(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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What a surprise awominzer and adulter supporting another life long adulter, This should help Romney win by an even larger margin in florida. people like Cain, Sarah, and others need to go away now for the good of our repub party,
They are husstlers who make money talking to converatives and taking their money, its all a money game to these people.
Yes the two adulterers band together.
Headline should read Multiple Philanderer endorses Multiple Philanderer. No surprises there....
I can't believe this guy is back.
Big whoop. How valuable is Cain's endorsement, really.
Hopefully his final meaningless comment.
Birds of a feather...
Reblogged this on City On A Hill D.C. and commented:
Thank you Mr. Herman Cain for endorsing the best man for the job! Hopefully with Gov. Rick Perry's endorsement and Mr. Herman Cain's endorsement, we will start to see an even larger increase in momentum.
When it comes to having your history of serial infidelity made public, there's safety in numbers....at least for herman cain.
Yawn.......
Birds of a feather fly together. Enough said.
►Herman Cain endorses Gingrich◄
SHUT the FRONT DOOR! – Ain't that a DITCH!!
OMG, Cain is a comedian and no matter what he says it would seem he is joking
You really think THINGS will CHANGE just because the PA"IN and CAIN has spoken???
The TP and the TP endorsers and followers will not prevail in this election.............PERIOD!!! Congress already blew it by allowing the TP to rule, which is the reason why their approval rating is at 11%. Cain and Palin endorsing someone ONLY widens the gap between the established Republicans and the TP will soon find out they are LOSING!!
Obama 2012
Adulterers backing each other!
I thought this jerk had already endorsed the people of the USA. Like the other candidates, Cain's tax plan (9-9-9) would have favored the wealthy and increase taxes for the poor and working people.
First Palin, now Cain; who will come out for Newt next, Orlando's own Goofy?
Don't he know how to get lost?
it's not even funny anymore. The next generation stands to be very displeased with us when they have to take over the reins of our short-sighted actions.
Adulters Unite!
The gift that keeps on giving !
This is like the survivor show and Girls gone wild combo pizza.
Great – One adulterer endorsing another. Isn't this supposed to be the Family Values party?
birds of a feather
Disturbing.
As a "Lib" all I can say GO GINGRICH!
Mr.President, enjoy 4 more years of Presidency.
Birds of a feather...
One loser pick another Loser. These Republican candidate are just all Clowns. That Right Saran Palin pick Newt Gingrich too so that make three Loser. Let see Herman Cain had cheated on his wife too. Gingrich cheated on two of his wife. And we all heard that Saran Palin cheated on her husband. So at lease they are staying together.