Herman Cain Wrote Me a Letter

Well, not me specifically, but his column Dear Skeptics addresses the validity of his presidential campaign, ah issue I expressed skepticism over in a post last week. In short, I think Cain is realistic about his non-existent chances of winning the nomination, and is running for president to boost his profile as a political commentator. He if makes a decent showing in the polls, the least he can get away with is a book deal. I think he is aiming for national television, however. Yes, I know he is already very wealthy. We are talking ego here.

I think his column actually reinforces what I was saying about his campaign serving only to fire up a potential fan base. He is running against the establishment by claiming his lack of campaign finances, name recognition, and political experience is actually a mark in his favor. As proof, a touts dismissals of him by Karl Rove and Charles Krauthammer he is a champion of the grass roots, not the beltway power brokers/intelligentsia. Granted, those points can fire up the ideologues who would just as soon put all progressives on a leaky boat bound for China, but not cannot encourage a general electorate.

Note Cain also mentions he is going to make mistakes, but does not specifically recall his ‘right of return” gaffe. Instead, Cain preemptively excuses any mistakes he is going to make in the future by saying he has a problem with political correctness. Yes, and to steal a joke from Pat Buchanan, Cain also has the problem of eating breakfast at the International house of Pancakes being the closest thing to foreign policy experience he has ever had.

My original belief still stands. I like Cain, but he has no serious intention, not less chance, of being elected president. He wants the loyalty of ideological conservatives, but not because they are going to give him an elected office. Frankly, if I am wrong and he thinks his numerous weaknesses as a candidate make him a strong presidential contender, then he has already disqualified himself from ever competently holding the office.