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herman cain-40Herman Cain, following a populist and starkly unconventional GOP presidential campaign, this afternoon announced he was suspending his candidacy, saying allegations of sexual harassment and a 13-year affair had hampered his ability to get his message out.
Stepping off a bus with his face plastered on it, and walking hand-in-hand with his wife, Gloria, Cain announced to a crowd of supporters in Atlanta that they should be proud of what they accomplished.
“These false and unproved accusations continue to be spinned in the media and the court of public opinion so as to create a cloud of doubt over me, and this campaign, and my family,” Cain said. “That spin hurts. It hurts my wife, it hurts my family, it hurts me, and it hurts the American people because you are being denied solutions to our problems.”
Remaining unapologetic, Cain would at least four times repeat the phrase “false and unproved accusations” in his short address.
He said he would be making an endorsement in the near future. In a speech in which he railed against “career politicians,” it was unclear to whom he will throw his support in a field that includes a number of longtime political hands.
Many political observers have contended that Newt Gingrich would benefit the most from a Cain departure. The base of support for both candidates, who hail from Georgia, is in the crucial deep South.
In the early voting battleground of Florida, in particular, the former House speaker could benefit. Cain pulled out a surprise victory in a straw poll there this fall.
Yet, the idiosyncratic and rebellious nature of Cain’s candidacy could also benefit Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who aggressively courts Tea Party support.
The setting of the announcement today was as incongruent as the campaign himself. Cain’s staff had originally billed the event as the grand opening of Cain’s new national headquarters. Before he spoke, the atmosphere at the site was an odd mix of festive and apprehension.
He had run a guerilla campaign that brandished his lack of political experience as a badge of honor, while he lamented that the career politicians of Washington had let down the American people. Drawing support from the Tea Party movement and wielding an unabashed sense of optimism and an easy charisma, the former talk show host and businessman soared in the polls in the early fall.
He was helped by a series of strong debate performances, considerable time on Fox News shows, and initial enthusiasm for his 9-9-9 tax reform plan that reduced corporate and most personal rates while introducing a national sales tax.
For Cain, who had been the head of Godfather’s Pizza and a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Mo., the key was developing out-of-the box ideas to rebuild the American economy and restore the confidence of the American consumer.
His ballooning popularity, however, was punctured by a series of revelations that surfaced, first on the Politico website, concerning allegations of sexual harassment made against him while he was the head of the chief of the National Restaurant Association.
After strident denials from the candidate and reports from his staff that fund-raising actually was rising after the allegations, he faced another potentially devastating assertion on Monday. Another woman, Ginger White, contended that she had a 13-year affair with Cain.
The following day, Cain told staff members he would reassess his candidacy, even as he denied the most recent claim.
The campaign was beset by reports of conservative supporters stepping back from their commitment. In Iowa, for conservatives such as Cain a crucial barometer, his poll numbers late this week tumbled to 8 percent in a Des Moines Register poll, from 23 percent a month ago.
In announcing his intentions to suspend his candidacy, Cain was both reflective and defiant.
“One of the first declarations I want to make to you today is that I am at peace with my God. I am at peace with my wife. And she is at peace with me,” Cain said.
Yet later, to loud cheers, he declared: “I am not going to be silenced and I am not going away.”
Herman Cain may have been forced out of the race for president amid accusations of unseemly and inappropriate sexual behavior, but his White House bid and surprising rise in the polls have nonetheless boosted his earning power, a branding expert told Hotsheet.
Newt Gingrich, who has taken the insurgent mantle from Herman Cain in the Republican presidential primary, praised the Atlanta businessman upon his exit from the race.
“Herman Cain’s 999 plan got our country talking about the critical issue of tax reform and he elevated the dialogue of the primary,” Gingrich tweeted. “I am proud to know Herman Cain and consider him a friend and I know he will continue to be a powerful voice for years to come.”
Rob Frankel, author of "Revenge of Brand X," said the harassment allegations will "go away" and leave Cain with a valuable personal brand.
Cain left the Republican presidential race Saturday in the wake of multiple sexual harassment claims, as well as an allegation of a 13-year extramarital affair.
Still, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO's presidential run should be considered a clear success, Frankel argued.
"You take away this run and this guy wasn't even on the radar," he said, adding: "Everyone in this country now knows who this guy is, which helps a lot for book sales."
Cain spent a significant portion of his presidential run on a book tour that kept him away from key early voting states, prompting questions about the seriousness of his bid.
Mitt Romney also praised Cain on Twitter, but was the only candidate not to specifically mention the ideas that the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO brought to the race.
“Herman’s campaign was one of ideas,” he wrote. “His decision was based on what is best for him and his family. We wish Herman and Gloria the best.”
Jon Huntsman, who earlier this week called the allegations against Cain a distraction, was the first of the candidates to issue a press release upon Cain’s announcement that he is suspending his campaign.
“Herman Cain offered a unique and valuable voice to the debate over how to reform our country’s uncompetitive tax code and turn around the economy,” Huntsman said. “I understand his decision and wish him and his family the best.”
And Rick Perry’s campaign was the first to solicit Cain’s supporters. Perry’s media coordinator, Will Franklin, wrote on Twitter: “I would urge any Cain fans looking for a true outsider with a solid conservative record and a clear vision for America to give Perry a look.”
Perry himself offered best wishes.
“I know this was a difficult decision for Herman Cain, his family and his supporters,” he said. He helped invigorate conservative voters and our nation with a discussion of major tax reform. Anita and I wish him and his entire family all the best.”
Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul praised Cain as well.
“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. I wish Herman, his wife Gloria, and his family all the best.”
And Paul said: “Herman Cain brought energy and enthusiasm to the Republican nominating process, as well as a unique perspective on many domestic issues important to voters such as tax code reform and a pro-growth agenda favorable to the private sector. In light of his suspension of campaign activities, I want to wish Herman success in his future endeavors.”
Gary Johnson said he hopes Cain continues in public life.
“I have no doubt Herman Cain will remain a significant voice in the dialogue about the many important issues we face,” Johnson said. “His rejection of business-as-usual in Washington has been a valuable part of this campaign, and clearly resonates with a great many Americans. I wish him the best.”
But former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer mocked Cain.
“I am truly saddened by Cain’s announcement. Who else is going to quote Pokemon at the Trump debate?” Roemer tweeted, referring to the planned debate Donald Trump is set to moderate at the end of the month.
Cain said Saturday that he planned to stay involved — he said his “Plan B” will be to stump for outsiders and his 9-9-9 tax plan — and endorse in the primary race, though he made no indication of who would get his support.
Cain's improved name recognition in the wake of his presidential run will likely mean higher speaking fees, larger book deals, and a potentially-lucrative role on television, Frankel noted. Past and present presidential and vice presidential candidates - including Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich - have found lucrative homes on Fox News.
Cain quipped during his speech announcing the end of his campaign that he had achieved "99.9" percent name recognition, a reference to his signature 9-9-9 tax plan.
According to Frankel, the allegations against Cain are unlikely to hurt his brand and earning power in the long run.
"As a result of dropping out, this story will just go away," he said. "This is not a stain on a blue dress."
