Will Herman Cain become the GOP's 'kingmaker'?

Cain's campaign is over, but his supporters could still potentially tip the balance in a close GOP race

Herman Cain
(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Herman Cain ended his presidential run on Saturday, citing the damage inflicted on him by "false and untrue" allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity. By Sunday, most of Cain's former rivals were scrambling for his supporters — or, in Rep. Michele Bachmann's case, already claiming many of them as her own. Cain, who says he'll continue to push his 9-9-9 tax plan, intends to endorse one of the GOP candidates soon — reportedly, Cain might throw his support behind Newt Gingrich as early as Monday afternoon. Will a nod from the scandal-tainted Cain really influence the GOP race?

Yes. Cain wields a lot of power: It's clear from his defiant exit speech that Cain "wants to stay in the spotlight," says Dan Farber at CBS News. And this Plan B, pushing his supporters toward a preferred candidate, is a pretty good way to "make lemonade out of lemons." After all, "if he can't continue his run for president, at least he can play the role of a kingmaker."

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