Cain previously ran in 2004 for the Georgia Senate seat vacated by Zell Miller. His business background includes working at Pillsbury, where he became vice president of corporate systems and services in 1982. During his tenure, Pillsbury was selling products in more than 55 countries. He was the president and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza from 1988-1996, when he became CEO of the National Restaurants Association. He’s a former member of the Citizen Advisory Board, Strategic Air Command (STRATCOM), and was on the boards of several multinational corporations. He also served as chairman and deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City from 1992-96.

Mr. Cain’s foreign policy experience draws from his time as a business executive, which included business dealings in China and Brazil, among other countries. Since announcing his candidacy for President, he has also traveled to Israel. He has summarized his views on foreign policy by saying “there’s more to foreign policy than bombs and bullets. There’s bombs and bullets and economics.” ¹ In a brochure his campaign published on his foreign policy and national security strategy, he called for aid to Pakistan be set with conditions to continue to assist the U.S. in its fight against the Taleban and al Qaeda. In that brochure, he also called for support of allies struggling under crises, like the drug war in Mexico and Japan following the Fukushima disaster.² When asked for his views on Afghanistan, he said: “President Obama is correct on one account: it is time for nation building at home and high time the Afghan people take more responsibility in bringing peace and stability to their own country.” ³

Cain on America’s Global Leadership

“My approach is an extension of the Reagan approach–Peace through Strength. If we clarify who our friends are, clarify who our enemies are, and stop giving money to our enemies, then we ought to continue to give money our friends, like Israel.” (GOP Las Vegas debate, October 2011)⁴

“While diplomacy is a critical tool in solving the complex security issues we face, it must never compromise military might.” (From campaign website)⁵

Cain on National Security

“The fact is, no sane American ever desires to go to war without exhausting all diplomatic options.” (From his book, They Think You’re Stupid)⁶

“The strength of our nation, the greatest country on Earth, is that it has always represented a beacon of hope for the entire world.” (From his book, They Think You’re Stupid)⁷

1. http://dailycaller.com/2011/05/23/cain-to-rove-kruathammer-im-not-running-to-become-president-of-the-establishment
2. http://www.hermancain.com/issue/foreign_policy_national_security
3. http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-23/politics/candidate.speech.reaction_1_afghanistan-president-obama-troops/2?_s=PM:POLITICS
4. http://politisite.com/2011/10/18/transcript-cnn-wrlc-western-republican-presidential-debate-las-vegas-october-18-2011-full-text/
5. http://www.hermancain.com/issue/national_security
6. Cain, Herman. They Think You’re Stupid. Pg. 129
7. Cain, Herman. They Think You’re Stupid. Pg. 130