The New Jersey “Big Man” — and I’m not talking about the late E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons –said no.

Queen Sarah of the Northern Wastelands, Caribou Barbie her ownself, likewise said no.

Could it be the GOP pieces are finally in place for the 2012 presidential nomination? I certainly hope so. Current major polls are fairly close on Romney, Perry and Cain, in that order. Those will bob and weave, of course, with the latest scandal, the latest gaffe, the latest revelation, and the latest whatever. Once the primary starts will become time for the rubber to meet the road, somewhat. The order of the Republican presidential primaries are as tenuous as big-time college football affiliations. Will the Texas A & M Aggies find happiness among the SEC? Will TCU’s jump to the Big 12 cause it the school to relive its Southwest Conference glory days of Coach Dutch Meyer and “Slinging Sammy” Baugh? Tune in tomorrow for: “As the pigskin turns.”

The big question the Republicans continue to ask themselves is which of the candidates can beat the Black Man in the White House? That is probably how a good many GOP-ers frame the question as well although I doubt they use some of the words I use.

One poll shows that it would be a tie if Obama and Romney faced-off. Others prognosticate Obama would come out slightly ahead — or it would be a statistical tie depending on how you view it — against either Perry or Cain. These are very, very, very hypothetical, of course. They mention no vice president. And try as you might to convince me that a VP choice would make no difference I give you two words: “John McCain.”

If I had money to burn on betting, I would not fear a high-stakes bet against Herman Cain as the GOP nominee. I also predict the odds as very good that Cain will not be the VP candidate either. Why? Because Herman Cain and Obama are both black. As was the case with Obama, many hard-line right-wingers simply did not want Obama president because he was black. They don’t want him president because he is black. They want him gone from office because he is black. Other than not being a Republican, the fact that Obama is black is the major reason the right does not want Barack in the Oval Office unless he is sweeping the floors or taking out the garbage.

Sure, you will have your “enlightened” Republicans who don’t feel that way. I’m not talking about those who talk like adults when discussing politics.

Next month is November and soon it will be one year from that first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. If we are lucky, perhaps we shall know before Christmas who won the election. We have much head of us before that time arrives. And as ol’ Bob Frost said:

“And miles to go before I sleep

 And miles to go before I sleep.”