Herman Cain Named a Finalist for Mustached American of the Year

Will our next president have facial hair? If the former Godfather's Pizza CEO has anything to say about it, the answer is yes.

Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain is the only 2012 Republican presidential candidate with a mustache. For that, he's being recognized by the nation's premiere mustache organization, the American Mustache Institute (AMI).

Cain has been named a finalist for the 2011 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year Award. Voting is now open.

Cain is described on the AMI's website:

Without a Mustached American President of the United States since William Howard Taft, nor even a major party candidate for president since Thomas E. Dewey in 1948, Herman Cain's potential candidacy represents a shining beacon of freedom and hope for people Mustached American heritage everywhere. A conservative businessman, syndicated columnist, and radio host, the former chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza and Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank board member has the hopes and dreams of Mustached Americans everywhere riding on his broad shoulders.

The winner will be announced at the AMI's annual 'Stache Bash, a raucus celebration of the American Mustached Lifestyle to be held this year on Oct. 28 in Chicago. Voters are encouraged not to support the best mustache, but the nominee "who best-represents or contributes to the Mustached American community over the past year."

Joining Cain on the 2011 Goulet finalist list is Jimmy McMillan, who ran for governor of New York in 2010 with the slogan, "The rent is too damn high." McMillan sports an aggressive mustache/mutton-chop combo.

Other finalists include former NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin, Red Hot Chili Peppers front-man Anthony Keidis, astronaut and husband to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) Capt. Mark Kelly, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, and U.S. Marine Corps pilot Maj. Richard Ashford. Last year, The Goulet went to Brian Sheets, a firefighter from Orlando who founded a mustache-based charity.

Past political finalists include former White House adviser David Axelrod and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Image credit: AP