The Mystery of the Missing Candidate: Caion Operation Missing in key States

[brooklynite]

from http://swampland.time.com/2011/10/24/the-mystery-of-the-missing-presidential-campaign-cain-operation-mia-in-key-states/">Time Magazine:

In early October, as Herman Cain caught fire in national polls and began to climb into the first tier of the Republican presidential race, the ex-CEO turned insurgent candidate puzzled political observers by diverting his campaign to promote a book entitled This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House. Cain’s critics alleged that his publicity tour wasn’t really about selling the idea of a Cain Presidency to voters, but rather peddling motivational pamphlets–”Leadership Requires Leadership” is available for $5 at “The Herminator Experience” website—and inflating the value of his services on the speaking circuit.

A series of interviews with key party figures may lend further credence to this charge. Well-connected GOP operatives in New Hampshire, Florida and South Carolina say they see little or no evidence of Cain’s campaign in those key early primary states, and some are even unable to name who is leading his localized efforts just a little more than two months before voters are expected to cast the first ballots.

“There is no sense of a tangible organization that you can point to,” says Rich Killion, an uncommitted GOP strategist in New Hampshire, who’s unsure of the location of Cain’s Granite State base of operations, or even if there is one. “If you said, ‘Rich, tell me who is running the effort here?’ I could not even give you that person.” Matt Murphy, Cain’s original state director, resigned in June.

“There is good will towards him, but there is almost no organization to speak of,” says Fergus Cullen, a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party. “If there is a local group who wanted to invite him to speak, it is unclear whom to call. I gather that they are adding staff and ramping up, but the primary is in two and a half months.”

This is why, even though "the Koch Brothers support him", he's going to end up falling flat when the actual election starts; not unlike Ron Paul four years ago.

[MADem]

1. So, basically, he's pulling a Donald Trump?

He's using the whole campaign bullshit theme to sell books, as Trump teased the GOP (and most importantly, the gullible media) with suggestions of a candidacy to earn himself some publicity for his stupid TV show. He probably crapped when his pithy little comments took off and he started getting some real press. Then, he actually had to pretend to really run for office!

He's probably at that delusional point now, where he thinks he can win. Wonder if he'll be as stupid as Mittsy and shell out his personal wealth in the millions in a failed effort to fulfill his vision?

[FSogol]

2. Cain is running for Sarah Palin's job. He wants to be the Chief Grifter;

lobbing criticisms at the media and Democrats, receiving fawning adoration from disturbed true-believers, and raising funds. She spent 3 years doing it and Cain wants that for himself.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Rachel did a great story on Cain yesterday ... showed him to be a Koch sock puppet.

Basically, they needed a candidate who would parrot their views, so they bought one ready-made.

[FarCenter]

4. Is he actually registered as a candidate in all 50 states.

IIRC, one of the news shows said that he is not, and that the deadlines are rapidly approaching.