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Cain "Reassessing" His Campaign

In light of the recent allegation of a thirteen year affair, Herman Cain is “reassessing” his campaign. Depending on who you talk to this means a wide variety of things. While most journalists interpret this as Cain bowing out of the race, campaign manager Mark Block swears that the opposite is true and that Cain is simply changing strategy. Regardless of where the truth lies, it would seem that he's lost virtually any chance of getting the Republican nomination because of the series of accusations that have gained momentum in the past month.

Caught in a “damned if you do, damned if you don't” situation, Cain's handling of the situations could be much better. After his campaign blamed it on liberals, then Rick Perry, then the mole people, it would seem that he simply continued to roll forward as though things never really happened. Sadly, in the age of twenty-four hour media things aren't so easily forgotten.   

If it's true that Cain isn't withdrawing from the race, one has to at least admire his inability to let the pressure crack him like a farm-fresh egg. Don't get me wrong, here: I am not a fan of Herman Cain. But in the political arena even the hint of a sexual affair is usually the death knell for anyone. But Cain has pushed forward, at least this long, with the firm stance that he will not give up. It's a refreshing change of pace, at least, but with his endorsements dropping the GOP would seemingly have a hard time getting people to rally around the man.

It would seem that even the conservative media is turning away from Cain. Earlier this week Bill O' Reilly, the crown prince of Fox News, has said with certainty that Cain cannot win the nomination. In an effort to prove that he's still alive, Glenn Beck penned an e-mail with dating tips of Cain, comparing him to Wilt Chamberlain. I'm guessing that means he's terrible at math.

It's interesting to note that Cain seems to deny these accusations before they even come to light. While visiting Wolf Blitzer in his dreaded Situation Room, Cain warned the audience with a whimsical “Here we go again.” But the problem is that this isn't the same issue as before. Sexual harassment, as terrible as it is, doesn't quite carry the same implications as a thirteen year affair. In this new scenario Cain has apparently been cheating on his wife of forty-three years for over a decade. Think about that for a second: how many of your relationships have even lasted ten years? Say what you will about the man, but we can safely say he knows how to balance things.

When Cain's first round of charges were brought to light his fellow candidates took the high road and didn't totally drag him over the fire for it, but it seems that isn't the case this go-around. Desperate to simply do anything, Rick Perry has made it his issue to see Herman Cain deal with his issues. Unfortunately for Perry, it would seem that his chances of winning vanished well before Cain's.