Former colleagues give Herman Cain highest marks

Former colleagues of Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain who worked with him while he served in an honorary capacity with the Federal Reserve, give him very high marks.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to a recent article on the Politico website, former Fed colleagues have come out with strong praise for Herman Cain.

Herman Cain has a history of working in the Federal Reserve system. His career culminated with his chairmanship of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank from 1995 to 1996. The post was largely honorary, he was more of an attaché, or a go-between than anything else. Still, the manner in which he conducted himself, and the alacrity with which he took to his duties, impressed his colleagues who feel that he is eminently qualified to run for president.

Cain's  duties involved working with local business, labor, and community leaders listening to their voices, and passing along their needs and concerns for consideration before the Federal Reserve in Washington. Cain's colleagues say that on the surface he was a very pleasant and humorous man, while underneath that pleasant exterior he remained very serious and professional.

Many conservative Republicans have come to dislike the Federal Reserve system, and regard poorly Herman Cain's association with it. However, Cain recently told Glenn Beck in a May interview, "I was proud of the work of serving on that board for the following reasons: that Federal Reserve didn't do any of the stuff that this Federal Reserve is doing." 

Colleagues note that Cain was particularly concerned with the impact of inflation on the economy at that time. They also say that he has a long-held vision that the US money supply should be backed by gold. Cain has acknowledged that returning the nation to a gold standard is highly impractical, but it reveals his willingness to consider bold solutions to large problems.

During Cain's tenure at the Federal Reserve, he was not responsible for setting any monetary policy. Instead he chaired meetings, asked questions, and shared his own viewpoint on the regional economy. His colleagues and peers found him to be pleasant, intelligent, and outgoing. According to Politico, "his former colleagues said, he was a strong but collaborative leader who asked questions and encouraged maximum participation among board members."

Some have criticized Cain's relative lack of political experience and suggests for that reason he is unelectable. Contrarily, Cain's former colleagues suggest that may be his greatest strength. Bill McQuillen, the CEO of a Greely, Nebraska bank, and a former colleague of Herman Cain, told Politico, "I would say he's probably well-qualified, even overqualified for this job because he's an outsider who really brings no baggage to the White House."

As the primary season approaches, we will soon see if American voters agree with Cain's former colleagues. 

What do you think about Herman Cain? Is he unqualified and unelectable? Or is he a refreshing alternative to the status quo? Share your thoughts below.

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