Businessman Herman Cain said Saturday he is suspending his presidential campaign because accusations of infidelity and sexual harassment have hurt his family and his campaign's ability to raise money.

Inexperience caught up to Cain

Cain's rapid asent reflected the continued unease with Romney and, in the beginning, his inexperience as a politician was a plus for voters looking to support an outsider.

But as Cain rose in the polls, the questions surrounding his policies increased.

Economists and other candidates criticized his 9-9-9 tax proposal, which would replace the current tax code with a 9% tax on income, a 9% corporate tax and a 9% sales tax. They said the tax would put a heavier burden on poor people. Cain dismissed critics for not reading the plan correctly.

Cain later altered the plan so that taxpayers below the poverty line would be exempt from the income tax.

By mid-October Cain had climbed to the top of several major polls. An October 12NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed Cain with 27%, followed by Romney at 23% and Perry with 16%.