Tea Party favorite Herman Cain will join a very small field of 2012 GOP contenders for the first presidential debate of the season tonight in Greenville, South Carolina, according to Politico. The event is being co-sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party and Fox News.

 

"I look forward to participating in the debate Thursday. It gives me the opportunity to share my 'common sense solutions for America' as well as my private sector experience in balancing budgets and creating jobs," Cain said in a statement Monday.

 

Cain will be joined by former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), former Senator Rick Santorum (Pa.) and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.