CAIN DID IT TO HIMSELF

 

“You do it to yourself you do, and that’s what really hurts.” So goes the line from the old Radiohead song “Just (You Do It To Yourself)”It’s a fitting line for Herman Cain,  the self made man who now wants us to think that it wasnt HIM, but the PRESS and other OPERATIVES from opposing candidates who hastened to his downfall. 

 

Cain energized the GOP field by being the feel good hit of the Summer. He rose  from out of nowhere. The CEO of Godfathers pizza, whose personal skills and down to earth conversational style began to excite a voter base in search of an alternative to UOWG (Usual Old White Guy) Mitt Romney. 

 

Cain became THAT guy, after Michelle Bachmans’ brief cameo role as THAT girl ended. Yet the press that helped a nation see Cain as viable, then latched onto the story about Herman and the women. There were more than a few. Cain will tell you that there was no dirty stuff going on. We are not so sure, but it doesn’t matter to us either way.

 

We’re not fans of the way the personal lives of our candidates become integrated with their positions on issues, but many others DO care, and see the linkage. Cain should’ve known that on this stage, and in this game, there was the potential that his past would become part of the equation. At the worst possible time.

 

Cain is not the first one this has happened to. He didn’t take a lesson from the history of  American campaigns though. Wasn’t ready for the firestorm when it arrived. Wasn’t ready for the CNN foreign policy debate either.  In sum, Cain’s people skills could no longer mask  the reality of his past relationships and questionable understanding of the world. Both of which came to light simultaneously.

 

Cain’s run wasn’t all for naught. His 9-9-9 plan, whether or not it is a functional plan in practice,  spotlighted  America’s need to focus on it’s tax issues. In the end however, the past actions that allegedly took place from outside of the political sphere by this”outsider,” have sent him home. Bags packed.

 

This wasn’t the media’s fault Herman. This was yours. You knew the rules. Or should have. You did it to yourself. You and noone else.