WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain endorsed Newt Gingrich for the GOP nomination at a dinner in Florida on Saturday night.
“I hereby officially and enthusiastically endorse Newt Gingrich,” Cain announced. “There are several reasons as to why I have reached this public decision. One of the biggest reasons is the fact that I know Speaker Gingrich is a patriot, Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas.”
Referring to the grueling nature of the campaign trail, Cain said Gingrich was “going through the sausage grinder because he cares.”
“I am inspired, you are inspired and Speaker Gingrich is inspired,” he said. “It’s not about us, it’s about the grandkids.”
He added, “It was the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke who reminded us the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.
“We are going to do something and we are going to elect Newt Gingrich as the next president of the United States,” he declared to cheers and applause.
Cain suspended his presidential campaign in early December amid allegations of sexual harassment and an extra-marital affair.
After the businessman suspended his campaign, reports indicated he was poised to back Gingrich, but Cain’s representatives knocked down those rumors at the time.
The endorsement Saturday night follows Cain’s announcement before the Jan. 21 South Carolina primary — won comfortably by the former House speaker — that he was endorsing “the people” in the race for the White House.
“My unconventional endorsement is the people. We the people of this nation are still in charge,” he declared at the time.