Colleen O'Connor: Cain's Vain Campaign to Increase His Profile, Profits

Updated 10:19 a.m. Tuesday with corrections. See the end of the story.

The “vanity” candidates in the Republican primary campaign are just that—vain.

And arrogant.

No doubt Herman Cain ran for president to increase his brand; looking to sell books (he has done both well); and never dreamed (I hope he was this honest) that he could run the country like a pizza franchise.

However, a strong wind, some great lines in the Republican televised debates, and a lot of weaker voices propelled Cain into the spotlight—and made him especially charming to those Republicans wanting a preacher for president.

Everyone could understand 9-9-9. The sum total of his campaign seriousness.

However, the preacher got caught being a bit of a hypocrite—and, possibly, a liar.

The “alleged” sexual harassment incidents, and the alleged 13-year affair with yet another woman, have ended his presidential aspirations—but not his vanity or his arrogance.

Announcing the suspension of his campaign, Cain barked to those assembled, “I am at peace with my God. I am at peace with my wife."

And almost as an afterthought, he pointed to the woman who stood by him for 43 years—and was still standing behind him on the platform—and said, “And she is at peace with me.” She didn’t look so at peace.

Such a booming voice. So certain that merely saying that all these women were liars would make them so—made for great theater in the Greek tragedy/comedy sense.

Maybe he was framed. Who knows? Some women I know never believe the women who claim sexual harassment. I don’t understand that any more than I understand the women who do the Tammy Wynette thing (“Stand by Your Man”)—even when it is clear the man left them long ago.

Charges come fast; evidence comes slow.

I digress. It is the vanity usually ascribed to women that has taken over the Republican presidential field that really baffles me.

Cain is just “the leader of the pack” in trading his vanity into value. He is richer, if less admirable, than before the campaign.

Now Donald Trump—the King of Vanity—will host a Republican debate! See what great theater this is—and what great marketing for those least able to solve the country’s problems.

Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, and even Newt Gingrich, the latest poll leader, remain the ultimate “vanity candidates” hoping for book sales, a cabinet post, a lucrative corporate board position, or some other payoff for being the attack dog or the spoiler—or what used to be called the “ringer.”

Ron Paul (anti-war, anti-Fed, and anti-bailouts), along with Michele Bachmann (states rights’ strict constructionist, constitutionalist) are genuine candidates with long-standing and long-cherished beliefs.

The others less so.

This is presidential politics dirty little secret. Many of those running in the primaries are induced to run—not just to earn some high-profile television time but to tear down the opposition.

The Democrats had their own spread of vanity candidates pulling votes from Hillary Clinton in the last election cycle. Remember, Joe Biden; Bill Richardson, now under criminal investigation in New Mexico; and my favorite, John Edwards—whose vanity may possibly exceed even Herman Cain’s.

Each of these men hoped for something other than the presidency and each chewed into Hillary Clinton’s support to deny her the prize.

The zen or karmic result for each of these men is their embarrassing fall from grace, while Clinton’s fortunes have risen meteorically.

Cain may recover. He certainly is financially richer.

And Newt Gingrich, the latest star in the Republican field of flame-out leaders, will face more scrutiny for his three divorces; his hypocrisy in multiple matters of infidelity; and his limitless arrogance and vanity.

Gingrich, a great friend of Cain’s, and one who hopes to receive his endorsement, really does believe he is Winston Churchill between the two world wars—waiting for his destiny. 

After all, Gingrich now calls himself a “student of history” not a former lobbyist; a former speaker of the House; a former promoter of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans; or a career insider who made himself rich via politics.

“Vanity, thy name is …” a long list of men in the 21st century.

Editor's Note: The story has been updated to correct some errors: It was Sharon Bialek, not Ginger White, who had a scheduled press conference with Gloria Allred on Monday; The correct quote from Cain should read, "I am at peace with my God. I am at peace with my wife. And she is at peace with me."; Herman and his wife, Gloria, have been married for 43 years, not 47; Newt Gingrich should have been described as a former promoter of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, not of "Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac."