TOPLINE
Although former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain died from coronavirus in July, his Twitter account issued two posthumous attacks on Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, on Wednesday and Thursday, appearing to make good on the Cain family’s vow to use his platforms “to share the information and ideas he believed in.”
The late Herman Cain.
KEY FACTS
Cain’s account tweeted an attack on Biden and Harris—suggesting Biden’s campaign would be “completely nuts”—before their first joint appearance Wednesday:
As of Thursday morning, the tweet had been ratioed, which means more people were commenting on the post than liking or sharing it, often an indicator that people strongly dislike the content.
Cain’s Twitter account posted again on Thursday morning and shared an article on his website attacking Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, one of the woman politicians Biden considered for his vice presidential running mate.
After Cain’s July 30 death, his family issued a statement saying they would continue using his website and social media platforms to promote his conservative politics, but would do so under a new name: The Cain Gang.
As of Thursday morning, Cain’s social media accounts and website were not yet switched over to The Cain Gang moniker.
Biden announced Harris as his VP pick Tuesday night, and Republicans wasted no time ramping up attacks on her, like questioning her Jamaican and Indian heritage, while President Trump called her “extraordinarily nasty,” an insult he’s trotted out against numerous women on the national stage.
Chief critic
“So, let me get this straight. You think the Biden candidacy is going to be nuts and you're saying this FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE SINCE YOU DIED TWO WEEKS AGO,” tweeted comedian Sarah Cooper, who’s known for parodying Trump and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in response to Cain.
Key background
Cain, a prominent Republican, died July 30 from coronavirus after battling the virus for a month. He tested positive for Covid-19 nine days after attending Trump’s Tulsa, Oklahoma, rally, where Cain—along with many attendees—were maskless. Although Cain’s representatives said there was no way of knowing whether he contracted the virus at the rally, Tulsa health officials said the event likely contributed to a local spike in cases two weeks after it had taken place.
What to watch for
More attacks on Harris by the GOP. At this point, Trump and Republican allies are pulling their punches, the New York Times reported Wednesday, but are struggling to find a way to get those punches to land. Republicans are presently framing Harris as both a tool and an enemy of the far left. Trump and his allies appear flummoxed by presenting attacks that contradict each other.
Further reading
Former Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Dies From Coronavirus At 74 (Forbes)
‘America Is Crying Out For Leadership’: Kamala Harris Enters 2020 Campaign Swinging (Forbes)
