Report: Internal campaign polls show Cain slipping in Iowa

{mosads}Gallup’s “positive intensity score” — a measure of Republican voters with a strongly favorable opinion of a candidate, with the percentage who strongly dislike the candidate subtracted out — fell to 25 percent between Oct. 24 and Nov. 6, from a peak of 34 percent in early October. Gallup says that number is continuing to fall, with his score ranking around 20 percent since the scandal broke.

Cain’s overall favorability score — which includes those who are less passionate in their opinions — also fell six percentage points since the the allegations arose.

During a press conference Tuesday, Cain acknowledged that the mere mention of the allegations would inevitably erode some of his support.

“It is natural that some voters would be turned off by the mere mention of the accusations. That’s normal and that’s expected,” Cain said. “And all you have to do is to look at campaigns historically, and you are able to identify those situations where some members of the public, some of the voting electorate are going to be influenced by the court of public opinion in formulating their impression.”

But Cain said that he believed that his supporters accepted his denials and were willing to stand by him.

“The good news for me and my campaign is that most of my supporters have not reacted to this in terms of belief,” Cain said. “Many of them have expressed their outpouring support for the fact that these incidents simply did not happen. “

That faith was validated to some extent by the audience at the GOP debate Wednesday night, which heartily booed moderators when the allegations were broached. But the extent of the damage the accusations will cause the campaign — as of now leading the national polls — could still be dramatic, as most surveys do not yet reflect the latest controversies.

“Rebuilding the trust on the part of some people, yes, that would be a challenge,” Cain said Tuesday. “But I want to continue to represent those that have chose to support me and those that are willing to look at the facts, and not hearsay.”