(CNN) – GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain said Tuesday that many liberal Democrats in the black community are "racist" for questioning his political ambitions as a black conservative Republican.
"A lot of these liberal, leftist folk in this country, that are black, they're more racist than the white people that they're claiming to be racist," Cain said Tuesday in a radio interview on the conservative Neal Boortz talk show.
Boortz interrupted Cain, saying he prefers the word "bigoted" to "racist."
"Ok, bigoted," Cain said. "How dare Herman Cain, first, run as a Republican? How dare Herman Cain be conservative? And how dare he move up in the polls, so that he just might challenge our beloved Obama? That's the problem they have."
Cain's comments came just hours before a New Hampshire debate, where Cain, who's surged to top tier status in the presidential race, is expected to take the heat from other candidates now that he's assumed front-runner status.
In the interview Tuesday, he also said that in a hypothetical matchup between he and President Barack Obama, there would "almost be no contest" and argued that he could talk about issues more in depth than Obama.
"He's never been part of the black experience in America," Cain said. "I can talk about that. I can talk about what it really meant to be 'po' before I was poor."
The Republican candidate came under fire recently for saying African Americans are generally on a level playing field with other Americans and sometimes use racism as an excuse for being poor.
"They weren't held back because of racism," Cain told CNN's "State of the Union" anchor Candy Crowley. "People sometimes hold themselves back because they want to use racism as an excuse for them not being able to achieve what they want to achieve."
His comments kicked off a wave of responses from high-profile African American leaders, who argue Cain is out of touch with reality.
"There are disparities in this country in every [socioeconomic] factor that we follow. In every aspect of our human endeavors in this country there is a racial disparity element that's a part of it. It's almost silly to respond to [Cain] because the evidence is so overwhelming," PBS host Tavis Smiley said in the interview with CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux on Monday.
– CNN's Diana Ozemebhoya contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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This out to be a good one *grabs popcorn*
He's a Republican wet dream: a black man who cries race against blacks. The wing nuts sure love their whackos, don't they?
People aren't being critical of you because you're black, Herman. They're being critical of you because you're stupid.
Cain, you really need to shut up. All you're doing is making the black community look bad. If anyone is racist it's you. Go away! You aren't getting in the White House so give it up. You pathetic little man.
Herman Cain loves to stir the pot! He says things like african americans are brainwashed no he calls african americans racists. Tell me Mr. Cain with all the drama you bring to yourself by constantly downing african americans? why would any one vote for you? The GOP don't even want you. I will be glad when you get back in touch with reality because what ever planet you are living on right now, racism will not win anyone the white house! You sir are a waste of time and will never win.
Nothing good comes out of folks being hyphenated in their identities
Isn't it racist to lump a whole group of people together based on the color of their skin (or in this case the color of their skin and the color of their party) and then make sweeping negative statements about their traits? Isn't that stereotyping?
You, Sir, are no gosh-darned Colin Powell....
Your foolishly naive and backwards ideas are what people object to. Don't flatter yourself.
You go Herman! I am sick and tired of anyone being labeled a racist who doesn't bow down to Obama.
WOW! This guy sure knows how to lose votes at every level. Not sure how he's a front runner, but he seems to be their flavor of the week right now.
I would not consider it a state secret to say there are black racists. Everyone, black and white, has there share of bigots. Not sure why it would be news to say that. Think Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the biggest one of all – Louis Farrakhan – if you want to start a list of black racists.
"Herman Cain said Tuesday that many liberal Democrats in the black community are "racist" for questioning his political ambitions as a black conservative Republican."
Well....if the shoe fits...
On a daily basis, I hear the statements and comments from hateful, fearful people who clearly discriminate. Cain's level playing field is nonexistent and his victimization excuse a weak attempt to blame individuals rather than address the issue.
Just too funny. We have a black POTUS and a black candidate is tossing out the race card. Add to the fact that you are a Republican (some would say pro-white) and I can't but wonder at the sheer gall of you playing the joker.
Herman Cain is right. Ask Bill Cosby.
cain: the clarence thomas of this race. if he was blue he would still be a zero
Ok Cain, you may win your Republican nomination because you're playing to like minded people. I GUARANTEE you aren't winning the general election. Not until you rid yourself of your ghetto mind.
Is he off his rocker or what? First of all, is it even possible to call it racism if a black man is complaining about other blacks? Second, what Cain fails to understand is that blacks are typical liberal for a reason: Republicans don't like poor people and unfortunately many African Americans are poor and below the poverty level. And coming out and saying things like "It's your own fault if you're not rich" sure isn't going to give them a warm fuzzy.
Lastly, Cain's big 9-9-9 tax plan will hurt low income African Americans more than the current tax code, since many of them make too little to have to pay any income tax. Add the 9% sales tax and those people would feel the brunt.
So, if anyone is racist here, it's Cain who is trying to hurt the African American community with his radical plans.
Ohh so after reading his comments for Cain its more of a "I'm blacker than Obama" thing he's trying to prove. Good luck with that Cain.
There are always the truth hidden in lies and lies hidden in the truth, with that being said, What does that have to do with Cain being a sambo of sambo's. Shhh, if you listen very careful, you can hear Cain pulling out the race call and softly laying it down, watch his slight of hand . . . Cain speaks with his right hand and cheats with his left. Next?
I hope the Repugnicant's nominate this fool, thus guaranteeing Obama a second term. Every time I hear him speak, I wonder what he has been smoking (snorting?).
This guy is a clown. I hope he makes enough money off of his book because there's no way on this earth that he'll be elected President.
"How dare Herman Cain, first, run as a Republican? How dare Herman Cain be conservative? Cain nobody cares about you and nobody has any interest in you whatsoever. I personally just shake my head in disbelief that you target Muslims and blacks to slander to get media attention. Cain, you are by far a HUGE disappointment. I personally am waiting for the day when everyone turns on you, so I can hear you cry that you are going through "a modern day lynching" just like your fat colleague Clarence Thomas. Word of advise, do not turn back to the black community for support, because we will all spit in your face.
To a certain degree he is correct. Kudos to Neal Boortz for correcting Herman's use ofthe word racist. That word is used far too often incorrectly.
The man who says that some black people use racism as an excuse to stay poor now charges other Black commentators with racism because they called him out on his statements. Herman Cain is a Saturday Night Live skit waiting to happen, and last night debate displayed Cain's simplistic approach to America's economic distresses. The other candidates went on a Herman Cain feeding frenzy, as if he were a meat-lovers pizza!