(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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Well, Gingrich will soon go down in flames...one cheater endorses another. Gingrich and Cain are fellow MORAL DEGENERATES and BELLIGERENT JACKA$$ES indicative of the mental, moral cramp ailing the republican party. Big mouth now stands behind bigger mouth...this is hilarious!
Well, as a Pizza dude, Hermy has a lot of experience with "sausages" especially when they go through the grinder.....:-)
Please. Could anyone actually imagine Newt being our president? I do miss Bachman, Cain, Perry et al for all the comedy they provided. And throw in Palin and Trump to really dial up the laughter.The stars must have been perfectly aligned for all these Tea Party clowns to come together at the same time, all thinking they could actually become president of the United States. Amazing!
Only Herman Cain would be stupid enough to use the term sausage grinder when referring to the process that he and Newt "endured" while running for President. Ginger White told everyone about Hermie's sausage and it was Newt's sausage that got him into trouble while married to his previous wife. Its time to bring Trump back with his three wives to get the clown car rolling again for the Republicans.
We may have a winner there!
Whatev cain is looney self absorbed and grandiose! Why doesnt he 888 himself as the eight ball
Of course he does, they are ethic twins!
No surprise here! Adulterers stick together!
Bye Bye Gingrich...
They both cheat on their wives!
The joker knows how to make a joke
That's a bad blow to Gingrich.
well herman cain endorse gingrich wow both are the same they cheat lie and compairs apple with oranges. this is stupid a canidate who drops out endorse a canidate who needs to drop out
Birds of a feather...
Herman Cain is a true patriot. Like Newt, he has vision, solutions, and courage.
'Sausage Grinders' UNITE!
Uncle Remus has lost his mind, I sure him & Newt will trade each others wives & girlfriends if he's picked as his vp!
Imagine that a Racist & Stepin Fetchet in the white house @ the same time! Dern!
Herman Cain's endorsement and $9.99 won't buy you a Godfather's pizza. Worthless.
And endorsements count for what? In 1995, Cain was appointed by Newt Gingrich to the Kemp Commission. At least he is loyal LOL!
A team of cheaters...
These guys with seamy personal lives tend to have each other's backs, don't they? Next thing you know, Billy C will be endorsing Gingrich too.
Birds of a feature flocks together
Gingrich, if smart, would refuse endorsement. Not sure if there has been a dumber politician than Cain.
well, they do have something in common.....extra marital affairs
9-9-9 meet 666