Herman Cain suspends presidential campaign

(CBS News) 

And then there were seven. Acknowledging the harm that charges of sexual misconduct have inflicted on his family, Herman Cain told supporters Saturday that he is suspending his campaign for the Republican nomination. Cain's withdrawal leaves seven candidates still in the race and a lot of questions about who stands to benefit. CBS News political correspondent Jan Crawford was in Atlanta for the Cain announcement.

"I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction," Herman Cain announced in a speech Saturday.

He continued to deny the allegations that rocked his campaign.

"These false, unproved allegations continue to be spinned in the media and in the court of public opinion," he said.

After the announcement, Cain told CBS News he made the decision on his own.

"My wife didn't say 'Do it or don't do it.' She just said, 'I support you.' I recognized the pain in her. And the pain it was causing her and my family because of the constant spinning [and] spinning, when the allegations were false and unproved to begin with, that just wasn't something that I wanted her and family to continue to go through. "

Asked if he would have done anything differently looking back, Cain said: "No, no. I have no regrets."

Herman Cain drops out
Herman Cain helped his brand, says expert

Cain had run an unconventional campaign--and his exit was unconventional too. Hundreds of cheering supporters gathered for what was supposed the opening of his new Georgia headquarters. It felt like a rally--especially when Cain arrived holding hands with his wife Gloria.

Supporters were devastated by his announcement. including Erica Daniell. "I'm sad for a lot of reasons," she said, "because I really had hopes for our country with him."

The former Godfather's Pizza executive enjoyed broad appeal as an inspiring speaker with a simplified plan to put a flat 9 percent tax on sales, income and corporations.

But the allegations sexual harassment and then an affair simply were too much.

At the event today, disappointed supporters like Laura Schaeffer said they were angry Cain was forced out.

"The media did this to him," she said. "They took a decent and upstanding man and they shredded him with lies."

Crawford spoke with Cain's wife, Gloria, after the event. She said Cain made his decision before he got home last night and that she would have supported him either way. She had gone back and forth whether he should get out of the race. But on Saturday, Cain said he would continue to be involved in conservative causes and speeches across the country and that he will be endorsing a candidate.

[ruffiannd]

Odd that he never once mentioned that he was going to pursue action against those "false, unproved allegations". Normally there are a number of legal avenues one can use to protect oneself from such things.

Okay, it's not so odd. The man is a lying bag of sleaze. Everyone knows those allegations were not false. No man carries on a 14 year "friendship" with a woman and keeps it secret from his wife. What brought down Cain, in the end, was his disdain for the public. Evidently he was confident we all have oatmeal for brains. As it turns out, that was only his wife.

[whozzzzure]

He should have stuck to making pizza. Thank you to the brave women who told the truth. Saving this country was a value more than their own personal safety. I commend you all. It takes guts to do that.

[ongelooflijk-2009]

Three women who claimed they were sexually harassed by Cain and now a fourth who claims to have had a thirteen year affair with the man; a woman Cain claims was a friend!
What is the probability that all of these unrelated women are lying vs Cain in an effort to conceal the truth?

For anyone who knows anything about probability and statistical analysis, with each new claim related to Mr. Cain's conduct, the confidence in his serial denials drops dramatically.

In my mind, because of the position of authority and responsibility he sought-------if he is not being truthful, he is certainly the worst of liars.

And this guy comes across as the ultimate victim. Sorry!

[Drivelphobe001]

What a shame that one of the strongest candidates is subjected to this kind of character assassination. Who cares about his personal life. He could make a great President. There was proof of Willy's dysfunction with Monica and nothing was done. JFK was notorious as were most high profile, powerful men. Meanwhile we have people like Reid, Polosi, Boehner, and others in charge of screwing up the country. It doesn't matter anymore who is President. Just take care of yourself and your family, stack the money away and insulate yourself from the societal beggars, illegal aliens and entitlement- minded sloths.

[2happy2ride]

Strongest candidates? Apparently you never watched him consistently stumble at every debate. Even on Letterman, he was unable to explain HIS OWN plan.
Romney has governed and balanced his budget, he salvaged the bankrupt Olympics, started many current national companies, has NOT had any moral or unethical issues. Is he perfect? No, because he is human.