Cain to make “announcement” tomorrow regarding future of campaign

Could this be the end? Fox News reports:

Herman Cain plans to make an announcement Saturday about his political future, as his campaign reels from new allegations about an extramarital affair.

Cain previously had said he was taking a “reassessment” of his presidential campaign in light of the allegations of the affair and additional claims of sexual harassment. He denies the claims but is heading home to Atlanta to confer with his wife, saying his family is his “No. 1 priority.”

Such comments have fueled speculation that Cain will drop out of the Republican race, but speaking Friday to supporters in South Carolina, he said only that he would make an announcement Saturday.

“Nobody is going to get me to make that prematurely,” he said. “That’s all there is to that. So tomorrow, we’re going to be opening our headquarters in northwest Georgia, where we will also clarify … exactly what the next steps are.”

Cain earlier told Fox News that while he’s spoken with his wife Gloria every day this week, he’ll be at home Friday “so we can sit down and talk face to face.”

[…]

Cain told Fox News on Thursday his wife does not doubt his vehement denials about the charges against him — including prior sexual harassment allegations — but the “media frenzy” is taking an emotional toll on his family.

“Many of my supporters, the response has been overwhelmingly positive that they are behind me, but I’ve got to consider family considerations first,” Cain said.

He said he could either decide to campaign “full speed ahead” or suspend his campaign. He said he would be willing to end the campaign if his wife asked him to — though Cain added that his wife wouldn’t do that, and the decision will be his to make.

But … is this “announcement” much ado about nothing “major”? Via CBS:

A senior adviser to the campaign tells CBS News and National Journal that Cain simply plans to announce the opening of a campaign office in Georgia.

But:

The Washington Post, citing sources close to Cain’s campaign, reported Friday that Cain has invited his top donors and backers to Atlanta Saturday morning to “give them advance word of whether he intends to continue his campaign.”

One person who plans to attend the event said he expects Cain to end his candidacy, though another speculated that he would just express gratitude for his backers’ continued support. Cain is expected to hold a news conference following the meeting.

The campaign donation well is drying up. I expect him to drop out.

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