Herman Cain drops-out of Republican Presidential race.

Colorful, controversial, long-shot Presidential candidate Herman Cain announced today he will abandon his quest for the Presidency.

Early in November, Cain surged in the polls on the strength of more than creditable debate performances and with the help of Texas Governor Rick Perry’s propensity for intellectual and verbal meltdowns.  Speaking with the press, Cain said he technically is “suspending” his campaign, because allegations of sexual harassment have sent his numbers plummeting.  He vowed, however, to continue promoting his program and platform via a newly launched website, thecainsolution.com.  Until several of hi8s former employees went public with their harassment charges, Cain had garnered widespread support from pragmatic conservatives who appreciated the common sense and business-friendliness in many of his proposals and positions.  Given his business background, Cain focused on economic issues and scrupulously avoided more volatile social issues.

Flanked by his wife Gloria, Cain said, “I am not going to be silenced, and I am not going away.”  He pledged to continue speaking as “a voice for the people.”

Cain stressed, “I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction, the continued hurt caused on me and my family. Not because we are not fighters.” He said he had reached his decision “with a lot of prayer and soul-searching.”

Cain has been blocking and parrying allegations of sexual misconduct for at least a month, but he took a pu8nch too big to block this week as Ginger White told MSNBC she had carried-on a thirteen year affair with the former pizza profiteer.  According to Ms. White, the liaison was not “a love affair,” and the details suggested a well-crafted quid pro quo in which she traded her sexual favors for gifts, financial assistance, and monthly living expenses.  Earlier this week, Cain himself had characterized the relationship as “a friendship,” but Ms. White’s own statements were scandalous enough to drive undecided Cain backers into the Gingrich and Romney camps.

On Friday, Ginger White formally and publicly apologized to Cain’s wife and family, saying, “I am deeply, deeply sorry if I have caused any hurt to her and to his kids, to his family. That was not my intention. I never wanted to hurt anyone, and I’m deeply sorry. I am very sorry.”  At the time Ms. White offered her mea culpa, Cain sources said the candidate had not discussed the matter with his wife.  According to campaign sources, they did finally meet Friday night to decide whether or not Cain should continue his campaign.