Herman Cain reassessing campaign

DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain told his national campaign staff Tuesday he is reassessing his chances.

The statement, made during a mid-morning conference call, follows an accusation he had a 13-year affair with an Atlanta woman, The Des Moines Register and the National Review reported.

"If a decision is made, different than we should plow ahead, you all will be the first to know," Cain told 94 campaign workers. The Register and the National Review said they monitored the call.

WAGA, Atlanta, Monday reported Atlanta businesswoman Ginger White said her extramarital affair with Cain ended just before he announced he would seek the presidency. Cain, who earlier was accused of sexual harassment, told those on the call the latest allegations may have cast "too much of a cloud in some people's minds as to whether or not they should support us going forward."

At the same time, Cain denied the charges.

"Obviously, you're all aware of this recent firestorm that hit the news yesterday," Cain said. "First thing I want to do is say to you what I have said publicly: I deny those charges, unequivocally."

Cain, the former Godfather's Pizza chief executive officer, noted reassessing his campaign is nothing new. He said he has done so repeatedly in the past few months.

"I just wanted to let everybody know directly from me, we have not lost our enthusiasm at this point. We are going to reassess things over the next several days, and we will contact you over the next several days and let you know positive, negative whatever the case may be. But as I said, I'm going to continue the schedule as planned," Cain said.

Cain has been slipping in the polls since several women accused him of sexual harassment during his tenure at the National Restaurant Association. He has denied those allegations as well.