No More Cain.

As of December 3, GOP candidate Herman Cain has officially suspended his presidential bid due to “hurtful and false allegations” (CNN Wire Staff). These “false allegations” refer to sexual harassment suits brought on by Cain’s former colleagues, Sharon Bialek and Karen Kraushaar, during his 1990’s tenure as head of the National Restaurant Association. More recently however, a woman named Ginger White has come forward claiming to have sustained a “very casual” affair with Cain for thirteen years, despite his marital status (CNN Wire Staff).Attempting to defend himself, Cain explained to the New Hampshire Union Leader that he has been financially supporting White with her “month to month bills,” denying any physical sexual relationship. Cain commented in a Fox News interview, "I send checks to a lot of people; I help a lot of people. That in itself is not proof. So the other allegation in terms of it being a 13-year physical relationship, that is her words against my word" (CNN Wire Staff). In response to Cain’s decision to drop out of the race, White’s attorney delivered a statement on her behalf, "Ginger White respects Mr. Cain's decision regarding his campaign and indeed would have respected any decision he made. That being said, she is disappointed that he has not apologized for the public statements he has made about her and other women who have spoken out” (CNN Wire Staff).

Cain publicized the suspension of his campaign exactly one month prior to the Iowa caucuses, which are scheduled for January 3. Prior to the announcement, Cain admittedly reported a steady decline in donations and campaign contributions directly following the media’s disclosure of the unfaithful allegations brought on by Mrs. White. A Des Moines Register poll exhibited a decline in Cain supporters from 23% to a low 8% of likely Republican Iowa caucus-voters (CNN Wire Staff). Respondents affirmed that Cain had lost their support due to the several sexual harassment allegations, as well as his consistent inability to adequately answer questions concerning his stance on issues (CNN Wire Staff).

New Hampshire Republican officials who have previously pledged their support for Cain have begun reconsidering their choice. Cain’s most prominent supporter, former GOP state party chair Jack Kimball, has decided to base his decision on the candidate that Cain chooses to endorse (CNN Wire Staff).

Cain exclaimed during a press conference in Atlanta, “I am not going to be silenced and I will not go away.” The CNN Wire Staff also explained Cain’s description of his “Plan B: A website, TheCainSolutions.com, through which he will continue to advocate for his platform.”

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachman, also in the running for the GOP chair, stated in regards to Cain’s dropout, "Herman Cain provided an important voice to this process. His ideas and energy generated tremendous enthusiasm for the conservative movement at a time it was so desperately needed to restore confidence in our country” (CNN Wire Staff).

During the press conference in Atlanta, Cain assured his supporters that his political career would not be crippled by these allegations. Despite the harsh conditions in which his current campaign has been derailed, Cain has declared that he is at “peace with God” and at “peace with his wife” (The CNN Wire Staff).

Works Cited: The CNN Wire Staff. http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/03/election/2012/cain-campaign/index.html?hpt=hp_t2