(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.
Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
How precious – one narcissistic, self-serving adulterer endorsing another. Anyone wonder if there's room for Cain on a Gingrich ticket?
One womanizing adulterer supporting another. What's new?
I have even less respect for Cain now then I did after we learned he was a womanizer.
who cares... He did not have enough backers to really help Newt. Ron Paul is the only true contender.
One unethical, immoral, lying s politician endorsing a more unethical, immoral liar to be leader of the free world. All democrats around the country must be thrilled if this is the best the republicans can do. This is clearly the beginning of the end of the republican party.
I really liked this guy, had lots of good idea's, but this isn't one of them. Jumping on the same pony as Newt G. and Rick Perry is not good for America. Romney 2012!!!! Herman, you could have been a great VP, but your chances really faded with this choice. We don't need the same old washington employee's rubbing elbows with each other, we need someone who understands business and creating, not more of the same GOP steamroller insiders. Give Mitt a chance to give us back the America we remember and love and will fight for. We fight all over the planet pushing our values, lets get the fight back here and be the greatest country in the world again.
Herman Cain makes another dumb move!
No surprise!
It's quite fitting that one immoral bozo would back another.
Who cares?
Clowns endorsing clowns. No surprise.
makes sense Cain is a Nut like Newt the Grinch anyway.
What is the value of that endorsemnet ?
He just endorsed the people the other day. Go to his Facebook page and see what the people actually have to say about this.
Ron Paul 2012
Only a pizza man would use the term "sausage grinder" in three consecutive sentences. Too bad Cain's endorsement won't help Newt next week. I was hoping for a prolonged GOP primary season, but it ends with Florida.
Maybe GIngrich will make ole Hermie Secretary of State, eh? That would be a brilliant move. Right after that Hermie would find out which one Libya was.
This doesn't surprise me at all!! A possible adulterer endorsing a twice admitted adulterer for President of the United States. What is this country coming to? As I have said before: Do we as a nation wish to have a twice admitted adulterer and his (mistress) wife as role models for our kids if Newt is elected to the White House? I think not!
While I am not particularly know as a Republican, I do hope Newt Gingrich is our next president. It's time to pull together and Newt can do it. Herman Cain might even be a good companion for the journey. Ideas from both of these men can whip Washington into shape.
Bird of the same feather flocks together
Ignorant fools of a feather stick together
Birds of the same feathers. two adulterers
Coupled with a Palin endorsement, this is a political kiss of death.
One cheater endorses another.
Just goes to show that perverts stick together.
Two peas in a pod white trailer trash
Cain you a sorry loser. Cain I bet your family does not like you.
Cain how you going to endorse this racist Newt piece of pile of dog poop he does not like black people.