Online Baptist Straw Poll #1 - Winner "Herman Cain"

[Pastor Matt]

If the primary election was today, who would you vote for?

These are in no particular order and only listed those that declared their candidacy.

List from http://2012.republican-candidates.org/

It will be interesting to keep up new polls here every few months to see where the Baptist votes are being shifted. Poll is private so nobody can see your vote.

[HappyChristian]

I never heard of some of these folks. Interesting resumes, to say the least!!! :icon_mrgreen:

[Anon]

I am not sure but voted for Herman Cain, who I am leaning towards. I doubt I will vote though...PA is one of the last to vote in the primaries, so it will be up to the other states to narrow it down. Last time, McCain was already chosen before we got a turn to vote. I'm still bitter about it. hahaha.

[John81]

I am not sure but voted for Herman Cain, who I am leaning towards. I doubt I will vote though...PA is one of the last to vote in the primaries, so it will be up to the other states to narrow it down. Last time, McCain was already chosen before we got a turn to vote. I'm still bitter about it. hahaha.

It's a shame the primary system is rigged in the hopes a candidate will be selected as early on as possible, with the result being many potential voters have little or no real say in who the actual candidate will be.

[Anon]

I KNOW!!! I don't understand it!!! Why can't it be all on the same day???? I mean, its been like this forever though so I don't know that its "rigged" but these days it sure feels like it. I was SO upset last time that I was forced to vote for a final candidate that I had no say in choosing in the primaries.

[John81]

I KNOW!!! I don't understand it!!! Why can't it be all on the same day???? I mean, its been like this forever though so I don't know that its "rigged" but these days it sure feels like it. I was SO upset last time that I was forced to vote for a final candidate that I had no say in choosing in the primaries.

It's rigged this way. They even admitted as much during the last presidential election. Each Party hopes they can get their candidate selected as quick as possible so they can quickly shift into running against the other Party mode. By doing this, they hope to gain more time to run against the other Party rather than having to spend most or all of the primary time running agains their own.

If the primary system were fair, there would be one day for everyone to cast a primary vote. Of course if it were done this way it would be much more possible for a candidate to win that the Party doesn't want to win. As it is now, if a candidate the Party doesn't want to win starts out good, the Party elite have an opportunity to sabotage them. An example of this would be what happened to Patrick Buchanan when he challenged Bush the First.

[Anon]

I want to say that Herman Cain should start shouting RACIST!!!! because he is NOT getting fair time. They are virtually ignoring him. I'm not saying he's perfect but right now I'd like to see him get more exposure.

[John81]

I want to say that Herman Cain should start shouting RACIST!!!! because he is NOT getting fair time. They are virtually ignoring him. I'm not saying he's perfect but right now I'd like to see him get more exposure.

How much air time are all the others getting? Is it the same amount? I had never even heard of some of them on the list!

If he shouts racist without very clear proof he will greatly damage his credibility as did Alan Keyes some years ago. I don't think it's a matter of racism, but rather a matter of him being relatively unknown, sounding conservative, and not making any big noise yet. The media loves to focus upon the familiar, those they are comfortable with and those they (in their infinite wisdom) believe are the real contenders.

[Guest]

As soon as Rick Perry declares...he has my vote. Rick Perry isn't on your list but, have all these others declared?

[John81]

As soon as Rick Perry declares...he has my vote. Rick Perry isn't on your list but, have all these others declared?

These have all declared. Rick Perry, Sarah Palin and perhaps a few others are possible candidates but they have yet to declare.

[Anon]

Yeah that's why I said "so far" Cain has my vote....I'm not sure why others are waiting so long, unless they either 1) aren't running or 2) want to make some sort of grand entrance. Right now, I'm not worried about those who have not put their hat in the ring yet.

[Pastor Matt]

As soon as Rick Perry declares...he has my vote. Rick Perry isn't on your list but, have all these others declared?

Yes, I only listed those that declared so far. The next OB straw poll that I post I'll add anymore that declare.

[John81]

Yeah that's why I said "so far" Cain has my vote....I'm not sure why others are waiting so long, unless they either 1) aren't running or 2) want to make some sort of grand entrance. Right now, I'm not worried about those who have not put their hat in the ring yet.

I think some are waiting because they want to see if they can determine which of the already declared candidates will truly be a challenge. Also, the longer they wait the more free publicity they get from the media constantly following them around and talking about whether they will or won't enter the race. Another factor is money. Obama is expected to have aboout a BILLION dollars to run with. The longer some wait to announce, the shorter their campaign will be, thus saving money.

I'm sure there are other factors too, including as you point out, "timing", trying to make a grand entrance hoping to gain a boost.

I'm still undecided as well. None of the candidates have really put forth a position platform or declared how they plan to bring about their goals. Right now it's all talk for the sake of gaining attention, which I understand is necessary, but I do believe they need to start putting some meat into their campaigns soon.

[Anon]

It makes me angry that anymore, the Prez race is all about who has the money...NOT who has the leadership our country needs.

[John81]

It makes me angry that anymore, the Prez race is all about who has the money...NOT who has the leadership our country needs.

Much of it has to do with voters being so lazy, and the fact virtually anyone can vote. With this being the case, it's easier to win an election by flooding the media with slick commercials with catchy sound bites than to actually put forth substance.

Several times during the last presidential election cycle Fox News had reporters asking Obama supporters why they were planning to vote for him. Virtually all their answers were emotion based. When asked about what policies of his they liked they had no answer or gave a lame "all of them" response. On a few occasions the reporter told them a position that a candidate held and then asked them if that's was Obama's or McCain's position and none could answer.

This is part of the reason the Founders wanted a Republic and not a democracy. They knew what happens when the masses are allowed to vote.