Herman Cain |
NEW YORK – Atlanta businessman Herman Cain, fresh off an upset victory in the Florida straw poll, met a high-powered group of GOP politicos and businessmen in New York City Monday evening, where the candidate hinted his drive for the White House may not stop even if he fails to secure the Republican nomination.
The details of Cain's 15-minute presentation to 500 or more movers and shakers in the Big Apple were considered "off the record," but WND can report that after the presentation, Cain received a standing ovation from the assembled crowd.
Afterwards, Cain took a few moments to speak with WND on a variety of topics ranging from recent controversies to possibly accepting the vice presidential spot on a Republican ticket.
Cain drew parallels to former President George H.W. Bush, who in 1980 lost the nomination to Ronald Reagan but signed on to become his vice president:
"If it is the right nominee, someone that I can respect and that I believe I can work with," Cain said of accepting the vice presidential nomination, "then I would obviously seriously consider it."
The candidate refused to retract his recent criticism of Texas Gov. Rick Perry over a racial profanity found on property the Perry family often used, but he also dismissed the ensuing controversy:
"I made a statement and I stand by it," Cain said. "However long that was on that rock was insensitive. I am done with that issue. I am not going to go back and dig it up. I don't believe that the 'N' word on that rock represents in any way how Governor Perry feels about black people. I am not going to fan that flame because I don't believe there is any fire."
Cain admitted that his surprising showing in the recent Florida straw poll has changed the GOP political landscape, at least for now:
"We knew we were going to do well in Florida, but we didn't know how well," Cain told WND. "But because we did so well with that margin of victory, it moved us up to another level in a big way. … It has dramatically impacted our fundraising in a positive sense."
With more than 13 months to go before election day, could the Cain campaign peak too early?
"No, thanks to Florida, which moved up its primary date, it is going to turn a four-month campaign period into a three-month period," Cain reasoned. "So, I would have to think that I am not peaking too soon. ... I am not in first place, just in the top tier."
Asked about the recent Wall Street demonstrations, Cain admits it has confused him:
"First of all I don't know what their demands are. Secondly, I don't what their mission is. And, thirdly, what they are protesting?" Cain asked. "The American people aren't really clear what they are protesting about. ... So, I really don't understand it myself at this point because I don't know what their mission is."
Cain also rejected concerns about the "legal propriety" surrounding the recent killing of al-Qaida leader Anwar al-Awlaki, who was an American citizen:
"If you had a convicted murder in this country who escaped from prison, the fact that he was an American citizen and escaped from prison, would you not shoot him?" Cain asked.