Cain to say Saturday if still in race
Herman Cain, battling allegations of infidelities, is expected to announce on Saturday in Atlanta whether he is continuing his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
In remarks at a campaign stop in South Carolina, Cain gave no hint as to what his decision might be. He is to meet with his wife, Gloria, who has so far stood by her husband as he has tried to weather a chain of sexual allegations from several women that have included groping and a 13-year affair.
“I am reassessing because of all this media firestorm stuff,” Cain told supporters in South Carolina. “Why? Because my wife and family come first. I’ve got to take that into consideration.”
Cain’s support has been dropping as he has attempted to outlast the allegations and other campaign mishaps, but the bad news is taking its toll.
A Des Moines Register poll gave him 8 percent support among Republicans in Iowa, which holds the first U.S. nominating contest of the 2012 election cycle on January 3.
“The writing’s on the wall,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. “The polling has dropped to the floor. He can no longer sustain a positive campaign with these allegations.”
Cain, expected to meet with supporters in Atlanta who are gathering for his scheduled 11 a.m. EST/1600 GMT opening of his Georgia campaign headquarters, said he has to look at what happens to his campaign contributions.