An almost triumphant Herman Cain emerged at Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate, saying that voters "deserve better" than the kind of sexual harassment allegations that have ensnared his campaign.
Cain drew wild cheers at a CNBC debate upon defending himself from a series of sexual harassment allegations that have emerged against him in the last week and a half.
"The American people deserve better than someone being tried in the court of public opinion based on unfounded accusations," he said in the early moments of the debate. "This country's looking for leadership, and this is why a lot of people, despite what has happened over the last nine days ... the voters have voted with their dollars, and they are saying we they don't care about character assasination -- they care about leadership and getting this economy gooing and all the other problems that we face."
But amid talk of his treatment of women, Cain drew some gasps -- and applause -- later during a discussion of health care, when he referred to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) as "Princess Nancy."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/09/8724076-cain-emerges-triumphant-in-early-moments-of-gop-debate