Cain Says Blacks Are Over That “First African-American President” Thing

First African-American president? That’s so 2009, at least according to Herman Cain, whose campaign is still feeling a burst of energy from its straw poll win in Florida over the weekend. In fact, Cain thinks that in a contest between him and President Obama, he would capture at least one-third of the African-American vote — and possibly more, especially after Obama’s Congressional Black Caucus gala remarks, during which he told the audience to stop grumbling, take off their bedroom slippers and march with, not against, him.

“That didn’t go over well with a lot of people in this country,” Cain said in an appearance on Fox News Monday night. “I think that they’re over this first African-American president thing. I think that is behind them.”

The former Godfather’s Pizza executive added that what matters most to voters is a leader who can grow the nation’s economy, which he said “is what’s foremost on the minds of Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, all Americans.” He also said that his economic proposal, which calls for a flat  9 percent corporate, individual and sales rate, is resonating with African-Americans.

“Because the unemployment rate for Black people is nearly 17 percent instead of the nine percent, they’re looking for something that’s going to boost this economy, and they see that possibility in my 9-9-9 plan,” Cain said. “That’s what’s going to peel off the Black vote, results, not rhetoric.”

 (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)