Herman Cain reassessing campaign: “We have to do an assessment as to whether or not this is going to create too much of a cloud”

When news broke about Herman Cain’s alleged 13-year affair with Ginger White, he said (slightly paraphrased), “If it’s tough on my family, I’d have to consider that at the time…” responding to a question on whether he’ll stay in the race.

And my comment was, “Well, expect him to drop then. He just offered the rationale.”

Bingo:

In a conference call this morning, Herman Cain told his senior staff that he is “reassessing” whether to remain in the race. He will make his final decision “over the next several days.”

National Review was on the call. It lasted five minutes.

Cain started out by defending himself, as he did in his CNN interview. But then he added this:

“That being said, obviously, this is cause for reassessment,” he continued. “As you know, during the summer we had to make some reassessments based upon our financial situation. We were able to hang in there; we reassessed the situation and kept on going. We also did a reassessment after the Iowa straw poll and we made another reassessment after the Florida straw poll. When the previous two accusations, false accusations, came about, we made another assessment…. Now, with this latest one, we have to do an assessment as to whether or not this is going to create too much of a cloud, in some people’s minds, as to whether or not they would be able to support us going forth… So we’re going to continue until we complete our assessment over the next several days…. It’s also taken a toll on my wife and family, as you would imagine…”

I hate to say I told you so, but…

Please read the entire statement at NRO.