The man behind Herman Cain's "Smoking Man" video is Mark Block. Block is the presidential hopeful's chief of staff. The campaign video certainly has stirred up plenty of controversy, and it is unlike anything else to say the least.
After Block says "We've run a campaign like nobody has ever seen," he then pulls a drag from a cigarette hence the "Smoking Man" video. What is the point of it though? Obviously smoking is not glamorous or advisable. Is the Cain campaign just trying to get attention?
Needless to say this video has gone viral. Most people wonder, what does it mean? Is he commenting on the fact that presidential campaigns blow smoke at voters, so it's not real? Is he courting smokers? Could a Herman Cain presidency mean that smokers regain some of their rights?
Ultimately Mark Block spoke to the video's meaning. He said, "There was no subliminal message. In fact, I personally would encourage people not to smoke. It's just that I'm a smoker and a lot of people on the staff said, 'Just let Block be Block.' That's what it's all about."
Really? That's it? Is Herman Cain going rogue in 2012? If this "Smoking Man" video says anything, it seems to be saying that. They are not going to be the status quo. The question is, was smoking a smart way to get that message across? Given how hated smoking is these days, that seems debatable for sure.
What do you think? Was this a smart move for the Herman Cain campaign? Check out the "Smoking Man" video below.
Like this article? See more by Kate James at Gather.com
Photo Credit: Cheryl Casey / Shutterstock.com
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Comments: 70
Of course, you don't - you can't afford to. Glad to see you support a tobacco lobbyist.
This is quoted and linked below. Maybe, you should know something about the history before you start jumping on bandwagons.
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From 1996, when he left the pizza company, until 1999, Mr. Cain ran the National Restaurant Association, a once-sleepy trade group that he transformed into a lobbying powerhouse. He allied himself closely with cigarette makers fighting restaurant smoking bans, spoke out against lowering blood-alcohol limits as a way to prevent drunken driving, fought an increase in the minimum wage and opposed a patients’ bill of rights — all in keeping with the interests of the industry he represented.
Rob Meyne, an official at the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which contributed handsomely to the restaurant group, wrote in a 1999 e-mail to his colleagues that Mr. Cain’s presidential plans were “not totally unexpected.”
“Cain brings some positives. He is a genuine ‘antigovernment mandate’ conservative who happens to be an African-American. He is a wonderful speaker and would be an effective and charismatic candidate. He is also good on our issues.”
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"I AM NOT A SMOKER!!!!!!!"
Actually, I'm glad you don't. Good for you!!! I assume you're telling the truth. Unfortunately, you cannot consider that Obama's wife is telling the truth, when she said Obama quit. No, you and your fellow dittoheads assume she's lying.
"You are sarcastic fool if someone has a different opinion you flare!!!"
Yep - I can be sarcastic - but at least I'm not cynical. Just because I disagree with people on political issues doesn't mean I automatically think they're lying.
If that were still true (it is not), I think you will have to search a long time to find a political ad, in which he takes a drag and blows smoke at the camera.
"...I think that the government has done enough already to treat smokers like criminals."
Also, not true. The government has done some things to protect non-smokers from the ill effects of smokers' addictions. It has devised policies to discourage smoking, which have proven somewhat effective in discouraging smoking, especially among youth. Compared to the tobacco industry's insidious marketing to youth through adolescent films, I think your intrusive government theory falls flat.
"This 'controversy' is really comical."
Sure thing - it's about as "comical" as any tobacco ad, which is shown on multiple media outlets for several days in a row. The Cain campaign is either openly endorsing smoking, or it is ignorant re: the effects of its decisions. Personally, I think it is the latter - which doesn't instill confidence in how "insightful" policies Mr. Cain might introduce. But we already know that, don't we....
'Sex, Lies & Cigarettes'
I think you will have to search a long time to find a political ad, in which he takes a drag and blows smoke at the camera.
Where have you ever seen any story or reference to Obama smoking that didn't also refer to his plan or attempt to quit. You have never seen anything remotely endorsing smoking, as the Cain ad reflects.
It's Cain's ad - it's his campaign manager smoking, and Herman is smiling.
"Cain did not even say "And I endorse this" What the heck are they blaming Cain for?"
It's Cain's ad - it's his campaign manager smoking, and Herman is smiling. That says it very clearly. They have also both been tobacco lobbyists.
Meet Mark Block, Cain's unorthodox campaign manager. Perhaps no one is more responsible for the Georgia businessman's meteoric rise in the presidential polls than Block, a Republican strategist and tea party leader who's left a trail of questionable campaign work behind him.
Block has been accused of voter suppression and was banned from running Wisconsin political campaigns for three years to settle accusations he coordinated a judge's re-election campaign with a special interest group.
Records show Block has faced foreclosure on his home, a tax warrant by the Internal Revenue Service and a lawsuit for an unpaid bill. He also acknowledges he was arrested twice for drunken driving.
From 1996, when he left the pizza company, until 1999, Mr. Cain ran the National Restaurant Association, a once-sleepy trade group that he transformed into a lobbying powerhouse. He allied himself closely with cigarette makers fighting restaurant smoking bans, spoke out against lowering blood-alcohol limits as a way to prevent drunken driving, fought an increase in the minimum wage and opposed a patients’ bill of rights — all in keeping with the interests of the industry he represented.
Rob Meyne, an official at the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which contributed handsomely to the restaurant group, wrote in a 1999 e-mail to his colleagues that Mr. Cain’s presidential plans were “not totally unexpected.â€
“Cain brings some positives. He is a genuine ‘antigovernment mandate’ conservative who happens to be an African-American. He is a wonderful speaker and would be an effective and charismatic candidate. He is also good on our issues.â€
Sherry - that's a quote from an executive at RJ Reynolds. You're siding with the tobacco industry. Thanks for the clarification. Do you smoke?
He smoked weed, he still smokes cigarettes, and what about the limo incident with the crack pipe?
I agree with this post as I am a smoker as well...this is going to be such a bloody campaign, and this is what Obama wants...he is separating the people..by race, religion, sexual preference, political preference and on and on...
Whatever Cain is doing, big freaking deal...We see Obama's cocky attitude towards the American people every time we see him on TV which I might add is nearly every day, what a narcissist he is, lol..
If he is elected again this Country will literally experience hell...as he has nothing to hide...
He will be his true self and the mask will be unveiled...let us hear what the followers say then....
I don't agree with anything you say here, but I do hope you eventually quit smoking. I quit in 1987, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Good luck. And btw, Obama has quit, too.
Nothing was a big deal when Obama was running..let's wait and see how vindictive Obama will be this time around. Then we can talk about it...
But for now it is good that we can disagree in an adult way without words being thrown around... :)
Everything was a big deal when obama was running and even now...where have you been for the last 4 years?
Well, fox fraudcasting and limpbaugh aren't exactly what I'd consider "credible" media.
"Yes he smokes...."
I'd like to see your evidence of that, given that his wife stated in February that he had not smoked in "nearly a year".
"...it is good that we can disagree in an adult way without words being thrown around..."
I generally stick to facts. I can be sarcastic in doing so, but the focus is always issues. I do back up what I say. And I ask others to do the same.
That said, I wouldn't wish smoking on my worst enemy (not that I have one). When you decide to quit smoking, look up a group of researchers - Prochaska, Norcross and DiClemente. They have done excellent work on behavior change, and based it on interviews with successful former smokers. Good luck.
I myself, find myself impressed with him.. I think that he would be a breath of fresh air to this country if given half of a chance..
Could he be any worse than what is going on in there as of now?
no one has ever lied to a spouse right?
specially a guy that has lied to the public about his own deceased mother, and lied to the media about his health care bill.
as i recall, hillary lied about bill not cheating. same with jackie about john.
and i remember reading that eleanor lied about franklin still making the decisions, but could not talk to anyone but her, and had to be alone?
as far as obama never smoked in an ad - that is correct - he is too fake to be himself in an ad.
and the newest - he claims the march in selma over a bridge brought 2 people together, and he was born as a result ....... except of course , according to his birth certificate, he was born 4 years before bloody sunday....
so which is the lie there? how his parents met - or when? one of them is certainly a lie.
It's one thing for an adult to decide to become an addict. It's another to promote it in a political campaign ad. That said, however, how do you like paying higher medicare taxes and insurance premiums to cover the costs of medical treatment smokers require? This is not the minor issue you are apparently willing to minimize.
"I used to hope Obama was that man but I honestly cant see much he has done any differently than Bush."
Obama has been a disappointment. Of course, he has had nothing but opposition from every republican in congress.
"And yes I am more or less a liberal but I am open to a conservative if I think they can pull through on their promises and could care less if they smoke or drink."
It's not about if they smoke or drink. It's about promoting it in a political ad. That goes to issues of judgement and political alliances. Both Cain and Block have lobbied for the tobacco industry. Those are not minor issues.
that is in no way promoting smoking, unless a personbs goal is to look old wrinkled and not particularly handsome.
now had it been brad pitt or selma hyack doin it - that would be promoting - but this gUy?
yea, but not in political ads .......
maybe a better male example that would be glorifying smoking would have been justin barber, or biebar or whatever his name is lol.
Last month I was shopping at Target and of course hit the sell racks...they ahd a ton of little girl shirts for $3 and every single one of them had that kid on it....my husband looks at me and says "dont you dare" when I attempted to put one in the cart for our 5 year old.