Re: Conservative Press Easy on Cain

Soft bigotry of low expectations?  You really want to stand with Joe Klein on that?

The conservative press consists of more than The Weekly Standard.  There has been criticism of Cain's lack of breadth from National Review contributors.  Plenty of scrutiny and criticism of his 9-9-9 plan there.  The fact is, elements of the plan have been proposed by conservatives over the years.  Eliminating exemptions and flattening (or making completely flat) the rates have been proposed.  There have been conservatives who have proposed a VAT.  Conservatives have been saying for years that the tax structure is too progressive and the base needs to be broadened.  Objections that the plan is too simple, opens up a new avenue of taxation, causes some people to pay more are not substantial.  And hardly any of the criticisms have been any more substantial than those.

As far as foreign policy, I don't think any of the candidates have been asked any particularly tough or good questions.  Without benefit of intelligence (no snark now, you know what I mean), none of the candidates are going to be able to give a definitive policy position.  I think Cain would ask the right questions and make sound decisions.  He's had to walk back his answer on whether he would ever consider a trade similar to the one Netanyahu just made.  It's easy to categorically say no.  Perhaps the answer he gave is not a good political answer.  But I think his caveats about needing access to all the intelligence and facts are key and that in the absence of them he could not categorically rule it out an honest and sound response.  I find it refreshing that a candidate is willing to admit that he doesn't know everything. 

Cain a jerk?  Cain an ignoramus?  The veiled affirmative action accusations in "soft bigotry of low expectations"?  If Romney supporters want to join hands with Klein in his bilious assessment of Cain, be my guest.  It will do nothing but further solidify what people object to in Romney as a technocratic, elitist, establishment candidate.

--dmac