Cain still leads the GOP field in Iowa (Updated)
UPDATED at 2:25 p.m.: Until a few minutes ago, Herman Cain could keep up his lead because of the lack of details about his alleged actions. All that may have ended with the press conference a new accuser, Sharon Bialek just gave. Now there’s a name and face to a woman who’s been willing to make her accusation very publicly, and very specifically. I have a feeling Cain’s poll numbers are about to take a serious hit.
—
ORIGINAL POST: So far, the reports of sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain have not cost him his lead in Iowa, which will kick off the GOP nomination process with its caucuses on Jan. 3.
Keep in mind as we go through these polls that the first story about Cain and the harassment allegations was published on the evening of Oct. 30.
Insider Advantage found Cain held a 15-point lead over Mitt Romney (30 percent to 15 percent). The poll was taken Nov. 3, four days after the story broke, and it shows that Cain almost doubled his lead from mid-October. Holding steady in third was Newt Gingrich with 12 percent. No one else was in double-digits. Caitlin Huey-Burns at Real Clear Politics notes:
Cain leads among each age group by double digits except for voters 65 and older, who back Romney over Cain, 25 percent to 14 percent. Cain also leads among minority groups. He holds a 17-point edge over Gingrich among male voters (Romney comes in third) and a 12-point lead over Romney among females (Gingrich places third).
That lead among females may be the most surprising bit, in light of the allegations.
Another pollster, JMC Enterprises, surveyed Iowans a day earlier and found a much closer race: a tie between Cain and Romney at 20 percent apiece, with Gingrich nipping at their heels with 16 percent; everyone else was at least 10 points further back. As far as I can tell, JMC had not polled Iowa recently. The pollster’s executive summary did not include cross-tabs for support of each candidate by gender, although it did find a narrow plurality of women thought the charges against Cain were “trumped up.” (H/t: Jim Geraghty)
If the allegations, and Cain’s poor response to them, are going to hurt him, it would appear it’ll take more than what we’ve heard so far. In Iowa, at least.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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146 comments Add your comment
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
1:37 pm
The truth is Obama had very little experience if any. He ran on conjecture and a movement of “Change”. Well honestly nothing has changed. He talked about how Bush’s policies had sent our country down the wrong path and he was going to fix it up. He has had his time to prove he could do this and he hasn’t. So I guess I don’t really understand what makes obama so great to people. His policies do not work and he has proven that. I think before I would go bash the right and their candidates for lack of experience and etc., I would look at the face of your party for answers on why he duped you and millions of other americans.
Tealiban Party
November 7th, 2011
1:39 pm
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
1:27 pm
Welcome……I dont think he is running or will be running based on his foreign policies. DId he ever say that?
Good thing foreign policy isn’t a critical part of being president of the USA. (Roll eyes.) Give me a break!
pssssst
November 7th, 2011
1:39 pm
i’ve got the dirty little details. do you want to read about them?
hahahaha
#occupy my desk...
November 7th, 2011
1:39 pm
Quiet down you fat cat millionaires and billionaires! I’m trying to sink a putt here with the CEOs of GE, MF Global, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Citi… But remember when it comes to November ‘12, I’m the champion of the little man and stalwart defender of the middle class.
stands for decibels
November 7th, 2011
1:40 pm
President Obama faired well in presidential debates against political heavyweights.
and–how to put this nicely?–if my dream were to come true and the Goopers actually nominated a head case like Newt or a Koch-wh0re like Cain, Obama would shove a rhetorical shiv into either guy’s side and smile while he did it.
But that’s not gonna happen. Mittens will be the Gooper pick, and he’ll run a decent campaign on his way to losing the general election. (that’s the smart bet, anyway.)
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
1:41 pm
And what foreign policy experience did Obama have when he ran for president? Or did he rely on staff memebers and a vp with more experience? Kinda makes you wonder what your agenda is attacking UGA 1999 when he is just stating facts.
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 7th, 2011
1:42 pm
“…Good thing foreign policy isn’t a critical part of being president of the USA. (Roll eyes.) Give me a break…”
Don’t worry Tealiban, lemme tell em about all that Foreign Policy experience…OH WAIT! I didn’t have any!
Hmmmm Let me Think
November 7th, 2011
1:43 pm
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
1:32 pm
Also I have a question for you…..what exactly was Obama running on? What major experience did he possess? What did he do while he was in office? What makes him better than say a Herman Cain?
Gee let’s compare experience prior to running for president…. US Senator vs. Burger King manager/Talk show host/head of Lobbyist group…..
Tealiban Party
November 7th, 2011
1:44 pm
If you want to discuss Obama’s foreign policy, go right ahead. It is an area where he completely destroys any of your GOP candidates.
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 7th, 2011
1:45 pm
Now don’t ya’ll go talkin about who was Numero Uno in Wall Street donations!!! _ Don’t wanna hear any of that. I’m a man o’ the people.
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
1:48 pm
The biggest hypocrisy of all is all the leftist bloggers on here pointing out what they dont like about the GOP candidates and the lack of experience and integrity, but yet Obama was a perfect candidate in every way. Obama gained experience on the job and it hasnt worked. Plain and simple. At least some of these so-called terrible candidates for the right would be going in with far more experience than Obama and have a few fresh ideas on how to turn our economy around.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tealiban….he has about as much foreign policy experience as Barack did upon taking office. If you are going to throw stones…….
Aquagirl
November 7th, 2011
1:51 pm
I dont think he is running or will be running based on his foreign policies.
Yeah, who cares about China or any of those places they talk funny?
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
1:53 pm
Hmmmm Let me Think
November 7th, 2011
1:43 pm
You can point out what you believe to be true as far as Mister Cains experience level. What you fail to mention is he also is also a succesful businessman. Knows how to run a successfull business. Has some new and fresh ideas. Has been a political commentator for years and years. Filled in for Neil Boortz on many occassions. So say what you want, but Obama was a senator for a little less than 2 years where he voted present i dont know how many times. He also was on the campaign trail for a year and a half trying to get elected while he held that office. That doesnt exactly qualify him. We as a country gave your guy a shot to “Change” things and they haven’t worked. Those are the facts. Its time for a new direction and new ideas.
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 7th, 2011
1:55 pm
“Yeah, who cares about China or any of those places they talk funny?”
Yep, when I was running, I ddin’t know or care either. Still don’t–they scare me.
Bart Abel
November 7th, 2011
1:57 pm
RE: “You can hate on Mister Cains 9-9-9 plan all you want, but at least it taxes everyone in this country and not just particular people.”
————————————————————————
For the record, everybody who lives in this country pays taxes in this country–sales taxes, property taxes, gas taxes, payroll taxes, among others–including immigrants who are living here illegally (yes, illegal immigrants also file tax returns).
With regard to the fact that fewer people are paying, specifically, federal income taxes, that’s a result of the economic downturn in which more people are now either living in poverty or barely hanging on to their status among the lower middle class. It’s takes money out of the economy to tax families that spend 100 percent or more of their incomes as they try to get by from one paycheck to the next.
As Kyle as said many times, not all taxes are the same. I agree. To grow the economy, its more effective not to tax incomes that definitely will be spent and, to the extent that we must tax, where possible, limit taxation portions of incomes that are less likely to be spent…hence the progressive income tax.
Again, Herman Cain’s 999 tax proposal would not only raise taxes on the so-called 47 percent. He would raise taxes on nearly all of us. It’s worth remembering that for years, he has also been aggressively promoting the FairTax, a plan that would also raise taxes on most of the middle class while leaving most of the 47 percent alone.
Chuck Doberman
November 7th, 2011
1:57 pm
“Why should I bust my arse day in and day out to help give someone else a free ride with my tax money?”
Having volunteered at urban ministries and homeless shelters for years, I have to wonder if some of you people have ever met a poor person. The vast majority of those I meet
A. are not there because they choose to be
B. are trying to crawl out of the hole and improve their lives
and…
C. are enduring the criticism of ignorant masses who assume they are in their situation because they are lazy and don’t want to work… and most of them refrain from burying their fists in the faces of these ignorant judgemental aholes like I would do
Sorry guys, but those of us who actually participate in the world and seek to learn about which we speak don’t buy your collective condemnation
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
1:57 pm
Bart….dont avoid the topic. FEDERAL INCOME TAX…..
Chuck Doberman
November 7th, 2011
1:59 pm
I guess my point was I, like most people imo, wouldn’t trade my 70 hour a week stress-filled job for their “free ride”, and if roles were reversed I don’t believe they would either
Jack
November 7th, 2011
1:59 pm
Can’t understand what all the fuss is about. All the name-calling libs have to do is say they’re gonna vote for Obama. And then actually vote. Calling the GOP contenders names is not going to change anybody’s mind.
Mitzymy
November 7th, 2011
1:59 pm
Herman Cain is not, has not been, and never will be a politician. He is surprised that he is this far up in the polls. It proves how uninformed the american public is on the issues that face us. He is a motivational speaker by trade, and wants to make more money speaking. He will make that money once the real candidate emerges, and he will laugh at us all the way to the bank.
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:00 pm
Bart – I respectfully disagree with you. I would like to keep my income earnings that I worked for. Not others. There are plenty of people who get paid cash or under the table and dont have taxes taken out. That is what i am talking about. It’s not fair to the folks that have to actually have 25% of their money taken from them each pay check.
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:05 pm
Chuck Doberman – While I do understand where you are coming from and agree with you in many respects….I also have to say that is just my opinion. Unfortunately we live in a society where not everyone is willing to put the work in it takes to be successful. You could argue that some are in such a place where the opportunity to become successful is an uphill battle and I understand that. However, I have seen it far too many times where people take advantage of the system and abuse kindness. Unfortunately that affects the people you are referring to and that stinks. At the end of the day its no different if we all just had to live off the land. Every man has to do what they can to take care of themselves. They have to figure out a way to provide for them and their families. As a society we need to get out of this hand holding nature and give me attitude. True success is earned and not given.
Filter
November 7th, 2011
2:12 pm
UGA 1999 and Mark T.
You are completely missing my point and honestly I am not that surprised by that.
What I am saying is that the GOP desperately needs is to stop looking like a bunch of hypocrites and take the high road, stop blaming the media and let this play out to its natural conclusion. If he did it then you can decide whether it matters and so can everyone else. If he didn’t do it then it will confirm everything you are saying and give you the best evidence ever put forward that the mainstream media bias is real.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:13 pm
Filter….Take the high road. You mean like those on the left that are blasting Cain before all of the facts come out? Hmmmmm seems like there is another road you guys should be on!
Jefferson
November 7th, 2011
2:16 pm
Why the worry ?
Chuck Doberman
November 7th, 2011
2:19 pm
Ruthless
Acknowledged, there are those that do play the system. In my experience with the poor they are in the minority, and I’ve worked with them in Fla, Miss, La, Al and Ga. … not exactly “affluent” states. Do you acknowledge that many play the game… on many levels… and that PLENTY of wealthy folk and large businesses do so to their utmost.
NEITHER is morally acceptable, yet all I hear is judgement and condemnation of the poor. Now which do you think is truly happy with the life their practices put them in?
Cutty
November 7th, 2011
2:19 pm
Wonder how the GOP will change for Herman since he’s been trying to discuss his REAL 999 plan with some Buckhead Bettys for a few years now.
Bart Abel
November 7th, 2011
2:23 pm
Ruthless at 2:00,
Regarding your comment, “I would like to keep my income earnings that I worked for.” I know you would. That’s the irony of your support for Herman Cain. In all probability, he would raise YOUR taxes. Take a look a the study from the Tax Policy Center: http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org/2011/10/18/cain%E2%80%99s-9-9-9-plan-would-cut-taxes-for-the-rich-raise-taxes-for-almost-everyone-else/
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:24 pm
Bart….possibly but it would make the tax code balanced and make all Americans pay virtually the same tax rate. Sorry bottom 49% haha.
Welcome to the Occupation
November 7th, 2011
2:27 pm
UGA 1999: “Welcome……I dont think he is running or will be running based on his foreign policies. DId he ever say that?”
Well, let’s see, I think he was asked a question about some foreign policy issues in a television interview. You know, the kind of things that’s normally done with aspirants to the highest elected office of this nation.
I’ll let you chew on that one for awhile.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:30 pm
Welcome…..and his answers still surpassed those of an ignorant obama from two and a half years ago!
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:30 pm
Chuck – I understand your outrage for how you see the poor talked about or treated because you see it first hand and are passionate about it. I don’t think I’ve ever even known one person, regardless of political and social views, that would condemn the truly poor and unfortunate. Unfortunately as I stated, I think most of that condemnation comes from the bad apples in the group and then the poor are sort of lumped into that group because people don’t know who they can trust. I guess in a way a lot of this goes back to tax revenue and issues on how we handle that. My point was let me keep what I earn and spend it how I choose to spend it. Such as being able to keep my income tax. People on here can debate the 9-9-9 plan or the fair tax plan, but I personally like the idea better than our convoluted way of paying taxes now. People can debate it all day, but it is a much fairer way of paying taxes across the baord for everyone. Then for the truly poor and in need folk will still get the help from taxes raised on services and goods. I guess what I am saying is the people you fight so passionately for will still get the help they need and the people paying the taxes (in the current system) won’t feel so taken advantage of by the bad apples. These “bad apples” will have to pay for services and goods as well which will ultimately help those out in need. It’s about being fair in the end.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:33 pm
While all of this is happening Romney and Perry are just chillin!
Welcome to the Occupation
November 7th, 2011
2:39 pm
UGA 1999: ‘Welcome…..and his answers still surpassed those of an ignorant obama from two and a half years ago!”
Dream on, buddy. Cain obviously couldn’t identify half the world’s countries on a map. Which is not really fatal in itself. Bush 43 had the same problem, but he dealt with it by apparently burning some serious midnight hole boning up on what he was weak on, according to some accounts.
Like Bush, and like many otherwise well educated Americans, Herman Cain is a little weak in his knowledge of foreign affairs and geography, to say the least.
But the real problem: Herman Cain appears to be okay with that.
Nothing’s worse than an ignoramus who’s blissfully unaware of what an ignoramus he is.
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:40 pm
Bart Abel – First off I never stated that I support Herman Cain. I simply have expressed that he would be a far better choice to lead our country than our current president. In my opinion of course. I am however a proponent for the fair tax. It gets rid of the convoluted system we currently have and are taxed on what we buy. In the end you argue different view points and reports on what the fair tax plan or the 9-9-9 plan will do. I could just as easily come up with reports on the web that show how good it will be for everyone. I think the biggest concern isnt the initial plan itself. The concern for me as I stated earlier is putting some kind of a cap on the amount they try and tax us. Simply because….what good does it do to change the tax system if the government will simply find new ways to continually add more taxes and possibly make it worse than it is now? I agree with that sentiment. However, it is the fairest possibly way to tax people. It gets rid of all the IRS BS that no one likes to deal with in April. According to Mr. Cain the taxes generated from his plan would be revenue-neutral. So different studies will show different view points. I want what is fair for everyone. What I worry more about is when Mister Cains plan is in place (hypothetical of course) and the left take back over the law making. Historically liberals raise taxes. This would give them a platform to do so and that worries me the most.
Aquagirl
November 7th, 2011
2:41 pm
I have a feeling Cain’s poll numbers are about to take a serious hit.
Probably not among the Republican faithful, even if his “lyin’ BEEYOTCH!” rebuttal carries less weight in the real world.
Republicans can either accept that this guy is toast, or they can double down on Herman Cain, it’ll be interesting to see which way they go. After all, a substantial proportion of the GOP denies evolution and climate change, there’s no reason to think they’ll let reality intrude now.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:42 pm
Welcome….there we go again…Blame Bush! haha just a tired excuse….the fact is that Obama has done more harm to this country than any other previous president. The only one that comes close is Carter. Oh that is right, he was a Dem as well!
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:44 pm
Welcome to the Occupation – You seem to be stuck on this foreign policy issue. Obama didnt have a lick of foreign policy experience when he took office. Thats what staffers and other jobs are filled for. They can help guide the president in the direction that he needs to take when it comes to foreign diplomacy. McCain would have been perfect for president for you. I assume you voted for McCain/Palin in the last election since that is what matters most to you?
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:45 pm
Ruthless…amen…he fails to understand facts.
Ol' Herman
November 7th, 2011
2:50 pm
Well, I guess now you know one of those 9’s didn’t have anything to do with taxes, heh, heh. That dumb blonde bi— ratted me out!
Welcome to the Occupation
November 7th, 2011
2:51 pm
UGA 1999: “Welcome….there we go again…Blame Bush! haha just a tired excuse..”
Here’s a suggestion, UGA: go back and READ my post. Learn to READ carefully before you start dashing off your response. Look at what I say about Bush carefully and you’ll see that it is far from blaming Bush.
The Ruthless Way: “You seem to be stuck on this foreign policy issue. Obama didnt have a lick of foreign policy experience when he took office”
I haven’t said word one in my posts here today to imply that Barack Obama had the slightest bit of foreign policy experience. All that I have said is that Cain is an example of an ignoramus in foreign affairs — hardly an unusual thing among Americans, sadly — and that he appears to be perfectly okay with that. In this regard he differs markedly from prior presidential candidates who had to study up on things, including Bush but also probably including Obama too.
If people like Gore and Kerry and Bush I didn’t have to do quite as much burning the midnight oil, that’s because they had long careers in politics where they were exposed to foreign issues before ever running for president.
Bart Abel
November 7th, 2011
2:54 pm
UGA 1999,
You wrote, “[Cain's 999 proposal would] make all Americans pay virtually the same tax rate.” That’s not correct.
Under Cain, the rate on income arising out of pure luck, via an inheritance, would be 0 percent. (I don’t buy the double-taxation argument because, just as taxes were previous paid on the money that is passed on in a will, taxes were previously paid by our customers on money that ends up in our paychecks.)
In addition, income from profits on investments would go untaxed under Cain’s proposal. (Some are confused by the double taxation argument here, but only investment profits are currently taxed, not the original investment.)
Finally, under Cain’s proposal, since one of three taxes are sales taxes, the end result is that those who live paycheck to paycheck must pay a larger portion of their household incomes in taxes than those with the greatest ability to save. So, the poor would pay higher rates than the middle class, and the middle class would pay higher rates than the rich.
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 7th, 2011
2:56 pm
“..Dream on, buddy. Cain obviously couldn’t identify half the world’s countries on a map…”
HEY! I’m the one that knows all 57 states!
The Ruthless Way
November 7th, 2011
2:57 pm
Welcome to the Occupation – Point taken about Mister Cains lack of foreign policy experience. I agree with you. Just as I think Obama had zero as well. Mister Cain hasnt been in a position to really gain that experience though. His expereince is in running successful businesses and being a political pundit. He can bring other attributes to the office besides foreign policy though. Just like many americans beleived Obama would do. All I am saying is it isn’t fair to write off Mister Cain just because you don’t like his lack of foreign policy experience. He has a lot more to say. The current president isn’t any better in that area and he runs our country. Different candidates are going to have different qualities. If you’re waiting for the perfect one then you’ll be waiting a long long time. It’s no different than in baseball. Some are power hitters and some hit for average. Point being they bring something to the table to help their team. Its about putting the proper pieces around them to make them successful. So far Obama has failed to do just that. His policies are not working. He has not delivered on what he has promised. It’s really that simple. It’s time to give someone else a shot.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
2:57 pm
Bart…..Here comes the wealth envy again…”the rate on income arising out of pure luck, via an inheritance, would be 0 percent.”
NOT TRUE….wasnt that money taxed when it was earned in the first place? Why are you guys so for giving your hard earned money to the government??? Fools!
Del
November 7th, 2011
2:58 pm
Gloria Allred says that the woman accuser could sell her story for a ton of money. What story? She can’t offer any proof.Why didn’t she file a complaint at the time? Why after all of these years is she coming forward now? Why do the other accusers insist on remaining anonymous? I think this story dies unless one of the other accusers who have documented complaints come forward and appear to be creditable.
The Great and Powerful Community Organizer
November 7th, 2011
3:01 pm
“…After all, a substantial proportion of the GOP denies evolution…”
That is true..and then they see Democratic voters, and DO believe we came from apes.
Bart Abel
November 7th, 2011
3:02 pm
UGA 1999,
I answered your first question about double taxation in my post. It would be nice if you’d bother to read it.
Also, I’m not sure how it’s “wealth envy” to say that income from inheritances (luck) should be taxed at the same rates as income from going to work every day, but if you say so.
UGA 1999
November 7th, 2011
3:04 pm
Bart….the money WAS taxed!!! How many times should a dollar be taxed before you get yours?