GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain’s reassessment of his campaign and its future may hinge on his family’s feelings, particularly his wife’s opinion about whether he should continue in the race, after claims made by Atlanta-based Ginger White of a long-term affair.

The infamous Cain Train has literally been stopped in its tracks in the past few weeks because of allegations from several women of sexual harassment and infidelity. The candidate also suggested that new claims could emerge.

“I can’t sit here and say, after working in the business for 40 years, that someone else may not come up with another trumped-up charge,” he said. “This is about bringing down Herman Cain.”

He also pointed the finger at Democrats, whom he says may prefer former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to be President Obama’s ultimate challenger, although he says he doesn’t really know who’s behind what he describes as an assassination of his character.

“I can only conjecture that maybe I am the Democrats’ worst nightmare if I win the nomination. Maybe the Democrats want Newt Gingrich to win the nomination, so they can then go after his personal life,” Cain said. “My star was shining and rising too fast. They wanted to take some of that shine off.”

Gingrich, who has a history of cheating, appears to be the Republican candidate who has gained the most from Cain’s derailment. He is leading in polls in Florida, Iowa and South Carolina, and closing in on rival Mitt Romney in California.

Late-night comedians are already lamenting the potential loss of Cain, whose campaign blunders are, for them and the political reporters who cover him, the gift that keeps on giving.

“We could lose him!” Stephen Colbert said Tuesday. "Herman, don’t you leave this election lover’s pizza half-baked. I’m saying this not just as a supporter, but as a broadcaster. I need you in the race. Don’t leave me with him,” Colbert added, pointing to a photo of Romney.

His dream may come true — for now.

At a New Hampshire campaign event Wednesday night, Cain told supporters, “After that latest firestorm, there were some people that thought that I was finished, but I’m going to leave it with Yogi Berra’s comment: It ain’t over till it’s over, and it ain’t over yet.”

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos, and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices.

(Photo: AP Photo/David Goldman, File)