Bob Schieffer’s Smokin’ Interview with Herman Cain; Update: Tom Brokaw ‘Stunned’ by Smoking Ad
**Written by Doug Powers
This morning, Bob Schieffer interviewed Herman Cain on Face the Nation. The most pointed portions of the interview didn’t have anything to do with Cain’s 999 plan, the debt, unemployment or terrorism, but rather a Cain ad that features his chief of staff smoking a cigarette.
Cain initially defended the ad, saying his campaign wants “Herman to be Herman.”
“Mark Block is a smoker, and we say, let Mark be Mark,” he said.
Cain said the campaign thought some would find the video to be funny, which prompted Schieffer to make an “editorial opinion” an chastise Cain for belittling the issue.
“Let me just tell you, it’s not funny to me,” Schieffer said. “I am a cancer survivor, like you. I had cancer that’s smoking-related. I don’t think its serves the country well – and this an editorial opinion here – to be showing someone smoking a cigarette. And you’re the front runner now. And it seems to me as front runner you would have a responsibility of not to take that kind of a tone. I would suggest that perhaps as the front runner, you would want to raise the level of the campaign.”
Within the realm of things that aren’t serving the country well in the world of politics today, I’d put Herman Cain’s chief of staff puffing a cigarette in an ad way down the list.
It’s not the first time a CBS News host has gotten cranky about the topic of smoking. Earlier this year, Schieffer himself got preachy with John Boehner about the Speaker’s cigarette habit, and it’s been said that in 1952 Edward R. Murrow got so upset with Adlai Stevenson’s refusal to join him in a smoke that Murrow cut the interview short.
If you haven’t seen it, here’s the Cain web ad in question:
Schieffer’s obviously concerned that the Cain campaign’s answer to “Let’s Move” will be to encourage people to walk a mile for a Camel, but so far maybe it will make Bob feel better to know that, as of today, I haven’t heard a single kid say “I want to smoke just like Mark Block.”
Here’s Cain’s interview on Face the Nation today:
Related: Cain is smoking in Iowa — oops, sorry Bob — I meant “polling well so far.”
Update: Bob Schieffer is now joined by Tom Brokaw, who is “stunned” by Cain’s smoking ad:
“I must say on the Cain thing, I was stunned by that ad that he did with his campaign manager, ending up smoking a cigarette. Which, in my judgment, is one of the great health hazards in America in terms of lethal diseases, and also the costs of it all. I think that maybe 9-9-9 stands for get nine months to live with lung cancer, nine months to live with emphysema, nine months to live with coronary artery disease. I can’t imagine why they thought that was an effective image,” Brokaw said on “Meet the Press.”
Maybe they thought it would be an effective image because it was an inexpensively produced web ad for a campaign that doesn’t have as much money as some others and it might receive significant free-of-charge airplay and discussion on network television. We’ll see if that happens.
**Written by Doug Powers
Twitter @ThePowersThatBe
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you mean, like Israel?
Here are the “facts” I know, Saint Ota. Herman Cain has a long and distinguished career marked by hard work, innovation, character, integrity and success. That is his reputation. So when some 20 year old unspecified annonymous allegations pop up (coincidentally when he becomes the GOP frontrunner) – I’ll let the man’s reputation stand, unless proven otherwise. And from what I know about Cain and his character, I have good reason to doubt the legitimacy of the allegations.
Perhaps Dan Rather and Mary Mapes can be of assistance providing documents detailing his dastardly deeds.
C’mon….ILoveMyHangingBoobs…you don’t even know what the word transcendent means…. let’s get real, your god, Obeyme, doesn’t even know you exist….and, he doesn’t care.
I believe he was referring to his home gynecology kit.
Dan Rather:
Well if it didn’t happen, it should have. Here are the forged documents supporting what I know to be the truth about Herman Cain. My producer went to great lengths to make these appear real because there are some real documents out there like these but we can’t find them. If you want a smoking gun, just look at his campaign ad. He wants all children to die of lung cancer so he can pay off his buddies at Godfathers. Oh, did I say Haliburton yet? Or Bush?
stupidity/off
Rogue @#204….Ewww….what a vision. I feel sick, but I’m sure it’s true.
How are you ‘pretty sure’? What have I said (cite, please) to make you feel this way?
T-Bone – you’re killin’ me…that was funny, especially the stupidity/off tag. HA!
This is serious, but not yet critical. Listen carefully:
1) Place hands firmly on shoulders.
2) With a firm, strong motion, pull downward.
3) Repeat until head becomes free from anal cavity.
4) Breath.
That was close.
Of course it is a smear.
Hey, everybody! I heard Ota Benga had sex with his sister.
Now people here will remember there have been accusations Ota Benga had sex with his sister.
For all I know, you really did have sex with your sister. But it is still a smear, even if you did have sex with your sister.
Now do you understand?
ILMC, kentroyal5, and OtaBenga need to be on the Obama campaign staff. I have spent the entire thread vainy getting them to make one response, however, small about the fact that the media is throughly discredited by jumping all over Cain for this allegation and doing nothing to pursue any allegation against Obama.
All they have shown today is their total lack of credability, intelectual honesty, and desire to preserve this Republic. It is “Our Guy Uber Alles.”
It is no wonder things like the Rule of law and adherence to the Constituion is so repugnant to them. What they have shown today is that achieving, maintaining and wielding power by any and all means is just fine with them, if their guy is the one in power.
This is the face of the opposition. Willing slaves. Mindless adherence to politically correct dogma. Truly frightening.
Just goes to show when something actually bad happens to a liberal they suddenly become very sincere in their impassioned response, in a childish, me first sort of way.
And let me say to Schieffer, raaacist!
If, as he intimates, turn about is fair play that’s the exact response he’d get if he had the guts to even admonish Obama for his smoking habit which I am absolutely positive the President still has and still getting a pass for.
Its only about politics right Bob?
So it was a smear to go after, and expose, Clinton’s sexual affairs? Even if it’s the truth, it’s a smear?
If the truth is unpleasant, so be it. The public deserves to know. I’ll withhold judgement on Cain until further facts come forth.
I really like Cain as a person, and you won’t catch me celebrating should this turn out true. I think the voting public deserves to know the truth.
Many ‘reports/stories’ these days are run with ‘unidentified sources.’ It’s starting to get out of control if you ask me. Every outlet does it, and it’s common practice. It’s our duty as the public to urge publications/news organizations to give us more than headlines behind anonymous sources. I hope we’ll hear more.
Start with your first post and continue on adding each future post to the list.
Illegal campaign financing!? Obama is such a…Oh, it is about Herman Cain’s campaign?! Geez.
Lazy and uninsightful. Typical liberal T-Bone response.
Ota something said…
“Clinton being inappropriate with women not his wife, was a major meme of his initial campaign. But he won anyway, so that speaks well for Cain’s chances.
Most recently, the media DESTROYED ultra-liberal John Edwards for his affair, and rightfully so.”
Clinton being inappropriate with women? That’s like claiming an abortionist gives pediatric care.
Clinton was “inappropriate” with MANY women, and raped Juanita Broaddrick
I won’t. My judgment on Cain is that he is innocent. Further facts from a biased source such as the MSM won’t do much to change that. He apparently won’t be in court on this issue so there will be no day in court. If an unbiased source finds some incriminating evidence, then logic and reason can lead to another conclusion at that time. Otherwise, it stinks of political opportunism.
C’mon folks – relax.
We all know that any allegation against Obama is untrue – or Hillary would have found it.
Obama is the most awesome man and the most awesome President.
He could kick Reagan’s tail any day of the week.
When will you people bow down to the greatness of Obama?
Now, this Cain guy….
He’s only out here to sell books.
Ota something said…
“Clinton being inappropriate with women not his wife, was a major meme of his initial campaign. But he won anyway, so that speaks well for Cain’s chances.
Most recently, the media DESTROYED ultra-liberal John Edwards for his affair, and rightfully so.”
Saying Clinton was inappropriate with women is like saying Kermit Gosnell provided pre-natal care.
Clinton raped Juanita Broadrrick, and the media covered it up, with either ABC or CBS shelving the interview they had with her. Other news agencies shelved stories they had on Lewinsky until Drudge broke the story.
…Much like that putz Edwards, which the media also tried to cover up until the Enquirer cornered him.
…Much like the media covered for ManBearPig when he demanded extra from his masseuse.
Only thing is, none of that compares to the media now covering up for little Barky, his nasty wife and his merry band of commie thugs.
Lazy coming from the one that didn’t want to find his own cites and asked me to do the work?
Uninsightful? Its your own brain, or lack of one, we are talking about here. If you lack insight, stop blaming others. Take responsibility for your own actions.
Rectal/cranial inversion. So sad.
Who do you think you are, Frankie Goes To Hollywood?
Reagan crapped bigger’n Obowmao.
But it was you that made the unfounded claim. You back up your own garbage.
You just like to play that 2nd grade game, “You prove it otherwise since I can’t…”
Luckily for you, I’ll refrain from further discussions with you since you’re becoming increasingly irrational in your arguments. Would you like me to cite this for you? Okay:
You want me to do your work to defend your statement. Here ya go. Take some of your own advice.
Have a good day, T-Bone!
And then he’d be put in jail (as he should be) for defiling the dead. But I’m not surprised that it would be a dead body that the prez would claim to ‘kick’.
What was that claim again? That I am pretty sure you have your mind made up for Obama?
Well, I am pretty sure. And you are saying thats unfounded?? Somehow I just don’t get the feeling you are a Republican or that you not voting for Obama. I get that feeling from reading your posts. You can read them for yourself or just be honest about it. Instead, you just incite and hurl insults. The truth hurts I guess.
What “work” am I supposed to do? I didn’t see that in the terms of service. You are in denial and making your own rules for others to follow. Sorry you are angry when others don’t play along. I am sure you will get over it.
On the other hand, when you are in that voting booth and reaching for that Obama lever, just say to yourself: T-bone said I would do this and he is wrong, I am pulling the lever for Cain just to spite T-bone.
MCCOY: What the Klingon has said is unimportant, and we do not hear his words.
One thing will be from this accusation of Cain. Doubt in the voters mind.
No matter what Cain does from now on there will be doubt about his character.
“I’d guess that less than 15% of the American public thinks that democrats are EVIL.”
I’m in the percentage that think they are beyond evil.
An American citizen, LEO, is murdered, a murder facilitated by what is suposed to be the top LEO in the country, a murder facilitated using tax dollars on a scale that ensures murders will continue for some time, and you and Kent get your panties in a wad over a story the hack “reporter” will not discuss?
Yeah, liberalism is a mental disorder.
Was Cain even born in this country?
He looks like he’s from Africa.
Check his papers, probably hates white people, probably hates America, get hi y’all!
See folks – this is the true face of the Dhimmicrat Party.
They are nothing but sexist egotistical lying hypocritical bigots.
And IlovemyvibratornamedObama is a perfect example.
Regards,
Peter H.
Obama birth certificate narrative on the right. He’s such a foreigner! AND a muslim.
Ilovemycrank said:
“Wouldn’t you want a person who was thoughtful, with an understanding of the world outside of the US?
Someone like Obama.”
Uh, riiiiiight. We’ve all seen what that putz knows of the world outside the US. How many foreign leaders has he bowed to?
I would settle for him having a minimum of an understanding INSIDE the US.
Given he has had 3 years, I see no hope for that nitwit.
Africa is not a country. Which country in Africa do you think he’s from?
I’ve supported Issa in his search for answers. A full investigation is warranted.
Just to cite, since you may ask. Comment 60 back from early October.
This is undoubtedly a daily issue for you.
That’s the fact, Jack. Zero uses one square of TP per sitting – whereas large tracts of the Pacific NW were denuded for Ronnie’s TP supply.
Your lips move when you read, right?
Hahahaha. What does this mean? Looks like you have been in a double coma of some kind.
It is a fact that he was killed with weapons purchased by Jaime Avila as part of Fast and Furious. I didn’t even hear it from a right-wing honk. You still don’t seem to care that a US law enforcement officer was killed with guns sold on purpose to criminals.
Kent, I think it was Flyoverman who put together a short list. Care to comment so you can cite those later?
kent: This is a sexual harrasement allegation.What you sighted isn’t.
I don’t think I saw that…I’ll be honest when asked any question, so shoot.
Ilovemycountry:
Where’s my t-shirt from the country of Africa? It’s the one that looks a little like the country of Asia only different. A little more like the country of South America or something.
Prove it wrong. Obowmao has his arabic prayers down but has never said Jesus is Lord.
Prove it wrong. Hilarious. You’re making the claims he’s Muslim. So you prove it. I’ll use Obama’s words.
But according to you, you’re only a Christian if you say the words “Jesus is Lord” in public?
The far far right takes Obama to task for attending such a racist church for 20 years. Then, out of the other side of their mouth, claim he’s a Muslim.
The Obama File – Religion
For your reading pleasure Kent.
I’ve seen all that fluff you post. It’s irrelevant to the fact Obama says he’s a Christian. He believes Christ died for his sins. But he can recite an Arabic prayer..OMG!! Or one of his family members says her family is Muslim…well Obama is related..she includes him as being Muslim! That must be it!
Whatever.
#91 PH Thanks, I was particularly proud of that double-double entendre.
Tom Brokaw lost any credibility with his book “The Greatest Generation” when on page 18 he gives the deposed Democrap chairman GIBBONS of some house committee a pass when said craphead equated the newly installed Republican chairman to NAZIs, while in committee chambers. Just how ugly the demon cratz want to be is unfathomable.
That is so dumb. Of course he is not a Muslim. He is an atheist who pretends to be Christian, because it is useful.
He will be a Muslim when it becomes useful.
That is crystal clear to anyone who is not grinding an ax on one side or the other.
Says the ax-grinder.
124 NG & 125 HS Recall how the face blurring spot JUST HAPPENED to slide off that of the accuser in the Ted “The Swimmer”‘s nephew’s case. I wont hold my breath for any similar event for this item.
Mrs ILMC thanks you all, as does Mrs. Obingo for entertaining her child all afternoon. A colossal waste of time.
It is intellectually impossible to be a Marxist and be a Christian or a Muslim.
Obama cannot be either one.
Regardless, if you are a Progressive that is your religon. That is why “Catholics” in the Democrat Party have no problem aborting children and turning a blind eye to a rapist like Bill Clinton..
Thank you Dr. Swede. I was worried for a second…..then I saw who you were instructing and lost interest. (I still enjoy your posts)
What is relevant about your response is that you did not dispute my claim.
Roland, Kent is working hard to remain consistent.
Why Herman Cain has to be the focus of attention,
Nato concludes mission in Libya… but a bad omen for the future as Al Qaeda flag flies over Benghazi
Second Energy Department-backed company goes bankrupt…
DOW shaves 200…
TRANSPARENT: White House seeks to hide documents…
Home prices heading for triple-dip…
Kentroyals5
Actually, Jesus himself said “You must confess me as your Lord and Savior publicly, in front of others, or I will deny you before my Father who is in heaven.”. See Matthew 10:32-33
So yes, you DO have to say “Jesus is Lord” publicly in order to be a Christian.
And, speaking as the pastor of my church, I welcome your rebuttal to this. Could prove to be interesting.
I observe what I see today and all I can think of is 1st Samuel 8: 10-18.
I pray that God is still listening.
Flyoverman,
I recently gave a sermon about the end times in response to the (ahem) gentleman who said the end of the world was upon us. One of the things I said (and I truly believe this) is that we (Christians) are what keeps God from ending it all.
It’s not because we are something so special – its simply because we HAVE persevered in the faith . . . and we still have people to reach.
Doesn’t mean we won’t have trials to face and corrupt kings to endure . . .
BTW, I pastor an African-American church, and at least half of my congregation has let it be known that there’s no way they can vote for Obama again, so I have some REAL hope for some MEANINGFUL change!
I am prepared for the trials and the corrupt kings. I just pray that the people of this country put their trust in God and not in a system of government.
As do I. That’s why I pray for a revival every day. And I ask every Christian I know to join in that prayer.
Prayer has power.
I leave you with this joke from my denomination.
What is the difference between a canoe and a Lutheran?
A canoe will tip.
#220 RV Wiki has a nice picture of Kermit, no, not the green frog, and he looks like me would make a nice granddad who just happened to run a butcher shop, which he apparently did.
Figures you’d take the DOW plunging 200 points in one day as a sign the market is horrible when the market has had it’s best month in 8-9 years! Way to put it in context!
And just because he hasn’t said it publicly in front of you, it doesn’t count? You are 100% positive he hasn’t ever said this in public?
But you haven’t heard it? So it must not have happened. Right.
A President should never have to publicly do this to appease your type. And I say ‘your type’ with the utter most disrespect.
kentroyals5
Actually, if you read my post carefully, you will see that I made no mention of our President at all. I was simply referring to your post at #245
I do not know and frankly, I don’t really care whether our President has made this confession or not. That’s between him and God. I was simply trying to point out the inaccuracy of your statement.
As for your comment at #267
I neither seek nor desire your respect.
But I find it telling that while you have chastised many on here for “jumping to conclusions” about the Cain allegations, you would jump to some conclusions yourself – both about what I said, and about the type of person I am, especially since you know nothing about me at all.
And while I neither seek nor desire your respect, I do love you and will pray for you as my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ requires me to do.
this is not true.
spaceycakes,
Care to elaborate on this? It isn’t the sole requirement, but Christ did say that we have to acknowledge Him before others or he would deny us before His Father in heaven.
There are so many other things that we must do if we are truly to be Christians. The public confession of Christ is but one of them.
SMOKE EM IF YA GOT ‘EM! I LOVE that ad.
P.S. I roll me own smokes.
But you were responding in a back-and-forth between Rouge and myself. He indicated the President has NEVER said “Jesus is Lord,” and therefore, is not a Christian.
My argument is he has NO IDEA if the President has ever uttered those words in public. Rogue can’t back up that claim because he’s not been around Mr. Obama his entire life. So I confronted him on the basis that just because he has not heard the President confess it has little bearing on truth. It’s a crazy line of thinking.
I’ve never heard the exact words from Michelle Malkin that “Al Qaida murdered thousands of Americans on 9/11/2001.” Therefore, under Rogue’s insane line of thinking, Michelle Malkin must be a Truther!!
I find it odd that Rogue knows for a fact the President has never said those words. Just another claim his crazy fingers type that he can’t back up. And then in response, he’ll just say, “Have you heard him say it?” Rogue is insane and without any factual evidence of his claims. Fringe, nut-job material.
WAHOO..I LOVE THE AD BECAUSE A WEIRD GUY STARES INTO THE CAMERA AND PUFF SMOKES. AMERICA, F-YEAH!
The ad was horrendous and does not help anyone on the fence take this candidate seriously.
Nope.
Just now you’ll be telling me I’m not Christian either.
HAHA!
kentroyals5:
While your statement was made in a back and forth with Rogue, my observation was based on your blanket statement.
I am not Rogue. I am myself. And you jumped to a conclusion about what I was saying, based on other circumstances. You are quick to condemn others about jumping to conclusions, but you did it yourself.
spaceycakes,
I have generally been a fan of your postings on this site. I am not about to tell you whether or not you are a Christian, since I really don’t know you.
I had, however, hoped to engage you in a discussion about your contention that a public confession of Christ isn’t a necessity of Christianity. That public confession is a part of every baptismal ceremony I have seen or participated in, and while I haven’t been to many Catholic confirmation ceremonies, I do seem to recall that it is a part of that as well.
Guess I’ll just have to content myself with falling back on what my old seminary professors had to say on the subject.
Cheers!
BS I provided a link with more than enough factual evidence that would indicate Obama is a muslim, born and raised. You dismissed it out of hand. Doesn’t fit your agenda. None so blind as one who will not see. And don’t give me that crap about Rev Wrights church. That is not a Christian church in any sense. Obama claiming he is a Christian when it is politically expediant does not make it so. Show me where he has renounced his muslim faith.
…but it’s ok to smoke dope. The hypocrisy of these nimcompoops will be their end.
John424, I’m glad you’re a fan. I don’t attend church, but consider myself a follower of Christ. I do not believe that there are a set of rules that make or break you into a Christian mold. Sorry; it’s difficult for me to lay out all I believe on a blog, but suffice to say, compared to ‘organized religion’ & most doctrines, I am unorthodox.
Spaceycakes,
I was once where you are, so I understand what you’re saying. If you ever get the hankering to find a church where you can have fellowship with other believers, give me a shout. There is at least one mainline Protestant denomination that I think you might like.
We believe that everyone should come to their faith through their own honest study of the Bible. The Bible will never lead you down the wrong path, so long as it’s read and studied prayerfully.
Best of luck to you on your journey and I hope to speak with you again.
From 69 into the early 70′s many scientists and engineers were smoking in the Apollo mission control control room at Johnson Space Center Houston. They got us to the moon and back.
These days, since smokers became persona non grata, we haven’t been back the moon and NASA can’t even convert from metric dimensions to inch.
Well, thanks, but I’m not looking for a ‘church.’ I attended an orthodox Judeo-Christian church for many years; was baptized & married in that church. I do read the Bible, and have for a long time.
I have grown up; I do not need a man-made religious hierarchy to edify me. I have grown closer to G-d.
Spaceycakes,
I think Dietrich Bonhoeffer would have liked you . . . And vice versa. If you aren’t familiar with him, look him up. And look at his concept of “religionless Christianity”. Fascinating stuff, even if it did come from someone who was part of an “orthodox” church. In a nutshell, he believed that we cheapen Christ by confining Him to something as earthly as a “church”.
I believe he makes a valid point.
I have Bonhoeffer’s book ‘Cost of Discipleship’. I will honestly say that I didn’t get much out of it.
The Pharisees thought they were keeping the ‘law’ perfectly. It is impossible. Only Jesus could do it. They (the Pharisees) hated Jesus because he was taking away their audience, their slaves.
Bonhoeffer is deep, no question about that.
And I love your observation about the Pharisees. Spot on.