# Is Rachel Maddow right about Herman Cain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156 "2011-11-07T11:18:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/1 "2011-11-07T11:18:04Z")
[Here’s a link](http://jezebel.com/5856817/is-herman-cain-a-joke-for-real) that includes both a video and written summation of her argument. I found this when I was watching an old video of hers and this came on afterwards. I was blown away. And I couldn’t help asking the Dope’s opinion. Becuase, if it’s true, it changes everything. BTW, I’m sorry this isn’t a poll. Those aren’t available in the Elections forum, for some reason. And I bet people in IMHO wouldn’t appreciate a political thread. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/2 "2011-11-07T12:35:23Z")
I think she is right, but I disagree that Cain’s candidacy is any kind of art. Honestly, I think he’s a vanity candidate who never expected to get as far as he did, and he’s forced to reveal his own ignorance and pull nonsense like this 9/9/9 out of his ass. And now that he’s the front-runner-of-the-month, he’s being confronted with dirt from his past (i.e., the sexual harassment lawsuits) that is part and parcel of any political campaign cycle, dirt that he was hoping would stay hidden. If he winds up being the Republican nominee, he’s going to get squished like a bug because there is no way he’s prepared to run a serious campaign. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/3 "2011-11-07T15:07:39Z")
He ran to promote his book sales. His “Asinine-asinine-asinine” tax program was just a catchy phrase to sell books. Campaign events take second priority to his book tour. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/4 "2011-11-07T15:24:40Z")
It’s a fake campaign, but it’s not a Colbertesque comedy routine/art project. He’s promoting himself to… do something? Sell books, be a regular contributor on Fox News, get a radio show? He has zero plans of being president, and if it looked like he had a shadow of a chance at going somewhere, he’d find some reason to bow out. He doesn’t know anything about history or politics, and doesn’t even pretend to. The guy is not for real. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/5 "2011-11-07T15:51:43Z")
Sort of an interesting question what he’ll do if he actually starts winning primaries. I agree he was never running to win, but it’ll be kind of hard to extract himself if he actually starts winning. But for Cain I doubt it’ll happen. He’s the anti-Romney of the moment, following Pawlenty, Trump, Cristie, Bachman and Perry. I imagine his supporters will have moved on to the next (or by then, the next next) knight in shining armor to save them from the Mormon Menace by the time Iowa and NH rolls around. Someone should write a sitcom or comedy film about a candidate who runs a vanity campaign but ends up winning, and has to come up with different schemes to try and loose without revealing that he was never serious before the Convention. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/6 "2011-11-07T16:08:05Z")
_lose_ ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/7 "2011-11-07T16:18:01Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Someone should write a sitcom or comedy film about a candidate who runs a vanity campaign but ends up winning, and has to come up with different schemes to try and lose without revealing that he was never serious before the Convention. So you’re saying Herman Cain is one of the Producers ? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/8 "2011-11-07T16:21:14Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > …Someone should write a sitcom or comedy film about a candidate who runs a vanity campaign but ends up winning, and has to come up with different schemes to try and loose without revealing that he was never serious before the Convention. The not-very-good Robin Williams “comedy” _Man of the Year_ was kinda like that: [Man of the Year (2006 film) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_the_Year_(2006_film)) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/9 "2011-11-07T16:24:56Z")
\*\*Is Rachel Maddow right about Herman Cain? \*\* We’re still waiting for Maddow to be right about anything. Why should she start now? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/10 "2011-11-07T16:38:02Z")
Burn!! ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/11 "2011-11-07T16:41:03Z")
I have trouble with the “running to sell books” theory. Wouldn’t he spend more on his campaign than he could make even with a best seller? ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/12 "2011-11-07T16:45:02Z")
Not if you get people to donate your campaign funds. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/13 "2011-11-07T16:50:20Z")
I know most of us question the sincerity of his campaign. The part I’m most interested in is whether or not he’s trying to let us in on it by the dumb stuff he says. In other words, does he know what he’s saying is stupid? And, however this started, is he now just seeing how crazy he can get? Is he testing Poe’s law? ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/14 "2011-11-07T16:56:08Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > Not if you get people to donate your campaign funds. Most wealthy people running for office seem to spend a lot of their own money. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/15 "2011-11-07T17:01:28Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I have trouble with the “running to sell books” theory. Wouldn’t he spend more on his campaign than he could make even with a best seller? Not really. He hasn’t hired much of a staff and has very little organization in place. He has raised quite a bit more than he’ll ever really spend in the campaign. Herman Cain, former CEO might sell X number of books. Herman Cain, former presidential candidate might sell 10X number of books. This “run” of his has gotten him a ton of free publicity. Even the revelations about his horndog past are a positive for him on the grounds that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/16 "2011-11-07T17:03:43Z")
Talking Points Memo had an article last week talking about Cain’s lack of a traditional campaign apparatus. It really became clear when the sexual harrassment history came out–a serious campaign would have had their response ready to go, but they were obviously caught with their pants down. I think “joke” is going a little far, but I think no one is more surprised than Herman Cain that he’s become a serious candidate. It’s one of many reasons why he won’t last. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/17 "2011-11-07T17:29:12Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > But for Cain I doubt it’ll happen. He’s the anti-Romney of the moment, following Pawlenty, Trump, Cristie, Bachman and Perry. I imagine his supporters will have moved on to the next (or by then, the next next) knight in shining armor to save them from the Mormon Menace by the time Iowa and NH rolls around. The problem with this is that they have run out of time to get a new flavor of the week. Christie was their last chance and now there is no one else to look forward to. Its a game of musical chairs, and Cain looks like he is going to be the one on top when the music stops. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/18 "2011-11-07T17:44:43Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > Not if you get people to donate your campaign funds. Yes, but then you spend them campaigning. Unless, like Sarah Palin, you build a campaign fund on donations and then don’t run at all. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/19 "2011-11-07T17:52:10Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Someone should write a sitcom or comedy film about a candidate who runs a vanity campaign but ends up winning, and has to come up with different schemes to try and loose without revealing that he was never serious before the Convention. Not a comedy, but the Michael Richie film _[The Candidate](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068334/)_ with Robert Redford as the handsome and idealistic candidate running (so he thinks) to get media attention on the social issues he is concerned about, goes from a no-chance underdog who gets notice only because of the name recognition with his former governor father, but ends up winning the election, albeit by selling out his principles. It’s a good companion piece to the current _[The Ides of March](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/)_ > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > He doesn’t know anything about history or politics, and doesn’t even pretend to. The guy is not for real. This didn’t stop Sarah Palin…or George W. Bush, or Ronald Reagan. Intellect and experience have never been strong selling points for that demographic. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156/20 "2011-11-07T17:54:11Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > I think “joke” is going a little far, but I think no one is more surprised than Herman Cain that he’s become a serious candidate. It’s one of many reasons why he won’t last. I think Maddow is desperately looking for deep meaning where there is none to be found. I agree that Cain is as surprised as anybody that he has made it this far. IMHO in his heart of hearts he is saying “Holy Sh\*T! I can’t believe everyone is buying this!” So, he just keeps going along for the ride. It’s as if some regular guy runs into Angelina Jolie, and in a moment of “Oh, what the hell” asks her out, just to say he did. And, for reasons no one could detect, she says yes. Then they go out. Then they go back to his apartment. Then they end up getting married. At every step he’s saying, “Um, is this really happening? Allllrighty then!” That’s the Herman Cain story. Now, as for what this says about our media and electorate…:eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156.md?page=2)