Clifton: Herman Cain, the godfather of race baiting

One simple question: does Herman Cain make you "feel good?"

On this end, the answer is a resounding ‘hell no.'

Cain, the successful entrepreneur behind the Godfather's Pizza chain, is emerging as a front-runner in the current GOP primary battle, but he's doing it as a Black apologist. Many of his recent remarks regarding race in America suggest his apparent identity crisis, especially his recent remarks on black voting behaviors.

In a September interview with Wolf Blitzer, Cain asserts that blacks are "brainwashed into not being open-minded, not even considering a conservative point of view." He goes on to say that "this whole notion that all black Americans are necessarily going to stay and vote Democrat and vote for Obama, that's simply not true. More and more black Americans are thinking for themselves. And that's a good thing."

That's a problem.

Yes, it's true that research consistently shows that a hefty majority of blacks identify as Democrats. However, blacks are more conservative than most, including Mr. Cain, might think.

Take a look at two controversial issues that keep conservatives especially fired up these days.

With California's Proposition 8, the infamous 2008 referendum that defined marriages in California as a union between a man and a woman, initial exit polls suggested 70 percent of blacks in California voted ‘yes.' Further analysis concluded a lower figure of nearly 58 percent, prompting apologies from many media figures, including Dan Savage, for scapegoating black people in what was seen as a major step back for marriage equality. The debacle showed many that black voting behaviors are not "one size fits all."

On abortion, Gallup's 2008-2011 data set concluded that black Democrats were more likely than white Democrats to hold ‘pro-life' views, with 39 percent of blacks compared to 29 percent of whites. Interestingly enough, Gallup's data contained too few black Republicans for a comparable look at racial views on abortion.

If Gallup can't identify enough black Republicans to generate sound polling data, I wonder how Cain gets to his conclusion that a third of black voters would support him versus Obama in a general election.

his assertion is borderline ludicrous.

Cain thinks that "they'll be voting for me because of my policies and because of what I'm offering to fix this economy..."

Sorry to burst your bubble, Mr. Cain, but one of the main reasons blacks support Democrats is that, unlike Republicans, they advocate for policies and programs that help the poor and allow more equal access to opportunity in America – especially given our nation's legacy of slavery, racism and segregation

The GOP, in contrast, tends to roll back policies that support most blacks, all while feeling the need to defend against claims of racism. The examples are numerous: attempts to railroad civil rights, relative lack of diversity in appointments, policies codifying racism in the justice system, and many more. And let's not forget the recent birther controversy. There's a clear pattern and many blacks are smart enough to see it.

Perhaps it's Cain who is brainwashed? My head is nodding to that question.

This may seem sick to you, but I actually hope Cain bests Mitt Romney and the rest of the RepubliCANTs (yes, that was intentional) in the primary so I can recline in my seat and watch as the Dems dismantle the buffoonery of his campaign. That or I hope to see Bachmann continue dressing like she's Cap'n Crunch (Google the Oct. 19 debate and see what I mean).

Cause, in reality, the only thing Cain is the ‘godfather' of these days is race baiting.

Herman Cain takes any opportunity he can to discuss race. often in a smugly divisive manner. His "electric fence" remarks on immigration and his silly notion that race is no longer a factor in American life characterize a man who, honestly, appears to me as if he's apologizing on behalf of his race. It's as if he takes special joy in acting as the anti-Obama in the current presidential primary cycle.

Cain may make some GOP folks feel "so good, so good," judging from his recent surge in polls, but does he have you?

Cause he doesn't have me, and he never will.

Derrick Clifton is a Communication senior.

He can be reached at derrick.b.clifton@u.northwestern.edu.