Is the Republican presidential race a conspiracy to boost the ratings of Stewart and Colbert? I admit, they're both clever, but, really, all you have to do is play the tape. And it's not as if Cain was a credible candidate, by the standards that apply outside the Republican part of the electorate, before he started talking out of every side of his mouth about some of his minor adventures with the National Restaurant Association. Back when he was just this month's alternative to Romney, and people started scrutinizing his "9-9-9" tax plan, he was unresponsive and defenseless. When asked recently whether he had any fiscal recommendations for Europe, he said, "No, I do not, honestly." It's practically the only believable thing he's said.
The most ludicrous aspect of the story may be the defense offered up by some of the usual suspects--there's been another high-tech lynching, Herman Cain is the victim of a liberal smear, etc., etc. Cain as the nominee would be a bigger gift to Obama than Cain as a candidate is to late-night comedians. The only way this could get crazier is if the nuts rally around Cain and he begins to lengthen his lead over the suit named Romney as the sun sets on the Perry candidacy. When that happens, we'll revisit the notion that Cain's current troubles are part of a grand liberal plot.