It’s been an exciting roller coaster ride for Herman Cain. When he first entered the race — the first ‘major’ Republican candidate to do so — Intrade investors gave him exactly 0.1% chance of winning the nomination. He was a WorldNetDaily columnist, a talk radio host, and former pizza CEO who had badly lost the only other two political races in which he had run. Nobody gave him a chance.
Cain soldiered on after a rough fifth place finish at Ames, and managed to win the Presidency V straw poll which shot him to the top of the pack. Now, however, fate has come full circle and through a combination of verbal gaffes and charges of impropriety, Cain finds himself once again at the bottom of the pack.
Headlines like “Herman Cain abandoned by conservatives” mark how far Cain has come, and how far he has fallen. The bad news is piling up, as one of his Super PACs filed paperwork this afternoon to legally change their name. The PAC removed Cain’s name from their title, which has been amended simply to “Beat Obama PAC”.
Just a couple hours ago, a Cain aide confirmed that Cain will decide whether to drop out of the race by the end of the week. The signs are there that he is preparing to close up shop. He’s calling individual donors to talk to them about the situation – something that wouldn’t be happening if Cain had decided to soldier on against all odds once again.
Perhaps most tellingly, Cain asked one of his aides to cancel a New York media dinner that was set for Sunday night. Cain asked for the dinner to be canceled “in case he dropped out of the race.”
Up until that cancellation, Cain had said multiple times that he would keep his campaign schedule while he sorted through all this. The fact that he is now cancelling appearances would seem to indicate that the reassessing is all but finished and the decision has been reached.
It is a sad and unfitting end for a candidate that had many Republicans excited. Cain survived a lot during this race. But it looks like he won’t survive this.
UPDATE: Rumor — Cain campaign employees are supposedly leaking that Herman Cain will officially drop out of the race tomorrow.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
With Cain gone whose messy personal life will the media focus on instead??? Oh…….hellllloooo Mr. Gingrich!
November 29th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Best wishes for him and his family. I would have liked to see him perform in the primaries.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I disagree with Mr. Cain on just about every Political topic, but I think what would be best for him is to drop out of the race, and tell the truth.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
So… will he attend Thursday’s debate, or not?
November 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
What was he thinking with all these things out there…. And the first one bites the dust
Can many others be far behind.
Perry: Will be gone after Iowa
Bachman: Will be gone after Iowa
Huntsman: Will be gone after New Hampshire
Santurom: Is already gone
Ron Paul: Will continue on, without hope.
Newt will be gone after someone makes a commercial out of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6n_-wB154
November 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
So adultery is a deal breaker? Ummmm then what the hell is Newt still doing here?
November 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Sucks. It does. Maybe the “I’ve been with my wife, the same woman for forty years” schtick wasn’t wise, considering what we’re finding out.
His personal life is what it is, but to say that sort of thing NOW when it’s clear he’s been carrying on an affair for a decade and a half is sure like shooting himself in the foot.
In any case, Newt will benefit from his departure because he’ll scoop up more of Cain’s support than Romney.
So good news all around.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Rombot Matty, Nice try.
Conference call at 11:15am this morning with Herman Cain himself, where he explained to us that, once again, the accusations against him are COMPLETELY FALSE. He ALSO explained that he is NOT considering dropping out of the campaign, despite what the media is reporting. The campaign is moving forward as planned. Additionally, he shared that Ginger White WAS a friend of his (and his wife’s) and she was a struggling unemployed single mom who received several eviction notices due to being unable to pay her rent. So being the good man that he is, Mr. Cain helped her out financially as a FRIEND, as he has done for other friends in the past.
And be careful what you wish for..
ppppolls PublicPolicyPolling
, Perry
2nd choice of Cain voters on 6 GOP polls this month: Gingrich 37, Bachmann 14, Romney 13
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply »
ppppolls PublicPolicyPolling
than Mitt’s:
On 7 GOP polls this month Newt’s net fav with Cain voters is on average 73 pts better
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply »
ppppolls PublicPolicyPolling
, Romney’s was 33/55 
On our last national poll, among Cain voters, Gingrich’s favorability was 73/21
http://tinyurl.com/727jgys
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
November 29th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Mass Con, there is no debate Thursday night. The debate calendar tab at the top of the page hasn’t been updated in a little bit… check here for the most updated schedule:
http://race42012.com/2011/11/16/2012-primary-calendar-canceled-debate-edition/
November 29th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Romney is so toast and the Ivy League Dunce doesn’t even know it.
Instead, he has his minnions of Rombots try their hand in mud-slinging all the candidates that have knocked him back this cycle.
Pathetic.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Newt needs to drop out also with all that dirty laundry he has before he takes the whole party down also and that is besides his socialistic views he has put on the record many times that almost line up with Obama’s on national policies.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
9 – Egads!
Only two more to go.
Romney needs to do something, because so far Newt has been able to outshine him in the debates.
Time is running out.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I don’t think Newt will benefit once people realize that he’s lobbied for pretty debt-laden scheme of the last decade, from Bush’s Medicare expansion to the government-inflated housing market to making taxpayers foot the bill for the government-inflated housing market.
And of course once they see Newt smiling fondly at Nancy Pelosi as he talks about global warming.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Real Clear Politics reports:
“Huntsman is reluctant to criticize other candidates by name. His call for Cain to consider dropping out is something else.”
Monkey see, monkey do.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
13. Very true but the left is rooting for Newt wanting his bagggage to come out in the general election and they are worried about Romney already trying to hurt him in the primary.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Is that better than the pic of Ted Kennedy smiling down upon Newt?
I don’t think so. At worst its a wash.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
errrr Kennedy smiling down upon MITT….
November 29th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Two questions.
1. Does anyone think that Huckabee regrets not getting into this race? I mean, had he been in it, he would’ve been the preferred not-Romney and would’ve lasted alot longer than the other candidates and would’ve had a real legit chance of beating both Romney and Obama.
2. Does anyone know what this presidential forum is all about that Huckabee is doing on his show this Saturday?
November 29th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
18 – I think Huckabee ABSOLUTELY wishes he got in. Obama looks a lot more vulnerable now than he did when Huckabee decided to pass.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Ozzy,
Each candidate will appear separately for about 10 minutes to be drilled by Huck — who will not be pulling any punches.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
But if people think Newt is just like Romney, why are they going to vote for him
November 29th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
10. your hypocrisy knows no bounds.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Sojourner Truth Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
18 – I think Huckabee ABSOLUTELY wishes he got in. Obama looks a lot more vulnerable now than he did when Huckabee decided to pass.
============================================================================
I doubt he does, he is in a sweet spot. He is going to be Romney’s running mate.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
23 – Romney would have to be nominated first. That looks less likely by the day.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Sojourner Truth Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
23 – Romney would have to be nominated first. That looks less likely by the day.
=================================================
Only in your dreams….. Who is going to beat him???
November 29th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
25 – According to polling, Newt is going to beat him.
Or does polling only matter when Romney is ahead?
November 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Sojourner Truth Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
25 – According to polling, Newt is going to beat him.
Or does polling only matter when Romney is ahead?
=========================================================
We have had many flavors of the month, Newt is only the latest…. Besides, it takes more than Poll numbers to win, you need money…. and organization. Perry has a better chance.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Some free advice for Mitt.
While everyone is kicking Cain while he’s down, Romney should extend a hand. I would go before the cameras and make a statement, something like:
“I have known Herman Cain for x years and know him to be a passionate conservative who wants only the best for America. He has put forth his ideas for putting Americans back to work and for simplifying our taxcode. He has contributed to our public debate.
These campaigns can be grueling and particularly tough on our families. A lot of time is spent trying to tear people down, which only discourages Americans in a time when we desperately need encouragement.
I hope Herman continues to contribute to our great American debate in whatever capacity he chooses. And I wish him and his family the best.”
November 29th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
27 – And only Newt has been on the national scene and dealth with actual national Democrats. Only Newt (out of all the not Romney’s) has been better, more articulate in debates. Only Newt has the ability to not just coalesce the right, but to actually cut into the center of the GOP and rob votes from Mitt.
Perry, Bachmann, Cain have nothing on Newt.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Pablo,
I really think Romney would be too afraid to do that. He’s way too tepid.
Perry, Bachmann, Cain have nothing on Newt.
I just don’t see how anyone can reconcile his lobbies over the past decade with the fact that the country desperately needs to turn around, now, from those very sorts of policies. Collectively they’ve heaped several trillions more in liabilities onto our balance sheets and soon our debt burden.
Bachmann at the very least is a reliable conservative vote.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Anyone see the rumor at the bottom of the FPP, that Cain will drop out tomorrow?
Wow.
I predicted he would be first to drop out after TPaw, but I didn’t think it would be this late, and certainly not after such a surge.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Here is the way I see it, with Cain gone Michelle will start to attack Newt in IA, she is starting to rise and no way she goes after Romney, the only other person in her way is Newt….Book it!
November 29th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Bachmann will be on CNN live shortly (if not now).
November 29th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
UPDATE:
Herman Cain Iowa Campaign MGR Steve Grubbs just tweeted..
Former Business Partner: Ginger White Never Mentioned Herman Cain – ABC News http://abcn.ws/rN1TNx (via @ABC)
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
November 29th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
32
Bachmann has proven herself particularly bad at attacking other candidates to date.
If I were to guess, I’d say the media is going to vet Gingrich once Cain’s out of the race.
The media needs tabloid headlines, and there are none right now.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
35 Should read “there will be none when Cain is out.”
November 29th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
re: The update on the OP…
We have a Rumor that there may be a leak, tomorrow? That’s pretty funny.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
^
November 29th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
So does mean Gingrich is pretty much going to get it. The vote is not going to be split up as much anymore.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
“But Vay, who filed and won a libel lawsuit against White”
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
November 29th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Well if he does drop out, we still have time to draft Satan. ABR all the way.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
#41 He is already running, or did you not know?
November 29th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Whoever wins IA is our nominee this time.
IA = SC = FL
Game. Set. Match.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Don’t call Huck ‘Satan’, my friend.
That’s not very nice even for a Rombot like you.
November 29th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
41. “Well if he does drop out, we still have time to draft Satan. ABR all the way.”
That won’t work.
Silly, Romney is the SPAWN of Satan, and is the worst candidate since Adolf Hitler.
Worse still, he is one of them thare Mormonz.
LOL!!!!
November 29th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Uh-oh.
Fox News just announced that Herman Cain will spend the noon hour tomorrow on Cavuto’s Business show talking about……………………………………………………………………..the economy and 999
November 29th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Hitler is a morman?
November 29th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
45.
You certainly misunderstood what Huck was saying.
November 29th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Irony alert: blaming Cain’s demise on the unsavory spread of false rumors, while using the “Larry Sinclair” website to back it up.
November 29th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Comprehension of simple English is beyond some of the RomNOTS here.
Not a very bright bunch.
November 29th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Good riddance to Cain. I only wish he could have been discredited over 999 rather than adultery.
November 29th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
CR
Cheers
Episode: “Call Me Irresponsible”
Rebecca: “Oh, why can’t more men send flowers?”
Sam: “I didn’t know Mormons couldn’t send flowers.”
Rebecca “I said more men, not Mormons.”
Sam: “I know they can’t dance.”
Carla: “No, Sammy, that’s the– that’s the Amish.”
Sam: “Why can’t Mormons send flowers?
Rebecca: “They can.”
Sam: “Then what’s the problem?”
Rebecca: “I wish someone would send me some Roses.”
Sam: “Why does it have to be a Mormon?”
??: “Some people you just can’t discuss religion with.”
November 29th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
I didn’t know the Amish couldn’t dance.
November 29th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
According to the latest RCP, Cain currently has 15.5%. Where does it go? My guess:
Gingrich – 8
Romney – 4
Other – 3.5
November 29th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Meanwhile, “christian” voters, who rarely pay attention to reality, will jump on the Newt bandwagon. They’ll ignore the obvious hypocrisy and chant away, “anyone, but Romney” despite the fact that he is the most morally sound candidate in the race.
November 29th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Adultery is may be a deal breaker for Cain because he has a soul and a family that can not take it. He certainly added much to the debates but Obama had to be the only black man in the race for the white house or his plan would not succeed.
November 29th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Cain down to ZERO POINT 5 (.05) on Intrade.
Also looks like some profit taking happening on Mitt.
And, Newt is growing, thought I suspect it’s gamblers wanting to ride the wave and get out before he plummets.
November 30th, 2011 at 9:08 am
What happens if…….
Rudy gets in??? Just saying…