iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Howard Fineman

GET UPDATES FROM Howard Fineman

Herman Cain, Barack Obama: The Real Winners Of Las Vegas Debate

Posted: 10/18/11 11:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- The winners of Tuesday night's GOP debate: Herman Cain and President Obama.

With the devastating accuracy of a CIA drone, the Republican candidates zeroed in on their own party's chances with exchanges that played right into Democrats' hands on a series of issues, from immigration to taxes.

And while Mitt Romney and Rick Perry behaved like petulant, name-calling schoolboys, Herman Cain weathered a half-hour assault on his 999 plan, with which CNN began the debate.

Attempting to out-do each other in their antagonism to undocumented immigrants, the GOP candidates honed in on the toughest possible sanctions and military measures for 15 minutes before someone thought to mention that the party had respect for legal immigration -- and for the Hispanic community.

They missed chance after chance to discuss anything specific about how they would help create jobs -- the country's number one concern.

They mentioned cutting aid to Israel, which was exactly what Obama needed to help him shore up support among Jewish voters.

And they sparred for half an hour about Cain's tax plan, which would add a national sales tax and, according to Republicans themselves, be a regressive tax that would hit the poor hardest.

All of that is good news to a beleaguered Obama, whose reelection strategy relies on harnessing support from his base, attracting Hispanic voters and winning back independents who tend to eschew candidates with extreme positions.

Meanwhile, Cain outshone the two nominal frontrunners -- Perry and Romney -- by acting the role of statesman and never losing his cool. Now safely ensconced at or near the top of the polls, Cain is growing in confidence and command on the stage, even if the numbers of his tax plan don't add up.

Perry and Romney sniped at each other in a way that did neither of them any good. Newt Gingrich was his usual hectoring, lecturing self, vowing to win the presidency by challenging Obama to 21 hours of debates. Michele Bachmann, desperate to regain some momentum, practically shouted throughout the debate. Ron Paul was Ron Paul.

In this environment, Rick Santorum sounded almost mild and reasonable, which gives you an idea of what kind of a night it was -- for Barack Obama and Herman Cain.

 

Follow Howard Fineman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/howardfineman

WASHINGTON -- The winners of Tuesday night's GOP debate: Herman Cain and President Obama. With the devastating accuracy of a CIA drone, the Republican candidates zeroed in on their own party's chance...
WASHINGTON -- The winners of Tuesday night's GOP debate: Herman Cain and President Obama. With the devastating accuracy of a CIA drone, the Republican candidates zeroed in on their own party's chance...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 1,408
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Highlights
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (25 total)
06:39 PM on 10/23/2011
I thought Herman Cain came off terribly. When faced with numerous specific criticisms of his 9-9-9 plan, he never once responded with any specifics, but merely kept repeating that people should read his plan online. That was extremely weak. You can't explain your ideas? You need people to read them online? As he continued to blunder through this past week, I think this assessment of him was further borne out.
photo
JoePenn
Shuhada?
07:30 PM on 10/22/2011
With the absolute least time made available, Dr. Paul still rocked everyone - so Howie: "Ron Paul was Ron Paul"? You're godamned right. He's not a windmill tilter like fed reserve's cain, romney, perry, et al - his answers are predictable/steady/un-tilting. I realize your job is to have us believe cain is able (bad pun intended) but he's already waffled on the nein-nein-nein plan since the debate. How's that for consistency?
01:57 PM on 10/21/2011
You know, I thought Huffington Post was a place I could get good reporting. The real winner was Ron Paul, who finally got some well deserved time to speak and who garnered agreement from the other candidates on more than one occasion. Your article did not even mention him, so I will assume you are part of the establishment media who would rather ignore him than have to tell the American public anything positive about him.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
doe58
Politicians-country first-be leaders not hacks
12:03 PM on 10/20/2011
Cain is a lot of "jive talk" at $25,000 a pop! And, he proudly states, he hasn't raised his prices!!!!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
08:28 AM on 10/20/2011
To: Presidential Candidate H. Cain and President Barack Obama
It was glad to do a good and kind Report 97 and now. I wanted to present the scarce food,shelter,job,and health resources in US. But no one Googled to show my Report true nor put here. Sad

When Vet org didn't give me a 2nd educational loan in 1978 and could not make it on GI Bill of $100.00 a month, I went to LA asked permission to stay at Greyhound Bus station then arrested by 8 guards. My lawyer checked my story out as being true and after an awful strip search I was
let go. Later I attended college at Los
Angeles State College.

Shelters have inhumane rules as putting you out even with a headache at out all day shelters,and make you carry job interview clothes to a coffee shop at 7am til day center opens at 9 am here in San Francisco. Shorttime shelters too and cities no Welfare. All Courts refused case in 97.

If Google SF Free Eats chart it shows only Glide Church gives 3 meals a day. Some other Churches give just lunch. If Google CA Berkeley,Oakland Church meals Homeless ABC's it shows every 2nd or 3rd Sunday or Thursday one meal for month. In April 1998 SF Chronicle Welfare chart shows 6 counties GA 3 months. LA GA is 5 mos. Sacramento 3 months. $200.00 to $300.00 given.

Thessalonians says,"Work to give money to others." Eva Hart Christian
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
08:34 AM on 10/20/2011
Correction. "I was glad to do a kind and good Report here." It is CA Berkeley,Oakland Church Meals Homeless Services. Please excuse no paragraphing as my smartphone not working properly. Eva Hart.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:56 AM on 10/20/2011
Added comment to my above post. Albert Sanchez,Welfare Analyst,writes me in 1997 that Florida has no Welfare program. Ms. Diane Copeland sent me firm that shelters are 3 weeks and shelters charge money to stay at them. When I was in Florida I checked with shelter staff and yes true 3 weeks. '97

Michael Manning owner of main food,shelter website says shelters have long waiting lists and that shelters usually 3 says and 2 weeks now. Gotten worse! I have been emailing back and forth with Michael Manning. homelessshelterdirectory.org. Eva Hart
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
12:52 PM on 10/20/2011
Added comment to my above post. As I said I submitted my scarce food,shelter,job,and Health resources in US in 1997 and all Courts refused case. My Wash DC Supreme Court Docket Number was 5833. My Sfc District Court Case no. was 97-C1922. Eva Hart

This is a person's last refuge for obtaining one's Guaranteed Rights to Life,Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Early man wanted to live,feed,house, and clothe his family. He fiercely fought against savages to obtain this Right. Today people want the same Right to Live. Vanza Devereaux '63 The Government of a Free Nation on the Guaranteed Right to Life,Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. California State Dept of Education Series. Healthcare giving us Life is in line with the U.S. Constitution of the Right to Life,Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Eva Hart A Christian I was in Army 62-70. 2 yrs college Self taught in 9 languages including The Biblical Aramaic Language of Jesus. Piano Father a Minister 7 Certificates in WP and Spdshts as Lotus 123 Feb 95 and Excel May 05 My email is evahartselftlanguages@yahoo.com
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nick Lahanas
Republicans: Robin Hood in Reverse
04:01 PM on 10/20/2011
Dude, nobody knows what you're talking about - and nobody is going to read through that imposing wall of text.
03:31 AM on 10/20/2011
Paul v Romney – Donations Show Stark Difference
Paul raised most from active military, Romney tapped big banks

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – A recent independent analysis of candidates’ campaign contributions reveals an interesting disparity between the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign and frontrunner Mitt Romney’s campaign. Romney’s top supporters appear to be made up of big banks while, unsurprisingly, Paul’s top contributors were men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“This fundraising analysis confirms Americans’ beliefs about Ron Paul and their suspicions about Mitt Romney. It is that Dr. Paul is extraordinarily popular and accepted by the everyman and by everyday heroes, while Romney relies almost exclusively on his big-business ties,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

According to the analysis, the top three organizations that employ Romney’s supporters are Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse Group, and Morgan Stanley. Reflecting his popularity with the everyman and our uniformed service men and women, the top three organizations that employ Dr. Paul’s supporters are the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy.

The study notes that the organizations themselves did not contribute. Rather, “the money came from the organization’s PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families.” The analysis suggests, then, that the use of PACs, bundling, subsidiaries and the like was not a feature of Dr. Paul’s grassroots fundraising.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
11:51 AM on 10/20/2011
Only 4 posts in a row on how you love Ron Paul. What happened, did your fingers get tired?
03:30 AM on 10/20/2011
Ron Paul Campaign Tops Others in Q3 Active-Military Donations
Outraises all other Republican candidates combined, outraises Obama

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign raised more campaign donations from active military than all other presidential candidates—Republican or Democrat—including having raised more funds from this segment than all other GOP competitors combined, and more than incumbent President Barack Obama.

Dr. Paul, an Air Force veteran, raised more than $75,000 from active military in the third quarter. This comes after Dr. Paul out-raised all GOP candidates – including all GOPers combined, and President Obama singularly – in the second quarter of this year. Dr. Paul also outraised his GOP competitors in a head-to-head comparison during his 2008 run for the presidency.

This determination was arrived at using an independent campaign analysis of FEC filing data focusing on contributors who listed their occupation and employer when contributing.

“Ron Paul is the only candidate with a plan to end the growing number of unconstitutional undeclared wars, having an unclear connection to U.S. national security, end costly overseas nation-building that pays no friendship dividends, and stop subsidizing global security. Instead Dr. Paul will bring our troops home, secure our borders and lead the nation in practicing a traditional Republican noninterventionist foreign policy,”

“Let me also submit that Dr. Paul out-raising all candidates in military donations demonstrates that his ‘Plan to Restore America’ might sit well among voters who are active-military or veterans,”
03:27 AM on 10/20/2011
Ron Paul on how we can substantively fix our healthcare problems:

Obama is just adding on more government…

Our problem is that we have too much government management of our healthcare…

If you want better competition and healthcare you should allow the American people to opt out of government healthcare…

When a government gets involved in an industry prices go up…

We need more competition in healthcare…

Let people have control over their own money…
03:26 AM on 10/20/2011
Standing Above the Fray

Once again, it’s worth pointing out that all of these candidates are viciously attacking one other over each of their lackluster, big government records.

They all have them. Except one.

And that candidate continues to stand above the fray because there is nothing to attack.

http://www.revolutionpac.com/2011/10/western-republican-debate-goers-bet-on-substance-over-snipes/
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ftkl1234
09:12 PM on 10/19/2011
Cain seems to be getting attn. Will he overpower Romney's seeming anointment as GOP candidate?That would be so incredible, the GOP bastion of white power to put up a black candidate.

Do I understand correctly his 999 idea will boost taxes for the middle class and the poor and ease up on the rich? That sounds pure GOP, so maybe he will be the GOP's candidate.

Then it will be two blacks running for President, one a pizza guy and one a home beer-meister. They should team up, that sounds like a real American ticket everyone would love.
Jack Canuckski
Canadian Observer of the passing scene
09:45 PM on 10/19/2011
I cannot imagine the Republican Party nominating Herman Cain as their candidate. If that is there only viable choice other than Mitt Romney, they will hold their collective noses and vote for Mitt.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stick7
09:23 AM on 10/20/2011
I wouldn't bet against Mr. Cain being selected as the VP candidate when all te smoke clears.
photo
undertheinfluence
POW in my own home country
05:25 PM on 10/19/2011
I wonder if we just ignored the debates, if they would go away? The candidates have nothing important to say, so why listen?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ftkl1234
10:23 PM on 10/19/2011
They're useful in that they do give some info though not necessarily what they say so much as how they come on, their body language, what you take away from seeing them and if they don't sound right.

Of course it's all about salesmanship and they can say whatever they want and renege. We shouldn't allow that but our times change so fast, I think changing minds is necessary, don't you? I wouldn't want Big Muddy to say "go on" when it means making a bad mistake, would you?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ftkl1234
10:27 PM on 10/19/2011
Do we really need political debates?

They're useful in that they do give some info though not necessaril­y what they say so much as how they come on, their body language, what you take away from seeing them and if they don't sound right. I think people talking about the canidates one way and another is useful.

Of course it's all about salesmansh­ip and they can say whatever they want and renege if elected. We shouldn't allow that carte blanche but our times change so fast, I think changing minds is necessary, don't you? I wouldn't want Big Muddy to say "go on" when it means making a serious mistake, would you?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
OneTop
Uh, is that a beer hall?
05:15 PM on 10/19/2011
"... how they would help create jobs -- the country's number one concern.""

There is NO evidence of that within the GOTP fantasy world. If it was then I expect that Congress and the Administration would have addressed the jobs issue at least 2 years ago considering everything went south in 2007-2008. Yes there was the stimulus package which helped a lot, however, it was simply too small given the scope of the economic collapse.

Since that point the GOTP in particular have gotten everything they wanted, with help of course, many policies such as the extended tax cuts were to create jobs.

The GOTP see the lack of jobs as the "personal responsibility" of those that do not have a job. The unemployed are simply, shirkers, slackers and those too lazy to start the next google.

The comments made by Mr. Cain and the ensuing cheers of the audience should have been a hint for everyone!
04:58 PM on 10/19/2011
If Democrats really want to win in 2012, they need to rewrite Jobs bill.
Teachers, policemen, infrastructure are really good direction for long term.
Right now we need more jobs in direction, which will create more jobs in USA despite globalization.
This jobs and directions must be a main priority for any candidate to win, without any doubt voters opinion in2012.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nick Lahanas
Republicans: Robin Hood in Reverse
04:03 PM on 10/20/2011
Why rewrite the jobs bill? There's nothing wrong with the legislation - Republicans simply aren't willing to work with the President in any way.
04:53 PM on 10/19/2011
Location: It is Sin City.
Time: Close to Halloween.

Conclussion: It is to early to make this kind of conclussion.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
manface
prefers beer parties to tea parties
04:52 PM on 10/19/2011
A dozen debates and no conversation about jobs
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nick Lahanas
Republicans: Robin Hood in Reverse
04:03 PM on 10/20/2011
Or the middle class.