Mittens doesn’t realize it but he’s helping Cain by making statements like this, he’s not exactly the most beloved candidate among the base.

(The Hill) — Mitt Romney responded for the first time Tuesday to allegations that have been raised against fellow Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, emphasizing the seriousness of the claims.

“These are serious allegations, and they’re going to have to be addressed seriously,” Romney said in an online interview with ABC News and Yahoo.

Referring to Sharon Bialek, the first of Cain’s accusers to speak publicly about past alleged sexual harassment, Romney said, “This woman’s charges are particularly disturbing and they’re serious.”

Romney and Cain are the front-runners for the GOP presidential nomination, with polls showing them running neck-and-neck in the race. Cain had surpassed Romney in the polls before the allegations were reported last week and, in polling taken since then, his numbers have not taken a hit.

Cain has denied the allegations and sent a letter to supporters Monday evening slamming the media for “going bananas” over a fundamentally “unserious” story.