Cain facing reality on all fronts

WILLIAMS: this night of breaking political news, we're fortunate to have the moderator of " Meet the Press ," David Gregory , here with us in our New York studios. And, David , it seems to me, when you break down the videotape, through this week, on up to this afternoon, if you were looking for clues that this might ultimately be his decision tomorrow, you'd find them.

DAVID GREGORY reporting: Cain has been telegraphing this all week long, and in Andrea 's reporting it's right there. His own wife didn't know about Ms. White , that there was any kind of relationship there or that he was trying to help her financially. I talked to somebody close to Herman Cain tonight who says he's got work to do at home. He has got a lot of discussion to have with his wife just over this. And that really is factoring into his decision about trying to shield them -- his entire family from more to come on all of this, these allegations and the others that have been out there. He's also facing that grim political reality. His support in Iowa has plummeted, taken a nose dive. He's facing reality on all fronts.

WILLIAMS: And now with or without Cain , the wider world in the GOP race is just so confusing. With weeks to go now until Iowa , with Gingrich surging, with a lot of doubt still about Romney .

GREGORY: A lot of doubts and two real contrasting styles. Gingrich is likely to benefit from Cain getting out of the race if that's, in fact, what he does. But here is Gingrich . He is unpredictable.

WILLIAMS: Mm-hmm.

GREGORY: He can be combustible with some of the things he said. Getting into trouble talking about children that they should be able to work. That lack of predictability can ultimately hurt him. Here's Romney , steady as she goes , very strategic, very disciplined, but he has yet to really close the sale with conservatives.

WILLIAMS: Nice to have you here in New York . We'll be watching from Washington Sunday morning. David Gregory , thanks.