The same thing was said about Ronald Reagan when he first started to run for elective office. However, in this day and age grassroots efforts can be much more effective. If everyone who liked Herman Cain (and that includes me) would just send all their friends the link to his website tab on "ISSUES"
The Issues | Herman Cain for President
and include a note saying "check this guy out", I'll bet a lot of people would like what they see and pass it along again. The word can spread exponentially, especially when there are no professional politicians in the GOP possible nominees that are creating any excitement.
Here's another advantage Cain will have exclusively - he neutralizes the race issue that nobody will talk about, but which will definitely be a factor to a lot of people for various reasons.