For a while there, all signs were pointing for Herman Cain to finally establish himself as the clear front-runner in the GOP primary race.

Cain, the dynamic former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and hopeful Republican presidential candidate, came out of nowhere a few months ago and successfully became a contender in the already crowded race for the nomination.

Cain’s straight-forward frankness, no-nonsense approach to national issues and lively personality has earned the favor of voters across the nation. I dare you to find someone who hasn’t heard of the “9-9-9” tax plan. Cain even recently topped fellow competitor Mitt Romney in a Rasmussen poll 26% to 23%, finally giving himself the edge in a race that has seen the rise and fall of many candidates.

Cain seemed unstoppable, but, out of nowhere, a claim of sexual harassment against the candidate came to surface. A second woman came forward with the same allegations shortly after.

Two more women followed suit.

If anything can outright kill a run for president, it’s four allegations of sexual harassment. If it were just one, many would be quick to write the claims off as a smear campaign. Four is a different story. Whether this scandal will halt the Cain train in its tracks or present only a minor speed bump is yet to be seen, but if history repeats itself, scandals of a sexual nature and politics usually don’t mix.

If this is the end for Herman Cain’s rise to power, I’m afraid that things aren’t looking well for the Republican Party.

Cain is not the only person running for the nomination, though.

Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, failed to receive the nomination in 2008, but has waged an effective, if subdued campaign so far.

Former Texas governor Rick Perry became a hit overnight this summer but has shown his true colors during recent Republican debates. The falling Perry may be too close to comfort for voters who still have a bad taste in their mouths from the last governor of Texas who sat in the Oval Office.

Romney and Perry recently have switched from addressing issues to barking at each other on the policies of the day, and as time goes on, the attacks are getting more and more personal. Instead of trying to convince voters of their own merits, the two men are insulting the qualifications of one another. Call it a two way street to nowhere.

Anyone remember Michelle Bachman? How about Ron Paul? Rick Santorum? Jon Huntsman? A hand-full of straggling candidates continue to wage campaigns, but in reality, none have a chance to even make a dent with voters.

So where does that leave the Good Old Party?

Cain may not be down and out (especially if these claims all end up being hogwash – if that truly is the case, consider Cain golden), but if the businessman truly acted lewdly during his time working for the NRA (National Restaurant Association), consider his pizza cooked.

Romney and Perry seem to be fading into the sunset as each day passes, with personal attacks on each other dominating their scarce headline mentions.

Bachman, Paul, Santorum, Huntsman and company might as well exit gracefully.

With Cain in hot water, Romney and Perry losing momentum, and others, with no offense, dead on arrival at this point, where does this leave the GOP in wake of the 2012 election against the incumbent President Barack Obama?

In the position to re-evaluate Newt Gingrich — that’s where.

Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House during the Clinton administration, has gained recent traction in a race where he is much needed.

While Gingrich certainly isn’t perfect – he left his Speaker position in the midst of surrounding unpopularity during his attempted impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, he might be the face the Republican Party needs right now in order to take on the Obama administration.

Gingrich has experience. His views are not radical for a conservative crowd. He’s of the faith. In short, he’s one of the only candidates who isn’t either

  1. Wrapped up in a potential, candidacy ending scandal,
  2. In the middle of a thumb war with another candidate, or
  3. Fading into irrelevancy

I’m not saying that Gingrich is the best candidate for the nomination. It’s a pretty weak grouping altogether, but sometimes, a person has to face reality and understand that winning involves making smart decisions. Newt is not going to be the easiest of sells, but he might be the wisest option.

A new Rasmussen poll has the former Speaker only trailing President Obama by single digits.

If Republican voters truly want President Obama out of office in 2013, then they better figure out a way to get Gingrich the nomination if Cain gets engulfed by controversy. A fresh face to enter the race almost seems impossible at this moment, so with what they’ve got to work with, Gingrich is the best bet (if Herman falls).

In a perfect Republican world, Cain gets cleared of all accusations, gets the nomination, picks a smart VP (like Gingrich), and storms the Democratic castle.

Too bad this world isn’t perfect.

It’s a waiting game for the Republicans. They’ve got to wait and see if Cain can continue amidst controversy. They’ve got to wait to see if either Romney or Perry can manage to make individual comebacks. They’ve got to wait and see if Gingrich can continue to rise while the others start to slowly fall.

They’re holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the nomination process. It’s got to be sure, and it’s got to be soon. And he’s got to be larger than life.

Which leaves me wandering…

Where have all the good men gone?

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