Why it appears that Herman Cain is getting a pass

When the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO joined the list of nominees for the Republican Party Presidential Nomination, many in the media, blogosphere and cable television did not pay much attention.  Only after Cain won a straw poll and began to climb in the polls did he warrant a closer look. 

Herman Cain has not been vetted as much as many others who have surged in these polls and the reason may be as simple as The Ticket’s Rachel Rose Hartman’s article Cain touts Main Street appeal, Aunt Bessie implies when it reports that "He just has a different type of business experience," he said. "Mine is better, because mine's been more hands-on and more nitty-gritty than his. I call it the Main Street executive versus the Wall Street executive."  In another sign of his "main street" appeal, Cain revealed to reporters after the debate that he has a very special person in mind to cater White House dinners if he wins the presidency.  "My Aunt Bessie!" Cain said with a laugh.”

Lawrence O’Donnell attempted to question Mr. Cain but was not only rebuked by his colleagues but some of his readers and supporters as well.  While Melissa Harris-Perry had a legitimate concern about one of the questions Mr. O’Donnell asked, the overall questioning of a man who is running to be the leader of the free world was right on.  No one else has kept his feet to the fire and made him provide clear answers to questions we all need to know.  Chris Wallace from Fox asked him a pointed question but then soon settled for softball ones during the rest of the interview.

Herman Cain is getting a pass because he seems to be making light his run for President.  Everything seems to be a joke to him and while it’s okay to remain relax as much as possible, when it comes to answering questions about your possible choices if Commander-in-Chief is not a laughing matter.  Mr. Cain can not be the president of the right-wing nor the Tea Party; he has to be the president of us all.  He has to be inclusive and open to compromise and listening to others point of view.  If he is willing to sacrifice African-Americans at any turn, Middle class and poor Americans at any turn, the seriousness of the Office of the President of the United States at any turn and even his fellow Republican, Mitt Romney, we need to ask ourselves if that’s the type of person we want in the White House or even in any White House Administration for that matter.