Herman Cain on the campaign trail

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain and his wife, Gloria Cain, arrive to speak at the scheduled opening of a local campaign headquarters on December 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Saying that "false and unproved accusations" had fatally "distracted" and "sidetracked" his campaign and were a "painful price" for him and his family, Cain announced that he was "suspending" his campaign for president.

"I am peace with my God," Cain said. Then turning to his wife of 43 years, Gloria, on the stage behind him, he said, "I am at peace with my wife. And she is at peace with me."

Cain vowed to continue promoting 9-9-9, and promised he would make an endorsement for president - though not of the current occupant of the White House.

AP Photo/ Richmond Times-Dispatch, Dean Hoffmeyer

Before running for president in 2012, Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, had barely registered on the political radar. Nevertheless, the Southern businessman and radio show host -- who has never held political office -- made a big splash with his affable persona and "9-9-9" plan to reform the tax code, and briefly rose to the top of the polls. But after allegations of sexual impropriety emerged against him, and amid questions surrounding his expertise in foreign policy, Cain is struggling to keep up the momentum.

Can Cain campaign survive scandal? — CBS

In a conference call with supporters, on November 29, 2011, Herman Cain acknowledged that a new claim of a long-term extra-marital affair could end his run for the presidency.

Republican presidential candidates from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman pose for a photo before a Republican presidential debate in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.

Herman Cain on the "Late Show with David Letterman" — CBS

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain joins host David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman," Nov. 17, 2011 in New York.

Letterman quipped that Cain should create a hotline number, whereby Americans can dial 9-9-9 to get a free pizza. The GOP contender, insisting that his plan "works, it works," said that "instead of a free pizza, when you dial 9-9-9, you're gonna be able to get a job. That's the whole point."

On November 14, Herman Cain struggled to explain his position on President Obama's handling of Libya in an interview with the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee. In a video, Cain at one point asked if Mr. Obama supported the uprising and suggested he was having a hard time articulating an answer because he has "all this stuff twirling around in my head."

Asked if he agrees with the president on Libya, Cain looks up and says, "OK, Libya." He then pauses for a moment. "President Obama supported the uprising, correct?" he asks, speaking carefully. "President Obama called for the removal of Qaddafi - just want to make sure we're talking about the same thing before I say 'Yes, I agree,' or 'No, I didn't agree. I do not agree with the way he handled it for the following reason' - nope, that's a different one."

Cain then pauses for about five seconds. "I gotta go back and see - um, I got all this stuff twirling around in my head," he says. "Specifically, what are you asking me. Did I agree or not disagree with Obama?"

Herman Cain and Ginger White — CBS/AP Photo

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, and at right, Ginger White, a Georgia woman who claims the two had a 13-year affair. Cain denied the allegation of a romantic entanglement, and said payments made to White over the years were to help whom he described as a "troubled Atlanta businesswoman."

Cain called the allegations of an affair part of a "character assassination" plot against him - and told Fox News that, as such, he could not say "unequivocally" that "somebody else may not come up" with additional allegations against him.

Cain speaks at the CBS News/National Journal foreign policy debate at the Benjamin Johnson Arena, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 in Spartanburg, S.C. During the debate, Cain said President Obama has been on the wrong side of nearly every situation in the Arab world and the United States has mishandled the uprisings in the region.

Cain greets members of the Willow Run Tea Party Caucus during a campaign stop at the Big Sky Diner on November 10, 2011 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to reporters about the sexual misconduct allegations against him, during a press conference at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Nov. 8, 2011, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Cain arrives to address the 'Defending The American Dream Summit' organized by the conservative Americans For Prosperity (AFP) foundation in Washington on November 4, 2011.

Cain pauses as he makes a statement on healthcare after he met with doctors at a Docs4PatientCare event November 2, 2011 at the Hilton Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.

Cain exits Trump Towers to speak with the media before a meeting with real estate mogul Donald Trump on October 3, 2011 in New York City. Cain, a fiscal and social conservative, apparently spoke to Trump about his "9-9-9" tax plan.

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain signs a supporter's '999' sign after unveiling his 'Opportunity Zone' economic plan in front of the Michigan Central Station, an abandoned train depot, October 21, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

Cain shakes hands with a family during a book signing Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cain speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), at the Orange County Convention Center, on September 23, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The following day, the candidate pulled off an upset victory at the Florida straw poll.

Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Cain as Texas Rep. Ron Paul listens during a Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on September 7, 2011 in Simi Valley, California.

The campaign coach for Cain arrives at the Stephens Auditorium at Iowa State University for the Republican party debate August 11, 2011 in Ames, Iowa.

ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images

Cain is escorted by Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Foundation Fred Ryan as he arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to the media outside of Trump Towers before a scheduled appearance with real estate mogul Donald Trump on Oct. 3, 2011 in New York City.

Cain is interviewed following the Republican party debate August 11, 2011 in Ames, Iowa. Most of the eight Republican presidential hopefuls participating in the debate spent the week campaigning across the state to prepare for the debate and August 13's Iowa Straw Poll, which Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., won.

Cain speaks during the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference on June 17, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference featured keynote addresses from most of the major Republican candidates for president as well as numerous Republican leaders from across the country.

Former Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., looks on while Cain speaks during the first 2012 Republican presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire on June 13, 2011.

Cain speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition event on March 7, 2011 in Waukee, Iowa. Cain was among several potential presidential candidates who spoke to hundreds of activists at the event.

Cain greets potential caucus voters prior to speaking at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition event on March 7, 2011 in Waukee, Iowa.

Cain shares a laugh with Sarah Palin impersonator Patti Lyons in the lobby of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel during the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 11, 2011, in Washington. A dozen potential Republican presidential hopefuls are addressed CPAC, the biggest gathering of conservative activists in the country.