Cain Regrets 'Princess Nancy' Dig at Pelosi

Herman Cain may have decided now wasn't the best time to potentially alienate more female voters: He expressed regret for referring to Nancy Pelosi in yesterday's debate as "Princess Nancy" for her role as speaker in blocking a GOP health care bill. "We didn't hear about it in the previous Congress, because 'Princess Nancy' sent it to committee and it stayed there," he said, referring to legislation by Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Price. The diss got laughs during the debate, and a similar comment popped up instantly on Cain's Twitter account, notes the Los Angeles Times. But the candidate said on CNBC later: "That was a statement that I probably should not have made."

Someone with "so many allegations of sexual harassment might not want to belittle a former speaker as 'Princess Nancy,'" noted Andrew Sullivan for the Daily Beast. Even a former press secretary for George Bush got on Cain's case. "Ay yi yi, former Speaker Pelosi called a princess in the debate? Not fair," tweeted Dana Perino. "We may disagree on policy, but she earned the speaker title." Using mocking autocratic titles for leaders in the rival party appeared to be a trend in the debate. Michele Bachmann called President Obama's campaign adviser "General" David Axelrod. (More Herman Cain 2012 stories.)