I don’t think it has much to do with a Cain affair(s). Rather, I think those of us who have supported Cain have been appalled at the way he and his staff have handled or responded to the allegations.
We know what Newt’s past has looked like and we can’t be sure that Cain’s past is as unblemished as we had hoped.
In other words, are there more revelations to come? And, Herman, did you dupe me and my wallet? I want to know.
We know that Newt is deeply immersed in history and very knowledgeable. He can certainly debate and does not fear the media’s bias. Those qualities alone are probably attracting a fair amount of support not just from former Cain supporters but from a wider range of voters as well.
It’s also a huge difference that this is a primary, not a general election. If this was a general election, people would have a yes/no decision as to whether they believe Cain, and whether it matters enough to not vote for him. In a primary, it’s just much easier to support someone else, and avoid having to make that call, and avoid hearing about it for the next year.