Cain isn't pandering by "professing a higher cause." He's pandering (or else delusional) by claiming divine election, by claiming to be personally chosen by God to be president. The fact that he's making the claim is proof that it isn't TRUE. Since it's not true, either he believes it (and is therefore delusional), or he doesn't (and is therefore pandering).
True.
Also possible is Cain is both delusional and pandering.