Chan Lowe: Herman Cain's immigration solution
Now Herman Cain is saying that his applause line about putting up an electrified fence across the border was a joke, and that America needs to get a sense of humor. It may well be that Cain’s highly selective audience of Republican primary voters found the idea of setting a fatal trap for potential illegal aliens a real knee-slapper, but in this age of cell phone videos and social media, a remark made to an amen corner is also a remark made to the world…just ask President George “Macaca” Allen.
Last night I watched the Spanish-language news cut-in while indulging my telenovela habit, and they led with the item about Cain’s “muro encargado electrico.” Way to lose the entire Hispanic vote in ten seconds, Mr. $9.99. It appears your brand of humor doesn’t translate well.
If Cain is serious, he might want to consider this: A credible contender for the presidency needs to learn how to be mealy-mouthed. If you say anything with too sharp a contour, you’re bound to offend somebody. Mitt Romney has done such a good job of mastering the art of empty utterances that he can simultaneously be all things to all people while being nothing to anybody. This may be perceived as a weakness right now in the pre-primary season, but after all the extremist foot soldiers finally fall away, it will be his greatest strength come the fall of 2012.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
After hearing Herman Cain's solution to the immigration problem, I can say....
"Adios Cain"...Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes of fame...
Posted by: Lorraine Wagner | October 18, 2011 6:46 PM
Blah, blah, blah. While we have real unemployment in the double digits, our kids can't get jobs, the Fed is out of tricks, Europe needs a bailout, we just sent military "advisers" to Uganda, we have people taking to the streets,we have more bubbles just waiting to burst, ie student loans, and this is what we worry about? It's nice to see that Hispanics are doing so well that the hysterical shock-jocks on those TV stations can use this little teeny tiny "incident" for their headlines for a day.
Besides, the great majority of Hispanics don't like Mexicans anyway and they certainly don't want to live around them so the comment probably flew right over their heads. The educated ones don't watch Spanish language TV anyway.
Personally I hope Cain gives them the middle finger. They're not a monolithic voting bloc so stop the pandering.
Posted by: Florida Native | October 18, 2011 7:41 PM
I don't think you wanted it to come out that way, but it actually makes sense.
At least if they come here (legal or not), shouldn't they least make an effort to learn English?
Posted by: Santorian | October 19, 2011 4:32 PM