Type of organization: Super PAC

Supports: Conservative candidates

Founded: Dec. 14, 2011

Website: cainconnections.com

Social media: You Tube channel, Facebook page, Twitter

Principals:

• Herman Cain (founder): Former GOP presidential candidate.
• Anthony Holm (former treasurer): Former advisor to Rick Perry’s gubernatorial campaign. Spokesman for prolific GOP donor Bob Perry.
• Mark Block (treasurer): Former chief of staff for Herman Cain's presidential run; former state director at Americans for Prosperity in Wisconsin.

Profile:

Barely two weeks after Herman Cain suspended his presidential campaign, he started his own super PAC (jump to minute 8:28) named Cain Connections. Cain Connections calls itself a “‘We the people movement,” and, so far at least, it is focused on promoting Cain’s ideas - not particular candidates.

Cain was on the ballot in Florida and had not filed a termination report for his campaign at the time of the Florida primary, which raised some interesting questions, iWatch News reported. Candidates are prohibited from coordinating with super PACs that spend money to support them. Cain Connections, however, hadn’t spent money to support any candidates, Cain or otherwise. Regardless, this is definitely a first in federal election politics. As of April, Friends of Herman Cain, his presidential committee, is still active.

Cain Connections has not made any independent expenditures in support of or opposition to particular candidates. It serves as a platform for Cain to promote his ideas, namely the 9-9-9 tax plan. While Cain Connections doesn't use the word "endorsement" in its press releases praising candidates who adopt Cain's 9-9-9 plan, the super PAC refers to those politicians as lieutenants of Cain's "Army of Davids," fighting the "Goliath" of big government.

Aside from its timing, Cain Connections drew attention because its former treasurer, Anthony Holm, has ties to another former Republican presidential contender, Rick Perry. Talking to Roll Call, several sources say it is unclear why a former Perry advisor would start a Cain super PAC. 

In February, Holm stepped aside as treasurer and was replaced by former Cain campaign manager Mark Block, who comes with his own set of potential problems. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint against Block with the Federal Election Commission in November alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. The complaint says that Block's nonprofit Prosperity USA illegally paid for $40,000 worth of various items - including iPads and chartered flights to Iowa and Las Vegas - for Friends of Herman Cain, reported the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Until recently, Cain Connections had a single known supporter. Former New York Post editor Peter Kalikow contributed $50,000 near the end of December.

The newly released quarterly filing reveals Cain's other committees - Friends of Herman Cain and the 9-9-9 Fund super PAC - are beginning to rally around Cain Connections. A $100,000 contribution from the 9-9-9 Fund and an in-kind donation of a donor list from Friends of Herman Cain, valued at $596,400, show the "solutions revolution" is gearing up.

Cain has personally endorsed Newt Gingrich on the Cain Connections website.

Advertisements:

• An odd ad released in March has a rabbit, supposedly representing small business, being catapulted into the air and shot.
• In another animal-themed ad, "Chicken" shows a farmer - the "average american taxpayer" - being attacked by a flock of chickens, representing big government.

Last updated: April 23, 2012