Cain says he 'would not be comfortable' as Perry running mate

Republican presidential candidate businessman Herman Cain shakes hands with a family during a book signing Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

/ Chris O'Meara

HOUSTON -- Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said Thursday that he would definitely consider an invitation to run as the eventual nominee's vice president, except if the nominee turns out to be Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Cain, who rocketed to the top tier of the GOP field in several recent polls, was asked by reporters on the campaign trail for his thoughts on a hypothetical invitation to run as the eventual nominee's No. 2. After offering the obligatory comment that he intends to be the nominee, Cain said, "Quite frankly, based upon Gov. Perry's position on some issues, I would not be comfortable being his vice presidential nominee."

Those issues include Perry's moderate stances on immigration. As governor, Perry supported legislation offering in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, which has become a flash point in his campaign. Cain said, "Issues relative to being soft on the border, issues relative to the whole, you know, tuition for children of illegal aliens. And I haven't totally gone through all of his positions, but a lot of positions I have questions with."

Cain, who is black, was critical of Perry after the Washington Post reported Sunday that his family owned a Texas hunting camp once known as "Niggerhead," a word that was also painted on a rock near the camp's entrance. Perry has maintained that his father painted over the word as soon as he bought the property in the 1980s. And Cain subsequently said he believed Perry's explanation.

Of a vice presidential slot in general, Cain said, "I would not say no to being vice president of the United States. But it would depend upon who got the nomination. I will support who gets the nomination. I know I have said that there are some people right now who I cannot support, but I wouldn't say no to it. I could say yes. But it has to be someone who I believe I can complement them in their job by being able to bring my skills to the table."

[Vexin12]

Perry's stance on illegal immigration is not "moderate" as you say.
It is far left. It favors foreigners over American citizens.

[Lindag10]

Hanging around a gun toting red neck is a bad idea for ANYONE, let alone a Black man.

[6591Hou]

"Cain says he 'would not be comfortable' as Perry running mate"...that's okay, I wouldn't be comfortable with Perry as President either.

[euge005]

Since Perry is obviously a red neck racist, how would anyone want to be his runing mate, let alone a person of color? Were he to buy the GOP nomination (which is how it works these days), he will be like McCain and find no one of any prominance will be his second fiddle. They will pull strident back bencher (and most likely another racist Perry feels safe around) out of no where like Palin and try to talk the person up into a contender.

[MTATL67]

With Texas $27B debt to every shady thing Perry is involved in from $294K bill for security for personal family vacations (Anita alone on many of them) to millions given out to campaign contributors from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund and money made from Horseshoe bay. I would not want to be his running mate either.

[renonv5]

neither one of them have to worry about it.

[stn_sage]

That's OK! Because I doubt Perry would want Cain as his VP!