Pizza tycoon wedges into politics (Georgia Senate)

The Hill ^ | 5/28/03 | Peter Savodnik

[LdSentinal]

Republicans have traditionally relied on gun owners, pro-life activists and anti-tax crusaders, among others, to win elections.

Now they can count pizza kings in their corner, too.

Late last week, conservative activist Herman Cain, owner of the Godfather's Pizza empire, launched his bid to win the GOP Senate nomination in Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Zell Miller is retiring.

Cain, who has spearheaded an effort to scrap the tax code in favor of a consumption-based system, is one of several pizza tycoons who have dabbled in politics.

Tom Monaghan, former head of Domino's Pizza, drew nationwide attention with his donations to the pro-life group Operation Rescue.

John Schnatter, Papa John's founder and chief executive officer, has given to Republicans in Kentucky, where the chain is based -- $5,000 to the state GOP, $1,500 to Rep. Anne Northup and $250 to Sen. Jim Bunning in 2000; and $1,000 to Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2002, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show.

Michael Miles, Pizza Hut's chief operating officer, gave $1,000 to President Bush's campaign in 1999, according to an FEC report.

And now there's Cain, who overnight has turned the GOP primary in Georgia into a competitive race, pitting Rep. Johnny Isakson against the pizza tycoon turned politician. Rep. Mac Collins said May 15 that he also would seek the GOP Senate nomination.

"Heâ's just sort of a perfect marriage of a black conservative from the South -- pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, Reagan Republican, who understands the business world," Alex St. James, chairman of the African-American Republican Leadership Council, said of Cain.

The group is helping Cain get his campaign off the ground, St. James said.

Isaksonâ's campaign manager, Chris Carr, said he didn't know a lot about Cain other than that he's been the CEO of Godfather's Pizza.

"Our candidate is a conservative candidate and is right in line with what Georgia voters are looking for," Carr said. "Johnny has a 25-year record of being a fiscal conservative."

Carr added that the congressman likes pizza but that he's not sure which toppings he prefers.

Katherine Kim of the National Restaurant Association declined to comment on the pizza-politics connection.

"I'm not sure that this is something we have any information on or could make any correlation," she said.

A 2002 FranchiseHelp survey reported that 94 percent of Americans eat pizza and that pizza is the fourth most popular food in the country, behind cheese, chocolate and ice cream. The report also said that 3 billion pizzas are sold yearly

[LdSentinal]

My goodness - Isakson's own campaign manager is emphasizing that Isakson is liberal on social issues. Herman Cain or Mac Collins should make the run-off and hopefully defeat Isakson.

[Madstrider]

If Cain is a rock-solid conservative and gets the GOP nomination, this will REALLY hurt Georgia Democrats.

[Dan from Michigan]

Cain's pro-2a. Good.

I just hope Isakson loses.

[DeepDish]

Godfather's Pizza guy. I guess he will make the voters
an offer they can't refuse.

[Salvation]

If this guy is anything like Monaghan I would vote for him!

[onyx]

>>> "Heâ's just sort of a perfect marriage of a black conservative from the South -- pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, Reagan Republican, who understands the business world," Alex St. James, chairman of the African-American Republican Leadership Council, said of Cain. <<<

Glory Be! Herman Cain is black?

[onyx]

Never mind! Herman Cain is a black man! Praise the Lord!

Do you think he'll actually seek the US senate seat?

Just imagine, a black, Republican US Senator from Georgia!

Oh my Lord, the times they are a changin'!!!!!!

[JohnnyZ]

He's already seekin' it.

[Coop]

Very interesting how all the pizza tycoons are Republicans. So the Dems get all the trial lawyers, and the Pubbies get all the pizza makers. I know which ones I'd rather hang out with. :-)

[No Truce With Kings]

"Just imagine, a black, Republican US Senator from Georgia!"


Been there, done that. Of course that was back in the 1870s. . .

But then again, there has never been a black *Democrat* that was a senator from any state in Dixie.

[FreedomPoster]

A few GA FReeper pings.

I am not a fan of Isaakson for the Senate. We can do better.

[FreedomPoster]

Republicans in my part of the world organized rather readily to help defeat Jihad Cyndy McKinney in the Dem primary, in favor of Denise Majette, a reasonable, thinking, just-left-of-center Democrat. Who also happens to be black.

I'd work hard for a truly conservative black candidate over a just-right-of-center white candidate, in a heartbeat. I think many others would, too.

[Mamzelle]

Prolife, a successful tycoon, pro-2a, pro tax reform--and black, too? Kewl! All your great candidate are belong to us!

[EllaMinnow]

Here's the AP take:

Black business tycoon joins Republican race for U.S. Senate

The Associated Press - ATLANTA

A famed black restaurateur from Atlanta is joining Georgias crowded race for U.S. Senate.

Herman Cain, who once ran the Nebraska-based Godfathers Pizza chain, wants Zell Millers Senate seat. But he has never run for office before, and he must beat two sitting congressmen and another black businessman to get the Republican nomination in 2004.

Hes a very qualified, winnable candidate, said Alex St. James, director of the African American Republican Leadership Council in Washington.

The race is the first statewide election in post-Reconstruction Georgia to pit two black Republicans against each other. Cain will face fellow Atlanta businessman Al Bartell, who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor last year.

Cain, 57, had a hardscrabble childhood in Atlanta, but worked his way through Morehouse College. He worked for Burger King and The Pillsbury Co. before taking the helm of a struggling pizza chain in 1986.

Within two years, Godfathers Pizza was out of debt, and he bought the Omaha, Neb.-based pizza chain from Pillsbury for $50 million.

Cains resume includes a short time as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, Mo., and as co-chairman of Steve Forbes 2000 presidential bid. Hes also a motivational speaker and author of three leadership books.

Cain was traveling Wednesday and unavailable for comment. He filed as a candidate last week.

Despite his personal fortune, the businessman is new to Georgia politics and faces a struggle to win the nomination.

Also in the bidding are U.S. Reps. Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins, both seasoned state politicians from Atlantas Republican-leaning suburbs. But Georgia Republican Chairman Alec Poitevint said the two black candidates have a decent shot.

Its wide open, Poitevint said. We have been proactive for a long period of time to let people know our party is open.

Cain could get a boost from Georgias open primaries, where people may vote in a partys primary without joining it. That means blacks who traditionally vote Democratic could vote for Cain in the GOP primary.

We could see a lot of participation here, St. James said. But hes not running as an African-American. Hes running as a Georgian. This is not about a black man running for the U.S. Senate.

Bartell praised Cain even though hes running against him and said they could draw record numbers of blacks to the state GOP.

African-Americans need a seat at all tables, he said. Were black, were Republicans and theyre listening to us. Thats something people pick up on.

[DPB101]

Tom Monaghan, former head of Domino's Pizza, drew nationwide attention with his donations to the pro-life group Operation Rescue.

No...that is what Patricia Ireland, Gloria Feldt and a parochial group of their fellow travelers noticed.

The rest of America noticed Tom receiving "nationwide attention" when he sold Dominos in order to devote time and money to his faith. One fifth of what he got for his company--$200 million--is being spent on Avia Maria University--the first new Catholic university constructed in 40 years.

But I suppose "The Hill" and others will always point out his donations to Operation Rescue. Nothing makes more of an impression on the liberal mind as someone who wishes so many babies are not aborted.

[Ga Rob]

I agree!! If this pizza guy is a rock solid conservative as they are saying, he'll get my vote!! The fact that he is black and may help Repubs with minorities is an added bonus....I guess. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[doodad]

I would like to see some more candidates and information. Johnny is just dull in my opinion. (HE is my rep BTW). Votes correctly, but doesn't have the sway I guess to truly represent our interests here in Alpharetta.

[mhking]

I am not a fan of Isaakson for the Senate. We can do better.

Agreed. Unless someone better comes along, I'm supporting Kingston, myself.

[Taxman]

Perfect! A Real Republican announces for the soon-to-be vacant Georgia Senate seat!

This is exciting folks! But I do wish the reporter had got it right: Herman has been an outspoken supporter of the Americans for Fair Taxation "FairTax" for quite some time.

He is well deserving of our support.

For more information about the FairTax, go to http://www.fairtax.org.