Politics
Herman Cain under scrutiny
Cain, who has seen his popularity rise after a string of strong debate performances and a win at an early test vote in Florida, has shifted from an also-ran to a factor in the GOP contest. His rivals suddenly are looking at his rise in the polls with enough concern that even candidates at the front of the pack engaged him.
“I must admit that simple answers are always very helpful, but oftentimes inadequate,” former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney clucked during one exchange with Cain.
And Texas Gov. Rick Perry dismissed the whole plan.
“I don’t need 9-9-9. We don’t need any plan to pass Congress,” Perry said.
Once viewed as a sideshow to the race, Cain’s plain-spoken approach has provided a simpler alternative to others such as the approach of Romney.
“Can you name all 59 points in your 160-page plan?” Cain pushed Romney on his detailed economic plan.
Cain has run a non-traditional campaign. He is on a national book tour now, hawking his latest volume. He is a frequent guest on television programs. Yet so far, Cain hasn’t laid the groundwork for a traditional get-out-the-vote effort in the critical early nominating states.
He shrugs off that criticism.
“And just to set the record straight: when you run for president and you move into the top tier, you get this bull’s-eye on your back,” Cain said last week. “And people take potshots left and right. But I don’t want you to be unclear about where I stand on certain things.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
