Politics

Herman Cain tells Colbert audience not to vote for him

David Martosko Executive Editor
Font Size:

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Don’t waste your vote on me.

That was the message from former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain during a Friday afternoon rally at the College of Charleston with comedian Stephen Colbert.

The former Godfather’s Pizza CEO, who dropped out of the presidential race last year, was forced to tell thousands of students who showed up to see him and Colbert not to vote for him even though the comedian is telling them to do just that.

“Now, Stephen Colbert asked you to vote for Herman Cain,” Cain said, wearing his trademark hat. “I am going to ask you to not vote for Herman Cain.”

The crowd booed.

“And here’s why: I don’t’ want you to waste your vote.”

Despite Cain dropping out of the presidential race in December, his name will still be on the ballot in the Palmetto State when voters go to the polls Saturday.

Cain said the event was held because Colbert could not get on the ballot, and he could not get off.

Both Colbert and Cain arrived at the afternoon campus rally in Cain’s bus to roaring applause.

With a marching band leading the way, the duo processed into the outside event to a stage with a banner showing their faces and text that read, “Vote Cain.”

Colbert told the crowd that he wanted them to vote for Cain because “Herman Cain is me.”

And he cracked a few jokes at the expense of the candidates still in the race.

“The only difference between Mitt Romney and a statue of Mitt Romney is that the statue of Mitt Romney never changes positions,” he said.

Follow Alex on Twitter