Herman Cain, Radio host, businessman and former United States Senate candidate Herman Cain of Georgia began a movement for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for President of the United States shortly following the 2010 midterm elections.
Although he was frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, Cain stopped short of a full-fledged candidacy before the beginning of the year. His entrance was tied to his public image, which characterized the candidate as "inexperienced," but a Washington outsider.
Cain spent a considerable amount of time campaigning throughout the early primary states (particularly Iowa and New Hampshire) for most of 2010.
Nearly two weeks after the beginning of the year, Cain filed his organization with the Federal Elections Commission as an exploratory committee, under the header Friends of Herman Cain. Cain is a supporter of the Tea Party movement, and the gold standard. He survived cancer in both his colon and his liver in 2006, and is currently cancer free.
Exploratory committee
Following the 2010 midterm elections, Cain announced his intentions to run for President in December 2010, stating that there is a 70% chance that he would attempt to seek the office. Following the New Year, Cain announced on January 12, 2011, on Your World with Neil Cavuto, that he had officially formed an exploratory committee, in order for him to travel and raise funds more effectively for a presidential run.
Political positions
Economic
Bank bailouts
Herman Cain initially supported the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bank bailouts as a way to save the economy, and viewed it as an investment opportunity for the taxpayers. In a 2008 editorial, Cain wrote, "Owning a part of the major banks in America is not a bad thing. We could make a profit while solving a problem." He also stated his hope the program would be a success when he said "...but if this works, and I believe it will, the Bush Administration will have gotten this one right. In May 2011, regarding his TARP support, Cain said "I don’t have any regrets".... "I studied the situation. I didn’t have trouble with the idea; I had trouble with its implementation, picking winners and losers.
Federal Reserve
In early 2011, Cain stated on his radio show that there was no need for an audit of the Federal Reserve. Cain has clarified, however, that while such an audit is not a high priority for him, neither does he object to it.
Gold standard
Herman Cain announced his support of the gold standard on a radio program in late 2010:
"Yes I believe in the gold standard. We should have never gotten off the gold standard because when we got off the gold standard, that then allowed Congress to inflate our currency whenever they overspent. Now look at the mess that we have.
Welfare
Cain opposes the United States being an entitlement society. In an interview with Christianity Today, Cain stated, "Programs today are designed to make people more dependent rather than less dependent."
Social Security
Cain favors George W. Bush's position of reforming the current system, but not privatizing it.
Immigration
Cain believes that the U.S.-Mexico border must be secured. He believes in allowing illegal immigrants living in the US to go through the the traditional citizenship process.[29]
[edit]Same-sex marriage
Cain believes that marriage is between a man and a woman and is against same sex marriage.[30] He supports the Defense of Marriage Act and opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Supreme Court Justices
Cain favors appointed Justices that would abide by the Constitution and not make any rules. He has expressed support for Justice Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
Second Amendment
He believes that any gun permit law must be dealt with at the state level.
Foreign policy
Israel
He supports Israel and believes that the U.S. should aid Israel in defending itself.
Iran
Cain favors a diplomatic approach to nuclear disarmament. He believes that Iran is a threat to Israel.
North Korea
Cain opposes any form of appeasement to enemies of the United States. He believes that the number one priority for the U.S. is to keep its citizens safe. [36]
Russia
Cain opposed the New START treaty because he believes that the U.S. gave up too much.
2011 developments
A January 2011 analysis of the Republican presidential field in Sabato's Crystal Ball placed Cain in the fourth tier of candidates, saying he was "a favorite among some activists with a blunt, no-holds-barred style," but that he was limited by having had no elective experience and by "the perception that he is too far right to win a general election. The same month, Cain finished seventh out of twenty-one candidates in the New Hampshire Straw Poll, gaining four percent of the vote of a group of state Republican Party members. In February 2011, the Tea Party Patriots organized and hosted the American Policy Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. The 1,600 attendees were polled regarding their preference for a 2012 presidential candidate. Cain won the poll with 22%. Runners up were Tim Pawlenty (16%), Ron Paul (15%), and Sarah Palin (10%). Ron Paul won the Summit's online poll.
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