I suspect the initial report was a trap. The women couldn’t say anything because they were bound by the non-disclosure agreement. The trap was to see if Cain could be drawn into violating the non-disclosure agreement himself, which would then free the women to do so.
I suspect a more seasoned campaign would have seen the initial story for what it was, and directed Cain to make a bland “personnel matters at the NRA are confidential” type statement. The story might have smoldered, but with no one going on the record, might have died.
National politics is a blood sport, as Vince Foster famously observed in his “suicide” note.
This doesn’t mean Cain is screwed; if the women do go one the record, and they’re seen as Anita Hill type political harpies, this could actually help him. I like Cain, but his “outsider” status could be very much a two-edged sword.
My post is pure speculation and opinion. YMMV.
You make some very good points.