WASHINGTON — Former Godfathers Pizza CEO Herman Cain has a rosy recollection of his run for president in 2012.
“Why did I run for president of the United States?” Cain said during a speech to college students Wednesday afternoon. “I believed that I could win, and damn near did!”
Speaking at the Young America’s Foundation 36th Annual National Conservative Student Conference, Cain quickly added to laughter: “Y’all will have to edit out ‘damn near’ because my pastor wouldn’t like that.”
Cain, who gained fame during the contest for his 9-9-9 tax plan and memorable debate performances, dropped out of the Republican race for president in 2011 shortly before the Iowa caucuses.
But before he withdrew from the race, Cain actually led the field of Republican contenders and had polled higher than President Obama in a head-to-head matchup.
During his remarks, Cain also touched on a variety of other political issues, calling for conservatives to better articulate their message. “The Republican Party has lost it’s cool, and it’s swagger,” he said.