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© 2011 Eric Odom - Movement Politics
About three years ago I got into the movement through what was then called the “DontGo Movement.” At the time gas prices were going through the roof and a group of online activists wanted to tell Congress to “get out of the way” so the free-markets could take hold (You can read about the “DontGo” effort here on CNN). By September of 2008, we had completely changed the way conservatives organized online.
In fact, many argue (rightfully so) that much of what happened during the DontGo effort laid part of the foundation the modern day tea party movement was built on. Case in point, we published this video (below) cut of Rick Santelli’s infamous rant to Youtube on February 9th, 2009. We then sent it to the 10,000 or so subscribers of the “DontGo Movement” with the title of the email being “Chicago Tea Party… count us in!”
The day we published that video we had no idea what we were doing would change everything in politics. We had no idea we were setting in motion a movement that would literally stop the bankrupt leftist agenda dead in its tracks (provided we win in 2012). All we knew is that we were angry, frustrated and felt like we weren’t being represented.
So here we are... three years later and around the corner from a Presidential election that will make or break our future liberty. We as a movement have tough decisions to make, and a lot of work to do.
We have a powerful media machine, partnered with a corrupt, powerful political machine in Washington, that is hell bent on keeping Obama in power. That same machine is also keen on keeping the tea party movement down and out of the general election. They know full well that if another “moderate” Republican is nominated, the same portion of voters who couldn’t get energized for John McCain will again fall short.
We can’t let that happen. It’s time to choose.
It seems that every day I’m asked who I’m supporting for President. Yesterday it was in a comment on Facebook, this morning I got an email asking if I’ll support Sarah Palin, and this afternoon my dad texted me about Herman Cain.
To be 100% honest, until today I really didn’t know which direction to go in. I’ve found myself bouncing around between various candidates for a plethora of reasons. But every time I started to like a candidate I quickly got reminded of why I won’t fully go “all in” for him/her. This morning I had to step back and look at the full range of candidates and eliminate those I wouldn’t select as my #1 option.
Only one candidate was left, and that candidate is Herman Cain.
I interviewed Herman Cain a couple weeks ago. See the interview below.
While that interview didn’t really get into the guts of what Herman Cain is all about due to time constraints (Cain was up to speak next at the rally), the narrative was reinforced that Herman Cain isn’t a part of the machine in Washington and never has been. This is key in my decision to support Herman Cain, and I’ve only just began to embrace its significance.
We as a movement constantly preach that we need a new direction. We constantly say we need “Washington outsiders” to come in and clean house, yet every single candidate accept Herman Cain is a part of that machine. Granted, we do have Michele Bachmann, who I believe is an outsider over all, but Herman Cain brings a whole other level to this. Herman Cain IS the shining example of an answer to our demands.
Further more, Herman Cain knows how to run a very large, very successful business that provides jobs and fuels the economy. He may not be a professional when it comes to gripping and grinning with lobbyists and special interests, but isn’t that what we want? We want real world, free-market experience, not experience on how to play the game and dupe the nation while playing it.
Also, Herman Cain openly admires much needed tax reform. He openly applauds efforts such as the Fair Tax, and he’s the only candidate who aggressively puts forth a coherent plan to change the entire system. Even Ron Paul falls short when it comes to actually having a real plan with real goals and agendas.
Now I know some of my Ron Paul supporting friends are going to blow a gasket over the “he worked at the federal reserve” non-story. Don’t worry, a member of the Patriot Action Network already put that nonsense to sleep. It’s a non-starter and there is no reason to bring it up.
Outside of the fed non-story and a couple instances where Cain’s words have been taken out of context, I can’t find any reason anyone would have any issue with Herman Cain as President.
Can Herman Cain win a general election? Of course he can. In fact, I think Herman Cain would be the BEST candidate against Barack Obama. Can you imagine Obama being forced to debate a smart businessman with no ties to lobbyists and special interests? I mean, we all know Mitt Romney will have a tough time. Newt Gingrich does have enough contrast on issues such as global warming, and Rick Perry would end up embarrassing himself half the time.
Herman Cain has smooth delivery, he’s funny, he’s got a good plan and he’s good people.
I would be honored and pleased to have him in the White House protecting my rights, my money and my shot at prosperity.
I’m on board the Cain Train. There’s plenty of room so feel free to join us!
-Eric Odom
P.S. This is a PERSONAL endorsement and does not reflect on the opinion of my employer, the Liberty News Network or any other organization I may be involved in now or in the future.
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You’ve just summed up every thought I’ve been having for the past two weeks. This man is in it to win it, and the only reason he’d be “unelectable” is if we don’t give him the nomination. Please, please, please, people, let’s get behind this great man and show the world that we as a movement are serious about our outsider desires. Let’s do this! Get on the Cain Train!
http://www.HermanCain.com
Welcome Aboard the Herman Cain train we are happy to have you with us in our support of the Best candidate sense Ronald Reagan
Add me to the list! I’ve been with this glorious movement from the start, and one of the first “Don’t Go” followers. I want The Hermanator more than ever now, at least the Veep.
Mr. Cain has a heart AND a conscience – something desperately lacking in DC, and he has a real plan — something Obama never had.
God bless you, Herman Cain.
Herman Cain has been my preferred candidate since his exploratory committee days. No candidate has yet convinced me they are better suited for the nomination or the job of president. Herman Cain would bring the business experience, is no-nonsense, and tells it how it is rather than sugar coating it. Herman Cain would also take the race card away from Obama. My vote is also for Herman Cain.
Completely agree!
Herman Cain is the man with the plan!
I agree. He is the only not throwing mud on the other candidates. I think him and Newt would be a powerful combination.
Eric, I usually agree with you. Not this time. Herman Cain does not have a voting record. “What we have” is what he says. Obama with his use of words made it sound as if he was pro-life. Herman Cain is not the strongest conservative running.
I usually agree with you but not this time. Herman Cain does not have a voting record. “What we have” is what he says. Obama by his use of words made it sound like he was pro-life. Herman Cain is not the strongest candidate running.
So you have to have a voting record to know how to protect rights, protect the foreign borders and ensure the free-markets can thrive?
Huh.
Eric, aren’t you troubled by Herman Cain’s support for TARP?
I mean the Troubled Asset Relief Program, with “Relief” as in “bailout.”
In HermanCain, you can hear the voice and see a man with integrity. No one should expect him to be perfect or agree with all that he does. This man has the whole package of a trustworthy public servant with no obligations to unduly reward money/influence givers. We must reject cronyism of all varieties. Federal Govt is so corrupt to the core.
We can all see that there are armies of con men lining up to get government goodies based upon legislation of one type or another. Anybody recognize what Stimulus and Obamacare did for supporters? That’s where your tax dollars go… EveryTime! Republicans are pikers compared to Dems, but they’re in the same gig and need to be rejected.
Send Herman some money!
Herman Cain is TOPS. I will donate.
Blacks voted for Obama on hype, and promises. The historic nature of first Black POTUS drove them to the polls to see one of “their own” make that historic change. That accomplishment has been made, the novelty has worn off. Those campaign promises Obama made never came true for so many. Ironically, Blacks are hardest hit by the Obama depression created from his social ist, crony deals and green energy schemes. Black voters will not come out to vote for Obama as they did in 08′, they see how bad he is, but they have their pride and publicly will not come out saying bad things against Obama. They just won’t come out to the polls in any major showing.
However, if Cain is nominated, and presents his cogent plan, many ex-Obama voters, will vote for Cain because Cain is not a beltway elitist, and he’s a self-made guy, and everyone loves Pizza! He’s the anti-Obama, who represents a real success story, a fighter, Cancer survivor, someone who lifted himself out of poverty and rose to be a real leader. Obama has worn out his welcome with the black community, he’s become the Democrat plantation master only there to enjoy his vacations, expensive dinners, and grow richer by the speaking engagement.
Black voters have another choice, a real choice in Herman Cain.
GO CAIN! VIVA LA TEA PARTY!
Blacks voted for Obama on hype, and promises. The historic nature of first Black POTUS drove them to the polls to see one of “their own” make that historic change. That accomplishment has been made, the novelty has worn off. Those campaign promises Obama made never came true for so many. Ironically, Blacks are hardest hit by the Obama depression created from his social ist, crony deals and green energy schemes. Black voters will not come out to vote for Obama as they did in 08′, they see how bad he is, but they have their pride and publicly will not come out saying bad things against Obama. They just won’t come out to the polls in any major showing.
However, if Cain is nominated, and presents his cogent plan, many ex-Obama voters, will vote for Cain because Cain is not a beltway elitist, and he’s a self-made guy, and everyone loves Pizza! He’s the anti-Obama, who represents a real success story, a fighter, Cancer survivor, someone who lifted himself out of poverty and rose to be a real leader. Obama has worn out his welcome with the black community, he’s become the Democrat plantation master only there to enjoy his vacations, expensive dinners, and grow richer by the speaking engagement.
Black voters have another choice, a real choice in Herman Cain.
GO CAIN!
I was skeptical at 1st , but I have him in the debates and he is confident , actually has a plan and can back up what he says . Recently I looked at a website called thepoliticalguide.com which explains his positions on many subjects that are of major concern to most of us . My major is illegal immigration , he has a good grasp of the problem and he is consistent in his view on the issue . As far as a voting record , who cares ! Odorrama didn1`t have one either . Herman Cain is smart , savy and Pro – American with the values of the Tea party ideals . I think I`m going to have to go with Cain
Cain would be my second choice behind Bachmann however I understand your thought process. I think it would be best to have someone who is proven tough and knows how to play political hardball when needed. I think that Bachmann, Cain, and Paul are all serious about fixing the underlying problems we have in the country and the rest are just pretenders looking for power. It remains early from my perspective to make a final choice but I would defend Cain from any detractors.
I’m tickled. And hopeful others will similarly commit their vote to HermanCain. As BillOReilly has insisted, we need a real leader, and I say we need a leader that has NO CRONY CONNECTIONS.
Cain will throttlle Obama in an election and in debate. People are so tired of divisiveness and Cain can mitigate this serious problem and at the same time accomplish the very serious policy implementations to impose fiscal control.
This country needs a fresh start, a do-over and a rejection of hyper politics that has stifled success and progress and put us on a track of profound regression and descendancy.
Think of the millions of Black Americans that can be inspired by Herman Cain? He can lead us to a massive reconciliation among whites blacks browns yellows everybody. I’m lovin’ on Herman!
Are you not troubled by Herman Cain’s support for TARP?
I mean the Troubled Asset Relief Program, with “Relief” as in “bailout.”
Eric, I think Herman Cain would make a great President for many of the reasons you’ve already stated. I think he has a winning message on the economy, taxes and other domestic issues. However, I sense that he’s somewhat weak on his depth of understanding and articulation of foreign policy. For example, he didn’t have an understanding of the “right of return†for Palestinians as part of the peace negotiations with Israel and admitted as much in an interview saying he was unaware of that issue. I’m not saying comments like this are show stoppers, but Obama and the Media will seize on things like that and make him look like a novice on foreign policy. It could be the Achilles heel for him as opposed to some of the other top tier candidates.
It’s a problem that many “outsiders†have when they’ve not served in Congress on some committee, or have not been involved in defense and foreign policy issues on some national level. Cain has never held any public office and has no experience in foreign policy matters, which could work against him more so than the other candidates. Outsiders like Cain with no political experience, could be made to look very inept as a potential leader by the Media and by Obama when it comes to defense and foreign policy issues. Sarah Palin experienced something similar to this in 2008. What the media did to her was not pretty to watch. They falsely made her out to be a buffoon on foreign policy matters and it stuck. Like it or not, Obama has “experience†as a Commander-in-Chief and as a World Leader and the media will spin it that way.
I know we all think the biggest issue in this election will be the economy, but that could change on a dime, like it did in 2008. We all thought the 2008 race was going to be about the Iraq war and foreign policy issues. McCain was actually leading in the polls throughout the summer until the economic melfdown in September 2008.
I don’t trust Marxists!!! Gaining the Presidency of the United States in 2008 is a high water mark for them and they are not about to give it up without a vicious battle. In 2012, when they can’t win on the economy, they will attempt to create a global military crisis with the help of other Marxist/Communist world leaders (e.g. China). They will do something drastic on a global scale that requires the leadership of an experienced Commander-in-Chief. Cain has the least amount of credentials in this area.
The Media and the Dems will try to set up Cain in an attempt to make him look like a novice on defense and foreign policy just to get one sound bite to convince voters he’s not up to being a World Leader like the Great Obama. I just hope Herman is prepared for this. If he doesn’t answer correctly the question of who is the President of Uzbekistan, or publically falters on an issue like the “right of returnâ€, the media and the Dems could “Palinize†him.
Regardless, if Herman Cain gets the nomination, I’d be proud to cast my vote for him.
I’m open to Cain. Need him to show some chops on foreign policy and clarify his views on global warming. Slamming GW made me enthusiastic for Perry initially. Paul’s views on Iran etc nix him for me.