With the Florida Republican presidential primary imminent and Newt Gingrich badly in need of a boost, former GOP candidate Herman Cain announced at an event Saturday night that he's "officially and enthusiastically" endorsing fellow Georgia politico Newt Gingrich in the Republican presidential nominating race.

"I had it in my heart and mind a long time," said Cain, who'd previously claimed that he wouldn't back anyone to prevent a split among his base. "Speaker Gingrich is a patriot. Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas."