WASHINGTON — Herman Cain still has a long, long, long way to run.
Despite topping recent polls in the Republican presidential race, Cain faces a lot of hard work to become truly competitive.
In New Hampshire, which holds the nation’s first primary election and could set the date as early as December, Cain barely has his feet on the ground.
The Cain campaign has just one paid worker, Field Operations Director Charlie Spano, a retired teacher from Pennsylvania.
Spano told The Post he has lined up between 20 and 40 campaign volunteers statewide.
By comparison, Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s office in New Hampshire boasts a state chairman, a political consultant and several regional field directors.
The Perry campaign, which has only been in operation for two months, also has organized a state steering committee of 26 Republican leaders representing all 10 New Hampshire counties.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has an even larger operation.
Still, Spano is undaunted. He insists the Cain campaign is just starting to catch fire.
“People are calling us constantly, and more and more volunteers are signing up,” he said, adding that he hoped The Post would mention that the campaign office’s telephone number is (603) 935-5492.
“We’re getting e-mails, telephone calls [and] offers of donations,” Spano said. “It’s very heartening to see the Herman Cain campaign resonating with people.”
Even as Cain looks to harness his new momentum, he is facing fierce scrutiny from his Republican rivals and the media.
Cain became the frontrunner because of the mass-market appeal of his simplistic 9-9-9 tax plan, which would replace the entire US tax code with a 9 percent income tax, 9 percent corporate tax and 9 percent national sales tax.