Political Hotsheet
By

Lindsey Boerma /

CBS News/ May 16, 2012, 3:35 PM

Herman Cain finally endorses Romney

Memorable moments from the campaign trail

(CBS News) Acknowledging his endorsement has "evolved" since backing "the American people" and then later Newt Gingrich in the GOP presidential race, Herman Cain on Wednesday formally threw his support behind presumptive nominee Mitt Romney.

The former pizza chain magnate said he will be traveling as a surrogate for Romney -- something he said he's already been doing for weeks but not making "a big deal out of it."

Standing with Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, and former candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C. following a tea party panel, Cain acknowledged some differences between himself and the former Massachusetts governor, but insisted he's been "consistent throughout my participation in the process ... that I would endorse the ultimate nominee."

"In the words of my grandfather, what Gov. Romney did in Massachusetts, 'I does not care,'" Cain said when questioned about Romney's more liberal platforms as governor.

Cain told CBS News/National Journal after the news conference that he spoke with Romney a few weeks ago, but confirmed the endorsement with his chief of staff earlier Wednesday "to make sure that the governor knew about it so he wouldn't see it on the news first."

He added that when he spoke with Romney, "I said, `Governor, I'm not looking for anything'" - including a possible VP offer.

"If Gov. Romney were to make the decision that he wanted me to serve in this capacity, because of call to duty I would have to consider it," Cain said, adding that there is "a 99.9 percent chance" he will not run for governor of Georgia down the road, as some have speculated.

"Speculation about me running for another public office right now is totally a figment of somebody's imagination," he said.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
6 Comments Add a Comment
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jmn122736 says:
The greatest enjoyment I can imagine about President Obama being re-elected is that the obvious racist/bigots commenting here will have to chew and swallow that fact for another 4 years.
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hypnotoad72 says:
Who?

I see no one there.

I see a puppet, however...

Cain may as well go back to eating walnut ice cream or make it himself instead of his whining over it when the company that made it stopped doing so... worse, he pined over that while telling American workers they were lazy and every other insult in the book...
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irreverentasever says:
Cain a surrogate for Romney? That means he's carrying his corporate baby? He got "Bain"ed with all four on the floor!
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nohater says:
cain is like a bad cold, you can't get rid of it. he needs to park his ego and stay out of politics.
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Zann-Zel says:
"I does not care"
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And his endorsement matters how???

This is gettin better everyday first the kiss of death from Bush and now Cain! Have we heard from Palin yet?? ; )
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karlejohn says:
Mr Cain. Mr West. They will have a job right up till November 2012. Taking about the Democrats. Where I come from we call them both uncle toms.
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