Washington (CNN) - The one African-American running for the GOP presidential nomination said Wednesday the black community was 'brainwashed' for traditionally siding with liberal politicians.
"African-Americans have been brainwashed into not being open minded, not even considering a conservative point of view," Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain said on CNN's "The Situation Room" in an interview airing Wednesday between 5-7 p.m. ET. "I have received some of that same vitriol simply because I am running for the Republican nomination as a conservative. So it's just brainwashing and people not being open minded, pure and simple."
Cain went on to explain that his interactions with African Americans led him to be optimistic about his own chances with the demographic.
"This whole notion that all African-Americans are not going to vote for Obama is not necessarily true," Cain said.
He continued, "I believe a third [of African-Americans] would vote for me, based on my own anecdotal feedback. Not vote for me because I'm black but because of my policies."
Cain also weighed in on the recent chatter surrounding Chris Christie, saying the recent reports the New Jersey governor is reconsidering a run for president were hurting the electorate.
"It's not insulting as much as it is a disservice to the American people," Cain said. "Chris Christie has been saying for a long time he's not interested in running. The media is trying to create a story by sucking Chris Christie into race, just like they made a story by sucking Rick Perry into the race."
Cain said the media should focus on the candidates who have already declared their candidacy to give voters a better idea of the field.
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"Cain said the media should focus on the candidates who have already declared their candidacy to give voters a better idea of the field."
Even I cannot find fault with that Cain statement!
That's really weird seeing Cain accusing someone of being brainwashed.
Repubs serve the corporations and Dems serve the public – so the question to you Mr. Cain is when you look around that boardroom or that big tea-bagger revival tent – how many African-Americans are standing with or even near you?
Any non wealthy person with a brain should dump the GOP teabagger party. I think that I shall never see, a republican smarter than a tree.
The "Black Community" is not brain-washed into voting for Democrats, they vote in the best interest, since the Republicans do absolutely nothing for this community, minorities in general, and the middle-class at large!!!
Yah, brainwashed into thinking for themselves. If they would only just let Republicans make their decisions for them, life would be so much better.....
Let's see if Clarence Thomas and Cain could get a support group going.
"Those who have made it and who now work harder so you can't" – basically the same old Repub mantra – "I got mine, screw you".
That's because they know that the republican/tparty is really nothing more then the party of the old south and all they are interested in is making the country safe for lunacy, hypocrisy, hate, and exploitation. The republican/tparty represents today's modern day equivilent of the planation owners who want to bring back slavery. The republican/tparty screams freedom but the only freedom they are interested in is the freedom to exploit others. Caine, like the rest of the republican/tparty candidates and the idiots who vote from them need to get back in the insane asylum where they belong!
So when Mr. Cain finally turns his head around and speaks to the black voters he is less than cordial. He lectures them that they have been misguided and misled.
Mr. Cain, I don't think it was hard to tell who was for the King holiday and who was against. It wasn't hard to tell who was for "separate but equal" and who was against. It wasn't hard to tell who fought for fair housing laws, and who fought against them.
Mr. Cain, it wasn't hard to tell who was for allowing blacks (like yourself) into the military, and who was against it. It wasn't hard to tell who was for Affirmative Action at a time when our nation needed to enforce leveling the playing field, and who was against it. It isn't hard to tell where you stand Mr. Cain, and where you used to.
Though not african american, please tell me what the repulican party has offered to the AA for their votes? I am trying to think of one? and dont give me the welfare trash as a lot of white folks are also receiving government help. I need real answers...
The difference between Cain and Obummie is Cain wants to create an atmosphere that creates jobs and Obummie wants to kill business incentatives and give handouts. As Rudy,NYC pointed out today minorities have looked at Cain and see the back of his head. That is subject to many interputations. People need to say what they mean and leave nothing open to interputation. There will be nothing about my next statement that is open to interputation. Cain equals jobs, Obummie equals handouts and class warfare.
And be objective as this current President picked up a trashed a economy when he came in so real answer Mr. Cain or his supporters?
Orrrr maybe they realize that the GOP is the party of the Rich, White man? Rich, White men who don't particularly care for them?
Brainwashed? No, they just know what's up!
So I would like to ask Mr. Cain since WHEN have Republicans come to black communities to seek their votes? In the last election I don't recall Sarah Palin having rallies in black areas, although I will give Sen McCain credit that he DID visit the NAACP. But a lot of black people figure the GOP is not interested in them and look at them as only wanting a handout. The so called brainwashing is because Democrats DO visit minority areas, seeking the vote and talking to the people there. You should try it sometime because despite what a lot of people may think blacks are not going to vite for you just because you're black. You can look at who comes out to see people like Cain and Allen West and it's not a very diverse group.
Mr Cain, reserve your talking until you receive the GOP nomination. Based on past history, it would be more historic for you to be the GOP nominee, than President Obama winning the general election. The GOP will never nominate you, no matter how good you think your ideas are.
Mr. Cain, that was accomplished with "hand-outs", over the decades, and even centuries, which have conditioned the black community to expect to be "taken care of", and not be expected to actually earn their own way. The Democrats, are the guilty party.......the welfare party.
Winning at POTUS = Obama 2, Cain 0 (Zero).
This whole notion that all African-Americans are not going to vote for Obama is not necessarily true," Cain said.
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Either the writer got this wrong or you did Cain.
???
BRAINWASHED?!?!? No, we are not brainwashed. Republican elected officials consistently legislate against minorities....CONSISTENTLY.
They were against the Civil Rights act
They were against the Dream Act
They were against equal pay for women
They were against the abolition of Don't Ask Don't Tell
WE WERE NOT AND WE ARE NOT BRAINWASHED.
We simply see, hear and feel the effects of Republican legislation.
YOU, Herman Cain, have been brainwashed into believing that the GOtP accept you as an equal.
You are a token. You are a pawn. You are a tool. You are a cover for the racist agenda for the Republican party.
By the way, How much Tea Party support have you gotten?
here come all those racist remarks from the real black folk
Well Mr. Cain, you want other blacks to be open minded toward a party that doesn't know the meaning of the words? C'mon...
The more I hear from Cain, the more I like him. He says things in a common sense way that too many politicians lack the ability to do. He'll have my vote if nominated.
Hey Pizza Man,
ever consider that maybe you're the one who's been brainwashed?
Like most Republicans, Cain doesn't have a clue as to what he talking about.
So now he's alienated his one potential voting base by telling them they were brainwashed. Too stupid to think for themselves. Couldn't make an intelligent decision. Oh, BTW, please vote for me! OTOH, he just insulted 90 percent of the black community so at least that improves his chances to get the Tea Party vote.
I like this man alot next to Romney. He is so articulate and gets right to the point on the issues.