Herman Cain: "I'll take the arrows later"

Mark Block, Herman Cain's chief of staff, said on Monday the presidential candidate has "never sexually harassed anybody. Period. End of story."

Block's comment on MSNBC comes a day after Politico reported allegations that Cain engaged in inappropriate behavior with two women when he was head of the National Restaurant Association.

"Mr. Cain has never sexually harassed anyone. Period," Block repeated several times on MSNBC's Daily Rundown.

Cain is in Washington today for a series of speeches and meetings with members of Congress, and said he will address the allegations at a speech at a luncheon at the National Press Club today.

In a morning appearance at the American Enterprise Institute, Cain did not acknowledge the story that threatens to sink his presidential campaign. He arrived surrounded by several body guards, and called out a cheery "Good morning!" to the herd of reporters chasing him outside the think tank.

Cain was at AEI for a long-planned discussion of his 9-9-9 economic plan, which calls for a flat, 9-percent tax on personal income, businesses and consumer goods. After fielding questions from the audience on economic issues, Cain quipped, "I'll take all the arrows later" at the press club.

Politico reported Sunday that two female employees under him at the National Restaurant Association alleged inappropriate behavior toward them by Cain in the 1990s. His campaign has said he was "vaguely familiar" with the incident but in a statement, painted it as an attempt by the media to derail the accelerating "Cain train."

Cain kept consistent with that general theory even in reference to 9-9-9. "When you have the best plan on the table, expect to be attacked," he said.

But in an odd twist on his way out, just after Hassert asked the audience to remain seated while Cain exited "for security purposes," Cain reclaimed the microphone for one unsolicited remark.

"By the way folks - yes, I am an unconventional candidate, and yes, I do have a sense of humor, and some people have a problem with that," Cain said. "But to quote my chief of staff and all the people around this country, let Herman be Herman, and Herman is gonna stay Herman. Thank you very much."

Politico reported that two women working at the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s left their jobs at the trade group after complaining of "sexually suggestive behavior" by the Republican presidential candidate.

Politico cited a number of anonymous sources, who said they received financial payments from the association and signed agreements not to discuss their departures.

"I would suggest that you contact the National Restaurant Association," Block said on Monday. "I am not personally aware of any settlement."

Cain, who in recent weeks has become a contender for the Republican nomination for president, is in Washington on Monday, speaking at AEI about his tax plan.

Block himself has become known for his feature spot in a viral Cain campaign video, in which he is seen smoking a cigarette.

The ad has since been criticized for sending a message that smoking is acceptable.

Block said on Monday that he will "absolutely not" be filmed smoking in a campaign video again, but said he can't avoid being filmed standing outside of a building smoking.