The Cain Show: Not Yet Canceled

I can’t tell from current polling if Herman Cain’s recent un-conservative statements on abortion have hurt him in the polls. He has since flip-flopped with a vengeance, but even his flip-flops are inconsistent. If this quote is correct

“I would not sign any legislation that in any way allowed the government to be involved in it,” he said. “I would strengthen all of our current laws that prevent abortion. I believe that abortion should be clearly stated and illegal across this country and I would work to defund Planned Parenthood.”

— he’s saying that government should not be involved in abortion except to make it illegal. Very weird. I suspect abortion is not an issue that interests him personally, and he is still learning what he is supposed to say about it.

Bobbleheads keep predicting Cain’s imminent implosion, yet the collapse doesn’t come. Why not?

From what I’ve seen on Youtube videos, the man has an authoritative, sometimes even intimidating, presence. Even when he’s spouting nonsense — which is pretty much every time he moves his lips — one suspects he could snap his fingers and call forth a cadre of associates ready to break your kneecaps. Better show some respect.

I suspect many people projected a similar quality onto Rick Perry — it takes balls to execute an innocent man, after all — but on television, Perry comes across as something of a bumbler. Plus, he’s “soft” on illegal immigration. Can’t have that.

Some of what Cain says that news media call “gaffes” aren’t gaffes at all. When he suggested building an electric fence with a potentially lethal jolt along the Mexican border, the bobbleheads were much distressed. But you know the baggers ate that up. And when Cain later said the remark was just a joke — yeah, that’s what Coulter says all the time, too. Nobody believes her, either.

Cain’s free-market, anti-government bona fides are pretty solid. He’s an “insider” among industry lobbyists. Cain played a leading role in killing President Clinton’s health care initiative back in 1994.

So, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cain stays near the top of the polls for a few more days or even weeks, no matter what comes out of his mouth about abortion or electric fences or anything else.