Herman Cain won an upset victory in the Florida straw poll yesterday. But though it is a bright moment for the private sector guru and his “9-9-9” tax plan, the real implications of Cain’s victory lie elsewhere.
The political narrative going into Saturday’s straw poll was the dominance of Texas Governor Rick Perry in the Republican race. However, an abysmal debate performance by Perry on Thursday night, coupled with underwhelming performances on stage since his debute as a candidate, have kindled serious doubts about Perry’s ability to take on the President.
This doubt found voice in the Florida straw poll.
Perry went into the Florida with the intention of winning. Indeed, he was heavily favored to win. Both Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann, worried about a possible crushing defeat at the hands of Perry, decided not to officially participate.
That is what makes Herman Cain’s victory so important in general, and such an embarassment for Perry in particular.
Not only did Cain beat Perry by a near 2-1 margin, but Mitt Romney, who opted out of the straw poll, came in only a point and a half behind Perry.
The Florida straw poll confirms that Perry has not sealed the deal with the Party faithful, whose overriding objective is to field a candidate that can beat President Obama.
The veneer of invinsibility and inevitability has washed away from Perry. And as a result, the GOP nomination remains very much up for grabs, with Mitt Romney very much alive.
How that battle plays out, and whether any other candidate can rise into the first tier to contest Romney and Perry, will be a most interesting questions in the 134 days unitil the Iowa Caucus.
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