'Flash' and a distinct magnetism sells.

It sells action which gets votes.  Attention mongers like Lady Gaga or Michigan native Madonna have capitalized well on the ticket and album sales promoted by their news making, non standard self promotion. The A.D.D. inflicted voting populace is likely willing to subject itself to the childlike fantasies promoted by the left, and to the ultimate failure which soon follows, not because of well reasoned thought, but because like a sparkly light, or cone shaped bodice, it has grabbed their attention just long enough to make them forget the last time it happened.

But we've had our 'flash' too.

Sarah Palin, in 2008 electrified a dismayed conservative base.  Even 'moderates' felt the excitement with the addition of Palin as Sen John McCain's running mate for a period of time.  She was unique, articulate, and brought a perspective that was political rice to a famine inflicted Republican party. Her entry changed the polling to a positive for McCain, even with the ruthless negative smear attacks by the leftist media, until .. McCain tried to out-redistribute a master socialist organizer. Doing so, in one of the debates that was responsible for more TVs of conservative households .. to find destruction by projectile.

That bucket of cold water, McCain, was enough to continue dousing Sarah Palin's refreshing conservatism right through to an Obama victory.

The stand alone success of Sarah however, was not going to be tolerated.  Immediately, she became a threat to the newly won administration and its sycophant media support service for the 2012 race. She had to be crushed, because she elicited great excitement from conservatives.  It was Sarah's ability to get people motivated, and actually excited about politics is what Hawkins in the article referenced above, was talking about.

But with the ever looming threat of a renewed smear campaign, she decided to not seek the Republican nomination this time around. Her family having been sullied already, and the thought that working to influence from outside might be as effective.

And then there was Herman.

Herman Cain, the truest non-politician of any in the race, not only met the standards which conservatives seek, but also generated buzz, and electrified the imaginations of those who have been perpetually tired of the same old politics.  From in-your-face non politically correct shock advertising, to actually having a plan that turns the apple cart over, this self made success channeled the desire of so many into a fast growing support base.  Adding to his unique approach to campaigning and promise set,  his life story, in its rags to riches way reads as American as any president since Lincoln, bootstraps and all.

Anyone in his right mind would be proud to support Herman Cain.

Which is why the destroyers had to see him gone.

False claims in the 1990's brought about because of an intense scrutiny into our interpersonal workplace relationships.  A manufactured sexual advance claim by a financially hard up neighbor of the president's aide Axlerod. And another hard luck story with some seemingly legitimate legs, that come from a man's concern for a woman's welfare, and willingness to help someone ("a friend") who was down. Someone as it turned out, who apparently must have needed even more.

We know the reasons.  We know why, and we have the usual suspects pegged accurately in all likelihood. But family comes first to conservatives.  So he made the decision to suspend his campaign. To relieve his wife of the concern of embarrassment, stress, anxiety, and exposure.

Pretty much because he is something special, different.  And people sense it.

They are drawn to it.

The immediate popularity of Herman Cain could not have been more evident by the turnout at the event hosted in Traverse City.  An event that turned out more than 1200 folks in the middle of the week with about a day and a half notice.  An event that revealed even the initial attempts at sabotage of Cain's character were failing.  The excitement would only end after his stated withdrawal however.  Like Palin, he was feeling the need to continue, but only to influence policy from the outside.

Governor Sarah & Businessman Herman, both characters of immense interest to us, and both holding the potential of leading this nation away from the path paved with the failure of best intentions and unconstitutional action.  Both inspiring traditional Americans and conservatives with a reminder of what we were, and that we may even have a chance to regain it.  Both of them reviving the psyche of the biggest collection of Stockholm syndrome 'independent' moderates, and already driven conservatives since Reagan.

For all the good that other candidates in the Republican field represent, and for all the misery our current president has promised this nation, we may find ourselves again wondering what happened to our country.  After the election in 2012, will we again be cursed with an Obama administration?

To be clear, I will stand behind any republican candidate that becomes the opponent to the redistributionist in chief.  But, we have yet to see the magic of a Sarah or Herman materialize from the remaining pack.