Herman Cain upsets Rick Perry in Florida straw poll

In a severe embarrassment for the Republican presidential frontrunner, businessman Herman Cain tripped up Gov. Rick Perry in a straw ballot of Florida Republican activists Saturday. The vote has no bearing on the choice of a 2012 nominee but, along with recent campaign events, is likely to increase the chances that the Republican presidential contest will tighten. It comes on the heels of a poor performance by Perry in a Florida debate Thursday night that disappointed conservatives, including delegates who came to Orlando expecting to back the Texas governor. Cain received 37% of the vote, more than twice as many as Perry, who made by far the most extensive effort, but finished a distant second with 15%. He barely edged out Mitt Romney, who did not compete here, at 14%. (Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com …