captions paid for by nbc-universal television good evening. tonight herman cain is out of the race for president with his wife standing behind him the republican candidate told supporters in atlanta today that unproved accusations of office sexual harassment and an extramarital affair have exacted a painful price on his family. as recently as this summer, cain was considered a real long shot, only to suddenly surge to near the front of the pack. a change in status that left him open to some harsh scrutiny. and tonight as he throws in the towel, suspending his campaign, cain remains steadfast in his denial of the allegations that have derailed his dream. our coverage begins with nbc s peter alexander outside the cain headquarters in atlanta. peter? reporter: lester, good evening to you. today s announcement had a lot of the same political fever that has defined herman cain s unconventional campaign. there was barbecue served, music played, and cain even quoted the animated
peter alexander outside the cain headquarters in atlanta. peter? reporter: lester, good evening to you. today s announcement had a lot of the same political fever that has defined herman cain s unconventional campaign. barbecue served, cain quoted the animated movie pokemon. up until the last minute, cain s closest advisers were still in the dark about what decisions he would make. it was supposed to be a new beginning, the grand opening of herman cain s georgia state headquarte headquarters. but when cain and his wife of 43 years stepped off the campaign bus even his supporters didn t know what he would say. i am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction, the continued hurt caused on me and my family. reporter: cain acknowledged the painful impact of allegations of sexual harassment, and more recently claims by an atlanta woman, ginger white, of a 13-year extramarital affair. it wasn t a love affair. it was a sexual affair. reporter:
captions paid for by nbc-universal television good evening. tonight herman cain is out of the race for president with his wife standing behind him the republican candidate told supporters in atlanta today that unproved accusations of office sexual harassment and an extramarital affair have exacted a painful price on his family. as recently as this summer, cain was considered a real long shot, only to suddenly surge to near the front of the pack. a change in status that left him open to some harsh scrutiny. and tonight as he throws in the towel, suspending his campaign, cain remains steadfast in his denial of the allegations that have derailed his dream. our coverage begins with nbc s peter alexander outside the cain headquarters in atlanta. peter? reporter: lester, good evening to you. today s announcement had a lot of the same political fever that has defined herman cain s unconventional campaign. barbecue served, cain quoted the animated movie pokemon. up until the last
representative, william panic, conif i recalling to outfront that he is withdrawing his support for cain and switching to newt gingrich. adding the alleged affair was the final straw. and within the last hour, the presidential candidate sending a message to his supporters. and i read it in part, quote, this woman s story is completely false. i am asking for your friendship. i am also asking for your prayers and support. this is a trying time for my family, my campaign, and for me. i m looking at the letter here which concludes with, the ability to buy herman cain t-shirts and donate money. money is what this is going to come down to. cain s plea for support comes after telling staffers this morning that he is recessing his campaign. a top campaign aide told cnn today, a decision will likely be made within a couple of days. as of yesterday cain was adamant about staying in the race but emthere was one person who could change his mind. as long as my wife is behind me, and a
i m erin burnett. outfront, we begin with breaking news. herman cain losing key support in new hampshire one day after a georgia woman claims she had a 13-year affair with the candidate. one new hampshire state representative, william panic, conif i recalling to outfront that he is withdrawing his support for cain and switching to newt gingrich. adding the alleged affair was the final straw. and within the last hour, the presidential candidate sending a message to his supporters. and i read it in part, quote, this woman s story is completely false. i am asking for your friendship. i am also asking for your prayers and support. this is a trying time for my family, my campaign, and for me. i m looking at the letter here which concludes with, the ability to buy herman cain t-shirts and donate money. money is what this is going to come down to. cain s plea for support comes after telling staffers this morning that he is recessing his campaign. a top campaign aide told cnn tod