In interviews and debates, the former National Restaurant group head frames his trade group job as small business advocacy Cain Election 2012 features a rarity—perhaps even a first—in American politics: a former trade association CEO who is a major candidate for president. And not only a candidate, but a frontrunner, at least for now: An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released Oct. 12 had Herman Cain, former CEO of the National Restaurant Association, leading the GOP field with 27 percent, followed by Mitt Romney at 23 percent and Rick Perry with 16 percent. Cain cites his NRA stint (he headed the group from 1996-99, after chairing its board from 1994-95) as a… Read More