NEW ORLEANS — When ex-corporate chieftain Herman Cain told some 2,000 Republican officials and activists here that if he were president, the world would know that anyone who "messes with Israel messes with the United States," the audience applauded while two tour-bus loads of youthful Ron Paul supporters booed. That triggered a counter reaction, with row after row of audience members at the Republican Leadership Conference rising to cheer and applaud Mr. Cain, who, like Rep. Paul, is running for the GOP presidential nomination.
The division in GOP ranks over U.S. policy toward Israel and the Arab and Muslim nations that surround it once again took center stage briefly but vividly.
A Virginia woman in attendance whispered to a companion, "I'm more libertarian than Republican, but I can't stand how rude Ron Paul supporters are."
The woman then joined the huge majority of attendees standing and cheering Mr. Cain.
Mr. Cain, as always speaking without notes, said that the tragedy of life is not in failing "to achieve your dreams but in not having any dreams."
"I have a dream," Mr. Cain said, adding that his dream is that conservative Republicans will be elected in 2012.
Mr. Paul, who deplores what he and some other GOP lawmakers say is an excessive U.S. policy tilt in favor of Israel, took the stage next.
The Texas congressman won repeated rounds of applause and yells of approval from the same audience members who showed their approval for Mr. Cain's position on Israel.
One of the most energizing announced or potential 2012 presidential nomination hopefuls was Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. She got a long standing ovation just for walking on stage.
"I stand with Israel," she proclaimed, inspiring wild applause.
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