Hermain Cain Endorses Newt Gingrich

Will Herman Cain's endorsement help Newt Gingrich?

It will probably help as much as Rick Perry's endorsement.

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From the New York Times:

Despite signs that he could lose the important Florida primary on Tuesday, Newt Gingrich, who picked up the endorsement of a former opponent, Herman Cain, pledged Saturday to stay in the nominating race until the very end, telling reporters he would press on until the Republican convention in Tampa in August.

“I will go all the way to the convention,” Mr. Gingrich said after a rally at a golf course here. “I expect to win the nomination.”

Mr. Gingrich alluded to two national polls that he said showed him ahead, but it is the state polls that count, and in Florida they show him lagging 8 or 10 percentage points behind Mitt Romney.

Later, at a West Palm Beach County Republican dinner, Mr. Gingrich accepted the endorsement of Mr. Cain, the former business executive who ended his own presidential campaign in early December. Mr. Cain, sharing the stage with Mr. Gingrich, said he understood the “sausage grinder” of a presidential campaign and was inspired by Mr. Gingrich, who has been pilloried by many in his party who are worried that if he became the nominee, he would lose to President Obama in November.

Mr. Cain suspended his campaign after reports emerged of an extramarital affair, and it is not clear how much his endorsement would help Mr. Gingrich, who has also acknowledged extramarital affairs. But Mr. Cain’s plan for a 9 percent flat tax resonated with Tea Party supporters and other conservatives.

Gingrich vows to go all the way to the convention.

It makes sense that he'd say that now. Certainly, the goal is not to drop out of the race. Who knows what will happen down the road?

I don't think a spirited debate hurts Republicans.

What I don't like is the way Gingrich and Mitt Romney are ripping each other apart. They should focus on Obama.

Hillary Clinton and Obama engaged in a lengthy primary battle. It didn't hurt the Democrats in 2008.

I think Republicans should get a grip. The current climate of panic is premature.