ANALYSIS | As the weather gets colder and winter sets in, the race for the Republican presidential nomination is beginning to heat up. Fundamental differences in political views among the candidates have surfaced that are bound to be big issues for voters entering the polls.
In addition to the issues, skeletons have begun to fall out of their proverbial closets as each candidate's staff digs for dirt on their opponents. Here are three issues that even if they aren't crucial to our country's well-being, will continue to be discussed as candidates try and separate themselves from their rivals.
Herman Cain's Sexual Harassment Scandal
No one expected Herman Cain to become as popular with the electorate as he did after announcing a radical tax plan and connecting with average Joes during the debates. That doesn't mean that the Romney camp didn't begin to check the background of the charismatic business executive from Georgia. According to Politico, two women had accepted settlements on behalf of the National Restaurant Association in response to alleged sexual misconduct claims targeted at Herman Cain. Afterward Bloomberg reported another claim of sexual misconduct was filed by Sharon Bialek which was more serious.
The allegations have definitely hurt Cain's popularity among general voters. Most people believe that if there was no factual basis for the claims, the National Restaurant Association would not have offered a settlement to the women. Cain's fundraising did not seem to be immediately affected, but Cain's fundraising rises in direct relation to his popularity. I expect contributors to seek another candidate if it becomes apparent Cain's reputation has been damaged due to the harassment claims. The Republican king makers will withdraw their support if Cain's ability to win the general election next November becomes doubtful. These allegations have been the single most damaging issue to date.
Religion
Having strong religious beliefs is almost a prerequisite for conservative Republican candidates. Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann have been known to become hyper religious when they are placed in front of a crowd of believers, and no candidate is outspoken regarding the separation of church and state. Mitt Romney's Mormon affiliation has been credited with hurting his prior campaign for the presidential nomination, and is often cited as the primary reason he has not ran away with the Republican primary in 2011.
For the most part other candidates try to avoid addressing religion during debates, and try to keep from making it an issue. The news media has always speculated that Romney's Mormon beliefs play a big factor when voters are at the polls, but the biggest decisions concerning the electability of a Mormon will be made by Republicans who throw their support to other candidates.
Tax Plans
Herman Cain brought the American Tax system to the forefront when his 9-9-9 plan made national news. The fair tax has always had some supporters, but the public's negative perception of how the government collects and spends tax dollars has cultivated an environment where any alternate tax plan seems like a good idea. Rick Perry hoped to steal some of Cain's tax thunder by introducing a flat tax plan of his own that called for a 20 percent income tax that could be filed on a post card.
While these radical changes may not have a good shot of becoming the new standard in their current format, the public reaction has made sure that congress will be considering a flat tax plan sometime in the near future and has made sure that each candidate's stance on the tax system will be brought up at every debate until November.
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