Cain struggles with Republican women in polls
(CNN) – Embattled Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain suffers from lower support among Republican women than Republican men, a problem that predates the allegations of sexual harassment and an extramarital affair, according to recent polls.
Results from the CNN/ORC International Polls taken before Monday's accusation that he engaged in a 14-year affair with an Atlanta businesswoman, suggest his lower standing among Republican women is due to concerns over his economic policies as well as his personal qualities.
In a CNN poll released in October, before any accusations were leveled, Cain received 30% support from Republican male voters compared to the 20% he garnered from Republican female voters. In the November poll, taken after the harassment claims, both figures dropped, but the gender disparity remained. His support from Republican males fell to 22% and to 12% from Republican female voters.
His favorable and unfavorable ratings remained largely consistent during the same period of time with men and women, even after the charges. However, GOP women were less likely than GOP men to say Cain's views closely mirror their own on issues, including his "9-9-9" tax plan.
Cain's biggest problem in the surveys was a steep drop in the number of the Republicans who said he was the best candidate to spur economic growth.
"Looking at these numbers, you can make a strong counterargument that the reason why Cain dipped in the polls was that men grew disenchanted with Cain's economic policy," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.
In October, 40% of GOP men said Cain was the White House hopeful most likely to get the economy moving again, compared with the 25% of GOP women. But the November figures showed a drop among men to 23% and among women to 16%.
A Gallup survey released Wednesday showed men have a more positive opinion of the former radio talk show host, with the gender gap increasing in recent weeks.
Cain's personal appeal resonated more with GOP men than GOP women, according to the CNN polls released in the last month, with Republican women less likely to think Cain has the right personality and leadership qualities to be president.
"That may be a reflection of the harassment charges, but I think there is a lot more to it than that," Holland said of Cain's approval with women. "Historically, men tend to respond more positively to 'red meat' candidates like Cain than women do."
"Whatever the reason for the gender gap on this question, the latest news is unlikely to help Cain with women," Holland added.
The polls released on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21 surveyed 480 and 402 Republican voters in that order. They had a sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points and plus or minus 5 percentage points respectively.
- CNN Producer Gabriella Schwarz contributed to this report.
Also see:
Cain to CNN: 'A decision in the next several days'
Cain accuser describes 'very casual affair'
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When looking at the poll numbers for Herman Cain, one might say he can't keep it up like this and still expect to win the nomination, however the polls seem to indicate fewer people have faith in him because he was always trying to keep it up.
Maggie
"The democrats are playing nasty against Herman Cain. It is so disgusting that it makes me want to be sick. You know, what goes around comes around .... as you call it "karma". It will come back to haunt you democrats and I hope you can deal with it. NASTY, NASTY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!. or should I say trash. Dirty Chicago style politics!!!!! Don't give up Cain because we are still behind you 100%!!!!"
Poor, poor Maggie...so delusional. Where is the evidence that the democrats are playing him nasty. He is doing it to himself. We are not ready for him if ever. He won't be his party's nominee. It would be a waste of time to bother with him. He's not worth the effort...he's good for a few laughs though!
Nobody knows the trouble he's seen. Nobody knows his sorrow. Poor, poor, misunderstood republican.
"I would have an attorney getting ready to take these women to court for discrimination, defaminiton, slander, whatever. "
So would I if the women are truly lying. Cain won't take them to court because guess what? THE WOMEN ARE NOT LYING!
Sniffit
"I don't want to venture saying what animal in captivity he resembles."
I'll say it: angry baboon. I've been comparing the GOP/Teatrolls to feces flinging monkeys for years now, so anyone who wants to throw the penalty card at me can go stand in the way of said flying feces
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It was worth "copying" and "pasting" Sniffit!!!
Maggie,you better stay behind Herman. Something bad will happen to you if you get in front of him. And it's the republicans that are playing dirty. They put up the token black republican and didn't know he would poll so well, so now it's time to take him down.
The democrats are playing nasty against Herman Cain. It is so disgusting that it makes me want to be sick. You know, what goes around comes around .... as you call it "karma". It will come back to haunt you democrats and I hope you can deal with it. NASTY, NASTY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!. or should I say trash. Dirty Chicago style politics!!!!! Don't give up Cain because we are still behind you 100%!!!!
The democrats are not the ones doing this. Do you really think that Gingrich and Romney want Herman Cain to win the nomination over them? The GOP did this to Cain, not the democrats. The dems WANT Cain to win because Obama would destroy him in any debate! What's disgusting is that you conservatives have no idea how to think on your own and for yourselves. You need FOX news to think for you.
"If I was Cain and truthfully knew I was innocent, I would have an attorney getting ready to take these women to court for discrimination, defaminiton, slander, whatever."
And yet he doesn't....
FIELD 1st has taken too much shrapnel. Should have worn a helmet.
It is time for Herb to come clean, and tell the right wingnuts he let them down.
Teavangelicals will not believe any of this until Fox finally moves on from the fist bump conspiracy theories and reports news.
Cain lower among women. Quelle surprise. Numerous women accuse him of harassment and one now claims to have carried on a 13 year adulterous affair with him. Usually, where there's that much smoke, there's at least a little fire. Color me shocked.
"You need FOX news to think for you."
Careful...that statement gives Faux too much credit. What they do isn't called "thinking." It's called LYING. Seriously. Multiple studies have now found that when given basic tests on awareness of and to measure how informed they are about current events, politics and other rudimentary stuff that comes up on the "news," Faux viewers SCORE MORE POORLY THAN PEOPLE WHO WATCH ZERO "NEWS" (who, in turn, score more poorly than people who get their "news" elsewhere, like CNN or the other stations).
"FIELD 1st has taken too much shrapnel. Should have worn a helmet."
Indeed. Tinfoil just doesn't cut it.
Shocker of a headline.
It wouldn't appear of late that Cain had problems with any women.Republican or Democrat.
He's keeping his security team to defend him from his wife when he stops the book tour.
Get your PIMPIN hat on Token....Who better to screw the American people than a Republican!
@FieldlstSgt:
************
Don't be fooled into thinking Gingrich is any different from this cat. .....its all wine, lies, money, women and Tiffany's
to pay them off. Except in "cat" Herb's case, a few side trips to "convention center".