Earlier this summer, before the allegations against Herman Cain had surfaced and life was, by all accounts, more innocent, I met him for an interview in New York City's Bryant Park. Amid sounds of chirping birds and a morning yoga lesson on the lawn, we had a long talk, about his family, his politics, and what was then Cain's most controversial material, his stance on Muslims in the Cabinet. It feels like such a simpler time.  In the waning days of his embattled presidential campaign, Herman Cain sounded like a man crafting his own political obituary.  Herman Cain tells supporters at his campaign headquarters in Atlanta that he is suspending his campaign.  Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain told supporters Saturday that he is suspending his presidential campaign, which has become hobbled in recent weeks by allegations of sexual harassment and an Atlanta woman's claim that they carried on a 13-year affair.  CNN contributors Will Cain and Hilary Rosen on the anticipation of a decision from Herman Cain on his presidential run.  Piers Morgan presses Herman's Cain attorney, Lin Wood, on the alleged infidelity of his client.  Why is having an affair worse than being a sexual harasser?  Tom Foreman looks at the timeline of Herman Cain's presidential run from the beginning to the most recent controversy.  A defiant Herman Cain tried to turn the tables on his growing legion of critics and accusers Wednesday, blasting them for allegedly engaging in gutter politics and giving no indication of any immediate intent to abandon his embattled presidential campaign.  An Atlanta woman says she had a 13-year affair with Herman Cain - a claim that Cain denied to CNN's Wolf Blitzer.  Embattled Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told his staff Tuesday he is "reassessing" the viability of his campaign in the wake of an allegation made Monday that he engaged in an extramarital affair that lasted for more than 13 years, CNN has learned.  An Atlanta businesswoman has accused GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain of having had an affair with her that lasted nearly 14 years, a claim the candidate flatly denied Monday.  It's hard to remember a presidential candidate who seemed more, er, unacquainted with the national dialogue -- or presidential prerequisites -- than Herman Cain.  Herman Cain, the surprise candidate of 2012, has been struggling to survive accusations of sexual harassment. Every day that the story continues and new accusations emerge, Cain's candidacy is at greater risk.  Sharon Bialek's ex-boyfriend, Dr. Victor Zuckerman, talks about meeting Herman Cain at a conference in the late 1990s.  A former boyfriend of Herman Cain accuser Sharon Bialek said Monday that she told him in 1997 that Cain touched her inappropriately after the pair had dinner together in Washington.  The Republican candidates for president tackled national security issues on Saturday in a 90-minute debate in South Carolina. Moderators steered the eight candidates toward terrorism, Iran, China, the war in Afghanistan, the Arab Spring and foreign aid.  Republican contenders held their first foreign policy debate and found some fault lines. CNN's Jonathan Mann reports.  At the CNBC Republican presidential debate, Herman Cain is asked about allegations of sexual harassment.  When you consider the array of public men who have been forced, in one way or another, to come clean on their bad behavior, the list is not insubstantial: a president (Bill Clinton), presidential candidates (John Edwards, Gary Hart), governors (Mark Sanford, Eliot Spitzer), senators (John Ensign, David Vitter). And that's just the top tier.  The attorney for a woman who accused presidential hopeful Herman Cain of sexual harassment in the late 1990s said Thursday his client is not prepared to hold a news conference about the allegations until all the other reported victims agree to join her.  In the midst of a swirl of rumors about Herman Cain, a woman who accuses him of sexual harassment holds a news conference. Her attorney, Gloria Allred, employs her studied grimace as Sharon Bialek tells of an encounter 14 years ago that, if true, constitutes an unreported sexual assault. At his own press conference the next day, candidate Cain issues a heated denial, having earlier hinted at a willingness to take a lie detector test.  Appearing Wednesday in a presidential debate in Michigan focused primarily on economic matters, Republican Herman Cain again faced down questions about the sexual harassment scandal that has engulfed his campaign and the Republican race for the White House.  Appearing Wednesday at a presidential debate in Michigan focused primarily on economic matters, Republican Herman Cain again faced down questions about the sexual harassment scandal that has engulfed his campaign and the Republican race for the White House.  Brian Todd reports on what Herman Cain's known accusers will do now - and has background on the accusers.  Gloria Allred, lawyer for Sharon Bialek, calls Herman Cain a "serial liar and harasser."  At least two of the four women who have accused GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain of sexual harassment are considering holding a news conference to detail their accusations, their lawyers said Wednesday night.  Presidential hopeful Herman Cain said he didn't remember ever knowing Sharon Bialek when she went before TV cameras Monday to accuse him of sexually groping her in 1997, but the two were seen talking last month.  David Frum and Will Cain explain how the sexual harassment allegations have affected Herman Cain's presidential campaign.  It might be best to call this "one thing to watch" at Wednesday night's debate in the suburbs of Detroit. Herman Cain's rivals have only begun to comment on the sexual harassment allegations facing the conservative businessman.  Herman Cain vigorously denies a series of sexual harassment allegations and says he's never met accuser Sharon Bialek.  By now, it's a familiar scenario.  Herman Cain on Tuesday vehemently denied all sexual harassment allegations against him and said he had no memory of the first accuser to publicly describe claimed misconduct by the Republican presidential hopeful.  Gloria Allred talks with Wolf Blitzer about her client's claim of sexually inappropriate behavior against Herman Cain.  A Chicago woman said Monday that Herman Cain sexually groped her in 1997 when Cain was head of the National Restaurant Association.  Sharon Bialek says GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain sexually harassed her and describes the turn of events.  Herman Cain accuser Sharon Bialek tells Piers Morgan she trusted Cain, and that he knew she had a boyfriend.  The woman who accused Herman Cain of groping her after a 1997 dinner says the Republican presidential candidate is "still in denial" about his conduct.  Hilary Rosen and Ed Rollins on how avoiding questions on sex harassment allegations could harm Herman Cain's 2012 chances.  GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain faced a new claim of sexually inappropriate behavior Monday as a Chicago woman told reporters the former head of the National Restaurant Association groped her after a dinner together in 1997.  Herman Cain's rise in Republican presidential polls made him the primary target of rivals in New Hampshire debate.  Republican presidential rivals debated economic issues on Tuesday night and Herman Cain, the latest of the 2012 candidates to surge to the top of polls, found the bulls-eye painted on him.  If you're Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Brent Bozell, Sean Hannity, and yes, even Herman Cain, you must feel pretty stupid for trying to fool the American people by blaming the reporting on sexual harassment complaints against the GOP presidential candidate on his race.  CNN's Don Lemon discusses Herman Cain's slow recall with comedian Will Durst  Herman Cain doesn't want to talk about the sexual harassment allegations dogging his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, but plenty of other folks weighed in on Sunday.  In my mind -- and in the law -- there are two kinds of sexual harassment. The first kind is quid pro quo and easy to spot. A really detestable (usually) man gives his (usually) female subordinate employee or student an ultimatum: Put out or lose some opportunity, be it a grade, a job or a promotion.  Redstate.com's Erick Erickson and Comcast's Robert Traynham on if harassment claims will hurt Cain's presidential run.  Joel Bennett, the attorney for one of Herman Cain's accusers, says his client wants to put the past behind her.  One of the women who accused Republican presidential contender Herman Cain of sexual harassment released a statement through her lawyer Friday saying that she "stands by" her complaint, which was made "in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances."  Gov. Rick Perry tells CNN's John King that his campaign did not leak the harassment allegations surrounding Herman Cain.  A defiant Herman Cain on Thursday continued to deny allegations of sexual harassment in his past and said he won't be deterred by the controversy that has dominated his front-running campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.  Curt Anderson, the Rick Perry campaign adviser accused of leaking a Herman Cain sexual harassment story, speaks out.  GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain says his campaign is in the phase where factions are trying to destroy him.  Herman Cain's campaign Wednesday called a report of a third former employee claiming he engaged in inappropriate behavior an example of "baseless allegations."  GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain argues that he didn't change his story over allegations of sexual harassment.  When it comes to the bottom line, there are a few reasons that an employer might pay to sweep sexual harassment allegations under the rug instead of fighting them in the courtroom or the court of public opinion.  CNN's Jim Acosta describes the scene at a Herman Cain event where the candidate's temper appeared to get the best of him.  Herman Cain may very well bounce back and remain a popular contender for the GOP presidential nomination, but the normal rules of politics would say that he has about 48 hours to get his campaign under control.  An attorney for one of Cain's accusers says he heard someone from the Natl. Restaurant Association leaked the story.  This week, Politico reported that two female employees accused GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain of sexual harassment when he was chair of the National Restaurant Association. "The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable," Politico reported, "and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association."  A black Republican who has rankled liberals and suddenly risen in prominence is torpedoed with old allegations of sexual harassment as he challenges the conventional wisdom about how African-Americans think and pursues an important position atop the federal government.  CNN's Joe Johns reports Herman Cain's handling of sexual harassment accusations is playing well within the GOP.  Gov. Haley Barbour says he's surprised by the allegations made against Herman Cain and wants to see how it all plays out.  Not long ago, presidential candidate Herman Cain made headlines when he said blacks were brainwashed for not considering conservative ideas. On other occasions he declared that racism was no longer a problem and blamed the poor for being poor.  A report in The Washington Post says one of Herman Cain's accusers is ready to go public and tell her side of the story.  What did Herman Cain know, and when did he know it?  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain Tuesday denied ever sexually harassing anyone and assailed what he called a "smear campaign" against him.  Candidate says claims are part of "an intended smear campaign," by people who cannot kill his ideals.  Herman Cain is denying any knowledge of a settlement following allegations of sexual harassment made by two women.  The campaign of presidential candidate Herman Cain has criticized a news report alleging that Cain displayed inappropriate behavior to two female employees in the 1990s, saying the news media has started "to launch unsubstantiated personal attacks on Cain."  Presidential Candidate Ron Paul says he has "no plans" for a third party run in the 2012 GOP race, yet.  The campaign of Herman Cain again worked to clarify his stance on abortion Thursday night after the GOP presidential candidate raised new questions at a Texas campaign stop when he said he was "pro-life, no exceptions."  CNN's Erin Burnett takes a closer look at Herman Cain's new political campaign ad.  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain tells CNN's Piers Morgan that abortion should never happen.  What's the most emotional and divisive issue in American politics?  A look back at Herman Cain's comments about the Israeli prisoner swap and his thoughts on negotiating with terrorists.  Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain has vaulted to the top of the Republican presidential field because GOP voters like his plainspoken talk and his willingness to offer a radical change to the U.S. tax code, and in a year when touting a long career in politics isn't a good idea, he's getting points for having no political experience.  Under Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform plan, 84% of U.S. households would pay more than they do under current tax policies, according to a report released Tuesday by a nonpartisan research group.  The Republican presidential field's Mr. Nice, Herman Cain, vowed to go on the attack early Wednesday morning, after an often sharp-tempered debate among the seven rivals.  Now that he's running in the top tier of national polls, Herman Cain's "9-9-9" tax plan came under immediate criticism from his rivals at a GOP presidential debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.  A group launched a new effort Tuesday night dedicated to supporting Hermain Cain's candidacy in the early voting states.  It seems a certainty that the biggest headlines coming out of Tuesday night's CNN debate in Las Vegas will be about race, gays, religion or immigration. It has to be, because only Herman Cain is gaining any traction on Mitt Romney, and it is as much for his freshness as it is for his ideas.  CNN political analyst Gloria Borger explains how candidates rally against poll leaders.  In presidential elections, as the popular line goes, Democrats fall in love with a candidate and Republicans fall in line. This presidential cycle could be a different story, however. Left with a bad taste in their mouths after 2008, Republican voters are looking for a new breed of candidate. Right now, it's Herman Cain.  Herman Cain claims that brainwashing explains why so few blacks support conservative Republicans such as himself. He is wrong. The thinking, sentiments, and policy preferences he supports give good cause for rejecting him.  Presidential candidate Herman Cain talks to John King about his status with the field of Republican candidates.  Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan is gaining traction, but not in every quarter.  There's a lot to like about Herman Cain. He's funny and personable. He's a great American success story. His 9-9-9 tax plan may be half-baked, but the concept behind the plan -- replace the corporate income tax with in effect a consumption tax -- has a lot to recommend it. (Although, the plan has a lot of problems, too.) Finally, in a political cycle that has seen too many coded racial attacks on President Obama and his family, it's a source of great pride to me to see an African-American topping my party's polls.  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain responds to Harry Belafonte's comment that he is a "bad apple."  Herman Cain's tax proposals have rocketed him to the top of the pack in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination.  As you may have heard, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has a tax proposal he calls the "9-9-9 plan."  Herman Cain said Sunday some Americans would pay higher taxes under his "9-9-9" plan, but denied suggestions that the poorest Americans and middle-class would pay more.  As the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination has come into sharper focus, an unlikely figure has emerged -- former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain.  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is taking the GOP by storm. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.  CNN's John King and a panel discuss GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain's surge in the polls.  GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain shares details about how he came up with his "9-9-9" economic plan.  It seems fitting that Herman Cain has surged into the top tier of the GOP candidates just as "Celebrity Apprentice" announces its new cast for the upcoming season.
As the now-former presidential hopeful Herman Cain moves to Plan B, black conservatives say it's time to stick with their Plan A, and use the leverage that the GOP candidate gave them.