(CNN) - Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain endorsed Newt Gingrich Saturday at an event in West Palm Beach, Florida.
"I hereby officially and enthusiastically endorse Newt Gingrich for president of the United States," Cain said during a meeting of the Palm Beach County Republican Party.
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Cain cited the former House speaker's "bold ideas" as the basis for his choice, saying Gingrich wasn't afraid to propose big ideas that would benefit the nation, even if they invited the ridicule of his rivals.
"There are many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is that I know that Speaker Gingrich is a patriot," Cain said. "Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas and I also know that Speaker Gingrich is running for president and going through this sausage grinder. I know what this sausage grinder is all about. I know that he is going through this sausage grinder because he cares about the future of the United States of America."
Appearing on CNN "Newsroom" after making his endorsement, Cain said Gingrich's platforms closely matched his own, including the 9-9-9 tax plan.
"When you find a candidate that basically is running still on the ideas and the ideologies that I was running on, along with him embracing 9-9-9, then it was a no-brainer and I thought that the timing was right," Cain said.
Gingrich said at the West Palm Beach event Saturday Cain's 9-9-9 plan would become part of the national conversation, but the candidate has not offically adopted the tax proposal as part of his platform.
While Cain enjoyed a spike in polls last fall, the impact of his endorsement is unclear. When he dropped out of the race in December, polls showed him toward the back of the pack of candidates. Asked on CNN Saturday how his endorsement would effect the race, Cain said he was more focused on guiding his remaining supporters.
"I don't care about where he stands in the polls," Cain said of Gingrich. "And whether my endorsement helps him or not, that's not the point. It's to let my supporters know that he is the closest to what I represented when I was still a candidate."
In a statement, Gingrich applauded Cain as a fellow "big ideas" candidate,
“America’s challenges are too great for mere tinkering around the edges," Gingrich said. "Just like Herman, who ran his campaign based on big ideas, I am running on bold solutions that will boost job creation, cut bureaucratic red tape, and fundamentally transform Washington."
Cain also accepted Gingrich's invitation to co-chair the former speaker's Tax Reform and Economic Growth Advisory Council, according to the release.
Cain ended his bid for the 2012 GOP nomination in early December after battling allegations of past sexual harassment. Cain attracted attention and followers for aggressively promoting his "9-9-9" tax plan, as well as for his charismatic personality and appeal among tea party activists.
Gingrich also received the backing of former presidential candidate Rick Perry after the Texas governor dropped out of the race ahead of the South Carolina primary earlier this month.
Also see:
Romney: Gingrich debates complaints like 'Goldilocks'
From CNN Politics
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Why not...
The 'Open Marriage PAC' in action...
ABR (Anyone But Romney)...
And they expect to win the White House...
More fodder for Obama...
And a Dem controlled Congress!!!!!
Cheater endorses cheater. Who cares
BIRDS OF A FEATHER-enough said- VOTE MITT
The morally corrupt endorses the morally corrupt. So what's new?
....If Gingrich,becomes the president. Maybe, Herman (uncle tom) Cain. Will be his "Rochester" . Hey, mister Gingrich, can I shine your shoes...as a reward for endorsing you.........
LOL. What a surprise! One philanderer supporting another!
I thought Mr. Cain was smarter than that. Oh well. I guess I was wrong. Mea culpa.
Newt will not be elected by anyone who can see or hear. Now he has yet another loser backing him. How great is that? Kind of like have Sara Pain backing you. One loser after another after another.
Newt is not new. Newt is not for the USA. Newt is for himself.
Suprise? Brothers in cheating!
THings are looking up for Newt Gingrich's planned colony on the Moon. So far he has himself, Third Lady Coletta, Sarah palin, and now Herman Cain joins them. What is unclear will is whether Cain's Godfather Pizza will be making Lunar home deliveries to the colony.
Newt has announced that there will be no gay marriage allowed at his colony on the Moon, but that open marriages will be acceptable..... Humm, do you think Sarah palin and Colletta can get along together with stud muffin Newt?
Two peas in a pod....both serial cheaters. Gotta stick together!
Didn't Cain drop out because of the reports of his own phillandering? So one phillanderer endorses another! Wonder if they belong to a club like th Rotary or Kiwanis where politicians go to discuss "How to Pick Up a Mistress" or "How to ask for an Open Marriage in Just the Right Way!" Disgusting!
(Dirty) birds of a feather.
Wait – I thougt he WASN'T endorsing anyone – but if he did, might as well be someone he has something in common with
Cain, just listen, none of these corporate idiots are worth for this nation. o.k, They are not for Middle Class America. They are for filthy-rich. Do not beg for votes, instead, sell some pizzas. o.k, you make more money.
Makes sense; they have so much in common, after all. They're into conservative politics, irrational tax plans, and chasing skirts!
Ouch: "We the people" have been dumped by Cain, because he says that Newt now tickles his fancies better (at least for now). I guess hopping between commitments is a regular pattern for both Cain and Newt.
You know, "We the people" have a vote in this relationship, too.
"He is the closest to what I represented when I was still a candidate" Ain't that the truth. Both are adulterers and both make a mockery of God. "I know what this sausage grinder is all about" Oh, I bet you do Herman you Perv.
of course he does their alot alike .
Wow! What a surprise!
"Birds of a feather flock together" someone said.
of course he does. birds of a feather flock together.
So, Cain goes for attention one more time. Booooring.
Well, of course he does. They both share the same 'trait' . . .cheating on their spouses!
Go figure....one lying serial adulterer supporting another.