Politics & Government
Herman Cain Shoots Up in the Polls
Nearly six months ago, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain spoke at the Missouri Capitol as an also-ran in the Republican field. Today, he is leading in some public opinion polls.
GOP aspirant Herman Cain has come a long way since he stood on the steps of the Missouri Capitol nearly six months ago.
Cain – a Georgia native who previously worked as CEO of Godfather’s Pizza – was on hand at an April 14 Tax Day Rally for United for Missouri. The group is headed by former House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden, a Republican from St. Charles.
At the rally, Cain said America had “a long list of crises” that it needed to deal with.
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“We don’t just have one,” Cain said in a video created by United for Missouri. “We’ve got a moral crisis. We’ve got an economic crisis. We’ve got an entitlement spending crisis. We’ve got an energy crisis. We’ve got an immigration crisis. We have a national security crisis – because we have a president that doesn’t want to lead.”
Back in April, Cain was barely making a blip in a presidential race dominated by candidates with elected experience. Cain’s only other bid for office came in 2004 when he ran for an open U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. He lost to the eventual winner – current U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia – by a landslide.
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But since Texas Gov. Rick Perry's precipitously decline in the polls, Cain’s candidacy has gained some steam. He’s made some noise with his “9-9-9” plan, which aims to implement a 9 percent income tax, a 9 percent national sales tax and a 9 percent corporate income tax.
Cain even gained a lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a national presidential poll conducted by Public Policy Polling. The Democratic polling firm said that Perry’s “shocking” 17 point drop in the polls benefited Cain.
But while Cain is leading in his company’s poll, the president of PPP doesn’t think he’ll have long-standing traction.
“Cain’s the flavor of the week but with 70 percent of Republican voters either undecided or willing to change their minds this race is as wide open as it’s ever been,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling, in a statement.
Part of Debnam’s skepticism could be due to both Romney and Perry’s advanced fundraising numbers and organizations. It may also due with Cain’s propensity to make controversial statements.
It's unknown whether Cain will continue to fare well in the polls. But his campaign's trajectory changed quite a bit since he stood outside the Missouri Capitol six months ago.