Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain yesterday told supporters that he was suspending his presidential campaign, citing allegations of sexual harassment as? reason. Cain was accused of sexual harassment while an Atlanta woman claimed that they carried on a 13-year affair.
He blamed political and media pressure on his family for his decision. “I am not going to be silenced and I’m not going away,” he told supporters in his home city of Atlanta, Georgia.
While he will still be able to raise and spend campaign funds because he did not officially drop out, Cain’s White House bid may have slipped out of his hands.
Cain said he came to the decision after assessing the impact that the allegations were having on his wife, his family and his supporters.
Cain and his wife, Gloria, held hands as they walked up to the podium where Cain made his remarks in Atlanta. The crowd chanted, “Gloria! Gloria!” before the candidate spoke.
He repeatedly called the allegations “false and untrue,” and added that “the (media) spin hurts. “
Even as he stepped aside under the weight of the allegations that have dogged him, Cain said that he was at “peace with my God” and “peace with my wife.”
“I am not going to be silenced and I will not go away,” Cain said, announcing what he called his Plan B: A website, TheCainSolutions.com, through which he will continue to advocate for his platform.
His catchy “9-9-9” economic plan is not going anywhere, he said.
“Your support has been unwavering and undying,” Cain told his supporters. He will endorse another of the Republican presidential hopefuls soon, he said. Other candidates were quick to react.
Next month, voters in Iowa will begin the process of choosing a Republican presidential candidate for 2012.
Mr Cain said the allegations against him had taken a toll on his family, but added: “I am at peace.”
“I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction, the continued hurt caused on me and my family,” he told supporters at what had been billed as the opening of his campaign headquarters.
“These false and unproved allegations continue to be spinned in the media and in the court of public opinion so as to create a cloud of doubt over me and this campaign and my family,” he said.