Newt and Cain Debate at 8, and there are both many ways this could have happened and many ways this debate could go. Below, I outline a number of possibilities. Not that many people will watch this, but many opinion leaders will, and soundbites will certainly make the news, be passed around the web, and might even wind up in commercials.
1. Straight-Up: Newt issued an challenge to Obama and Cain accepted instead. Newt thinks he has the best store of knowledge in the field, and thus believes he would do well in such a debate. Cain is brave and confident, and could use an opportunity to dispel the belief that he’s not a deep or knowledgable thinker on policy (Or, if his critics are right about him, maybe it just seemed like a good idea at the time). Also, by agreeing to make the debate about entitlement reform, general-election third-rail policies that are popular with the Republican base, both have a chance to distinguish themselves on issues that more cautious competitors such as Romney would rather not focus on in the primary.
This can go several ways:
a. For Newt: If he does not meet expectations, he damages his positioning to be auditioned as the next not-Romney. If he meets or exceeds expectations, the additional exposure this might earn him in the right circles could position him well to replace Cain if he falls.
b. For Cain: Expectations are not that high, but if he falls short, he could be in real trouble. If he really is not up to the task of presidential frontrunner, having to debate for so long could really show it. If he overperforms, he could prove his policy chops, and even a marginal performance might give those of his supporters who want him to be good enough the evidence they need to think what they want.
c. Interactions: If Cain somehow “wins,” he benefits greatly. If Newt “wins,” he benefits, but not enough to really surge without Cain losing support.
2. The Dynamic Duo: I think this is a pretty likely scenario. Newt and Cain have been very friendly lately, with Cain even talking up Newt as a good VP choice, so perhaps they intend that both improve their standing. If Newt refrains from going for the kill, he can get badly-needed attention and Cain can show he knows what he’s doing. This is more likely if Newt is ready to settle for being Cain’s VP, since it is hard for Newt to benefit much in the existing not-Romney market without it being at least somewhat at Cain’s expense.
3. The Admiral Akbar (It’s a trap!): The least likely option, considering how chummy Gingrich and Cain have been and the Gingrich camp’s pre-debate statement that Gingrich will show his differences with Cain “in a friendly way,” is that Gingrich plans to tear Cain to pieces and become the new not-Romney by showing his superior knowledge and convincing voters that Cain is just not ready for the job. Newt is extremely knowledgable. If Newt brought his A game and tried to do this, it is not clear that Cain could stop him. A less unlikely is that Newt does demolish Cain, but in a “friendly way.”
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There’s a ticket I could get behind: Cain/Gingrich
Cain’s got the instincts and the populist connection, Newt’s the go to guy for inside DC wonkish stuff.
Hope they read this blog.
Newt: deflate the ego. You’re likely not getting the nomination even though your smart and knowledgeable. In fact it’s because your smart and knowledgeable that you won’t.
Cain: you know that a large point of success as a ceo rests upon the intelligent selection of those who execute your goals. Newt’s a good choice for VP or Chief of Staff.
‘The Dynamic Duo’ is my guess but I’m not convinced that Newt’s ego will allow him to accept the thought of being number two on the ticket and he will enter this debate with ‘The Admiral Akbar’ held in reserve if needed.
Whatever the results, the loser should be forced to watch your Video of the Day as punishment 😉
They’re by far the two most intelligent candidates in the debates so far. Even my liberal friends have been impressed – and they’ve been surprised to find they are LIKING Gingrich, who they have always detested.
And I am LOVING Newt’s approach – keep your eye on the target. It’s Obama. No need to tear each other down.
This should be interesting.
Did y’all notice that the Cain story fell off of the top of Memeorandum?
There’s a little blurb down a ways about how cain loves the race card but boy they dropped that story like the lying seething hot potatoe that it was.
HAHAHAHAAHA.
BTW. I STILL don’t believe anything Politico has to say about ANYTHING in the future and I recommend that everyone else say so and don’t believe them.
Make ’em pay. It’s the only language they understand.
#2: Tonights debate is from what I’ve heard one of a series – for die-hard Footballers record the CSPAN tonight and watch the LSU game; alternatively record the CSPAN replay 5-ish tomorrow morning on CSPAN just look out for the ‘Fall Back” clock reset that is also tonight.
Most of the other candidates have been leery of going head-to-head with Cain in real debate, but none of the Network debates are going to be classic speaking.
Neither of these guys is going to need a TOTUS-elect,
Newt & Cain have been Georgia personal friends for years and however the 2012 election ends, that will continue.
Tonights is on Entitlements.
Recalling that Cain’s first ‘career’ of four was as an IT ‘rocket scientist’ can we call this “History Prof v Rocket Scientist”?
Prediction: No matter how it turns out both are chewed up and spit out by the MSM sound machine. Truth has no place in their world and justice even less.
Otherwise Obama would have been a footnote in the 2008 race the way Lamar Alexander is recalled now.
“Admiral Akbar”? How many got the Start Wars reference?
I’m hoping for #2.
My partner has actually met + spoken at length with Newt in person. And reports he found Newt very personable and (being a physician) was impressed with Newt’s knowledge on healthcare policy. But shares my reservation about eloquence and knowledge as THE qualifying skills to beat Obama. What ever happened to executive experience?
But I’ll be respectful of what people see in Newt as much as I hope people will be respectful of what I appreciate in Cain.
Mutual respect = keeping our primary airtight against the next wave of politico-like attacks designed to turn conservatives on each other, weaken the field and divert public scrutiny of Obama’s ongoing failings.
As I suspected, its number 2 all the way.