Herman Cain and the Many Accusers

(Pardon the title. I realize it sounds like a sort of a bad morality lesson.)
Herman Cain used to be a front-runner for the presidential election.

Until he had his good name smeared by...I don't know how many different accusers now (accusers about sexual discrepancies as well as potential affairs).

This interests me for two reasons in particular.

1, Why didn't we hear about all of this until he was considered a true contender? I mean, honestly, these people knew he was running for president. Why wait until he's a front-runner to come forward about everything?

2, Why on earth does it matter that he used to, as one of my family member's put it, think with the wrong head?

Here's my thoughts on number 1: He was the golden boy of the Tea Party, aka the ultra-conservatives. Ultra-conservatives aren't gonna vote for someone who has a fairly questionable moral record. But the timing still confuses me. It's stuff like this that makes for consipracy theories about how the 'higher ups' are trying to ensure that their candidate wins.

Thoughts on number 2-Most people, regardless of political affiliation, won't vote for someone with a history of demeaning women and cheating on significant others. It just doesn't sit well with people.

That being said, it's almost kind of sad that Cain's campaign had to end like this. He would've been fun, if nothing else, to watch in the debates.