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If running for president was like giving birth, Herman Cain won't be trying for another baby.
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“My biological clock is ticking,’’ Cain, 67, told TODAY’s Ann Curry Tuesday. “I don’t think I want to spend too much more of my biological clock running for president and being beat up.’’
That doesn’t mean the former Republican candidate, who bowed out of the race amid sexual harassment allegations, will not be involved in the process. The Atlanta businessman and former Godfather’s Pizza executive announced he'll endorse Newt Gingrich Saturday night.
Video: Cain: I would work for President Gingrich (on this page)He denied that Gingrich had lobbied him, or promised him a job, though he was offered a co-chair position on a commission to discuss tax reform and economic issues. He'll take it, he told Curry, but emphasized that it's not a job.
“(What) I call a job is when you get paid," Cain said. "He asked me to be a voice.’’
Cain made the endorsement, he said, because of Gingrich’s proposed tax reform and his support for less regulatory oversight in the energy industry.
“I looked at those and saw how close his tax plan came to my 999 plan, we talked, and then I decided to endorse him,’’ Cain said. “He didn’t make any promises, but he did say he would seriously consider moving more towards (my tax plan).’’
Video: Romney riding high ahead of Fla. primary (on this page)If Gingrich does not secure the Republican nomination, Cain will back whoever does.
“I have said whoever gets the nomination, I will support,’’ Cain said. “Yes, there’s going to be some competition amongst the candidates all the way up, but I am committed to support whoever gets the nomination.
“I could be very comfortable with Mitt Romney. If you look at Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich both, one has some negatives that are going to be attacked, the other has some negatives. The only difference is what negatives are going to be attacked by the Obama administration.’’
Story: Gingrich's baggage gives voters pause in panhandle
Gingrich has hammered Romney about his prior work at Bain Capital, painting him as a vulture picking apart companies and firing employees in the name of profits. Cain, too, made millions in private business.
“I don’t believe he betrayed the business world,’’ Cain said about Gingrich’s attacks. “I know (Gingrich) is business friendly. I know that he is pro-growth, and I do believe that he will be bold in making the necessary tax changes in order to boost this economy.’’
Despite the fact that his campaign ended amid rumors of infidelity and accusations of sexual harassment, Cain has no regrets about running for president.
Story: As primary war wages, Romney's support with independents dips
“One of the things that has come out of me running is elevating some of the discourse and helping to keep the public attention on the most critical domestic challenge we have — economic growth in general,’’ Cain said. “There were some things that I expected. There were some things that I didn’t expect. I didn’t expect that the gutter politics would get as bad as it did, and I made a decision — family first — and that’s why I bowed out, but I’m still going to stay involved in trying to help make the major changes.’’
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