted by: xbjllb | October 14, 2011 at 12:38 PM
The Republicans passed over Romney for McCain, last time. If they were playing by the Republican book, they should have offered Newt, the experienced Republican statesman, before Romney this time. But, the RINOs are truly losers because they should be giving Herman Cain a serious look also. I have been a Newt supporter for years but I don't think he will win the popular vote. My dream team is Herman Cain, President, and Newt Gingrich, Vice-President and leader of the Senate. That way the failing economy is covered and the disastrous democrat-agenda legislation is gone.
Posted by: seebee | October 15, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Monica, you are "right on" as usual. The Left-wing nut jobs with their phoney liberal remarks are just plain stupid idiots. They will never learn! Wait until they see what's left of the once great United States of America when their so-called brilliant teleprompter reading Imposter-in-Chief is done with his anti-American policies. Do they not have children or grandchildren to worry about? I do and I'm scared to death of Obama & CO.
Posted by: Carol | October 15, 2011 at 07:09 AM
I think you're right about Newt. Yes, he's got some baggage, but he's brilliant. And I think he's the only candidate that can truly get some good things done. I don't understand all the Newt bashing. If anyone is looking for a perfect, sinless candidate, they aren't gonna find one.
Posted by: Momms | October 15, 2011 at 08:04 AM
Mitt will win. The fake view of what people say Mitt Romney is as opposed to what he is, what he is done and how well he will run the country is another thing.
Nobody comes close to Mitt Romney in terms of international business brilliance and ability.
Mitt will make the best chief executive and president.
Posted by: juanita valdez | October 15, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Cain’s longtime ties to controversial Koch brothers’ group key to his surging presidential bid
By Associated Press, Published: October 16
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain has cast himself as the outsider, the pizza magnate with real-world experience who will bring fresh ideas to the nation’s capital. But Cain’s economic ideas, support and organization have close ties to two billionaire brothers who bankroll right-leaning causes through their group Americans for Prosperity.
Cain’s campaign manager and a number of aides have worked for Americans for Prosperity, or AFP, the advocacy group founded with support from billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, which lobbies for lower taxes and less government regulation and spending. Cain credits a businessman who served on an AFP advisory board with helping devise his “9-9-9” plan to rewrite the nation’s tax code. And his years of speaking at AFP events have given the businessman and radio host a network of loyal grassroots fans.
The once little-known businessman’s political activities are getting fresh scrutiny these days since he soared to the top of some national polls.
His links to the Koch brothers could undercut his outsider, non-political image among people who detest politics as usual and candidates connected with the party machine...
Posted by: Liberator | October 17, 2011 at 02:19 PM
KoCain in 2012!!!!
Keep on Snortin'
Posted by: Liberator | October 17, 2011 at 02:27 PM
"Nobody comes close to Mitt Romney in terms of international business brilliance and ability.
Mitt will make the best chief executive and president." - "Juanita Valdez"
As he promptly downsizes and outsources the entire country, leaving it jobless the way he did mere companies at Bain Capital and the 1% reaping the profits.
Romney will be the bane of the US if the man gets anywhere near power with his Neocon W. Bush cabinet.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 18, 2011 at 07:36 AM
"I think you're right about Newt. Yes, he's got some baggage, but he's brilliant. And I think he's the only candidate that can truly get some good things done. I don't understand all the Newt bashing. If anyone is looking for a perfect, sinless candidate, they aren't gonna find one." - Momms
No, but the point of an election is supposed to be NOT to elect the biggest asshole.
However, the hard nutcase right of the GOP does things a different way.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 18, 2011 at 07:38 AM
"Monica, you are "right on" as usual. The Left-wing nut jobs with their phoney liberal remarks are just plain stupid idiots. They will never learn! Wait until they see what's left of the once great United States of America when their so-called brilliant teleprompter reading Imposter-in-Chief is done with his anti-American policies. Do they not have children or grandchildren to worry about? I do and I'm scared to death of Obama & CO." - Carol
Send me your address. I'll send to and your family a one-way ticket to Israel, a country run far more to your liking.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 18, 2011 at 07:40 AM
"The Republicans passed over Romney for McCain, last time. If they were playing by the Republican book, they should have offered Newt, the experienced Republican statesman, before Romney this time. But, the RINOs are truly losers because they should be giving Herman Cain a serious look also. I have been a Newt supporter for years but I don't think he will win the popular vote. My dream team is Herman Cain, President, and Newt Gingrich, Vice-President and leader of the Senate. That way the failing economy is covered and the disastrous democrat-agenda legislation is gone."
Seebee
ROFLMFAO!!!! Your dream team and OBAMA'S dream team!!!
Posted by: xbjllb | October 18, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Judging from the late "sneak back" comments in here, maybe Fox News HAS done America a service, by making an isolated tiny minority fringe actually BELIEVE they are the majority of America.
Duped is duped is duped. And ALWAYS surprised out of their minds at the polls.
And that midterm? A complete aberration, America took a powder after 2008.
Won't be happening again. Not after America saw the result.
Posted by: xbjllb | October 18, 2011 at 07:43 AM
Monica, you are so smart and always on the money. YOU ROCK!
Posted by: Michael Fox | October 18, 2011 at 08:09 PM