He does realize that in late summer 1992, the polls showed:
Perot - 40% (had never held political office)
Bush - 31%
Clinton - 25%
This was before just Perot sabotaged his own race (on purpose, imho). But the fact remains that Perot was GAINING supporters at this time, and probably would have ended up with 43-45% of the vote. Plenty to have won the race outright.
1992 shows that Americans WOULD vote for someone that had never held political office. Heck, they were so eager to do so, they were voting for a 3rd party candidate that had never held political office.
Having never held political office is only a hurdle in the primary. Not the general election.
Using your example, Perot destroyed his own campaign by being an inexperienced campaigner. Polls don’t transfer to votes. People don’t give too much thought when asked who they support in a poll, but they do try to be serious when they vote. If Cain is serious about holding public office, he should run for Congress, for Mayor, or something to prove he can win an election. No political party will take a chance on an unproven candidate for President no matter how good they sound.
Obama was inexperienced and unaccomplished but he had proven that he could win elections. To beat him we need a candidate who also can win elections and has proven it.