(CNN) – Herman Cain, who suspended his own bid for the GOP presidential nomination amid a flurry of allegations of past sexual impropriety, backed Mitt Romney Wednesday – his third endorsement after dropping out of the race.
Cain, the former chief executive of Godfather's Pizza, held an endorsement event in Washington, D.C., where he was flanked by Rep. Michele Bachmann, herself a former presidential candidate, and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.
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"I know that there are a lot of people who may not be as excited as some of us about the process or as excited about the ultimate nominee, so why am I willing to officially endorse him along with most of the other Republican candidates? It's real simple. Governor Romney gets it right on the big issues. President Obama gets it wrong on all of the big issues. That's why we have got to have a different occupant of the White House," Cain said at the event.
In January, after teasing an "unconventional endorsement" in the GOP presidential race, Cain came out in support of "the people," saying it was the beginning of a political revolution.
"My unconventional endorsement is 'The People!" Cain said in a speech in South Carolina. "We the people are still in charge. That's who I'm endorsing. We're going to have to lead this revolution. We have to take our power back. I'm endorsing the people. The people who started this country."
Later in January, Cain announced he was endorsing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ahead of Florida's closely watched GOP primary. At the time, Cain praised Gingrich'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.
He explained in an interview on CNN his choice of Gingrich was based, in part, on the candidate's embrace of his 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.
At his event Monday, Cain explained his past endorsements, taking a veiled shot at President Obama's explanation for his change in position of same-sex marriage.
"My endorsement evolved," Cain said. "Early in the process is one thing, but as we converged toward the convention, what we did earlier isn't as relevant. It wasn't a matter of changing my mind."
He added, "Now that the process is winding down, I felt it fitting to offer a formal endorsement because I have been consistent throughout my participation in the process and that is that I would endorse the ultimate nominee."
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. He enjoyed a spike in Republican primary polls last fall, but when he dropped out of the race in December polls showed him toward the back of the pack of candidates.
Cain ended his bid for the 2012 GOP nomination after battling allegations of an affair and of past sexual harassment episodes, which was alleged to have taken place during his tenure as president of the National Restaurant Association. Cain consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Also see:
Romney: Debt is like 'prairie fire'
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Who really cares who step and fetch it supports? He's another one I wouldn't vote for if he was the only person on the ballot. He ought to be somewhere hiding his head in shame.
OBAMA 2012!
Keep em coming Flippy. Now the sexual predator is on your side. Clinton comments????
Willard, there's a phrase you need to learn: Thanks, but no thanks. They are really trying to box you in with all of these endorsements. Dubya & 999 in the same week. I told you that they're not looking out for your best interest Willard.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
ELIZABETH WARREN 2012 & BEYOND
Is this even a news story? Of course he backed Romney. He's all about fiscal responsibility so he couldn't possibly back Obama.
Even Cain would be a better choice than Willard and that's saying something. While I'm certainly no fan of his – at least he HAD A PLAN and was not afraid of revealing it. Can the same be said of Willard?
Obama ALL the way in 2012.
Cain, Perry, Bachman, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul, Robme who?
Objection!
...Relevance! LOL
Almost forgot...did forget...Palin Who?
Mr 999 has seen the light and would like you to do the same. Televangelist and Mormon in agreement. Party before principle.
9, 9, 9 more reasons I will not vote for Romney.
Romney/ Herman Cain 2012
nein, nein, nein!
Endorsements from bush and cain ought to tell everyone where he is coming from. Milk toast mitt doesnt even mention bush in his speaches. Wonder why? Hey having a womanizer back you should go over well with the church . Forward
Yesterday Bush, today Cain, what means: Romney: BACKWARD!
Obama : FORWARD!
Obama 2012.
Wow, Romney has had 2 awesome endorsements this week first George W. Bush, now Herman Cain, I am sure these 2 wonderful republicans will put him over the top and in the WhiteHouse this fall! Romney is sooo lucky!! hee, hee!
Isn`t this his 3RD endorsement??? Why doesn`t he just wait till the ballots are printed? Then he won`t have more egg on his face.
Another endoresment with no photo op. Why don't Republicans want to be photographed with either Robme or Bush?
Cain will bring Romney the much-coveted adulterer vote. Sadly, it's a large demographic.
In a veiled shot at President Obama's explanation for his change in position of same-sex marriage, Cain explained his multiple previous endorsements as "my endorsement evolved."
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"Veiled"??? What's so veiled about THAT?! It was as veiled as a howitzer!
The day after former President George W. Bush gave him an impromptu endorsement, presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney pointedly avoided naming his new supporter in a Wednesday speech.
Instead, Romney referred to Bush five times as a "predecessor" to President Barack Obama.
Robme is not the only Republican that doesn't want to say his name in public. The people have not forgotten that the failed BUSH-REPUBLICAN experiment caused the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. They know that Obama has been working on the Recovery despite Republican Obstructionism. Obama will be reelected in November.
Cain the unable sure knows how to pick them. Third strike - yer out!
Banner week for Willard: the Predecessor (dubya dubya dubya) and now Hermie.
Remember Herb's advice Willard when you lose in Nov and are still unemployed: blame yo'self
Mitt McCain racks up another worthless endorsement. Yippee.
Cain the lover boy grandpa did you thank Romney for starting up all your love affairs when you where ahead of him
Does Cain do everything in "3s"? 9-9-9. Someone should tell him that the train has left the station. He missed it and it's his own fault.
please go away