Long-shot candidate Herman Cain draws Rogich’s attention

By Anjeanette Damon

Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 | 2:52 p.m.

Republican Herman Cain recent rise to frontrunner status in the GOP presidential primary has drawn more than just the attention of voters.

The long-shot candidate with nary a public office on his resume is now running a close second to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and has surpassed Texas Gov. Rick Perry in national polls.

In an indication the quirky candidate with a tendency for making provocative statements might have some establishment staying power, he has drawn the attention of a big name in Nevada politics—Sig Rogich.

Rogich, a former media consultant to presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, hasn’t chosen a horse yet in the Republican primary. He’s held fundraisers for both Perry and Romney in the past and has met with several of the contenders.

“But right now I’m impressed with Herman Cain,” he told the Las Vegas Sun today. “I’m impressed with his messaging and intrigued with his tax proposals.”

Rogich—with his long-held connections to Nevada’s campaign donors and political talent—could be an asset for a presidential candidate competing in Nevada.

Cain, a retired business executive most notable for rescuing Godfather’s Pizza from bankruptcy, was one of the earliest candidates to lay down a skeleton campaign operation in Nevada. He’s visited Nevada several time since announcing his presidential campaign and has a network of volunteers here.

Cain’s so-called 999 plan, which calls for a flat 9 percent business, personal income and sales tax, has drawn the most attention.