Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain continued his media blitz over the weekend talking to every network that begins with C (CNN, CBS, and CBN — he talked to CNBC on Thursday right after his interview with Lawrence).
When sitting down with David Brody at the Christian Broadcasting Network, talk turned to those dreaded mainstream media "gotcha questions" that caused Sarah Palin so much trouble in 2008. Cain said he was ready for them. And in the process, he seemed awfully dismissive of an American president's need to understand the ins-and-outs of foreign policy.
The exact quote: “When they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan I'm going to say, 'You know, I don’t know... How's that going to create one job?'" But to be fair, it's not like Uzbekistan is important to current U.S. policy.
Oh wait... it is?
President Obama and Uzbekistan’s president, Islam Karimov, discussed expanding use of the Central Asian country as a route to supply troops in Afghanistan, a United States official said Thursday, amid growing concern about the viability of Pakistan as a transit route. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also met with her Uzbek counterpart on Thursday, and Congress is considering legislative changes that would allow more military aid to Uzbekistan despite its poor human rights record. Mr. Obama’s outreach came as the United States and Pakistan are locked in a diplomatic crisis over accusations linking Pakistan’s chief intelligence agency to militant attacks on Americans in Afghanistan.
- The New York Times, September 29, 2011
Oh, I guess it is.
h/t msnbc First Read
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Well, to be honest, I am more concerned about domestic policy rather than foreign policy at the moment.
Seemed funny that i don't recall MSNBC asking Pres Clinton why he didn't volunteer nor did they ask Oama that question.....oh, yeah, they didn't need to serve because they are Dem's. PLEASE if you invite someone to do an interview at the very least make certain they are shown decency and respect or don't invite them!
I agree with above statement too from vegastacon.
Maybe Cain is thinking that, unlike our last two Presidents, that he will exit Afghan and not need a supply path.
Herman Cain says enough ridiculous things that he can be called out on. Attacking him on not signing up for the Armed Forces when he did sign up for the draft was lowball. Further, where does Lawrence get off judging Herman Cain for not putting his life not he line during the civil rights movement era. It stunk of over righteousness. I'm a liberal but this interview just made Lawrence look like he was just trying to set Herman Cain up. I was insulted at the way he went after him. Get back to the actual issues.
I wonder if Larry the great was in any service beyond the boy scouts. Lyndon Johnson was not in the service as neither was FDR or Clinton. Jimmy Carter was and didn't he do a great job.
Well bradtheblackguy, if you ever follow Lawrence you know this is his style when dealing with lying people be whatever party their from and I think he did well put this lying coward on the hot seat. Any one who will not stand up for their right don't have my sup port.Beside this idiotic said "Black People was brainwash." That strange I see only one brainwash black, who's in a party that don't even recognize him and people of his race.
Herman Cain made O'Donnell look like the ass that he is. He tried the same BS with Condoleezza Rice, and she told him he has no idea how to conduct an interview. She ate his lunch. Cheers for Herman, I admire him, he doesn't pull any punches, says what's on his mind. no B S. Can't figure out why O'Donnell still has a show, he's an idiot, socialist, him and Bill Maher should be room mates, ship both of their ass's to Cuba if they like socialism that much. Take Sean Penn too.
Maybe, the republican party should consider nominating a candidate who cares about and can handle both foreign and domestic policy. Just a thought... since doing so will be like, you know, his or her job.
How much would I be punished if I claim that Herman Cain is an ethnic Michelle Bachmann?
The general area occupied by Herman Cain shall henceforth be known as fact-free zone.
Herman Cain was asked questions concerning what he had put in his book. President Clinton was asked about his getting out of the draft during Viet Nam. President Obama was a kid during Viet Nam and was 14 when it ended. If Lawrence interview pissed you off or made you uncomfortable you have issues. I'm black and had no problems with it. If you are stupid enough to claim Black Americans are brainwashed by the democratic party you have opened yourself up to scrutiny. I'm 54 years old and as a black man remember enough about that era. You had those who chose to fight against what was wrong knowing they would suffer beatings, abuse, and posibly death to have the right to be treated like human beings and participate in a society with a level playing field. Then there were those who refuse to participate and went to the back of the bus sat down and kept their mouths shut, but in the end benefited from the civil rights struggle like a whole lot of other people and races, and 40 years later deny the civil rights movement helped you, you are a bull faced liar and it doesn't matter what race the journalist is. When you are going to question president Obama's patriotism and place of birth then be ready for yours to be questioned. I am retired Army,my dad is retired Air Force and served during Korea and Viet Nam but never questioned somebody elses patriotism or refusal to serve. Herman Cain can't have it both ways. He has publically lied and said some things about Obama that I find not only laughable but disrespectful. Where are your complaints about that. He states that Rick Perry's hunting preserve name @!$%#head is insensitive but when his master Rush Limbaugh raises a stink about it he backs down like a coward and a punk and does not stand up for himself. I think you complainers need to talk to Rush Linbaugh and tell him not to make him look like a punk in public, and lets not forget the white preacher claiming he is the real authentic black man I can't remember if that preacher patted him on the top of his head after saying that. It isn't Lawrence setting Herman Cain up it's Herman Cain setting himself up in the public square. Books and walls are the same what you put in them or on them is there to be scutinized. Mouths and guns are the same what leaves the barrel can't be brought back. If herman Cain would criticize Obama in a respectful manner then it would be expected he be treated that way. I bet if Lawrence was black there would have been no discomfort or insult. If you have a problem with Lawrence asking those questions because he is white it's time for you to take a look in the mirror and do some soul serching yourself.
Lawrence is the master of Gotcha and making someone look bad is his stock in trade. He did not ask those questions to gin information he asked them to embarrass Cain.
Here is an information question " If you did not serve in the military what was your status with the draft during that period?" Instead He asked "how did you manage to avoid the military when millions were defending their country" That is just plain insulting and black or white if you can't figure that one out then you are most certainly brainwashed. I think Herman stuck it to him with his answers as they tended to make Larry the looker look small and petty. I'm glad Cain had the opportunity to set him straight. O'Donnell admitted he was making it up as he went meaning he had not given thought to substantive questions like Cains Economic plan. Typical Hollywood posturing crap. Cains Dad and family scrimped to send him to Morehouse and expected him to get his degree. His dad was paying the bill and evidently Cain did what his dad told him to do. Thank you for your service although you were only about 18 when viet nam ended. i was also in the army i made SSgt. before getting out and going to college.
reggie-1349143 Amen, brother you set them straight, my sentiments exactly.
You guys are sorely disillusioned by Cain. Obama was not in the military and took a lot of flack for that.. why not Cain? Is he any better? LOL.. you guys are so transparent. I guess you really believe the Repubs/Tea heads have a chance to get to the White House! They are killing themselves... might as well put a gun to their heads and pull the trigger with what they are doing to our country. I guess you don't see their BS... rigging voters registration (you know what i mean), trying to kill social security and medicare, trying to destroy unions.... etc. They don't care about anyone but themselves and no matter what Repub is running against Obama, they have already shot themselves in the foot. If nothing the Repubs are quite entertaining... love to see them pull each other apart! LOL
Thank you Reggie for posting an honest opinion of an African-American man. I'm only a couple years younger than you and I remember the divisiveness of the Vietnam issue. I was a young hippie in the making and wished I was old enough to be a part of the protests. I was disappointed that I couldn't get my little voice heard. I'm still against unjustified wars so I hate that our troops are in Iraq and wish they'd wrap up the situation in Afghanistan sooner rather than later. I'm not against Mr. Cain not participating in the war. I simply wish he could have answered that question honestly. If he was against it, tell us. If he didn't want to get killed, tell us. I personally would give him more respect in those circumstances rather than having him dance around the question.
kim
you have to understand the time. There was the draft and the way you got drafted was you were assigned a lottery number you were deferred it still in school full time and making grades you could also be deferred if yu had a national defense job. Cain had a national defense job but after he left he submitted to the lottery. This meant if his number came up he would go in the service. He did not apply for a conscience objector status. This is the way i got in the service i was drafted every man over 18 was registered. He was not a draft resistor and took the same chance for the draft we all did . Very few actually signed up and those that did did so to be in a service other than the Army or to go to a specific school.. He had an equal chance as anyone else and his number did not come up. Clinton did not do that he got deferred for school. Back then even if you did not oppose the war like me going in was a burden that only some paid. He got lucky i did not but i would not change the experience for anything now. We now have an all volunteer service nd only a smll prt of those in the right age group sign up. My son has been in the marines for 14 years by his own personal choice. I don't know why you thought he danced around the most disrespectful question i have ever heard a candidate asked. he was not asked did you serve? that would have been a fair question he was asked" How did you avoid military service when so many signed up. If he asked that of me i would have knocked him on his superior ass. Cain gave a straight answer he exposed himself to the lottery and his number did not come up. That was true for the vast majority of us,
You are right about the draft, Thoughtful. Lawrence was asking him why he didn't voluntarily enlist. He gets no disrespect from me for not going. I was amazed that more young men didn't end up in Canada or elsewhere when they were drafted.
I appreciate your service to country and going to college. My daughter graduated from Sac State and joined the Air Force. 2 sons in the army both going to college. I thank and respect my dad because of what he went through and other men and women in the military to not only fight an enemy abroad but to also have to come home and fight a battle for respect and equality at home. Education is still the most important thing even though the job market is bad. I also agree with what you said about O'Donnel, but Fox news is just as bad I no longer get upset or surprised by opinion shows because it is about entertainment and not news. Our entire political system is contaminated with corruption, greed, and deception from both major parties. I trust none of them.
Neither do i but it is possible to be discriminating in viewing. The Contesssa show on MSNBC is a pretty good show that sticks to news and Dylan Ratigan is up on economic matters . On Fox Chris Wallace has a good show as does Brett Baier. i have retreated to CNN even though they are bent left it is slight and does not pander so blatantly. I know that the job of these guys is to obtain and keep an audience so that advertizing can be sold and each caters to a market. Rush started out about 60% comedy and the political thing caught him by surprise he is the best at holding an audience that is why more listen to him . i did when he was funnier but no more. I think they are all in to make a buck but at least the Fox guys say they want to be rich but the MSNBC guys I am sure are not working for peanuts and their poor mouthing ids hard for me to stomach . My son has 14 years in the marine Corp and is a GnySgt bucking for a W.O promotion. Even though i made SSgt in 22 months i just could not take the regimentation so i got out after three but i would not trade the experience and having the VA medical saved my life after a Heart attack a few years ago. Cain is my choice for V.P. because i believe he lacks the foreign policy chops that is needed for Prez. Obama was smart enough to know his limitations in that area and wisely chose Hillary and she has done a good job. Obama is a far left Democrat whose policies go against everything i believe in. He seems like a good guy but that is not to enough I think the direction he is taking the country in is dangerous and i can't see him gone quick enough. Clinton was good for business and Obama is not in his league
Republicans always call the questions they don't want to answer, or can't answer, GOTCHA QUESTIONS!!! Besides, he doesn't know much about anything else but running a business... He doesn't know much about his own race and was very disrespectful to them in his last 2 interviews. He definitely won't be making it to the White House! @Thoughtful conservative ============== you're brainwashed! LOL
Loren
Boy You sure got me you are really a sharp one got anymore zingers?
loren,
i agree.
"if you're unemployed and poor, it's your own fault!" ===== Herman Cain YELLED this in on TV on Meet the Press this weekend. How out of touch is that comment and how unfeeling does this make him seem? How disrespectful? Is it 9.2% of the population that was at fault for their jobs being sent overseas, or was it their fault that they company chose money over American citizens being able to care for their families. This is outrageous!
I am unemployed and am retraining my self for the jobs available in my area which are hi tech jobs that i can't do. My old job will not be coming back so either I collect unemployment and until it runs out or make myself employable. I have been promised a job as soon as i get my certificate. Thre is a shortage of real estate appraisers here so i am learning to be one and have a job lined up when i graduated. That is what he is talking about those who want their old job back it is gone face it and move on. By the way I am 68.
Thoughtful - I too am in school learning a new skill base; web design. I'll have my MFA in about a year. But I will also have an extraordinary amount of debt to go along with it. Currently I owe more on my education than I do on my house. Of course, my house is only worth half of what I owe. Therein is the rub. This is what we are protesting against. Herman Cain has no idea what the 99% are going through. He made his fortune when the economy was booming. Good for him. Now how about a helping hand for the rest of us instead of blame!
I am concerned about the cost of higher education The university i went to after the army tuition was $!500 a year it is now $23,000. I have friends whose kids are in college and they are graduating with degrees for which there is not employment opportunity. When i was in Business Ad was just beginning to be popular and a MBA was guaranteed employment. now it is so common as to be almost worthless. You are going into a field that has need and I am sure you will be successful. Protest will not pay the bills and it surely will not rewrite the laws of economics. We overbuilt houses and there are more for sale than buyers you can assign fault if you want but that won;t change the economic fact. I believe that the cost of education is partially caused by easy finance. When i went even though most did not so there was economic pressure on universities to hold costs down, Now anybody can get a student loan so there are more buyers in the market place than in the past and that has allowed providers to raise prices. I think that a more aggressive community college program that offers job related courses rather than degrees will take pressure off of college admissions and the cost will come down. The only proper way for you to view your situation is that you are investing in the most important commodity there is ... yourself. If you invested wisely your return on your investment will pay the cost. I would suggest that you have no idea what Cain feels about the 99ers. Here is a true story about feelings. When i was first married with a 2 year old I was till in college. i was married to a compassionate woman who loved our child. I was sitting in the living room when i heard a blood curdling scream. I jumped up and went into the kitchen . My son had put his hand on the hot electric burner and it was partially burned onto it. My wife arrived first and her way of dealing with the problem was to hug the kid. while he continued to scream and burn. and she also was screaming. I ran by , turned off the burner grabbed a plastic titcher , filled it with water threw it on the burner and then removed burner and hand from the stove and went to the freezer pulled ll the ice and wrapped up hand and burner in a ice filled towel. I then picked up the kid with her still screaming n hugging and drove to the emergency ward. had no time for feelings or commiseration i had to act. After is was over i cried like a baby but not until we got to the ER. By the way other than a nasty burn no damage occurred but i wonder to this day what would have happened if i was not there. . Democrats who say they feel for people are not necessarily doing the right thing and conservatives who i believe have the answer do not necessarily feel less they just know feeling does not not solve problems. Cains ideas are not from lack of compassion but rather compassion is the reason he is promoting the policies that he is.
The people who attack Herman Cain "the real black man", and who do not vote for him are probably racist and afraid of a powerful and intelligent African American who doesn't fall into goose step with how they believe a black man should think. They are also afraid because he is not light skinned and half white. Check your racism libs and vote for a real African American with actual Leadership Experience, not just some theories invented at Harvard.
Running a business and running a country are not the same situations. He can be good at the first but is not be qualified for the former. I respect his success and his ambitions but I'm not voting for him and it has nothing to do with his race.
@KimG- You may be right and you should vote for whoever you feel is the best candidate. However, as a white man, when I choose not to vote for Obama it was because "I was racist" according to the left.
Kim
you are exactly right that running a business is not the same as running government. That said leadership is a quality that some possess and others do not and has little to do with IQ. a leader will be successful in any endeavor. A leader inspires others to do the work regardless of the work. Obama is very smart but is not inspirational that was Regan and Kennedy's main skill.