Washington (CNN) - The one African-American running for the GOP presidential nomination said Wednesday the black community was 'brainwashed' for traditionally siding with liberal politicians.
"African-Americans have been brainwashed into not being open minded, not even considering a conservative point of view," Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain said on CNN's "The Situation Room" in an interview airing Wednesday between 5-7 p.m. ET. "I have received some of that same vitriol simply because I am running for the Republican nomination as a conservative. So it's just brainwashing and people not being open minded, pure and simple."
Cain went on to explain that his interactions with African Americans led him to be optimistic about his own chances with the demographic.
"This whole notion that all African-Americans are not going to vote for Obama is not necessarily true," Cain said.
He continued, "I believe a third [of African-Americans] would vote for me, based on my own anecdotal feedback. Not vote for me because I'm black but because of my policies."
Cain also weighed in on the recent chatter surrounding Chris Christie, saying the recent reports the New Jersey governor is reconsidering a run for president were hurting the electorate.
"It's not insulting as much as it is a disservice to the American people," Cain said. "Chris Christie has been saying for a long time he's not interested in running. The media is trying to create a story by sucking Chris Christie into race, just like they made a story by sucking Rick Perry into the race."
Cain said the media should focus on the candidates who have already declared their candidacy to give voters a better idea of the field.
Watch The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer weekdays at 4pm to 6pm ET and Saturdays at 6pm ET. For the latest from The Situation Room click here.
That's funny, I'll take a large pepperoni boy
Blacks historically voted for republicans. We did so until we were exposed to education. Then, we started thinking for ourselves and you lost us. We want a serious, educated leader who is respectful and has decorum. You, Mr. Cain, miss the mark along with all your republican and tea-party associates.
@Me "WE WERE NOT AND WE ARE NOT BRAINWASHED. –
You seem to be. The only racial issue you mentioned was had more support from republicans of which 80% voted for it as opposed to only 64% of Democrats.
Only seen no more than a dozen African American. when you see any more tell me where I can find them> Bless.
THere is not a single Democrat that is open minded. They started the klan and are commiting genocide in our inner cities right now and have been for the past 40 years.
Democrats have put their abortion clincs aka planned parenthood in a disproportionate amount of minority communities. Yes Republicans may be guilty of ignoring minorities but that is better than Democrats who are killing them.
I have had my brain washed too. I cannot bear to listen to people who have nothing intelligent to offer, for example Mr. Cain.
It's simple. Black people don't vote for Republicans because Republicans ignore them and cater to idiots, religious zealots, rednecks, and those who can't think for themselves. Again, simple.
"LarryDavidSandwich
What party was Robert Byrd affiliated with?"
When alive Byrd openly denounced and regretted the racsism of his past – how about your past or present?
Hey Cain,one last question, "bro", whose idea was it to name your latest go-nowhere do-nothing scheme The 999 Plan?
Was it yours Cain, 'cause if you flip those 999 upside down.....well you know, some of you would be more at home with those numbers than others.........Just saying.
I'm surprised Bible-toting Perry, and Pray the world away Bachmann didn't have something to say about those 999s!
Gonna go out on a limb here: He'll be announcing the end of his candidacy within the month of October '11. It's still the promaries and conservatives will thirstily drink this kind of blatantly racist ranting and raging through their infantile ideological sippy cups like people lost in the desert, but I'm thinking he just managed to do two things in one fell swoop: (1) predict he'd get 1/3 of the minority vote and (2) render his prediction moot and impossible. It's the kind of brilliantly paradoxical backfire that even morons like Boehner, Cantor and McConnell have trouble arranging...even when they seem to be trying very very hard to do so.
just like the stupid are being brainwashed to vote Tea Party!
Say No to Cain and the rest of the extreme thugs in the KKK party.
Mr. Cain is a better person than any every single Democrat, black white whatever in America today.
He has integrity, decency, morals, and true compassion, you cannot say the same about any Democrat.
This is what a little bit of money does to community. Soon, you start talking down to your own people. You first elevate yourself above them and join forces with their oppressor. You start saying silly things this bro is suggesting. But Mr. Cain, may I remind you that you are swallowing a very poisinous medicine. Ask Michael Steele.
yeah, that statement will win him a lot of support in the black community...
No matter what race you are, no one is brainwashed when it comes to Herman Cain. We can all agree he is an idiot.
cain, sarah and bachmann. what a group!
Cain was right.
David Dinkins, Marion Barry, and former black mayor from Detroit, Mich won by large numbers of African-Americans while they were popular like Obama.
Cain is really great like Jesse Jackson.
A Senator who supported the klan and was a member used the N word on national tv back in 200 and not a single Democrat every spoke a single word against him for it. Senator Byrd was a Democrat so his racism was welcomed by the party that started the klan and has only gotten worse since then.
A higher percentage of Repubicans voted for the Civil Rights Act than Democrats. What would Democrat do to minorities if they voted Republican? Wish them harm and death just as they do every American right of center today.
Evil or ignorant, there are only two reasons for being a Democrat.
Foolish man. You will never clinch the GOP nomination . You are a sell out.
Well we now have Cain and Clarance Thomas agreeing!! How would you like to have them as your neighbors??? Don't think you would go there to borrow a cup of sugar!!!! They are for NUMBER ONEl....themselves.
It's dah fluoride, I tells ya !!!
Bye Herman, thanks for the chuckle
Wow, nothing like the pot calling the kettle black! It's the Teabaggers who are brainwashed, no matter what color they are. Cain is using racism for his own personal gain. He's an idiot to think that all those "brainwashed" blacks won't see this for themselves.
Whoever gave Cain enough of a campaign contribution for him to buy himself a new tie must've asked for his money back because the freaking yellow tie is baaaaack!!!