Politics
Herman Cain soldiers on bravely despite setbacks
White steadfastly stood by her assertion in an interview Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and said she was “disappointed” by Cain’s characterization of her. She called her relationship with Cain “a very casual affair” that lasted more than a dozen years.
“I’m not here to say anything negative about Mr. Cain,” White said, although White added that she didn’t think he should be president.
She elaborated on her claims, saying she took several trips with Cain, including a flight to Las Vegas to see a Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield boxing match. She also said she had “consistently” received gifts and money from Cain over the past two and a half years, but said it was “not sex for cash.”
Following Monday’s developments, some Cain supporters have started to defect.
New Hampshire state Rep. William Panek endorsed Cain at a news conference earlier this year. But he changed his mind Tuesday after seeing reports that White showed evidence that she had traded 61 text messages and cellphone calls with the candidate. Panek has endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the upcoming primary.
“I felt like we were being lied to,” he said. “I’m putting my name in New Hampshire as a state rep behind him, and I just didn’t like the way it was being played out.”
In Iowa, Cain’s campaign has lost some precinct-level supporters following the new allegations, according to Steve Grubbs, Cain’s Iowa chairman. Cain was in Iowa for a day last week to film a new ad, but aides say that spending to air it was on hold pending the fundraising in the days to come.
Still, some are sticking by him.
Florida state Rep. Scott Plakon, one of four chairmen for Cain’s Florida campaign, said he wanted to see more evidence.
