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Subscribe to RSSOn a conference call this morning with more than 100 staffers and supporters, Herman Cain said that he will not endorse another Republican presidential candidate today, and that he has no plans to back anyone anytime soon.
"I am not endorsing anybody today or in the very immediate future," he said. "I can't say I won't endorse, but not in the immediate timeframe."
But Cain added that he would eventually endorse. "It's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. I have a process in mind that I'm going to go through in order to determine who I could possibly endorsement... It won't happen today. Most likely, it won't happen this week. They can calm down about that expectation."
Today's conference call -- to which NBC News listened after being tipped off by a source close to the campaign -- was the first time Cain addressed his full campaign team since the announcement on Saturday that he would suspend his campaign. The ex-Godfather's Pizza CEO was energetic and nostalgic throughout the call, and he remained defiant that the allegations against him (extramarital affair, sexual harassment) were all false. He described the "unrelenting" personal pain that the campaign had had on him and his family.
Cain also went into more detail about his much-anticipated talk with his wife on Friday evening, telling supporters that they arrived at the decision to leave the race together.
"The pain endured by my wife and my family was unrelenting," Cain said of the past few months on the campaign trail.
"My wife and I talked on Friday at home. It was honest and open; it was a great conversation. What went on in the conversation, that's between my wife and me. I was at peace with her and she was at peace with me. The sooner the media stopped spinning this crap ... the better."
But the candidate who has been criticized for running to sell books -- not win the presidency -- is not looking to shy from the spotlight.
"You will be hearing about my next plans," he said chuckling. "I am probably going to do another book. So what! I don't know what my plans are relatively to radio and TV, but remember I did radio and TV before running for office," he said.
Cain's plans for the next chapter of his career were quickly followed by an attempt to directly address accusations that he sought to promote his recently-published book while campaigning, or perhaps host a cable news television show in the future.
"That is not my motivation," he said. "I did not choose to run for the president of the United States to advance my own self.
Cain also used the call to ease his staffer's minds in the wake of them finding out just days ago that they had lost their jobs. Financially, he said his campaign aims to pay his staff through the end of December, "so you can at least have a Merry Christmas and not worry about whether not you're going to have a paycheck," he said. "I didn't want you to worry about what you were going to do over the holidays."
As Cain concluded his thoughts, he left his staff with a few reflections rife with nostalgia and self-congratulation.
"We went from 21% name ID to 99.9% name I.D., if you catch my drift" he said.
Cain relished the frequency of GOP debates, and credited them as the reason for his one-time surge in the polls. "I believe the debates propelled my candidacy and gave me a chance and people to get to know Herman Cain," he said. "That is historic for a non-politician. On the other hand, what it says is, 'How long is it going to be before the next non-politcian to do what I did, what happened to me?' This is just an open question. I think America is going to decide and make a choice at some point."
But, above all, Cain wanted his supporters to know that he did not run for president to advance his personal brand.
"If you look at the whole situation going back to where I started, I did not want to be president just for sake of being president. I wanted to be president so we can change from the inside," he said.
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Who cares?
I thought we were done with this clown Saturday?
*shakes head*
Hermie was criss-crossing the country playing hide the salami & NOW he wants to pin it on his wife?
WTF???
"I am affraid of if I do ee-yit (endorse someone), they weel become deterred."
I care more what a jar of relish thinks, than who Herman Cain endorses.
Cain's endorsement is currently on eBay and it will be given to the highest bidder. Gingrich is in for about $3.25 but rumors suggest Romney may up the bid to around $5.00! Stay tuned!
The "pain endured by my wife and my family was unrelenting". Now, whose fault was it that "pain" was inflicted on his wife and family? Geez, this guy is tiresome blaming everyone and not accepting personal responsibility. If Cain hadn't been skirt hopping, there would not have been any pain for his wife and family.
DBO -- What's with Cain and emphasis on "ee-it?" I noticed that too and wondered if odd syntax (Sarah Palin, also), exaggerated drawls (Rick Perry), and use if "ee-it" is part of brain damage suffered by conservative candidates.
Amy B. -- The other candidates are hoping Cain will not give them the kiss of death.
Jody -- That "individual responsibility" thing is right-wing lip service along with "exceptionalism," "family values," etc. Teapublicans need to jettison their failed platform of legislating morality, voodoo economics, and war profiteering, and find a new and truly "commonsense" platform if they hope to survive as a Party.
A bid was received for $9.99, but was immediately put on hold, until they could decode what Michelle Bawkman meant when she offered a bid at "a buck-three-eighty'.
He's just a jumble of mixed messages.
First, he announces his campaign suspension at the grand opening of a new campaign office. Why... what was he thinking with that one?
Now, he won't endorse anyone but that will happen eventually. So... he's not really suspending his campaign. He's ending it. If he plans to endorse a candidate, that means he's not planning to unsuspend the campaign... I think, anyway.
The Grinch and Cain have the same kind of moral values. Maybe he will endorse Newt. Of course, he is just waiting to see who the winner is and endorse that candidate.
Hey!
Here's an idea, maybe Hermie is holding out on endorsing Gingrich until Newt sends Calista over for a 'job interview'...
Well, Hermie does like blondes.............
Hermie likes anything with a set of (*) (*) and a heartbeat! ;o)
Come on Herman, endorse Bachman. She was batchitcrazy when batchitcrazy wasn't cool and is the only candidate you would consider playing hide the salami with.
I agree with you Feisty......WHO CARES!!!!!!
Wonder if we will read, a few months from now that Mrs. Hermie has seperated from the pizza man? She doesn't really give the appearance of being his biggest supporter.
phinephancy-
He'll just give her his checkbook. The money will keep her there.
Who in their right (pun intended) mind would want his endorsement? He is toxic.
Just leave Hermie, just leave...please.
Cain is so delusional he's probably holding out for a VP pick. Gingrich/Cain, I can see it now, in their first term they will propose the following:
1) The White House budget will now include an account at Tiffany's and a large cash fund for when they travel alone and not per the official schedule -- Secret Service code word "Berlusconi."
2) All cabinet positions will be sold to the highest bidder, and any government contracts or White House proposed bills will also go to those paying the most in kick-backs and other valuable assets.
3) All Americans with incomes of a million or more and their affiliated businesses will be tax exempt. It will be the 90-90-9 plan, with incomes below one million paying 90% income tax, a 90% sales tax, and a 9% tax paid by businesses with lots of loopholes so the businesses won't actually pay any tax. The only write-off for citizens is if they purchase a book or DVD from the White House.
4) Child support, prostitution, and other laws will be ended along with labor laws and regulations too long to list here. Most importantly term limitations for the president will be ended (along with habeas corpus, etc.).
5) Preemptive, unilateral strikes will be made by order of the White House alone. And it will be illegal to ask the VP foreign policy questions--really any questions.
Well there it is folks. The beginning of a new GOP platform. No mention of religion, yes, I know...
Herman who?
The latest reports indicate Romney is going to pay Cain to give his endorsement to Gingrich. Newt is tendering a counter-offer for Cain to give it to Mitt. Paul isn't available for comment because he changed his phone number until this matter blows over.
In other developments, Bachmann is threatening to give her endorsement to Perry and Perry is still looking in the dictionary to find out what "endorsement" means.
Further updates will be reported as events unfold.
Cain didn't endorse anyone?
Whew. How do you spell relief?
I’ll miss Herman Cain, because he taught us that 9+9+9 equals zero and because it’s not very often we get to witness a wealthy womanizer publicly transform himself into a rodeo clown.
Seriously now, who really wants his endorsement?
Oh, wait...I forgot who we are dealing with here....
Maybe The Newt wants his endorsement.
Being like-minded with all those family values!
Endorse the president Hermy! He is the only viable choice.
Cain's one of the few candidates whose infidelities made more public appearances than his spouse!
Don't be fooled! He's actually preparing to endorse the Jigglypuff / Squirtle ticket!
Pokemon 2012 - "Gotta Catch 'Em All!"
Ok, Noid, that cracked me up!!
Sign me up for Pokemon 2012.
I hope he goes to work for Fox News. He will be a constant reminder of what Republicans stand for. Anyone he endorses would be like anyone Trump or Cheney endorses. It is the ultimate "kiss of death".
"... you catch my drift" ... I have some graft to catch up on.
Considering that Newt has said as many dumb and totally offensive things during this campaign, I'd say the two bases of support are a perfect match. Cain has always been a sort of stealth anti-Romney candidate, so there was little question that,, with or without an official endorsement, his supporters would end up flocking to Gingrich. The bottom line is that Newt has become the Republican frontrunner and it is his primary race to lose. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
He is obviously waiting to see what he can get in return, and from who, before going public with an endorsement. Newton was expecting it, but not having Cain's approval won't hurt him at all in the short run, and many Cain supporters have already switched to him anyway...
Cain is a smart business man. He's waiting to see who offers him the best deal for his endorsement.
The "New" Newt....Cain. "OK, all you fools, line up and buy my books and give me all of your money!" There! I said it.
So when will the serial adulterer give his endorsement to the serial adulterer/divorcee? And when will they do a joint statement on Family Values?
And what day is the carnival huckster who might still run if the candidates don't look good to him hosting their next debate?
No wonder they call it a party, it's run like they're all a bunch of drunks.
Everyone wave good bye to "Crazy Cain." It does not matter anymore what he does or does not do. It is time to say good bye to the GOP Lobbyist Clowns America!
Cain can endorse Trump! What a joke! Oh! That line was taken already this morning to describe the Tea-Baggers/Republican field!
Say- what are all these akka-zations I bin endorsin' Christine O'Donnell?
Ah did not do ee-yit.
Ah din't.
c'mon Herman, Newt doesn't care if your a serial adulterer.
In Newts eyes, your in his club already.
The agony of defeat... It will leave you scratching your head wondering what you should do. Hey cain, the barking want-a-be buchmann said she took your voters already...
I wouldn't be surprised if other GOP candidates told Hermie they don't want his endorsement. They do, after all, want to WIN the nomination and with Hermie's endorsement they are going to either lose or have a much toughter time trying to win.
Here's some tax cuts for you.
OK, you gotta die of something right. I think that was a Marlboro ad. Well let's be Patriotic about it. Its obvious that most of us are not going to join the Military and fight the Terrorists but we can put some skin in the game (actually your skin is already in the game but you are too dumb to know it), get the Government out of some of OUR LIFE, Reduce Taxes by getting rid of the TSA and HomeLand Security and Repeal the Patriot Act just by doing one little thing. LET THE DAMN TERRORIST ALONE. As far as I can tell we have spent TRILLIONS of DOLLARS trying to get rid of these guys and the odds of being killed are still 1 in 5,000,000,000 against you. Some @!$%# is gonna get ya. Call him a Terrorist, call him an Enemy, call him your NEIGHBOR, call him or her anything you want but the fact is, you, nor the Government nor GOD can STOP HIM. SO WHY KEEP PAYING FOR IT.