One less contender

So the Hermanator makes it official.

As I said in my most recent post about him, he is at least guilty of really poor judgement. Several people who know him well still refuse to believe he has ever engaged in sexual shenanigans, and I'd still like to believe that that's the case. His story is that of someone who knows how to summon the highest levels of character, and has done so on a regualr basis. It's also obvious that he really embraces, and has a zeal for defending, the principles of conservatism. Of course, as we've seen more than once, a person's - particularly a man's - libido can operate concurrently to a fealty to principles and win out in a contest for the person's willpower.

He's not done as a public figure. I'm sure he has books, columns, and probably a resumed radio-host gig in his future.

What's going to be sad and disgusting in the extreme is the sewage flood of vitriolic gloating that will inevitably stink up Facebook and the comment threads at just about any column, article or blog post about the man. That's just where we are as a society.

"Whole lotta not perfect here"

Ladd Ehelinger, blogger, filmmaker, and talk show host, who is a principled conservative, has had substantial fact time with Herman Cain and believed in him long after many another rightie pundit had soured on the Hermanator phenomenon, is now officially through with him. The lawyer's statement on the latest claim (the 13-year affair) seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

How about me? As painful as it is to admit it, I think it looks like a case of a guy's libido being far stronger than his principles. Might be able to keep a radio-host career from sinking under such weight, but a presidential run at a time when uncompromised seriousness is a requisite? Uh-uh.

The dubious-credibility spectre is back to being weighted toward the accuser side

Since last we posted about Herman Cain's sexual-allegation firestorm, two new accusers have come forth. The one making the rounds this morning is apparently turning out to be lazy, whiny and opportunistic and not above ruining people's reputations to ensure her own gravy train.

The fifth accuser seems to fall into the category of a political-correctness policewoman, who is trying to make something unsavory out of a dinner invitation at a business convention in Egypt nine years ago.

We haven't heard so much about campus and workplace speech codes lately, and their expansion to include facial expressions and voice inflections, but that kind of tyrannical micromanaging is clearly still prevalent.

What time is Cain's presser today? I have a lot on the plate, but I'd sure like to tune it in.

Doesn't pass the smell test

Nearly always, when a politician is accused of sexual misconduct, either it immediately and obviously fits the person's overall character and personality, or does so after a bit more about the person comes to light. In the case of the Hermanator, though, the reason these charges that came to light in a Politico article last night seem unlikely at best and more probably impossible is that they are so utterly at odds with what we know about the man.

So much for the prognostications of the pointy-headed, chin-rubbing establishment types and Reasonable Gentlemen who no longer have their finger on the pulse of the nation

Per a CBS poll, the Hermanator now leads Mitt Romney by 25 to 21, which is outside the margin of error.

East-coast media darlings, even - perhaps particularly - those who give lip service to conservative principles, no longer, if they ever did, understand how clearly most Americans - certainly most rank-and-file Republicans - grasp the urgency of our nation's situation. We will not settle for coronating the ovbvious next-in-line candidate. (For one thing, GOP heirs-apparent are always glaringly problematic.)

No one articulates that urgency as forcefully, plainly and naturally as Herman Cain, not even his fellow conservative candidates. People are starved for that kind of clarity.

Everyone needs to understand that we really mean it.

Why the Hermanator, even with his need to brush up on a few things, is still the best Pub prez candidate as of now

He speaks plain truths plainly, such as the need to keep any truly vialble inner-city Opportunity Zones free of unions and free of the minimum wage.

Conservatism, the movement based on ideas and principles

Paul Ryan and Arthur Laffer have both waxed enthusiastic over the Hermanator's 9-9-9 plan. Heavy hitters adding heft to the hooplah.

As of now, it's Herman for LITD

At this point, the GOP prez-candidate field shakes out thusly: There are four great candidates with some problematic aspects to them (Bachmann, Santorum, Perry and Gingrich), one contender so egregiously problematic that he is really this cycle's hold-your-nose guy (Romney), two ridiculous candidates that can be dismissed out of hand (Paul and Johnson) and one fantastic candidate whose shortcomings are negligible, at least as of this writing.

That's right. Herman Cain is the best Pub candidate this year. His personal story is, as is getting noted all over the place, remarkable. He understands the relationship between the government's power to tax and regulate and the scope of our freedom. He turned around two failing restaurant chains by containing costs and working to maximize profits. He would scrap the EPA.
As a man, he embodies deep faith, analytical prowess and plain-spokenness. He has a great sense of humor.
He's genuine in every sense.
Look for his surge to continue.