(CNN) – Herman Cain, the one-time frontrunner for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, offered reporters in Florida Thursday some speculation on what could have been if he had remained in the race.
According to the Gainesville Sun, Cain said he would have a "substantial lead" over President Barack Obama if he were the Republican nominee instead of Mitt Romney.
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"The reason is quite simple: I have some depth to my ideas," he said.
Cain, who suspended his own bid for the GOP presidential nomination in December amid a flurry of allegations of past sexual impropriety, backed Mitt Romney in May – his third endorsement after dropping out of the race.
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.
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.
In May (as Romney secured the number of delegates required to clinch the GOP nomination), Cain held an endorsement event in Washington, D.C. for Romney.
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.
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Cain was a total joke as a Candidate, but he's probably better than Romney.
Poor Herman. He has a condition known as "grandiosity".
Yup. Cain is probably right. He and Romney were the very best the Republicans had to offer this nation as Presidential candidates. What a sad and pathetic political party.
You never know. As poor a job as the Obama has done leading our country there is no doubt Romney should be ahead.
One more person who will fade into the woodwork after the election .....
** "The reason is quite simple: I have some depth to my ideas," he said. **
EXCUSE ME! He's referring to "depth" like his 9-9-9 tax "plan", which is based on an arbitrary number gimmick because three nines look appealing to him written down.
That said, who is he to deny himself a big opportunity like this? He should back away from the white women, un-suspend his campaign, and re-throw his hat into the presidential race as an independent!
I'm no fan of Herman Cain but I do admire him! I admire how he can drink so much Kool-Aid and still be alive! Perhaps a few more sips ough to do the job!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Mister 999. What a joke! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Cain... are we talking Abel's brother?
Don;t know if he would be winning or not, but he would sure give it a good fight!
Winning what, Herman? Poker games with the three people who would make up your entire campaign staff after everyone else left when your polling hit 2 percent?
Go bake a pizza or something. Yeesh.
Cain ain't Able. This guy looks like he's sucking his teeth. Please go back to your hole.
hahaha! still the comedian..
"Cain was a total joke as a Candidate, but he's probably better than Romney."
Most definitely!
can Bishop Romney quote Pokemon verse and chapter? I don't think so!
Cain thinks that because the only people he talks to are those who think like he does, a very small group who wouldn't be able to ellect him. Actually he would loose by more than Romney will.
Herman, I love you dude, but your campaign was a mess, plain and simple. I say this as someone who cares, just move on already. Live your life. Stop chasing what could've been. Romney will be just fine. Sure he is trailing in PA, OH, and FL, but those states are all going to suppress the vote in November and give the election to Romney. It's all good, bro!
Talk is cheap WHEN YOU'VE ALREADY LOST!!! LOL, Herman Cain... Not only would Democrats and independents shutter at seeing his name on a ballot, his own party wouldn't (and didn't) vote for him.
Is this the same guy who didn't know the name of the president of Wiki-nicki-geeki-beck-astan? If it is, he would certainly be a BETTER candidate than Mitt Romney!
I think Mr. Cain is a much better candidate than that of Mr. Romney in many respect. He is the only GOP candidate who able to give a job to those poor women. This shows his love for the poor. If he was elected he will continue in that endevour. Sorry Mr. Cain. You can ran in 2016
Cain is just like the elitist Mitt Romney. During the gop primaries he said "if you're poor, its your fault." Unbelievable.
Cain/McCain in 2012!
Old Herman is good for a laugh, but he'll never replace Sarah in our hearts.
Cain's delusional. He's a complete joke.
So is Romney, and Romney is a horrible candidate, but what's losing here isn't an individual - it's the Republican party. Conservativism doesn't work - you have to look no further than the Southern states to see that. They keep electing conservatives decade after decade and they remain last in everything. Conservatives get bad results, and the people of the United States are waking up to that... and they don't want any more of it. Obama's not perfect, but the problems he inherited were caused by Republicans, and the solutions he tries are blocked by Republicans. This is a rejection of the GOP, not just Romney.
Cain is nothing but a funny guy. No more than that for sure.
Wait, you're telling me Herman Cain has a big ego and a very high opinion of himself? Stop the presses!
In other news, water is wet.