Herman Cain apologizes to American Muslims
Looking to revive his flagging GOP campaign for president, Herman Cain today sat down with a group of American Muslims in Virginia – and then issued the statement below, apologizing for a series of statements. In an impromptu interview in Iowa, Cain said he would not permit adherents of that faith in his cabinet:
While I stand by my opposition to the interference of shariah law into the American legal system, I remain humble and contrite for any statements I have made that might have caused offense to Muslim Americans and their friends. I am truly sorry for any comments that may have betrayed my commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion guaranteed by it. Muslims, like all Americans, have the right to practice their faith freely and peacefully.
As I expected, we discovered we have much more in common in our values and virtues. In my own life as a black youth growing up in the segregated South, I understand their frustration with stereotypes. Those in attendance, like most Muslim Americans, are peaceful Muslims and patriotic Americans whose good will is often drowned out by the reprehensible actions of jihadists.
I am encouraged by the bonds of friendship forged today at our meeting, and I look forward to continuing this very healthy dialogue. The relationship we established was so positive that the Imam has invited me back to speak to not only some of their youth, but also at one of their worship services.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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104 comments Add your comment
Sam P.
July 27th, 2011
10:22 pm
Herman Cain for all his ranting and ravings is just another politician trying to garner muslim votes. Muslims kill innocent people and I don’t see anyone from the muslim communtiy coming forward in protest. Speak for yourself Herman. The 1st. amendment is still part of the constitution.
gimmeabreak
July 27th, 2011
10:26 pm
Ask the Europeans how Sharia law is working for them. Herman is far more experienced the broc is, in fact, when he got his first job he did more than broc has. Broc has been the worst thing the US economy has ever seen.
sam
July 27th, 2011
10:43 pm
my dear brother cain i can remember when certain people said that they would not let people who looked us in their cabinet either
DLink
July 27th, 2011
10:44 pm
Christians and Muslims and Jews – All god fearing conservatives. Keep them on the other side of the table for Christmas, Ramadan, Hanukkah and I’m good. I don’t ask for much, do me the favor.
Billy Bob
July 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
Don’t worry Herman, it’s not like the Republicans are gonna be nominating anyone who’s not a white Christian male anytime soon. Try again in 2024. Maybe the Republicans will have mentally evolved past the 1950s by then.
Old Violin
July 27th, 2011
10:51 pm
If I am a Baptist and I support Baptist who do bad things, I am wrong !If I am Hispanic and I support Hispanics who do bad things, I am wrong ! If I am white and I support whites who do wrong, I am wrong ! If I am black and I support blacks who do wrong, I am wrong! If I am muslim and I support muslims who do bad things I am wrong ! In other words, if I support or uphold anyone who I know is doing wrong, hate mongering, teaching hate under the religious facade, or sitting back while others practice this around me, I am wrong……That my friend doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see….Please, at least pray about it before you dismiss it……
Kurt in Atlanta
July 27th, 2011
10:53 pm
Again, people here are writing about Sharia law in Europe – as if it’s anything more real than the scary, scary thing the right wing paranoia machine has invented in the US. The ignorance and misinformation about the subject is breathtaking.
JONe
July 27th, 2011
10:53 pm
Herman Cain shall be cast into the dustbin of history as to presidential candidates. A local self professed arbiter of values and social change; he brings nothing to the national debate. Derision with the hopes of majority votes is his friend. We The People will DEMAND and soon, a centrist President AND a centrist Congress with which to guide our country out of the dusk within which we currently find ourselves.
truthbtold
July 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
@ JB – And if you voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004 to spend $1.3 trillion on wars that we have been fighting for 10 years with absolutely nothing to gain – then your quiet support and idiotic views are what has led us to a dysfunctional government that is so hell bent on fighting for a party – that they can’t even legislate what’s in the country’s best interest! 8 years of dragging this country lower than it’s ever been, with nothing done to spur the economy all while you sat quietly with nothing to say as the banking indusry was destroyed, the housing industry decimated, military bases closed, auto plants relocated out the country. What a Blessing your ideas and support have been.
DLink
July 27th, 2011
11:16 pm
Even an Old Violin can be restrung to be made useful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkIULqYxiPU
Sometimes it takes a village. Doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Adds to the grandeur, as it were.
Keon
July 27th, 2011
11:21 pm
Too little too late. His comments were genuine! Genuinely off base and offensive. It’s easy to apologize after you have to face the consequences. It’s harder when you do it before being challenged. Someone suggested that Cain should be applauded because there are many Americans that feel this way. Well I say, shame on them as well! It’s funny that this is the same group that touts individual freedom and accountability…but when it come to non-white, non-Christian people that ideology goes RIGHT(PUN INTENDED) out the window. I don’t have a responsibility to speak out again people misbehaving in my group(I’m a black Christian) any more that white people have to speak out when crimes are committed by white Christians which is quite frequent. Cain will NOT be president of these United States. The time when race baiting(or in this case anti-Islamic baiting) would get you elected has evaporated in our rapidly diversifying nation. As a black man who grew up during segregation…Cain as an educated individual should know better. Different group, same intolerance.
Jake
July 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
So many of you post anonymously. You have no spines and no respect for anyone that isn’t from your race. Freedom of speech yields freedom of ignorance. Mean people.
Listen, . . . you just might learn propaganda
July 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
`
Does this now mean Herman Cain actually has a chance, no — not at all.
Godfather's Pizza is God-Awful
July 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
Cain has got his fingers crossed that he might get a cabinet position or something.
Herman knows he has no chance in hell to win.
DLink
July 28th, 2011
12:22 am
Everyone has a chance to win in the next election. That was the whole point of the farce of the debt crisis. I thought everybody knew. *sigh*
No wonder we are 46th in SAT scores.
July 28th, 2011
1:11 am
We’d be dead last if economics were included in the SAT. If this P.O.S. Uncle Tom wins, we’ll be leaving the country.
Uncle Joe
July 28th, 2011
1:39 am
Apologize for what? Mohammedanism is an evil way of life, and Mudlimd should not be tolerated anymore than than others who are allowed to treat their wives like chattel. kill “infidels” and call for the death of America. The Constitution does not provide a carte blanche for ANY beliefs. I don’t care for a kinder, gentler, Herman.
IvoteforHermanCain
July 28th, 2011
1:42 am
I bet Herman Cain is smarter than everyone of you sorry fat tails….around here, he is the real real Black man from the south who understands about economy more than you all do…42% does not pay taxes.
Cain will fix that, 9.2% high unemployment rate, thanx to president for doing a good job. If people of this country vote for Cain and he doesn’t get it so be it, I will vote for him, it is not because he is black man but smart and qualify to run the country. if you believe Obama can change this country for the next 5 yrs, then go on vote for him again, nothing’s wrong with that and don’t forget to blame Bush ok? Herman Cain works hard for his money what is wrong with that?
Atlanta1
July 28th, 2011
1:44 am
All the ignorance of most in this blog. Herman Cain is honest, hard working and to the point. He’s the only person on ‘either side’ that tells the truth when asked a question. No postering, no thinking about what the polls say – he is honest.
I doubt he will win the Presidency, but he will takes Saxby’s spot in 2015 – book it.
The Thin Guy
July 28th, 2011
2:14 am
Some of the critiques of Herman Cain have a tinge of validity. However, he is infinitely preferable to the low-grade moron ensconced in the White House. Herman knows how to make money. ØDumbø only knows how to waste trillions of dollars of other peoples money. Herman is an American. Jug Ears is a Marxist Muzzie from Indonesia. Religions don’t interest me. My dwindling financial resources do. We need a Leader. We have a Reader. Get here 2012.
cs
July 28th, 2011
2:34 am
Where is he on Apollo or Odin worshippers? Methinks he may need to make a staement concerning those less he offend Zeus or Odin send Thor or Loki to reak havoc upon us. Hurry Cain, hurry, less ye offend the immortals. lmao
eyes shut wide
July 28th, 2011
2:57 am
I don’t have much use for McCain, but I don’t see why he has to apologize to anyone. I no way in hedes would have a muslim on my staff. I think that it should be against the law for them to even hold office in this country. These people have shown time and time again that they can’t be trusted. It’s one thing to not trust certain individuals, but to not be able to trust an entire race is bad. They have had many chances to show that they are as American as the next guy and each and every time they have failed to show anything other than that they are a muslim. A good or bad muslim, makes no difference to them. Crap look what they just did in England. These bunch of back in the middle aged fools had the nerve to pass a law that would supercede British law. Even had the nerve to post their law and made treaths against British citizens if they failed to obey. The British goverment should track down each and every member who made these laws, tar and feather them and ship their worthless a$$e$ back to the desert. I look for them to try the same thing pretty soon in the U.S. I believe that the muslims think that Obama will just stand by and let them get away with it. I simply don’t trust these people. They would stab you in the back while at the same time smile and shake your hand. Not sure, but it was Stalin that said that he would take the U.S. without firing a shot. The muslims are attemping to now do the same and they are having much better luck than the Russians.
Buckhead Boy
July 28th, 2011
3:05 am
In the past, we always had South Carolina to look down on — you know, that area north of us that’s too small to be a state and too large to be an insane asylum. Now, with the likes of Cain, Broun, et al., the Republicans have deprived of us even that small semblance of pride.
rid0617
July 28th, 2011
4:38 am
Goodbye Herman. I was going to vote for you but you pander just as much as any other politician. Back to my first choice RON PAUL
Julia Sugarbaker
July 28th, 2011
6:15 am
JB, it’s unfortunate that anyone as patently stupid as you has access to a computer. As my dear late mother would have said “son, you are too stupid to draw breath”.
clanmack
July 28th, 2011
6:38 am
If the Quaran (Koran?) is applied so that any one who doesn’t believe is labeled an infidel and must be killed, then this is the same idea that made communism so antithetical to Democracy, Liberty and Freedom. What scared the Western world in the 50’s was that communism was applied as the only political system that could be extant, thus it was bent on destroying all other systems. This is what makes Islam, as propounded by the radical extremists, so profoundly dangerous to all other religions and frightens us. The Islamist who do not promulgate this should be shouting this from the rooftops and shouting down the extremists, to make sure that we understand them. The Crusades showed that Christianity was just as capable of violent repression of other religious belief systems. Christianity has “grown up” a lot since then, it is time for Islam to grow up now.
a black man
July 28th, 2011
6:40 am
“In my own life as a black youth growing up in the segregated South, I understand their frustration with stereotypes. ” wow you are black well i would never knew that cause the way you do to other and have had it done to our race for so many years i would never call you one of us. nor would i vote for you from a real hard working loving all people not just black people but all of God children. get a live mr cain
Doris M
July 28th, 2011
7:20 am
Who cares if Cain apologized? His campaign is over and he knows it.
E. Ruffin
July 28th, 2011
7:22 am
Sorry Herman, you just lost many points on my scorecard. Meeting with, or negotiating with, muslims is not a good idea.
BRW
July 28th, 2011
7:32 am
Lucky for you JB, you’ll need no help proving your an idiot.
all is not fair in this land .. suck it up and stop your whining
July 28th, 2011
7:57 am
In this position, you are going to offend someone, somewhere and it might as well be Muslims. I think he may have lost the Muslim vote but gained twice the american judeo-christian vote.
Morning Must Reads: Plans | Swampland
July 28th, 2011
8:15 am
[...] Herman Cain apologizes to Muslims. [...]
Frederick Douglass
July 28th, 2011
8:32 am
I think Herman needs to apologize to any muslim that has bought any of his awful Godfather’s pizza.
Louella
July 28th, 2011
8:45 am
I can’t believe it took this long for someone to explain it to him. Or maybe he was having trouble understanding the explanation. Pity. The Constitution isn’t much longer than three pages.
clem
July 28th, 2011
9:14 am
what a maroon….guess that crazy fellow in norway struck a nerve in herman; now if that same nerve were struck in that nutjob allen west
Art
July 28th, 2011
9:38 am
U.S.A. is a Christan nation, Love it or leavr it !
rod
July 28th, 2011
9:48 am
Herman Cain is a mess period. I guess he hopes to make money because he has a snowballs chance of becoming President. What Tea Party backers are going to back him! He doesn’t have that right look for the Republicans. He talks like a Good Republican but he doesn’t look like a good abortion hating,budget busting and programs for babies cutting Republican.Sit down Cain they don’t want you and that is clear but if you are making money then keep going I guess.
Awful, Awful, Awful
July 28th, 2011
9:51 am
Folks, with the muslims it is not a short term thing. By getting their kind to immigrate to America, they are having children, lot’s of ‘em and these children will have children, and so on and so on and so on. They don’t expect to conquer the US today……they are willing to wait until the proper time when they are sure of victory…..maybe a hundred years. They will be there with their 73 virgins watching the whole thing
In the meantime while they’re waiting, parents are indoctrinating their little muslims into the ways of islam. At the proper time, probably when they outnumber christians (which will happen if we don’t change our policies), they will pull their weapons out from under those silly looking things they wear and shart shooting every white person they see. None of us living today will see it, but it will happen. It’s called “posturing”……they’re willing to wait.
Oh Please
July 28th, 2011
10:23 am
He should apologize for running for President.
John K
July 28th, 2011
10:24 am
Herman Cain. LOL
2011 not 1911
July 28th, 2011
10:40 am
Herman had my support and vote. I thought he was a straight shooter and would stand on his principles. wowww now he has turned into a politician. Say what you believe and stick your finger in the air and see what way the wind is blowing. I dont have to agree with you but say what you mean and mean what you say and you have my vote. I guess I will have to write in someone to find a politician that will do that. The only time a politician lies is when he opens his mouth. How about allowing the debt ceiling to be raised only if every politician that has been in for more than one term resigns. They have voted and put us in debt. Time for term limits, balanced budget and resignations.
Pizza Anyone?
July 28th, 2011
11:04 am
I’ll take mine with anchovies. Thanks.
LibertyAtStake
July 28th, 2011
11:51 am
Mr. Cain should review the vicious comments on this thread to understand the (non) thanks he will receive from the PC Left on this ill-advised and unnecessary apology. Sharia nevertheless remains utterly incompatible with the constitution, American society, and everything good that arose from the Age of Enlightenment – including the American Founding.
d(^_^)b
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
JLD
July 28th, 2011
12:10 pm
He already said what he said and I’m sure he meant it…..now comes the apoloigy. I am so tied of these creeps like Cain that say the things thet do and turn around and apologize. Does that really change anything????????
Ship 'em home
July 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
Well Herman…I would have voted for you before you caved…too bad…
Unemployed in S GA
July 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
Spoken like a “True Politician”
Sometimes the Truth is NOT Politically correct.
bodi1313
July 28th, 2011
12:17 pm
‘Flagging’ GOP candidate?? According to Zogby poll released July 26th, Mr. Cain is #2 in the race. And for the 10th straight week he is #1 in the Gallup intensity rating.
The Snark
July 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
So glad Herman is in the front lines of those brave patriots guarding America from the introduction of “shariah law.” What courage! Soon, Herman will man an antiaircraft gun to guard us from the Costa Rican Air Force.
Really, really, really awful
July 28th, 2011
12:40 pm
Folks, with the [communists] it is not a short term thing. By getting their kind to immigrate to America, they are having children, lot’s of ‘em and these children will have children, and so on and so on and so on. They don’t expect to conquer the US today……they are willing to wait until the proper time when they are sure of victory…..maybe a hundred years. In the meantime while they’re waiting, parents are indoctrinating their little [communists] into the ways of [communism]. At the proper time, probably when they outnumber christians (which will happen if we don’t change our policies), they will pull their weapons out from under those silly looking things they wear and shart shooting every white person they see. None of us living today will see it, but it will happen. It’s called “posturing”……they’re willing to wait.
Edward
July 28th, 2011
12:49 pm
they will drag you behind a pickup truck Herman, just like would me so get real brother and stop pandering to the white master