Can Herman Cain win by avoiding the media?

The Nashua rally also attracted a trio of men in their early 20s who had seen the YouTube video that’s been popular in recent days showing Cain’s long pause and meandering response to a question about events in Libya from journalists at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “I’m here to see if anything funny happens,” said Matt Wentworth of Hollis, N.H., who has a preference for Ron Paul.

Cain put a different twist on that incident in his speech: “[The media] spend more time focusing on when I’m not talking than when other candidates are talking. That’s a compliment ... I think before I speak,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

There is some indication that the campaign is trying to avoid the possibility of similar video incidents. It rejected C-Span’s request to broadcast a meeting that Cain was supposed to have Thursday morning with the editorial board of the Manchester Union-Leader. The newspaper reported that the campaign tried to cut the time down to 20 minutes rather than the original one hour or more that had been planned, and the meeting didn’t go forward. The Cain camp has said the newspaper cancelled the interview.

Several undecided voters who came to check out Cain said they didn’t hear anything particularly new in his speech, but were enthusiastic about looking closely at his proposals.

Richard Maloon of Merrimack, N.H., said he’s seen several candidates in person in his search for “the adult” in the race. (Mr. Maloon is well into adulthood, insisting with a wry smile that his age be described as "old as dirt.")

He’s concerned that Cain’s "9-9-9" tax plan may just set up a new sales-tax revenue stream “that will be abused.” But he said Cain’s speech confirmed that he has “the core values of a Republican” and he’ll be examining more policy statements from Cain.

Phyllis York of Londonderry is trying to see as many GOP candidates as she can in person. Cain’s business experience attracts her, but the recent news of scandal caused her to reevaluate. That makes it all the more important, she said, “to get a closer perspective.”

Ms. York said she came away impressed, largely because “those that are for him really like him.” But she’s still undecided and wants to know what Cain’s 9-9-9 plan would mean specifically for New Hampshire residents.

In his speech Cain also addressed his tax plan (saying it would cut out “sneak attaxes”). He criticized the Occupy Wall Street movement, affirmed his anti-abortion stance, and called for energy independence – an issue he says he’ll tackle with a detailed plan in the coming weeks.

“Stay inspired,” he urged the audience. “You know what makes the liberals mad?” he said with his signature grin. “All of the junk they’ve thrown at me in the last two weeks – I’m still smiling and I’m still inspired,” to which the audience responded with chants of “Yes we Cain!”

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