(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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Herman Cain , A legend in his own mind !
Herman, don't you have something constructive you can do to HELP the cause? You can start by shutting up. BTW, what have YOU done to help Romney? Campaign? Fund raisers?? Anything??? Or are you just into this for the personal publicity?
Wow! Mr. Cain is showing that he is not a team player. He wold never have won the GOP nomination or their support and hist statements today would be the main reason. He needs to realize that he would not be winning because he never had the support of the Republican voters. His reluctance to tell the truth really hurt him.
Man, that guys funny!
Santorum revealed the true {vangelical viewpoint on Mitt Romney; "He`s the WORST candidate we [Republicans] could have nominated. The truth is, until the GOP deep sixes the racist, TeaParty faction, dials back the evangelical element that pushes it`s social issues [e.g. anti-abortion], and stops lying about "tax cuts for job creators", the GOP is doomed.
Republicans, if you want to win, drop Romney and pick Huntsman.
scary....scary man.
Herman, if I want a pizza I'll go with 9.99.
But you can forget about 999 ever getting you anywhere in a presidential race.
.
He's like a bad, black penny.
He is a great stand-up comedian! HAHAHAHAHA
He is right.
Herman could not keep his 999 in his pants, but we all know that Willard wears magic underwear.
Is it a requirement to be delusional to be a wanna-be repuke politician?
All of you leftards hating on Cain, please share with us all of Obama's private sector experience. Oh, that's right, you can't.
Herman you're a coulda, woulda, shoulda, has been, ain't, never was, never will be. Go back to making pizzas and watch the race from the sidelines like the rest of us.
Ahh, if you only had kept it in your pants, Herman...
Go Herman!!!
Cain knows he would be in the lead and would even win because his closet friends and advisers told him so, and they can see the future. Who are they, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause! Every one knows you can't argue with them!
Collossal arrogance! The same arrogance that made him think that his affair would not become public. Obama would be kicking his butt from Miami to Seattle.
Well, this is ONE thing we can be grateful to Mitt for!
Does... I mean, is there a clown car..... what I mean to say is.........
Gosh, I'm at a loss of words, except for two, directed to republicans:
Thank You.
Put him in, coach!
If you could have won, why did you quit Herm? Better yet, you've got plenty of bucks, how about running as a third party candidate? Nah, you'd rather sit on the sidelines and kick a man (who beat you) when he's way down. Stay classy Herm.
the ego is big with this one...the truth however, very very small.
Ever the idiot, completely unconnected from reality. I'd offer a hope that he and Mitt are not indicative of the world in which business execs live, but sadly, this doesn't appear to be the case. Herman, however, has even less excuse for being unhinged: he should still have SOME memories of life before wealth. Maybe he tries actively to suppress such thoughts, keep him from feeling any guilt for screwing the people who work for him.
News Flash Rahm Emmanuel caught paying Herman Cain to be himself! This is the best gift that the brother can give; just keep on being Herman Cain and the chips (and pizza) will fall where they may!!