(Image Source: YouTube/thehermancain)

 

BY RICHARD LAYCOCK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

An interesting choice from the Cain campaign... A bizarre video surfaced on Herman Cain’s YouTube channel showing his campaign manager, Mark Block, giving his endorsement while smoking a cigarette.

Mark Block: “We need you to get involved because together we can do this. We can take this country back.” (Block takes a drag of a cigarette and blows smoke into the camera)
Music in background: I am, America. One voice, united we stand. I am, America. One hope to heal our land.”

When the video first surfaced many wondered whether or not it was for real, CBS had this to say.

“The web video which is just going viral features his chief of staff, Mark Block, endorsing Cain as the candidate to put the united back in the United States of America … and then smoking a cigarette which has gotten some mixed reactions. Many thought the video was a hoax but when contacted by CBS news, Mark Block himself said, ‘It’s Block being Block.’ And to his critics for smoking he said, ‘I smoke. It’s a choice.’”

Some question why Block was seen smoking in the video asking whether it meant that Cain was pro tobacco. Block went on Fox News’, The Insider, to explain the video.

Megyn Kelly: “People don’t know what to make of your contribution. What was the message behind this?
Mark Block: “Megyn. Thanks first of all for having me on. The message behind the ad was to our supporters, that we are on a roll, we’re excited about what is happening. There was no subliminal message. In fact I personally would encourage people not to smoke. It’s just that I am a smoker and as a lot of people on the staff said, just let Block be Block.”

But on MSNBC’s the Last Word, Lawrence O’Donnell says that this is nothing new for the maverick candidate.

“As peculiar as that ad may seem, Herman Cain created a much ignored ad in August that is beyond bizarre.”

Here is a segment from that video:

Man 1: “You know, I’ll bet that you are as yella’ as those flowers right there.”
Man 2: “Hehehe”
Man with flowers: “Why has it always gotta’ be about colour. What are you guys -- Liberal?
Man 1: “Yep card carrying.”
(Man 1 spits on Man with flowers shoe)
Man with flowers: “So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?”
Man 1: “Uhuh”
(Man with flowers hits Man 1 in the face with the bunch of flowers)

While Cain’s campaign ad’s have been on the weird side, it hasn’t hurt him in a new CBS/New York Times poll. He’s taken a four point lead over Romney in the 2012 GOP nominee preference.