Extensive ties to a powerful Koch group boost Cain

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/extensive-ties-powerful-koch-group-boost-cain-085542290.html

By RYAN J. FOLEY - Associated Press | AP – 17 mins ago

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Herman Cain has cast himself as the outsider, the pizza magnate with real-world experience who will bring fresh ideas to the nation's capital. But Cain's economic ideas, support and organization have close ties to two billionaire brothers who bankroll right-leaning causes through their group Americans for Prosperity.

Cain's campaign manager and a number of aides have worked for Americans for Prosperity, or AFP, the advocacy group founded with support from billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, which lobbies for lower taxes and less government regulation and spending. Cain credits a businessman who served on an AFP advisory board with helping devise his plan to rewrite the nation's tax code. And his years of speaking at AFP events have given the businessman and radio host a network of loyal grassroots fans.

The little-known businessman's political activities are getting fresh scrutiny these days since he soared to the top of some national polls.

His links to the Koch brothers could undercut his outsider, non-political image among tea party fans who detest politics as usual and candidates connected with the party machine.

AFP tapped Cain as the public face of its "Prosperity Expansion Project," and he traveled the country in 2005 and 2006 speaking to activists who were starting state-based AFP chapters from Wisconsin to Virginia. Through his AFP work he met Mark Block, a longtime Wisconsin Republican operative hired to lead that state's AFP chapter in 2005 as he rebounded from an earlier campaign scandal that derailed his career.

Block and Cain sometimes traveled together as they built up AFP: Cain was the charismatic speaker preaching the ills of big government. Block was the operative helping with nuts and bolts.

When President Barack Obama's election helped spawn the tea party, Cain was positioned to take advantage. He became a draw at growing AFP-backed rallies, impressing activists with a mix of humor and hard-hitting rhetoric against Obama's stimulus, health care and budget policies.

Block is now Cain's campaign manager. Other aides who had done AFP work were brought on board.

Cain's spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael, who recently left the campaign, was an AFP coordinator in Louisiana. His campaign's outside law firm is representing AFP in a case challenging Wisconsin campaign finance regulations. At least six other current and former paid employees and consultants for Cain's campaign have worked for AFP in various capacities.

Where Cain is quick to promote his career heading a pizza company, his AFP ties are not something he appears eager to highlight.

His campaign did not respond to inquiries seeking comment, and Cain does not include his AFP work on his biography on his website.

"Herman Cain is the first presidential corporate spokes-candidate," said Scot Ross, a liberal activist who leads One Wisconsin Now, which calls AFP a front group for corporate interests.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Good news. That should help him leave Romney in the dust.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Good news. That should help him leave Romney in the dust.

As much as Iv'e grown to despise Obama, the Repubs don't have a chance in h*ll this time around. Not with that bunch leading the ticket.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

As much as Iv'e grown to despise Obama, the Repubs don't have a chance in h*ll this time around. Not with that bunch leading the ticket.

I'm not worried

[웃 910]

I'm not worried

No offense, but Cain's supporters have no idea that their taxes are going to almost double under his plan. And they will say good bye to Medicare / SS benefits also.

99% of his supporters don't know this because they only listen to talk radio and Fox News which will NEVER explain it!

He is Bushonomics times 999! No capital gains taxes for the rich. A couple of million of people (top 1%) greatly benefit under his plan. OK, we'll give him the top 10% (31 million people).

But for those making less than $100,000 a year (bottom 90%), 279 million people, you're getting slapped with a 9% national sales tax, and you're losing Medicare (basically a new tax on the poor), and SS.

About 3.1 million children under the age of 18 receive Social Security benefits because a parent has died, retired, or can no longer work because of disability.4

• Nine out of ten individuals age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits.
• Social Security benefits represent about 41% of the income of the elderly.
• In 2011, nearly 55 million Americans will receive $727 billion in Social Security benefits.
• http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm

Cain is in a process of peaking in the polls (as he should be). Screw 300 million people so that 3 million people benefit? That's the 666 999 plan.

[mawilson 2,133]

No offense, but Cain's supporters have no idea that their taxes are going to almost double under his plan. And they will say good bye to Medicare / SS benefits also.

If they have no idea, then everything's good, no? Or you think someone will tell them before the election?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No offense, but Cain's supporters have no idea that their taxes are going to almost double under his plan. And they will say good bye to Medicare / SS benefits also.

99% of his supporters don't know this because they only listen to talk radio and Fox News which will NEVER explain it!

He is Bushonomics times 999! No capital gains taxes for the rich. A couple of million of people (top 1%) greatly benefit under his plan. OK, we'll give him the top 10% (31 million people).

But for those making less than $100,000 a year (bottom 90%), 279 million people, you're getting slapped with a 9% national sales tax, and you're losing Medicare (basically a new tax on the poor), and SS.

About 3.1 million children under the age of 18 receive Social Security benefits because a parent has died, retired, or can no longer work because of disability.4

• Nine out of ten individuals age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits.
• Social Security benefits represent about 41% of the income of the elderly.
• In 2011, nearly 55 million Americans will receive $727 billion in Social Security benefits.
• http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm

Cain is in a process of peaking in the polls (as he should be). Screw 300 million people so that 3 million people benefit? That's the 666 999 plan.

Repubs do not take advice from Dems on who to vote for. Unless it is to do the opposite.

Obviously Herman Cain is the Dems biggest fear right now, for good reason. In fact, if he is hated by the Dems and by the Repubs that is about the best endorsement I can imagine.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Obviously Herman Cain is the Dems biggest fear right now, for good reason.

[^_^ 5,021]

The candidate to fear (for real) is Romney. He's reasonably electable.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Repubs do not take advice from Dems on who to vote for. Unless it is to do the opposite.

Obviously Herman Cain is the Dems biggest fear right now, for good reason. In fact, if he is hated by the Dems and by the Repubs that is about the best endorsement I can imagine.

Are you really that divorced from reality? Nobody is afraid of Cain, he's a wingnut who will come unscrewed soon enough. Or is that why you identify with him so much?

The candidate to fear (for real) is Romney. He's reasonably electable.

If he doesn't let his magic underwear show.

[^_^ 5,021]

If he doesn't let his magic underwear show.

I am pretty sure your anti-Mormonism is no more acceptable per VJ TOS than the Islamophobia or anti-Semitism of other posters.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The candidate to fear (for real) is Romney. He's reasonably electable.

Which Romney? There are so many to choose from.

[^_^ 5,021]

Which Romney? There are so many to choose from.

Touche.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I am pretty sure your anti-Mormonism is no more acceptable per VJ TOS than the Islamophobia or anti-Semitism of other posters.

Settle down librul, don't you have a drum circle you are late for? That's not anti-mormon, it is simply stating a hurdle that is present in the republican party. Many evangelicals consider him an outsider and that is a serious hurdle to them supporting his candidacy. If he is the nominee, you will see a very low turnout for the general election, from both sides.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I am pretty sure your anti-Mormonism is no more acceptable per VJ TOS than the Islamophobia or anti-Semitism of other posters.

Who's a VJ anti-Semite?