Herman Cain, a pizza magnate seen as a minor candidate in a crowded field for the GOP nomination, scored an upset victory Saturday in the Republican Party of Florida’s Presidency 5 straw poll, raising questions about the standing of the two front-runners and the bellwether status of the fundraising event.
Cain easily won the straw poll with 37.1 percent of the 2,657 ballots cast. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, viewed as the favorite in the event after riding to the top of opinion polls, came in second with 15.4 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the nationwide favorite before Perry entered the race, took 14 percent of the ballots.
After those three were former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 10.9 percent; U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, 10.4 percent; former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 8.4 percent; former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, 2.3 percent; and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, 1.5 percent.
In a video message to his supporters, Cain reveled in the win.
“Folks, this is what you call momentum. … The Herman Cain train is picking up steam,” he said.
The Perry campaign tried to distance itself from the notion that the loss had hurt the Texas governor’s chances of securing Florida and the nomination in the primary fight, pointing out that Perry had been in the race for less than two months.
“This is a devastating loss for Mitt Romney,” press secretary Mark Miner said. “He’s been running for president for over five years, and he came in third today.”
But Romney had long ago announced he would bypass direct competition in the straw poll event, and was one of three GOP candidates — along with Bachmann and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who was not on the ballot — who didn’t either present a case to the GOP delegates or send a surrogate to do so for him.
Perry, on the other hand, did contest the event, with surrogates including Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon taking to the stage to defend him. And Perry had been pummeled in the press and by conservative pundits for his performance in Friday night’s presidential debate and a remark suggesting those who opposed one of his more moderate policies on immigration were heartless.
Even some of Perry’s supporters at the straw poll said those debate snags might have hurt his showing.
“I think he’s going to have to go back and talk a little more about the immigration issue,” said Marion County GOP Chairman Roy Abshier, a Perry backer.
Matt McCary, an Orange Park resident, said Cain had won his support during the straw poll and the primary itself with his showing this weekend.
“The first time I heard Herman Cain speak, that did it for me,” he said.
Cain’s final, fiery speech, shortly before delegates headed to vote, clearly electrified the crowd.
He drew repeated standing ovations by drawing on the Declaration of Independence — at one point telling delegates, “We’ve got some altering and abolishing to do” — and Ronald Reagan’s famously optimistic description of America.
“Let’s push that shining city on a hill back up to the top of the hill,” he said.
It’s unclear whether Cain can transfer the energy of the victory to the ballot box in the state’s yet-to-be-scheduled GOP primary. The former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and cancer survivor’s only prior run for office was a bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. He finished a distant second to then-Congressman Johnny Isakson in the Republican primary, though he beat out another incumbent congressman in that race.
Bachmann, after all, won the Iowa Straw Poll last month before her last-place showing Saturday.
But party leaders have pushed for weeks the notion that the Florida event often predicts the winner of the nomination. Reagan won the event in 1979, followed by George H.W. Bush in 1987 and Bob Dole in 1995.
“As Florida goes, so goes the nation. And as you go, so goes Florida,” Gov. Rick Scott said Saturday, before the results were announced.
Cain’s upstart bid could put that theory to the test.
–Brandon Larrabee, News Service of Florida
Outsider says
It seems Flagler Live is just as interested in labeling Cain as the “pizza guy” as is the rest of the liberal media, clearly ignoring his history of turning around failing companies and his election to Chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Board.
Brittney says
I have like Cain before the debates, what got my attention is back when Clinton was in office he confronted him at a town hall meeting about healthcare…… He made Clinton stubble and has the SAME BELIEFS today…. which shows me he is a man that sticks with something NOT just another politican wanting my vote!! As far as Flager Live……. they are basically like watching MSNBC…. little followers and jump on the band wagon media frenzies, LMAO
WL says
Well said outsider,
Rocky Mac says
I did not listen to the debate. So please tell me what suggestions Cain has for our country or did he just bash, with no substance, like the other candidates. Thank you.
Jack says
I thought his 999 plan was a pizza deal. What a joke!
elaygee says
Mr. Cain headed the Godfather Pizza company at a time when it lost multi millions every single year he was in charge. He “retired” and was replaced by people who turned it into a profitable business. Another loser Teabagger who claims to be a success.
Anonymous says
YES seriously Herman Cain!!!!
jenny hack says
For the record, Herman Cain took God Fathers Pizza out of bankruptcey in 14 months. We should give credit where credit is do.
Jack says
@ Jenny Hack: Contrary to your statement it appears Cain wasn’t as savvy a business man you give him credit for follow the link http://www.businessinsider.com/is-herman-cain-really-such-a-great-businessman-after-all-2011-6
Nick D says
Liberals and the left leaning media will bash him as much as they can; why? If he ends up the GOP’s candidate for President they will not be able to use racism as a campaign strategy.
Flagler Citizen says
Each time I read any story on this website dealing with politics, I am immediately reminded of the extreme left leaning attitude taken by the author(s). This is also reiterated when watching the majority of the “news” shows on TV today. I was particularly reminded of the division in this country last week when the actor, Morgan Freeman, was on one of the CNN evening shows. He of course decided to play the “race card” in saying how the main reason that the “Tea Party” wanted to get Obama out of the White Hose was because of the “racist”, his words, philosophy of the Tea Party. Unfortunately, the CNN anchor did not ask Mr. Freeman the question “That if the Tea Party had such a racist philosophy, why are so many of them supporting Mr. Cain?”