So much for that campaign “reassessment.” Herman Cain came out and delivered a defiant, well-received speech to a conservative audience in Dayton, giving no sense that he plans to drop out of the Republican presidential race.

Cain declared that the country was beset by crises and needs the leadership of a problem-solving businessman rather than a politician. He asserted that “stupid people are ruining America.” And he never once directly mentioned the scandals engulfing him or the speculation that he would end his campaign.

The crowd seemed to like Cain’s defense of his 999 tax plan — all the criticisms of it are wrong, he claims — as well as his slashing attacks on President Obama. He promised not to be politically correct, though one could argue that is what has gotten him into trouble. And that’s Cain’s problem at this point: does his shtick resonate beyond the true believers, who are no longer a plurality of the Republican primary electorate?