(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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Good Lord, what has America come to?
Oh goodie, one adulterer supporting another....big surprise.
The Cainwreck endorses Swingrich. It should be called the GAP – Grand Adultery Party.
Yes, they are the same – they like to screw women
Two cheaters...this should hurt Gingrich not help him...
Of course he did, Adulterers stick together!
Glad to see that these wacko adulterers who want to be President stick together...
A hog cant dare tell the other one how stinky it smells, no surprise there!
Good for you Herman Cain
Who else could he endorse? None of the other candiates has wife cheating qualities. Newt isn't just a member, but president of the wife cheaters club. It's funny he used the word sausage.
Not at all surprising to see one sleazebag endorsing an even bigger sleazebag. They can obviously relate to one another!!!
Herman is just hoping that Newt will fix him up and they can double date
of course he does, birds of the same feather flock together...
Shame on you Mr. Cain... Shame...
Well this is one womanizer endorsing another womanizer.
ginrich doesn't care about the future. he didn't even care for one of his wives.
Well that's the end of Newt. But I suppose its true that of all the other candidates, Cain has more in common with Newt than with either Mitt or Ron. After all, as far as we know both Mitt and Ron have been faithful husbands.
What Herman forgot to mention was that Newt has promised him some cushy job in his Cabinet if he gets elected.
The "kiss of death" for a white republican candidate.
Fits. Cain played the race card – so does Newt. Cain failed – so will Newt – he is not the chosen one.
Mitt will get the short straw.
POTUS OBAMA in 2012!
Liz Warren in 2016!
Good for you Herman. Newt is the man with a brain and a plan to save America from the charlatan in the White House.
Its not a suprise! These r è very same extreme conservatives whose policies plagued America n è world into ecönomic turmoil! Thx. Uganda.
Get it – Cain talking about a "sausage" grinder about both hiimself and Newt. They both had their "sausage" grinded. LMFAO!!!! We know Newt's sausage grinder was blonde – was Cain's sausage grinder blonde as well??? Again – ROTFFLMAO!!!!!!!
I think voters should wonder about this support. One man who at the very LEAST acted WAY inappropriately while away from his wife on more than one occasion backing a two time cheater.... Hmm, I think conservatives would be wise to stay away from BOTH of these men. Gingrich not part of the establishment??? A 40 year politician not part of the establishment? Ron Paul is WAY less a part of the establishment than Newt Gingrich and he's been in politics just about as long – but at least he went back to practicing medicine in between. Sarah Palin is talking out of both sides of her mouth by supporting these men – espousing family values on one side while cheating on their wives on the other? Sarah needs to go back to social conservatism school.
Well Newt went from having a bad week to REALLY having a bad week. There is nothing better than 1 man that admitted to having adultery being endorsed by another who well............