Cain's Surge in Florida Impressive -- Even to Democratic Voter (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | From a registered Democrat's Point of view, the GOP race for the 2012 Presidential election in Florida started out last year with tea party darling Sarah Palin leading the pack. It then shifted when serious candidates began their debates. During the summer, it was Michele Bachmann who surged in the polls after her Iowa straw poll victory.

Then, once the candidates participated in a few debates, Rick Perry was going strong by leading this heavy pack of presidential candidates. It seemed inevitable Perry was going to be the Republican candidate to run against President Obama in November 2012 until the Florida straw poll on Sept. 24.

When the GOP candidates were in Orlando for a debate, a straw poll was then conducted over that weekend to determine the strongest candidate in Florida. After Perry's shaky debate performance, the straw poll victory went to a candidate who was in the bottom tier of the pack, businessman Herman Cain, instead of the heavily-favored Perry. This was certainly big news throughout Tampa Bay and the rest of the state. It seemed the early Republican favorites who were on top have now tumbled and completely lost their favorable No. 1 status.

In the meantime, Cain is enjoying his ride to the top with his memoir, "This is Herman Cain," that recently came out. It went to the No. 10 spot on Amazon.com on Oct. 4. He is conducting a book signing tour; Cain stopped by a Barnes and Noble store in St. Petersburg on Oct. 5. Later on he stopped by at the Villages near Orlando, which is a significant stop with any state or national candidate who wants to win in Florida in 2012.

With a little bit of luck, moxie and timing, Cain has gained national attention and curiosity amongst those outside the Republican Party. Will Cain be able to stay on top for the next few months until the crucial primaries begin next year? Or is he going to be another Humpty Dumpty candidate who sat on top, but had a great fall in the polls like Bachmann and Perry?

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111010/pl_ac/10163159_cains_surge_in_florida_impressive__even_to_democratic_voter

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