Cain: GOP race ‘more wide-open than ever’

CEDAR RAPIDS – With Newt Gingrich joining the race and Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump dropping out, Herman Cain says the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination is more wide-open than ever.

Although some observers say the conservative Georgia businessman stands to pick up the support of many Iowans who supported Huckabee in his surprising precinct caucus victory in 2008, Cain said in Cedar Rapids May 17 he's not taking that for granted.

“When you start to narrow the field, you can't necessarily predict that those supporters of a previously popular candidate are going to migrate to someone one else,” he said before speaking to about 200 people at a Linn County Republican Party fundraiser.

Cain does think that if caucus-going Republicans give him a look, they may like what they see.

“I believe that if people look at my social beliefs and my religious affiliation they will then be attracted to take a look at other issues,” he said.

Cain, who said this week's visit to the first-in-the-nation precinct caucus state was his 16

^th

of the 2012 election cycle, said he been warmly received.

“I've met a lot of people who are passionate about the future of this country just like I feel passionate about the future of this country,” Cain, 65, said. “We're building a very strong base of support that we are excited about.”

He doesn't think his race will be an issue and said President Barack Obama deserves “some credit” for opening the door for African American candidates.

“It's not talked about as much this time around because the novelty of being a darker hue or the novelty of being a female isn't as big of a news story as it might have been in 2008,” Cain said.

“I believe the big story in 2011 and 2012 is going to be not about color, not about gender, but about content of ideas and character,” he said.

Iowans, he believes, are looking at the “content of my ideas, my character and what I can bring to the table.”

He has his detractors, Cain conceded when asked about an Atlanta Journal Constitution columnist saying he cannot be considered a legitimate candidate. However, columnist Jay Bookman said Cain shouldn't be dismissed “because he is giving voice to the fears and resentment of millions of Americans who see this country and their place in it diminished by powers beyond their control.”

Cain downplayed that characterization.

“I'm not the angry black man. I'm not mad as hell,” said Cain, who prefers to label himself as an ABC - American Black Conservative.

If his critics look at his performance in straw polls and in the recent South Carolina GOP debate, “sooner or later they are going to come around and realize what a lot of the American people are realizing.

“I have the power of the people behind me when they hear Herman Cain and his message,” he said.

Answering the seemingly obligatory ethanol question, Cain said he has not criticized subsidies for ethanol and other fuels.

“I've criticized not having an effective energy independence plan,” he said.

Ethanol is one part of an energy plan.

“Let's be honest, ethanol is not going to save this country from its dependence on foreign oil,” Cain said. “I believe we need to take advantage of all the resources that we have and the Congressional Research Service has indicated we have plenty of resources, including ethanol. We need to look at all of it and put together a plan for energy independence.”

Cain is scheduled to be back in Iowa June 6 to present a lecture at 5 p.m. at the University of Iowa in the Iowa Memorial Union ballroom, 125 N. Madison St., Iowa City.

For more on Cain, visit

www.hermancain.com.