Campaigners Disappointed Herman Cain Dropped Presidential Bid
The recent announcement that Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is dropping out of the 2012 race, just one month before the Iowa caucuses, has Iowa supporters sorely disappointed.
Cain was compelled to drop out of his presidential run amidst sexual harassment allegations from four women he worked with during his time as CEO of the National Restaurant Association, as well as an allegation of a 13-year extramarital affair with a woman named Ginger White.
Lisa Lockwood, Cain's communications director, told ABC News that it didn't really matter to her whether or not the accusations were true, and that she believed Cain would have made a great president.
"I think he’s an awesome man and I think he would have been an awesome president," she said. "I still hold out hope that one day he will. I think he will continue to be a strong voice for the people and take a positive difference for our country."
Although saddened that Cain chose to drop out of the race, his Iowa chairman, Steve Grubbs, said the scandals only overshadowed Cain's message and the good he could have done for the country.
"Boy, what I would have given for a couple of drama-free weeks just to focus on message and organization," Grubbs told NBC News.
The allegations took a significant toll on Cain's Iowa support. According to a recent Des Moines Register poll, Cain held just 8 percent of voters' support in the days leading up to his resignation, down from 23 percent back in October before the scandals broke.
"I like a fight, and I think Herman Cain does, too," Cain's Iowa state director, Larry Tuel, told ABC News. "And I wanted to stay in, because I think we could do well in Iowa. I think if we put the resources here, Herman Cain could do well in Iowa, despite what the polls say."
Cain made the announcement he was dropping out of the race in his hometown of Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday.
"As of today, with a lot of prayer and soul searching, I am suspending my presidential campaign," he said. "I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction, the continued hurt . . . on me, on my family, not because we are not fighters, not because I am not a fighter."