Cain to join boycott of Nevada caucus

Herman Cain is joining a boycott of the Nevada caucus, adding his name to a list that includes fellow Republican presidential candidates Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann.

The news was reported by Josh McElveen of WMUR in New Hampshire, and attributed to Cain's campaign manager.

Cain ostensibly made the decision for the same reason as other candidates — as a protest of Nevada's decision to move its primary to mid-January, disrupting the traditional nomination schedule and threatening New Hampshire's traditional ability to host the first-in-the-nation primary without other contests scheduled within a week before or after it.

But the boycott by Republican candidates could also serve to undercut Nevada's importance — a shrewd move, considering the state has a high Mormon population that is widely expected to go to candidate Mitt Romney. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, another contender, went as far as to accuse Romney of encouraging Nevada officials to move up their date.

"Next Tuesday, Gov. Huntsman will boycott the Nevada presidential debate, and instead hold a first-in-the-nation town hall meeting in New Hampshire, to discuss his bold plans to create jobs and reform America's foreign policy for the 21st century," said campaign manager Matt David in a statement. "While Mitt Romney's campaign has tried to game the system by encouraging Nevada to move to an earlier date, Gov. Huntsman is sticking up for the Granite State."

But Cain's departure from the primary strikes a greater blow, as the former Godfather's Pizza CEO has been tied with Romney in the most recent spate of Republican national polls. Romney was counting on momentum from Nevada and New Hampshire to carry him in the South, where his opponents have been polling higher.

Romney said earlier today that he would not join a boycott of the Nevada caucus, and is headed there Monday to open his campaign headquarters. A CNN debate is scheduled for next Tuesday in Las Vegas, although some candidates have already indicated that they are considering boycotting that as well.

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