A Yahoo News piece about Herman Cain this morning showed that pizza executive and current Republican presidential front-runner gave lots of money over the years to Democratic candidates. Mostly, those pols were from Nebraska, where Godfather Pizza was headquartered.
“They were business decisions and personal decisions,” Mr. Cain told Yahoo when asked about the donations to Democrats. “One was a restaurateur. One was a personal friend. All moderate Democrats.”
But one donation stuck out: a $250 check to Bronx Congressman Jose Serrano in 1993.
This donation has brought out the wrath of the right-wing blogosphere, since Mr. Serrano is no one’s idea of a “moderate Democrat.”
The National Review disapprovingly cites [and bolds] Mr. Serrano’s Almanac of American Politics bio:
In opposition to Cuban Hispanics in Congress, Serrano has been Fidel Castro’s greatest champion in the House. He has sought repeal of economic sanctions against Cuba. When questions arose about Castro’s future after major surgery in July 2006, Serrano issued a press release telling President George W. Bush, “Hands Off Cuba.” When Castro’s brother, Raúl Castro, took control, Serrano said that it was “long past time to end the charade and begin dialogue and engagement with Cuba.” Another of his issues is statehood for Puerto Rico, which he calls an American “colony.” He backs a long-stalled referendum to determine the status of the island. In 2000, Serrano was arrested at the White House while protesting the Navy’s bombing range at Vieques, Puerto Rico. He also took credit for working with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Citizen Energy Corp. to strike a deal to bring cheaper oil to the South Bronx. He has criticized the reluctance of House Democratic leaders to pass immigration reform.
In New York politics, Serrano backed former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer for mayor in 2001 and 2005. He backed civil-rights activist Al Sharpton for president in 2004.
Writes NR blogger Kevin Williamson:
Moderate? Maybe among a crowd of Occupy Wall Street Froot Loops. But Mr. Cain is a big-picture kind of guy, I suppose. Coddling Castro? Buddying up to Chavez? Minutiae!
When asked by The Politicker about the donations, Congressman Serrano said that he had as much knowledge of his benefactor as Mr. Cain seemed to have of him.
“I don’t know him,” he said. “From my understanding it was $250 in 1993. Honestly, it doesn’t stand out in my mind. I don’t know it it was solicited or unsolicited.”
Mr. Serrano added, “Are you suggesting that Serrano is Cain’s favorite liberal? Or that he doesn’t know I’m a liberal?”
The Politicker asked if this meant a Cain endorsement would be forthcoming.
“My people will get in touch with his people,” Mr. Serrano said.
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