Herman Cain has risen from an unknown candidate, at the beginning of the campaign, to fifth place in the Ames Iowa straw poll, and as of October 3, 2011, second place in the Washington Post, ABC poll. According to Dan Balz and Jon Cohen in the Washington Post, as Rick Perry slipped in the poll “...the most direct beneficiary of the disenchantment with Perry is businessman Herman Cain, who is now tied for second place.”
National Federation of Republican Women Poll Results
The first weekend in October during the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) conference, 1,200 attendees from forty-nine states were asked: “If the GOP presidential preference primary were held today, for whom would you vote?” With a sixty percent turnout, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain received 48.9 % of the 505 total votes cast. Rick Perry placed a distant second with 14%, and Mitt Romney placed third in the poll with 13% of the votes.
In an NFRW press release, Karen Floyd, former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party, and publisher of PalladianView.com which conducted the poll, is quoted as saying, “In a straw poll with this many candidates on the ballot, it is unusual for one candidate to receive almost half of the votes. It is very impressive.”
Does the straw poll from the NFRW have any meaning for Cain’s chances to receive the Republican nomination? According to NFRW President Sue Lynch, “This straw poll is significant because the voters are Republican women from across the nation who are extremely active and influential in their states and communities,”
Candidate Herman Cain’s Positive Intensity Score Still Rising
The Gallup poll for the week September 19-October 2 shows Herman Cain with a Positive Intensity Score of 30%. An increase from 26% in the previous week's poll, and leading the Republican candidate pool ahead of Rick Perry at 15%, Rudy Guiliani at 19% and Mitt Romney at 13%. Gallup calculates the Positive Intensity Score using respondent’s unrounded strongly favorable and strongly unfavorable values. In the same poll Cain’s name recognition rose from 50% to 55%.
So far in the Gallup polls, as Herman Cain becomes more recognized, poll respondent views remain increasingly positive. The two factors combined could translate from straw poll votes into an increase in ballot box votes as the campaign progresses.
Herman Cain Says, “It’s About My Message”
Part of Mr. Cain’s message that seems to resonate with voters, while America is involved in a war on terrorism, is his view that, “National security isn’t about politics. It’s about defending America.”
With more Americans out of work and losing homes during the current financial crisis, Cain’s stand on taxes and job creation also seems to be hitting home with voters in the recent straw polls. They seem to be responding to Cain’s position that, “It is no secret that federal government spending is out of control. They view the American taxpayers as a bottomless piggybank for their wasteful programs and expansion of power. And we the people will not tolerate it any longer.”
Mr. Cain’s proposed 9-9-9 taxation plan designed to reduce tax rates on individuals and business, and simplify the current tax system, is also getting more attention and a positive response from straw poll voters resulting in higher polling numbers.
Tea Party Convention Polls Put Herman Cain as a Winner
At a regional Tea Party convention held in Schaumburg Ill. on October 1, Mr. Cain won a landslide straw poll victory receiving 77% of the votes cast. Tea Party activists generally share common beliefs in limited government and Herman Cain’s position that, “The role of the federal government should be to encourage economic growth by ensuring conditions that will allow businesses to thrive, not just survive. That means less legislation, less regulation, lower taxes and business-friendly policies,” seems to be finding some harmony with Tea Party views.
CBS Poll Results Show Cain’s Support Growing Nationwide
Brian Montopoli reported that a CBS News poll conducted by telephone, from September 28-October 2, 2011, among 1,012 adults nationwide, shows, “Cain as the top choice among self-described conservatives, with 21 percent support. (Two weeks ago, he polled at just six percent with this group.) Romney polls in second among conservatives with 15 percent support, followed by Perry at 13 percent. Cain is also the top choice of Republican primary voters who support the Tea Party, polling at 24 percent to Romney's 17 percent, Gingrich's 13 percent and Perry's 12 percent.” Herman Cain rises, Rick Perry slides in new CBS News poll.
Whether Mr. Cain’s rise in the straw polls will translate into more attention in the media and a spot in the Republican primary is yet to be seen. For now, Cain’s prediction that his presidential candidacy campaign is gaining momentum appears to be on target.
Jon Thompson - Jon Thompson - freelance article and commercial writer with background in education, business, advertising, sales and emergency ...
