The question followed hard on the heels of the original Politico story and harder on the heels of Herman Cain’s dismissal of years-old allegations that he behaved inappropriately toward two women: Who leaked the information in the first place?

Cain’s campaign manager says he has “no clue,” according to a report by The Daily Caller’s Alex Pappas.

“I have no idea,” chief of staff Mark Block told The Daily Caller. “No clue. I would find it hard to believe that anybody from another campaign would do that, but then again this is politics. Isn’t it?”

Guy Benson explains why it’s really not so hard to believe:

Cain’s been giving plenty of Republican campaign operatives heartburn these days, so the list of possible suspects is long.  Did I mention … Cain now leads Rick Perry … in Texas?  (To be clear, I am not remotely implying that Team Perry planted this story.  I’m simply illustrating that Cain has proven to be a lasting threat in the primary field.)

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has said he could “almost guarantee” GOP campaigns started this ball in motion. On Geraldo at Large last night, Juan Williams made the same point. But Ann Coulter vehemently disagreed, pointing out that, when conservatives dredge up allegations of sexual misconduct, they’ve usually done their homework and the allegations prove to be true. Two names come to mind: Bill Clinton and John Edwards. On the other hand, “there’s a long history of false accusations on the left.” Coulter pointed out the left-leaning slant of Politico and implied left-leaning sources likely leaked the story.

But whether it was planted by GOP rivals or represents a preemptive attack by Obama’s posse won’t really change what effect — if any — the story has on Cain’s campaign. Some have already begun to speculate the story will help Cain, as it will inspire some to rally around him. Herman Cain’s Iowa Chairman, for example, said the salacious “news” will just motivate Cain volunteers in Iowa to work harder.

Still, it’s worth asking the question of who tipped off Politico because the answer to that question might affect how the electorate views the camp that leaked it.