2012 presidential campaign[edit]
Main article: Herman Cain presidential campaign, 2012
Cain speaking at the Ames Straw Poll in August 2011.
In 2010, "Cain addressed more than 40 Tea Party rallies, hit all the early presidential states, and became a YouTube sensation."[8] On September 24, 2010, Cain announced that he was considering a run for president in 2012 on the Republican Party ticket.[62] In December, Cain was the "surprise choice" for 2012 GOP nominee in a RedState.com reader poll.[8] Cain announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee on January 12, 2011,[63][64] and officially announced his candidacy on May 21 in Atlanta.[65]
Straw poll victories[edit]
A popular speaker, Cain's addresses to conservative groups were well received,[66][67] and in late September and early October 2011, Cain won the straw polls of the Florida Republican Party, TeaCon, and the National Federation of Republican Women's Convention.[68][69] "My focus groups have consistently picked Herman Cain as the most likeable candidate in the debates," says GOP pollster Frank Luntz. "Don't underestimate the power of likability, even in a Republican primary. The more likeable the candidate, the greater the electoral potential."[68][70]