Introduction

HERMAN CAIN

Political Candidate or Political Performer?

     This upcoming year is the year our president will face his greatest challenge: running for re-election. The Republican Party is already lining up for the opportunity to be chosen to run against him, and become the President of the United States. This candidate will need to fulfill the requirements of his Party, be a good representative of his values, be able to articulate those values, be knowledgeable in the ways of the current world, and most importantly, be a leader that people can stand behind and support whilst in office. Past candidates like Former Governor Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are starting stong in early polls, and old blood like Newt Gingrich are all in line for the Republican nomination.

     And then there is Herman Cain. The everyday man who became the CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, and later a Georgia radio talk show host. Herman Cain, the one who came out of the woodwork and surprised the media in the Republican debate. Herman Cain, who after a surprise win in the Florida Straw Poll, is now a frontrunner for the Party’s nomination.

     But now the news-media, and myself as a young and skeptical art student, is starting to take a closer look at the campaign itself. Granted, the closer look is being taken after allegations of sexual harassment, but still. This closer look is revealing the construct of the campaign. At first glance it looks like a regular campaign: video ads with perfect smiles picturing young working Americans, appearances on news media talk shows talking about conservative issues like abortion and family values, and speeches to the public outlining what the candidate can do for us. All of these come with their own flubs and gags and bits to laugh at. And I realized looking at all of this that I was laughing too much. This type of over-the-top campaign humor was too good to be true. Humor that criticizes political campaigns and how Americans support politicians on the largest stage in the world? This can’t be real. Can it?