Businessman and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain sure is confident these days when it comes to winning the Republican nomination for President and then proceeding to smoothly cruise to the White House. The title of Cain’s new book is very indicative of his confidence: This Is Herman Cain!: My Journey to the White House.
One of the major reasons Herman Cain has won the attention of so many is that he truly has an inspirational story to share. Cain grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and his family did not have much. His mother worked as a domestic worker while his father worked as a janitor, barber, and chauffeur. According to his personal campaign website, Cain was inspired by his parent’s work ethic and adopted the same attitude and determination. He earned a Master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University while developing fire control systems ships and fighter planes for the Navy. Cain’s resume also includes turning around one of the worst performing divisions of Pillsbury’s Burger King division. Cain then became President and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and saved the company from sure bankruptcy. He is confident that he can use his management skills to turn Washington DC around and has conveyed this during debates. However, the most touching element of Cain’s life is that he is a survivor of stage 4 liver and colon cancer. Cain has really been able to connect with voters as a cancer survivor.
Another important reason that Cain has been able to grain traction with voters is that he has a clear vision for the country and has been able to convey his plans to voters. He has a very simple “999” plan that he claims will help turn this economy around. According to this plan, the current tax code would be completely overhauled in favor of a tax system that has a nine percent tax on corporate profits, personal income, and national retail sales.
Other candidates in the race have either conveyed no plans or have not been able to articulate it properly. Governor Perry has been criticized for not having a specific economic plan and Governor Romney has been criticized for having a plan that is incredibly technical and wouldn’t deliver many results. Whether you agree or not with Cain, he does have a clear vision and a plan he can easily articulate.
Herman Cain has a very real opportunity to win the Republican nomination. He has momentum and confidence, as indicated by the title of his recent book. These are real forces to be reckoned with in politics.