CPAC: Herman Cain says he dropped out to "put family first"

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Campaign 2012

(Credit: J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON - Businessman Herman Cain on Thursday said his decision to drop out of the race for the Republican nomination came down to two factors: "Gutter politics" and the fact that "I chose to put family first."

Cain made the comments to a sympathetic audience at CPAC, the four-day Conservative Political Action Conference that every year brings thousands of conservatives to Washington.

The former Godfather's Pizza CEO dropped his presidential bid in December after support dried up in the wake of accusations from a string of women that he had engaged in sexual impropriety. The former candidate has tried to remain engaged in the presidential race, endorsing Newt Gingrich and pushing his "9-9-9" tax plan.

Cain said Thursday he's building an "Army of Davids" to take on the Goliath of the Washington establishment. With that in mind, Cain said he's endorsing Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher for Congress in Ohio's 9th district. Wurzelbacher would face either liberal stalwart Rep. Dennis Kucinich or Rep. Marcy Kaptur in the general election.

"Some of us choose to get off the sidelines," Cain said of both Wurzelbacher and himself. "Yes, he's going to get attacked. Yes, they're going to try to do the same thing to him they did to me. But more of us have go to take that challenge."

Cain told his audience that Americans "are fed up again of the abuse and arrogance" of the Obama administration.

"We need another revolution in this country, but it won't be bombs and bullets, not this time," he said. "It'll be brains and ballots. We must outsmart the liberals. We must outsmart the stupid people tyring to ruin America."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by rayward73446 February 10, 2012 2:46 PM EST

Cain has lost all credibility and is now shamelessly campaigning for a cabinet job.. if a repub gets elected.
He shold not even be appointed as dog catcher.
If he is truely acting to protect his family why does he stump for a political job?

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by Here_in_GA February 10, 2012 4:53 PM EST: so, how much credibility do think bill Clinton has or JFK or Ted Kennedy had?


by Here_in_GA February 10, 2012 1:04 PM EST: Cain may have used poor judgement with some of these women, but who knows the truth at this point, it is just he said she said. Now, how many of you hypocrites writing against Cain were/are Kennedy (john and or Ted) or Clinton supporters. At least all of the women are alive to make their claims, and no 18 year old interns. Also, I did not hear rape allegations or allegations of him exposing himself as were made against Clinton.; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant February 10, 2012 6:27 AM EST: How sad to see an individual spout absolutely transparant lies....; Reply to this comment


by Riverjump February 10, 2012 6:16 AM EST: And you can say that with a straight face? Like it is said, "tell a lie enough times..."; Reply to this comment


by dzaffina February 10, 2012 1:16 AM EST: hehehehahaha, good one hermie; Reply to this comment


by ProgressNow February 9, 2012 9:47 PM EST: "put family first"...that would be the first time he's put family first. What a cad!; Reply to this comment


by Lindag10 February 9, 2012 8:06 PM EST: More likely the "little woman" told him she was tired of being embarrassed on national TV and there would be consequences (divorce) if he didn't drop out.; Reply to this comment