Herman Cain Is Gone: So Who’s Left?
Herman Cain, the GOP Presidential nominee who was once the CEO of Godfather Pizza and made a rise to the top of the GOP race with his 9-9-9 tax plan has toppled. Amidst a series of sexual accusations that ran the gamut between a thirteen year affair with an Atlanta woman to several sexual harassment charges, Cain's campaign has crumbled into shambles. This, added with a series of gaffes and backpedaling has caused his Republican status to be redeemed and where he once was a potential for President Cain, he will have to live with being Citizen Cain. In the meantime, his family has been hurt, his reputation shattered and the chance for becoming the most powerful man in the world has slipped from his fingers. It makes one wonder, with all of the scrutiny that goes into becoming a public official, is it really worth it?
So, who's left? The Republicans will start dropping off like flies now that we are heading into the primaries. The fickle behavior of the American people have put many candidates to the top of the polls, but with a few comments, they have all fallen. Here's a look at the people still running at the top and some of the ideals and political policies they stand for.
NEWT GINGRICH
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich is currently leading the pack. It isn't his first time there. His campaign collapsed earlier this past year when his election team quit on him after he took a 2 week vacation to Greece. Gingrich is very confident and claims that he is the most conservative of all of the Republicans running. Despite being an expert in history, he has a delusional way of revising it and flip flopping on his own issues. He was once the Speaker of the House under the Clinton Administration. He was one of the leaders for the impeachment of Bill Clinton (while he was having an affair with his first of three wives) and resigned from Congress after being investigated for 84 ethics violations. The current Speaker of the House and Tea Party Leader (and then House Majority Leader), Dick Armey were a part of the coup that ousted Gingrich from the office. Gingrich has stayed in the political spotlight and is currently running several for-profit companies.
MITT ROMNEY
The past governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney comes from a long line of politicians. His father, George Romney, was the former governor of Michigan. Romney, who was also a front-runner in the GOP primaries of 2008, is also a businessman and is using that as his leverage to be President. Despite being the most consistent Republican candidate in this election, his popularity has been flat-lined for the entire year. Republican voters don't like Romney. It could be for a variety of different reasons. He is known as a flip-flopper on issues, the hated Obamacare Health bill was based on his own Universal Healthcare system he put into place in Massachusetts (which he is now against), or it could be based on his religion. No one knows, but the entire election thought process this year seems to be "Who else is running besides Romney?"
MICHELE BACHMANN
This Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 6th congressional district, a post she has held since 2007. I've written several times about Michele Bachmann in the past. She is a gaffe queen. Despite her claims to the opposite, Bachmann often misspeaks, twists the truth, or follows conspiracy theories. She is very religious and was outspoken on the proposed mosque in New York City and her belief in gay rights. She has accused members of Congress as being communist and socialist (which isn't illegal), advised people to break the law by not filling out their census forms, and has warned that the HPV inoculation can cause mental retardation in teenagers (which it doesn't). With all of this, earlier this year she was in the lead for Presidential nominee until allegations of her "praying away the gay" with her small business and several embarrassing gaffes ruined her chances. She still hasn't given up.
RICK PERRY
Sort of the Joey Bishop of the GOP "Rat Pack", the former governor of Texas is not a very eloquent speaker. Like Bachmann, he is a gaffe king. He loses his train of thought during important presentations and has had a myriad of problems. With all of this, I have to give Rick Perry a nod for being able to laugh at himself. He's appeared on several night time television shows to renew his image and make people know that he is a friendly and approachable choice for President. He entered the race like gangbusters (being the savior of the GOP), but soon plummeted after he opened his mouth.
RON PAUL
Ron Paul is the most consistent in policies of anyone on this list. Whether you believe in his ideals or not, this Republican Representative from Texas can never be blamed for flip flopping. While he doesn't have enough followers to win the Presidency, the ones that do follow him are VERY passionate about his goals. Paul is a medical doctor who is interested in preserving the Constitution the way it was written. His main problem is, compared to the other candidates, he is old (age 76). This makes him a year older than John McCain who was criticized for his age in the 2008 election. This, among anything else, hurts his chances for a win.
No one wants any of these stuffed shirts who are all controlled by big business. They’re all bought and paid for.
That’s why I’ve decided to run for President. Lenny WInkle is going to be the biggest write in sensation this countrie’s ever seen. When I get elected things are going to change, you can be sure on that one.
I’ll be the front runner in no time because there isn’t any mud they can throw at me. I’ve already aired all my dirty laundry at http://MadWinkle.com so I’m bullet proof to their smear campaigns.
Vote Lenny Winkle ’12!! Yeah Baby!