Though the official primary season is yet to commence, the former CEO of Godfathers Pizza, Herman Cain, has started to rise in the poll and is now appearing to be in the number two spot, just below front runner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
When he decided a few months ago to jump into the race, not many Republicans paid him much attention, just like how some Democrats did with Obama in the early stages back in 2007/08, but since the recent Straw Poll held in Florida, which was won by Cain, the plain speaking business executive has captured the hearts of a growing segment of Republicans who are eager to make Obama a one term president.
Cain has managed to outperform early favourites like Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry and is fast becoming a serious contender for the nomination of his party.
The Gallup poll released on Monday 10th October saw Romney with 20 percent support nationally while Cain secured 18 percent, only two points shy of the top spot. Perry, who is the incumbent governor in the state of Texas and was seen as the man to beat Obama, even before he entered the race, could now only muster 15 percent of support across the nation.
Other candidates shown in the poll were Ron Paul on 7%, Newt Gingrich 7%, Bachmann 5%, Rick Santorum 3% and Jon Huntsman 2%.
Several other polls are also showing Cain in second place ahead of Perry who has been on a decline since his poor performances in the debates and his position on allowing children who are not legally in America, to receive special in state university and college rates for tuition.
At one point in September, Perry stood at 31% but most of his supporters seemed to have opted recently for Cain instead.
However, as the candidates get ready for Tuesday night’s (11th October, 2011) Washington Post/Bloomberg News presidential debate in Hanover, N.H. all eyes will be on Perry, Romney and Cain.
Now questions are being asked, can Cain beat Obama in the national election if he does become the ultimate choice of his party?
There are those who feel that with such a weak economy and Obama’s low approval ratings around 42%, it is indeed possible for Cain to provide stiff competition for Obama, who may lose some support from African Americans who may feel that by voting for Cain they would maintain the status quo of having a black man in the White House. Many blacks in America have expressed dissatisfaction with Obama whom they feel has not deliver on some of the critical programs and policies that he promised as a candidate.