Cain manages crisis with humor

This is one of the most striking of viability tests for a presidential candidate: crisis management, the ability to pass the stage of an explosive charge and redirect the news. Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, a newcomer to national politics, was struggling to pass Monday during a flurry of speeches and interviews in the shadow of allegations of sexual harassment.

"I never know why Jesus came to me so much love," Cain sang at the invitation of the moderator of the event to close the appearance of the National Press Club Monday. "He looked beyond all my faults and saw my needs."

It was a dramatic counterpoint to the rest of Cain's days in Washington, where he spent much denying that he had sexually harassed someone and call all these reports "a witch hunt." His consistency has begun to fall apart by night, though.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Cain asked if he was aware of the allegations of women in particular. "Some of them," he replied.

But when pressed, said he was not aware of any allegations.

Later, in a series of television interviews, Cain said he remembered some of the details after all.

Politico reported Sunday that the National Restaurant Association gave financial regulations to at least two female employees who worked for Cain and accused him of inappropriate behavior and sexually suggestive when he led the trade group.

The report upset Cain series of speeches and meetings with members of Congress to reassure decision makers rule the nation is ready for the public. But the revelations have raised questions about his ability to again - and if he can manage a crisis.

The former head of Godfather Pizza Chef faced with the situation rather than to cancel his schedule in Washington.

At the first event of the day, an appearance at the American Enterprise Institute, he announced that he would solve the problems later, "I will take all your arrows," Cain said.

He went on to complete negation of the great-great appearances and refused to discuss details, whether on Fox News or the National Press Club.

And even amid new questions about the viability of its offer from the White House, he tried to argue that he was as usual.

"What you can expect from my campaign is for me to stay on message for us to continue to do things and to execute our strategy to win the nomination," he said.

His campaign, meanwhile, attacked, Politico, whose story was based on anonymous sources and, in one case that said publication was a review of the literature that describes the allegations and the resolution.

And Cain, however, has tried to use humor.

"Because of the history of today's big news, I really know what it means to be No. 1."

He also painted himself a victim.

"This bull eye on my back has gotten bigger," Cain said. "We have no idea of ​​the source of this witch hunt."

And finally, he relied on the charm - and the bigger picture.

"Faith is a big part of who Herman Cain. This is a big part of how I made that decision. It is a big part of this journey we're on, "Cain said. Invited to sing, he agreed." Since this is an opportunity for me to share some of my faith, I will. "