Cain Endorses Gingrich for President January 28, 2012, 9:23 pm TAMPA - Herman Cain, who ended his presidential bid in early December, endorsed Newt Gingrich on Saturday night, three days before the crucial Florida primary. "I hereby officially and enthusiastically endorse Newt Gingrich for president of the United States," Mr. Cain declared in a surprise appearance with Mr. Gingrich at the Lincoln Day dinner of the West Palm Beach County Republican Party. Mr. Cain said he knew what the "sausage grinder" of the presidential campaign was all about and that Mr. Gingrich was going through it now. "I am inspired," Mr. Cain said. You are inspired. Mr. Gingrich has also received the endorsement of another former presidential candidate, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. It is not clear how much Mr. Cain's endorsement will help Mr. Gingrich, who is trailing Mitt Romney in the Florida polls. Mr. Gingrich, who suspended his campaign after reports that he had had a longtime affair, defended Mr. Gingrich earlier this month after CNN asked Mr. Gingrich at a debate about his former wife's assertion that they had had an open marriage. "I loved Newt Gingrich's response because that's the same crap that they pulled on me, and that's what's wrong with politics," Mr. Cain said. This is what's turning the American people off. What does something that happened 20 years ago relative to an ex-wife have to do with fixing America's problems today?