Cain’s excruciating answer on Libya

Herman Cain’s evident confusion in response to a complete softball on Libya from the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel may be even more painful to watch than Rick Perry’s recent debate gaffe: Here’s Adam Serwer’s summary: "President Obama supported the uprising correct? President Obama called for the removal of Gaddafi? Just want to make ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

Herman Cain's evident confusion in response to a complete softball on Libya from the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel may be even more painful to watch than Rick Perry's recent debate gaffe:

Herman Cain’s evident confusion in response to a complete softball on Libya from the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel may be even more painful to watch than Rick Perry’s recent debate gaffe:

Here’s Adam Serwer’s summary:

"President Obama supported the uprising correct? President Obama called for the removal of Gaddafi? Just want to make sure we’re talking about the same thing before I say yes, I did agree or no, I didn’t agree." Cain then added, "I do not agree with the way he handled it for the following reasons…Nope that’s a different one…Got all this stuff twirling around in my head…" Finally Cain asks for a more detailed question. "Specifically what are you asking me did I disagree or not agree with Obama?"

As I’ve said, I could care less whether a candidate can rattle off the names of world leaders. But if a question that basically boils down to, "Libya, what do you think about that?" throws you for a loop, that’s a problem. 

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.