Politics Herman Cain: ‘I’m Very Proud Of The Relationship That I Have With The Koch Brothers’ CREDIT: 
 
 Newly minted GOP frontrunner Herman Cain acknowledged his long relationship with the conservative billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch yesterday. Cain has “close” and “long ties” to the Koch Brothers, as the AP reported this week, likely making him the conservative political duo’s “favorite presidential candidate,” as ThinkProgress has noted. Yesterday, Cain told CNN he is “very proud of the relationship that I have with the Koch Brothers:” 
 
 CAIN: I know the Koch Brothers. The Koch Brothers helped to start to an organization called Americans for Prosperity. And I did some speaking when they were starting that organization, and I’m very proud of the relationship that I have with the Koch Brothers, as well as Americans for Prosperity. I have also attended some of their seminars and have found them very informative. So I don’t have a close relationship with the Koch Brothers, but I know them and I respect them, and they know me and respect me. 
 
 Watch it: 
 
 Cain’s campaign manager is the former president of the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity’s (AFP) Wisconsin chapter, his former spokesperson worked for the group’s Louisiana chapter, and his economic adviser was on their advisory board. Cain himself used to hold an official position with AFP as well. He also attended the brothers’ influential private biannual meeting, and has spoken at several events they sponsored. 
 
 Last night, ThinkProgress’ Scott Keyes appeared on MSNBC’s Politics Nation to discuss Cain’s ties with the Kochs. Watch it: 

 Robert Costa October 18, 2011 12:26 PM @robertcostaNRO by 
 
 Over the weekend, the Associated Press reported on Herman Cain’s “long ties” to Charles and David Koch: 
 
 Cain’s campaign manager and a number of aides have worked for Americans for Prosperity, or AFP, the advocacy group founded with support from billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, which lobbies for lower taxes and less government regulation and spending. Cain credits a businessman who served on an AFP advisory board with helping devise his “9-9-9” plan to rewrite the nation’s tax code. And his years of speaking at AFP events have given the businessman and radio host a network of loyal grassroots fans. 
 
 Richard Fink, the executive vice president of Koch Industries, tells National Review Online that the company is “certainly glad” to see Cain’s message connecting with voters. He calls Cain a “man of deep dedication to our nation.” 
 
 “We have long admired Herman Cain for his success in growing jobs and business in this country, and for his long-standing commitment to the values of economic freedom,” Fink says. “Although we have not formally committed to supporting any presidential candidate, we are certainly glad to see Mr. Cain confront the issues of runaway spending and stifling government interference that are holding back the economy and the lives of all Americans. Anyone that has spent time with Mr. Cain, as we have, can tell you he is a man of deep dedication to our nation and his independence of thought is obviously what is appealing to voters.”
– Following an AP story revealing his ‘long’ ties to the billionaire Koch brothers, Herman Cain has acknowledged the relationship—and says he’s “very proud” of it,” notes ThinkProgress. “I know the Koch brothers,” he told CNN. “I’m very proud of the relationship that I have with the Koch brothers, as well as Americans for Prosperity,” their organization, where he has done “some speaking.” “I have also attended some of their seminars and have found them very informative,” he said. “So I don’t have a close relationship with the Koch brothers, but I know them and I respect them, and they know me and respect me.” An exec at Koch Industries confirms to the National Review that the feeling is mutual: “Although we have not formally committed to supporting any presidential candidate, we are certainly glad to see Mr. Cain confront the issues of runaway spending and stifling government interference that are holding back the economy and the lives of all Americans." It could be a topic at tonight's GOP debate.