AMAC...
Q & A with Jedediah
Cain, GOP Debates, 2012 and Moving Forward
By Jedediah Bila

11/01/2011 

What do you make of the Politico story about the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain? – Rose D. 

I’m not a fan of anonymously-sourced columns of that nature. I wasn’t a fan of it when it was done repeatedly to Palin, I’m not a fan of it with respect to Cain, and I wouldn’t be a fan of it with regard to any political figure on the left or right. 

 What I find most interesting is the fact that a media that we couldn’t rely on to do basic investigative reporting with respect to Barack Obama’s record and associations in 2008 has suddenly gotten in touch with their investigative roots. Too bad their passion for anonymously-sourced allegations far outweighs their commitment to uncovering our President’s crony capitalism and the Fast and Furious monstrosity. 

 Let this be a reminder to conservatives as we approach 2012. Let the mainstream media’s selective investigative passion remind us of what we are up against. When it comes to exposing the failed policies of this administration and defending the records of those who seek to defeat our Campaigner-in-chief, take research and reporting matters into your own hands. 

 The mainstream media wants nothing more than for an anonymously-sourced anti-Cain story to hit the front pages of as many outlets as possible. After all, if that wasn’t happening, people might still be focused on Obama’s bundlers and how this President is the antithesis of the hope and change he sold voters in 2008. 

 I’ve seen you tweeting through the debates and writing up articles on it. As of today, who really stands out for you? – Michelle H. 

 When it comes to the candidates’ positives, there are a lot of which to speak (and I have certainly done so). I’m not endorsing anyone at this moment, but as of today—and of course this is subject to change—Cain and Gingrich really snatch my attention. 

 I have interviewed Cain and I really like his down-to-earth delivery, executive experience, record of success in the business community, and the fact that he was one of the first to put forth a plan that—whether you agree with it or not—offers bold solutions. As a Washington outsider, my hope is that Cain would really shake up the system. I would also hope that his experience in the business world would give him the fortitude to take on the business-as-usual political machine. 

 I’m also more impressed by Newt Gingrich with each debate. He is a brilliant man with a wealth of historical knowledge and a remarkable ability to articulate solutions. He has a very solid grasp of the issues, and our President wouldn’t stand a chance with him in a debate. Newt has managed to stay above the silly fighting during debates and to hold other candidates accountable in a professional manner, while keeping the primary focus on defeating Barack Obama. 

 Who do you see the youth mostly throwing themselves behind in this GOP race? – Emily B. 

 Ron Paul snatches a lot of the youth’s attention. When he speaks about limited government and individual liberty, it really resonates with them. I think that Cain could easily tap into that as well, though. He is a regular guy with a very relatable life story and approach. He speaks like a regular person, not a politician. Young people are attracted to that. 

 Reading the news these days can be downright depressing! What do you say to those who feel like they can’t find any optimism in this mess? – Anthony D. 

 I happened upon a Gallup poll recently that left me smiling. It reported that “More than one in three Americans (35%) say they are following news about national politics ‘very closely,’ a greater percentage than Gallup has found in non-election years prior to 2008.” In fact, “Conservatives, those 65 and older, Republicans, and postgraduates have all registered double-digit increases compared with September 2007.” 

 That’s great news when it comes to moving the country forward in the right direction. People are engaged and their eyes are wide open. Unlike in 2008, when many Americans mobilized behind slogans of “hope,” “change,” and “yes we can,” I have a feeling that Americans will mobilize behind practical solutions in 2012. Those solutions will represent the opposite of Obama’s big-government, big-spending, class-warfare ideology. 

 Americans aren’t blind. They see the growing debt. They see failed stimulus after failed stimulus. They see how many Americans are out of work. That’s not the hope and change they had in mind. And they will carry that sentiment to the voting booths in 2012. 

Read this and other articles at AMAC