A political trick? No… remember the democrat explanation for Rathergate is that somebody knew Dan Rather would fall for easily refuted documents. Dan being Dan, I tend to agree. And anyway it’s too early for those kind of ploys.

So what to make of the story? Well, ever since JFK a prerequisite for nomination is the ability to be scandalized. Perhaps Cain is too clean to be president, and this fictitious blackmail will provide the exemption.