What the whole controversy seems to show is that in our depleted democracy wherein the only “vote” that matters (literally, if vote-suppressing Republicans have their way…), is measured in dollars, the right has taken caveat emptor into previously unattained heights: they no longer have to even call shit Shinola. It sells either way.

Talk radio will never be the same. Herman Cain announces that come next January, he’ll be replacing Neal Boortz, who is retiring. Cain’s reign will presumably last 999 days.

Even though Rick Santorum has ended his campaign for the Republican nomination, he did achieve something rather impressive. Despite having little money or media buzz, he managed to become the only true anti-Romney alternative in what was a very crowded field. But is Santorum really a highly skilled politician, or was he simply the least bad Romney alternative in a field of highly flawed candidates? The answer could play an important role in a possible 2016 run.

Dayen’s news roundup from Valentine’s day includes stories you might have missed about Boehner’s House, mortgage settlements, Federal Reserve’s [non] enforcement, safety net, Obama’s budget, Nancy Brinker, Liz Warren, Crazy Pete Hoekstra, Herman Cain, Romney’s Maine win, Israel, India, and more.

Rick Perry is going to end his campaign for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. The AP and Politico both report that Perry will endorse Newt Gingrich after dropping out of the race.

Is it political skill, or just a friendly voter pool?

Herman Cain suppporters are bitter about the media’s treatment of their preferred candidate and torn between the two remaining GOP front-runners. Mitt Romney looks like a flip-flopping moderate and Gingrich like a faux conservative. Burned by their own candidate’s lack of national campaign experience without previous vetting, why not look at someone not yet in the race, but whom the GOP has relied on before?

Ground Control to Major Herm
Ground Control to Major Herm
Take your little blue pill and put your “helmet” on

In a said day for anyone who likes to laugh, Herman Cain suspended his Presidential campaign after multiple allegations of sexual harassment and extra-marital affairs, quoting Pokemon on the way out the door and shifting his prodigious star-power into a website rife with misspellings.

Give it up Herman, the train with women voters on it has left the station, with you left in the Clown Car parking lot.