Cain sets standard for contradictions

Robert Blanner, North Las Vegas

Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.

Political candidates are known to say some crazy things and make contradictory statements, but Herman Cain is setting new standards.

Several hours before the GOP debate in Las Vegas he appeared on Wolf Blitzer’s show on CNN. Blitzer asked him a hypothetical question: If he were president and a terrorist group was holding an American soldier, would he exchange all the prisoners in Gitmo for that soldier? His reply: “Yes I would.” Two hours later, at the “debate,” he said he would never negotiate with terrorists.

On several TV interviews he was asked his stance on abortion. His reply was always that abortion is wrong in any and all circumstances. Yet when asked about the rape of a young girl, he says that the decision would be up to the family.

Several times he addressed a group of people about building a 20-foot-high electrified fence, powerful enough to kill. He later said he was joking.

It is almost like he does not realize that people are paying attention to what he is saying. His 9-9-9 tax plan is the main reason he has drawn so much attention and soared passed Rick Perry and other GOP candidates. Yet, his answers to questions about the plan leave one scratching one’s head. For example he says the 9 percent national sales tax would only be on new goods, not used goods. The problem is that not many people buy used food and medicine.

Mr. Cain makes Sara Palin and Michelle Bachmann look reasonable and creditable.