Cain plans 'major announcement' today

ATLANTA -- Herman Cain sent mixed signals Friday on whether he would abandon his beleaguered White House bid on Saturday after a woman's allegation of an extramarital affair.

The Republican presidential candidate said he would make a "major announcement" on whether he would press on -- at an event still being billed as the grand opening of a new headquarters.

It is the latest -- and perhaps final -- twist in a campaign saga that has taken the Georgia businessman from unknown long shot to surprise front-runner to embattled tabloid subject.

He arrived at his suburban Atlanta home Friday afternoon to talk with his wife of 42 years, Gloria, about whether to press on after his campaign was rocked by multiple sexual harassment allegations and this week's claim that he had a 13-year affair. He denies wrongdoing. It was their first face-to-face meeting since the allegation was made public.

Earlier, in a speech in Rock Hill, S.C., Cain wouldn't disclose whether he would drop out but told supporters to stay tuned. He said he would clarify the next steps of the campaign and assured backers the affair claim was "garbage." But he also said he needed to consider what he would do with campaign donations already banked if he were to drop out of the race.

"Nobody's going to make me make that prematurely," Cain told a crowd of about 100 people. "That's all there is to it. My wife and family comes first. I've got to take that into consideration," he added. "I don't doubt the support that I have. Just look at the people who are here."

Cain, 65, had not seen his wife since Ginger White, 46, came forward and said she had a sexual affair with Cain that lasted more than a decade. He has said they were only friends but acknowledged that he helped pay her monthly bills and expenses. His wife, Cain said, did not know of the friendship with White.

He is reassessing whether his presidential bid is still viable. Polls suggest his popularity has taken a deep hit.

A Des Moines Register poll released Friday showed Cain's support plummeting, with backing from 8 percent of Republican caucusgoers in Iowa, down from 23 percent a month ago.

Fundraising has also fallen off. He issued an email appeal to supporters Friday asking for donations, in an attempt to gauge whether his financial support has dried up.