PALM BEACH, Fla. — Businessman Herman Cain threw his support to Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich late Saturday.
Herman Cain sings during a rally hosted byTV host Stephen Colbert in Charleston earlier this month. (JASON REED - REUTERS) The move by the former GOP candidate and tea-party favorite comes three days before the Florida primary, at a moment when Gingrich is badly in need of something to rekindle the momentum he gained in the wake of his South Carolina primary victory.
Since then, polls have shown that he is losing ground against former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in this state, even as Gingrich has gained a lead in national surveys.
Cain is the latest in a series of popular conservative figures to back the former House speaker, while much of the GOP establishment is marshaling against him. Among Gingrich’s other recent supporters are former Alaska governor Sarah Palin; his onetime presidential rival, Texas Gov. Rick Perry; and former senator Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
Cain’s own presidential bid ended in November amid allegations of sexual harassment and marital infidelity.
