Man Smokes in Campaign Ad, Internet Loses Mind

Herman Cain's chief of staff films an ad during what we're guessing is his smoke break in the back alley behind a warehouse.

Herman Cain is the latest candidate for the GOP presidential nomination to give headaches to supposed frontrunner Mitt Romney. Mark Block is Cain's chief of staff. Below, you will see a (delightfully low-budget) video in which Block blathers on about how great his boss is. Then, with a pulsing soundtrack exalting the glory of America, Block takes a long, luxurious drag on what must be a cigarette stuffed with fine Virginian tobacco. Behold:

Question: Great campaign ad, or greatest campaign ad?

While much of the web is having fun at Block's expense, we think this is actually cunning, demographically targeted advertising. About one in five Americans smoke, and while the commander in chief has made a big deal over quitting his tobacco habit, here's a man who not only refuses to hide his addiction, but seems to, gasp, relish it. Think of all those smokers, trodden down by municipal bylaws forbidding them from smoking on sidewalks, or national health strategies devoted to demonizing their sin of choice. These silent millions (silent because they probably have emphysema) have a new champion, and his name is Herman Cain...'s chief of staff, Mark Block.