Herman Cain Endorses Gingrich

Tea Party darling and onetime presidential frontrunner Herman Cain "officially and enthusiastically" endorsed Newt Gingrich for president last night, saying, “Speaker Gingrich is a patriot. Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas." Gingrich in turn thanked Cain, praised his 9-9-9 tax plan—or at least said it should be "part of the national conversation"—and called for Cain to be a co-chairman of a commission on “jobs, economic growth, and taxes,” reports CNN.

"I know what this sausage grinder is all about," said Cain, referring to the media butchering that comes with being frontrunner. "I know that he is going through this sausage grinder because he cares about the future of the United States of America." Cain joins a growing list of big names endorsing Gingrich, including Rick Perry, Fred Thompson, and many leaders from the Tea Party (as well as Sarah Palin's quasi-endorsement). On Jan. 20, Stephen Colbert held a rally supporting Cain, so will Colbert now get behind Gingrich? (More Herman Cain stories.)