Is This why Herman Cain is Rising?

The out-of-nowhere rise of Herman Cain has been a phenomenal thing to watch over the last week. Based on how he got into hot water with the liberal media after his star began rising a few months back, I've been sitting back, almost waiting for him to do it again. After all, he is not a career politician. However, Cain has been handling the latest round of liberal media 'gotcha' attempts better than ok. He seems to be squashing them while remaining on offense and maintaining a very coherent message. Cain is filling a void conservatives have been demanding get filled and no one has been interested in filling it to this point. While he and the rest of the Republican field is willing to go after Obama for the latter's class warfare tactics, Cain is actually willing to go after the masses Obama has been exploiting - the Occupy Wall Street zombies.

Via LA Times:

Republican presidential contender Herman Cain amplified his criticism Sunday of the growing Occupy Wall Street movement, calling the protesters “jealous’ Americans who "play the victim card” and want to “take somebody else’s” Cadillac.

Cain’s remarks, on CBS’ "Face the Nation," came amidst an escalating war of words between Republicans and Democrats over the merits of the movement, which has spread from New York to other cities across the nation, including Washington and Los Angeles.

This is clearly a message that is resonating with Tea Party conservatives but Republicans like Newt Gingrich and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) don't appear to be willing to join Cain in these particular waters:

On CBS, Cain suggested that the rallies had been organized by labor unions to serve as a “distraction so that many people won’t focus on the failed policies of the Obama administration.”

The banking and financial services industries aren’t responsible for those policies, Cain said. “To protest Wall Street and the bankers is basically saying you’re anti-capitalism,” he said.

Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, who appeared on the program with Cain, offered a more measured response, but blamed the White House for the discord.

“There a lot of people in America who are angry,” Gingrich said. “This is the natural product of President Obama’s class warfare.”

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, also pointed a finger at the president, whom he accused of fear-mongering.

"He's preying on the emotions of fear, envy and anger. And that is not constructive to unifying America," Ryan said. "I think he's broken his promise as a uniter, and now he's dividing people. And to me, that's very unproductive."

Ryan cited protests in his home state of Wisconsin this year over collective bargaining legisation when asked about the Wall Street movement. “I don’t disparage anyone who protests their government in favor of better government, no matter what perspective they come from,” he said.

Asked whether Cain’s criticism was representative of the party, Ryan said, “I think Herman’s speaking for himself.”

Clearly, there is a school of thought within the Republican establishment that says what Cain is doing is a political miscalculation. So far - at least this past week - the opposite has been true. Cain is surging in straw poll after straw poll because he is going on offense when the Republican Party is historically known for playing defense in order to woo moderates.

Hot Air has more on Cain's straw poll victory.