The Cain Train Sputters and Stops

Posted on Dec 3, 2011

Gage Skidmore (CC-BY)

Former presidential hopeful Herman Cain.

To audible sighs of collective grief and dismay, Herman Cain announced the suspension of his presidential campaign Saturday, assuring supporters and everyone else that he is a “fighter” who “would not go away.” A suspension, as opposed to a formal closure, allows Cain to continue collecting money.

Cain made comments that seemed to point to multiplying allegations of sexual harassment as the reason he quit the campaign. He is expected to endorse a candidate soon. —ARK

The New York Times:

“As of today, with a lot of prayer and soul searching, I am suspending my presidential campaign,” Mr. Cain said at a rally here, surrounded by supporters chanting his name. “Because of the continued distractions, the continued hurt caused on me and my family, not because we are not fighters. Not because I’m not a fighter.”

In suspending his candidacy, as opposed to saying that he was quitting the race or ending his bid, Mr. Cain maintained his ability to accept money to pay for his campaign so far and to finance the new venture that he called his Plan B: to travel the country promoting his tax and foreign policy plans. If Mr. Cain had decided to formally close his campaign organization, he would not be able to use donations that may come in.

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