Pete Hoekstra just had the worst week in Washington thanks to continuing fallout from his racist "Debbie Spenditnow" Superbowl ad, but he hopes things will get better as he campaigns with a new ally who should definitely prove he's not a racist: Herman Cain. Hoekstra, a former U.S. representative from Michigan who's trying to wrest one of that state's Senate seats from incumbent Debbie Stabenow, put out a press release (H/T Talking Points Memo) announcing a day-long campaign tour with Cain that he's calling "patriots for peace." The pair plans to cross the state next Thursday, starting in Grand Rapids and hitting Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, and Troy. The benefit for Hoekstra is clear: He gets to have lots of photos taken with Cain, showing he's cool with people of color, and gets someone Tea Partiers still take seriously to back his campaign. Hoekstra can certainly use the help, as his ad gaffe has been a windfall to his opponent, and even the actress in the spot has disavowed it and apologized. The benefit of this little tour for Herman Cain is... well... we'll have to get back to you on that one.

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Adam Martin