"Herman Cain - His Success Draws Attention"

Sydney M. Williams

Thought of the Day

“Herman Cain – His Success Draws Attention”

November 3, 2011

There is nothing so threatening to so-called liberal Democrats as a politician who is intelligent, conservative and black, especially to those who are coastal, elitist and sanctimonious. It is difficult for them to understand why that person’s allegiance to a Party they consider to be prejudiced, uncaring and Wall Street-centric. It is true that Democrats did lead the Civil Rights movement, though many Republicans were involved as well. For almost one hundred years following the American Civil War, most African-Americans voted Republican, the Party of Lincoln. Southern conservative Democrats were highly influential in their Party until the mid 1950s. The Civil Rights movement changed attitudes; Republicans, deservedly, lost the black vote.

But nothing remains the same. Times change, as do people, attitudes and conventions. Success and its unwanted offspring, complacency, are reflected in registered Democrats nationwide that outnumber registered Republicans by about 36% to 27%. With their reliance on unions, Democrats have become the Party of the status quo. They shun competition. Teacher’s unions regularly reject competition from charter schools. Over time, expectations among Party leaders were that blacks owed their allegiance to Democrats, despite the environment having changed. It became oxymoron that any African-American could conceivably think of himself or herself as a conservative Republican.

In the aftermath of Martin Luther King, a new generation of Americans came to maturity, including a number of successful African-Americans. Many of them chose to register as Republicans, because of their belief that personal effort and success should be rewarded in a differentiated manner. While, in the eyes of the law, we may be born with equal rights, we do not develop equally. Intelligence, focus and diligence are individual characteristics that are instrumental to success. Clarence Thomas, Alan Keyes, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Allen West, Michael Steele and Herman Cain are all Republicans who credit their success to the influence of their families, to the opportunities their country offered, and to their own efforts.

Mr. Cain’s success has drawn increasing attention, scrutiny and criticism. Both Republicans and Democrats have been surprised by his rise in the polls. Both have felt a need to stop him. Thus it was unsurprising that Politico, a left-leaning political journalist organization based in Arlington, Virginia should uncover and publicize the charges of sexual harassment that were leveled against Mr. Cain several years ago, at a time when he was president of the National Restaurant Association. The problem with a charge of sexual harassment lies in definition and degree: Was the act done with intent or was it done in fun? If the latter, did the recipient think it was humorous? Did the act involve physical content? Were there witnesses? In 2009, 12,700 sexual harassment cases were filed with the EEOC (the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), 2000 of them by men. It is a very difficult for the one blamed to prove his or her innocence, as the charge often deals with innuendos rather than facts. The accused is considered guilty until proven innocent, rather than the other way around.

Blacks in America have had to withstand a host of challenges. For generations following the Civil War, they were exploited, segregated and discriminated against. They still are in many places. In reaction, well meaning people often coddled and protected them. Affirmative action was a natural and correct response at the time. The giving of a fish, rather than the teaching how to fish was the preferred path for many so-called liberals. However, affirmative action can also lead to recipients’ feeling that they have been singled out for special attention – that admission to college or a job offer was based on the color of one’s skin rather than individual qualifications. All that is beginning to change, but the process is glacial. Herman Cain’s success is an example of one whose advancement was based on merit, not on who he knew or his color. Like other prominent, successful people, Mr. Cain is smart, dynamic, engaging and blessed with an infectious personality – characteristics that can appear flirtatious, as they exude confidence. But has not that always been true of popular politicians, like Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan?

Unfortunately, the very characteristics that made Mr. Cain a success have made him a threat and now a target. Throughout this past spring and summer, Herman Cain’s poll numbers were in the single digits. Derisively, many pundits claimed he was on the hustings simply to sell his book . But, in September, he surprisingly won a straw poll in Florida. His star began to rise. A Quinnipiac University Poll conducted between October 25 and 31, showed Mr. Cain in first place, with 30% of the vote versus 23% for Mr. Romney. Rasmussen, Zogby and pollwatcher.com have all confirmed Herman Cain’s rising position. Majority Opinion Research, in interviews Tuesday, showed a mixed reaction to his response thus far, with 38% saying Mr. Cain’s explanation has been satisfactory, 36% saying it had not.

The attacks on Mr. Cain were politically motivated, either by Republicans or Democrats. The venality is tangible; the press views him as too ingratiating to whites, so are doing what they can to destroy his character, because it easier than arguing his politics. Should fate so decide, the country would be fortunate to witness a debate between Mr. Obama and Mr. Cain. Two men who arrived at the pinnacle of American politics from different backgrounds and along opposing paths – one via the public sector, the other through private enterprise. They represent two versions of the African-American success story. Such a debate would be good for our nation. It would clearly mark the inherent opportunity that democratic capitalism offers, in contrast to a system – perhaps comfortable – that has devolved into dependency. The materialism associated with personal freedom is far more attractive to most Americans than the maternalism of Socialism.

There is no civilizing of the press or of political opportunists who leap at any chance to destroy that what threatens them. Sexual harassment charges are serious and should be dealt with. But, I can think of no man who could not have such charges levied against him. That does not excuse the practice, but does suggest it is ubiquitous. The charges against Mr. Cain were settled more than a decade ago. The press should move on, in his interests and for the good of the electorate.