Herman Cain Forms Exploratory Committee For 2012 Presidential Run

As if in answer to James Joyner’s post from earlier today, we have the first hat being thrown in the ring:

Washington (CNN) – Many people may have never heard of his name. And yet, he’s considering running to become the leader of the free world.

(…)

Cain talked to CNN about his presidential intentions. One challenge Cain will face is having virtually no name recognition, especially should he face other potential presidential candidates in a GOP primary. Some political observers have wondered if Cain has any chance of winning.

Cain told CNN: “People who say that Herman Cain has no chance of winning the nomination for the Republican Party or win the in presidency – I simply say thank you. Because all my life I have been in situations where I wasn’t supposed to become VP of Pillsbury, I wasn’t supposed to be able to turn Godfather’s Pizza around. I wasn’t supposed to succeed in climbing the corporate ladder in corporate America. So to the people who say I don’t have a chance I say, thank you. Because that inspires me.”

Who, you might ask, is Herman Cain? I know did. Well here’s some detail:

Herman Cain (born December 13, 1945) is an American newspaper columnist, businessman, politician, and radio talk-show host from Georgia. He is best known as the former chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza. Cain’s newspaper column is distributed by North Star Writers Group. He currently lives in the Atlanta suburbs.

(…)

In 2004, Cain ran for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, pursuing the seat which came open with the retirement of Democrat Zell Miller. Cain sought the Republican nomination, facing Congressmen Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins in the primary. Cain and Collins both hoped to deny Isakson a majority on primary day in order to force him into a runoff. Collins tried to paint Cain as a moderate, citing Cain’s support for affirmative action programs, while Cain argued that he was a true conservative, noting that he opposed the legality of abortion even in cases of rape and incest.[6] Cain finished second in the primary with 26.2% of the vote, ahead of Collins who won 20.6%, but because Isakson was able to win 53.2% of the vote, Isakson was able to avoid a runoff against Cain.

Cain is not going to win the nomination, but he’ll grab some attention, and his ease in front of a camera is likely to work to his benefit.

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, US Politics, , , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. Nancy Kolston says:

    That’s my guy. Herman Cain until the end.

  2. Jack says:

    He has an unfortunate last name from two standpoints, both biblical and classic literature (namely the story of Cain and Abel along with the novel/film The Caine Mutiny).

    Not that it should matter, but we do live in an image-driven society.

  3. James Joyner says:

    He’s this year’s Mike Gravel!

  4. mantis says:

    Oh good, another gold fetishist in the Republican mix. Can’t have enough of those!

  5. PD Shaw says:

    Once again OTB reveals it’s deep-held prejudice against Herman Cain with a dismissive post about him; I can’t begin to count the number of anti Herman Cain posts here. Literally.

  6. mantis says:

    I can’t begin to count the number of anti Herman Cain posts here. Literally.

    Only two posts on this site mention Herman Cain. Ever. You can’t count to two?

  7. Ernieyeball says:

    It’s about time one of these radio gas bags ran for president. Maybe Brush Lintoff will be his VP!

  8. Michael says:

    Only two posts on this site mention Herman Cain. Ever. You can’t count to two?

    Time to take the sarcasm detector into the shop, mantis, it appears to be broken.

  9. PD Shaw says:

    I thought I was being funny, but after I entered “post comment” I knew I was wrong.

    Apologies to all.

  10. mantis says:

    D’oh. I get it now. Sorry for being dense.