Politics
Why is Herman Cain not being taken seriously?
Polls suggest that Herman Cain (pictured), is one of the front-runners for the GOP presidential nomination. So why is it that most political insiders privately dismiss his chances?
The one-word answer: Money.
The conventional wisdom in Washington – and it is grounded in recent history – is that you can’t win a presidential election without wealthy donors behind you. Those donors provide the money for a candidate to hire field staff and build a campaign organization in key early states, run advertisements to boost name recognition and create contrasts with rivals, and pay for the many costs (travel, security) of running for president. And without some big donors getting on board, other prospective donors are less likely to contribute because they fear that the candidate may not be able to stay in the race for the long haul.
The flip side is also true. Donors give to candidates with lots of money.