Blumenthal is skeptical:
Only two presidents in American history have served without having held prior elective office or high military rank. And the two exceptions, Herbert Hoover and William Howard Taft, served as cabinet secretaries in prior administrations. Republicans are certainly in a mood for change, and the election of Barack Obama in 2008 proved that a relatively short political resume was not a barrier to the country's highest elected office. But a Cain victory in 2012 would represent a leap to a far greater degree of political inexperience.
Chart from Gallup, who compares Cain's support to that of other candidates:
Cain's very positive image is offset by his lower name recognition, though he has become better known in recent weeks, with 55% of Republicans now familiar with him. He still trails the five best-known candidates — Bachmann, Gingrich, Perry, Romney, and Paul, all near 80% recognition. Santorum (54%) and Huntsman (43%) are less well-known.
The Dish 