So Herman Cain’s poll numbers are down, thanks to accusations of marital infidelity — in other words, the same kind of things that the very same voters are prepared to overlook in Newt Gingrich, whose numbers are rising.

What did not manage to bring Cain’s poll numbers down, oddly enough, was his actual record on issues his supporters pretended to care about. They don’t like TARP. He did. (And please, his excuse makes no sense.) They don’t like Romney. Cain endorsed Romney in ’08. They want to cut spending. Cain has given no specific spending cuts, and actually criticized Ron Paul for wanting to cut too much (as if that were possible).

And on the eve of the financial crisis, Cain was still saying the economy was in terrific shape. In the very month of the collapse!

That’s the guy you want running the show during a world-historic meltdown?

The guy should have been brought down months ago by his stated views — and would have been, if people cared more about principles and less about whether a guy stands up straight, gives a good speech, or ran a business.