>>> My score card is up-ended. I’d like clarification from Cain on what “suspended” means too.
It means that he is giving the media what it wants, without giving them what they want.
It’s a strategic retreat that will most likely mean he will not win the initial primaries/caucuses, but also leaves him in the perfect position to be the last man standing prior to the republican convention.
A lot will depend upon the initial success of his “Plan B”.
I think he wants to go back to the status of being ignored by the media while he flanks around and cremes them from behind.
I do know this... considering the type of man he is, the type of FIGHTER he is... he will NOT let this go unanswered. This is NOT defeat if you keep the end game in perspective. It IS a defeat in the eyes of public opinion... for now.
It probably means that Cain will no longer be actively seeking the nomination, but that he also will not be withdrawing his name as a candidate in any primaries where he’s already on the ballow, won’t be formally disbanding his campaign, and isn’t ruling out getting back into the campaign.
As a practical matter, though, it is extremely unlikely that Cain will be jumping back into the race.
Also, keep in mind that there may be other reasons, such as potential tax consequences, for Cain not to formally wind up his campaign before the end of the year.