How Herman Cain benefits from dropping out: Money and political power

As for the money, Cain’s campaign still has about $600,000 in the till, and having “suspended” (not officially ended) his campaign, he still can raise and spend money, even though suspension is just a euphemism for “I’m outta here.”

But that also means his other financial interests – past, present, and future – just became more potentially lucrative.

He can charge more as a “motivational speaker,” his book sales are likely to get a boost, and he may get his own gig on Fox News. Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, and Gingrich all did. On the liberal side, disgraced former New York governor Elliot Spitzer landed on his feet in a new profession with his own show on CNN. And remember the Monica Lewinsky scandal? Bill Clinton has written several successful books, including most recently “Back to Work.”

"You take away this [presidential] run and this guy wasn't even on the radar," Rob Frankel, author of "Revenge of Brand X," told CBS’s Political Hotsheet. "Everyone in this country now knows who this guy is, which helps a lot for book sales."

Back to that Cain endorsement.

Gingrich really is in the top spot, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Polling (PPP) organization – especially compared to Mitt Romney.

“On average across six polls we've asked a second choice question on this month 37 percent of Cain voters pick Gingrich to only 13 percent for Romney,” PPP reported this week. “If Herman Cain really ends up dropping out of the race Gingrich's surge should continue in the next few weeks, unless/until something starts happening to erode his popularity. Why? Because Cain's supporters absolutely love Gingrich. And they absolutely hate Mitt Romney.”

If Cain really is “one of you,” as he told several hundred supporter in Atlanta Saturday, then that bodes well for Newt Gingrich.

Election 101: What you should know about Herman Cain

Previous

1 | 2