What is it about winning a straw poll that fractures campaign cohesion? Fresh off a victory in the Florida post-debate straw poll, presidential hopeful Herman Cain faces the sudden loss of his communications director, Ellen Carmichael.

“I have resigned but the paper work’s not final . . . It’s a very amicable departure,” Carmichael said to CNN. “He wished me the best of luck. And I will forever be fond of him and appreciative of this opportunity.”