Speaking of the most popular guy in the Republican race it’s becoming abundantly clear that Herman Cain isn’t just good for raising money and selling books. He’s become a veritable comedy bonanza in the last few weeks. Mike Tyson as Herman Cain singing “Imagine There’s No Pizza” is probably the best thing he’s done since the first Hangover. And while the Cain Train may be only serving Black Walnut, I think Harassment Chocolate Chip has a real chance to be the hottest Ben & Jerry’s flavor since Cookie Dough. But in the end what does all of this viral hilarity at the expense of Herman Cain really mean politically?
Honestly, it is a sign that his brand is going to last far beyond this presidential election and that he really may be onto something as a popular culture figure. The famous quote goes: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. But I’ll put it in more realistic political terms: They don’t make fun of you if you don’t matter.
Just consider this list: Dana Carvey as George Bush, John Lovitz and Michael Dukakis, Phil Hartman as Bill Clinton, Darrell Hammond as Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton, Will Ferrell as George W. Bush Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton and of course Tina Fey (and Lisa Ann) as Sarah Palin. If you are enough of a character in the campaign that celebrities start impersonating you for laughs you’re halfway there to pop culture stardom. As long as the jokes are about Herman Cain as opposed to against him (I personally think Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impression did more to doom her political career than any of Palin’s own dimwitted movies) he’ll do fine. Rick Santorum would LOVE to get this kind of mockery. At least that would mean someone was paying attention to him.
This article originally appeared at Politic365.com.