Mark “Smokin’ Man” Block accused the Rick Perry campaign of leaking the sexual harassment story to Politico. He also blames Politico for using anonymous sources. He says both the campaign and Politico owe Herman Cain and his family an apology.
It seems to me that the story is old. There are 2 women who filed sexual harassment charges. Period.
A third woman has stepped forward who did not file charges but who felt like she was uncomfortable. Now any woman coming forward at this late date is just setting herself up for misery. She will be hounded by the press and some campaign will attempt to paint her as tramp of the century.
There is a lot of back-tracking and spin going on. I don’t believe the story is important. The handling of the problem is what is going to make or break Herman Cain. Yesterday it appeared he was on edge.
Ann Coulter herself has said the race card is being played. Herman Cain has been quoted as saying that this is coming up now because of the fact that he is black. Cain is no different than any other candidate who is out there and leading in the polls. If anyone sniffs out a weakness, the oppositional research will be all over it. Harry Truman needs to have a private word with Herman Cain: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I am more concerned over Cain’s knowledge base than I am his woman problem. Many a good president has had women problems–including those we don’t know about.
Read more on Foxnews.com (that bastion of liberal thinking)
This man does not have the integrity or character to be President. If he is the best the Repugs can come up with, they are in a lot of trouble.
http://www.denverpost.com/littwin/ci_19250753
It would be racist to hold Mr. Cain to a lower standard than anyone else
seeking the Presidency of the United States.
Big Dog…absolutely.
The race card has been played. But its not the trump that it once was.
Cain has been vilified in racial terms by the left. So, he’s pointing that out. There is a racial element to the attacks by some people on the left. Usually in combo with attacks against the GOP for being racist and using him as a token….etc.
However, he is NOT handling his crisis well.
Oh well. We’ll see how it plays out.
@Starryflights
Clinton (Bill). Lied under oath. Suborned perjury.
@Steve Thomas
I thought the topic was Herman Cain.
@Steve Thomas
You just can’t turn it loose can you Steve? You say that President Clinton lied under oath, I say, “It depends on what the definition of “is” is.”
It is easy and convenient if you are a person of color to flop the race card out there–it does tend to divert the conversation for a short time.
@Cargosquid
And the Re/Teapublicans never have, ever used racial slurs and inuendo- Right Cargo? What rock have you been living under?
Cain’s big mistake is fumbling around for an answer. Whether he did it or not, his mishandling of the whole thing makes him look mighty suspicious.
@Starryflights
Starry, I wonder if you made similar comments about Rick Perry when the race slurring name of his hunting grounds was brought to light. I don’t recall seeing that. Is it possible your comment about Cain has just the slightest bit of racism in it? Remember–there but for the grace of God go we all.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was Perry’s campaign that this came from. The interesting thing is how this is winding up being a net gain for Cain. I have my doubts about wether Cain is qualified to be President, but I’m not sure Romney is either, and with Obama actually in office, qualification doesn’t really mean anything anymore. I’m waiting for Gingrich to rise some more.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…..NEVER underestimate the Republicans ability to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
The interest of liberals and/or Obama supporters is for Cain to stay viable
in the the race as long as possible and keep the GOP nomination
hotly contested. The Republicans will beat up each other and burn piles of cash
before the general election. Dems had no motive to “out” Cain now – exactly the
opposite. Imagine this came from inside the GOP.
Completely agree. If you want some totally unsubstantiated water-cooler talk from some well heeled party hacks I know, to hear them tell it Cain and Romney have a very close personal relationship, fast friends if you will. It’s been suggested that he was never in this to win, but rather to garner support and then tell them to support Romney when he drops out.
Now when I first heard this I wanted to send them tinfoil hats. Now it seems that it may not be all that far-fetched after all.
Is Cain deliberately “throwing” this fight?
@SlowpokeRodriguez
So you would have a disgraced, dishonored former Speaker of the House as your candidate? What is there to say? Just what are the qualifications for being president? Maybe it’s time we had someone who has not been a career politician–it might just be a refreshing change.
@Cato the Elder
Interesting thought. He will have wasted a lot of money but may have more influence on voters having run as a candidate than he would by making a sizable contribution to Romney’s campaign.
You would have a community organizer/agitator with ZERO executive experience as President, and look where that’s left us!
Cargo said:
“Cain has been vilified in racial terms by the left. ”
How so. Please give examples. I haven’t heard vilification of him that all the others haven’t gotten also. (which removes the racial component since he is the only non-white.)
@Steve Thomas
So did Ollie North. So?
@SlowpokeRodriguez
That’s what I have always said about Democrats.
@Big Dog
Yup. Whoever is left on the island…..
It would be absurd for the Democrats to get involved now. They are sitting back and watching the food fight and picking up pointers.
@Moon-howler
Moon,
I haven’t supported Ollie North for president, nor would I. Starry wants to judge Cain as lacking in “integrity and character” based on a news story long on speculation, and short on facts. Whereas Bill Clinton, while a sitting president, actually lied under oath, and admitted to subornation of the perjury of several key witnesses, to include Monica Lewinsky. This is provable to a high legal standard. I guess the whole “integrity and character” issue only applies to Republicans, and especially to conservatives.
@Steve
What about supporting Ollie for Senator? I was there at the state convention for that one. My wrists still ache from the event.
Let’s see here…Starry judges Cain, a personal opinion, and we end up at Bill Clinton and perjury? Is that some strange sort of syllogism? That ship has sailed, re Bill Clinton. What does Herman Cain have to do with Bill Clinton? Or more to the point, what does Starry’s opinion of Cain have to do with Clinton, who is like 2 presidents ago?
Slate has an article about three arguments that Republicans are using to defend Cain:
1)Why, This Is All Just Racist
2)You Can’t Trust the Liberal Media
3)There’s No Such Thing as Sexual Harassment
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2011/11/herman_cain_sexual_harassment_charges_the_three_arguments_republ.single.html
We’ve heard the first two. I’m wondering when the third will pop up – maybe after one of the women goes public with her side of the story. Then I expect we’ll hear “he said, she said”, “she asked for the attention”, and “she’s a slut”.
He’s been called a black “minstrelsy” entertainer.
Democratic strategist Karen Finney: “I think [Republicans] like [Cain] because they think he’s a black man who knows his place.”
“Chauncey DeVega” on AlterNet doesn’t just attack his positions or his ideology, both of which are fair game, but attack him for the color of his skin and declares him inauthentic. They declare that he and black conservatives are garbage pail kids, race minstrels, and monkeys in the window. DeVega’s writing has appeared in prominent media venues such as the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly and the Root.
http://katypundit.com/news/hotair-the-strange-racist-attack-on-herman-cain/
MSNBC host, self-proclaimed socialist, Lawrence O’Donnell, tried to call him a race traitor and a draft dodger. The Atlantic’s Conor Friedersdorf labeled the interview “offensive” and said O’Donnell “repeatedly hectored candidate Herman Cain in a disrespectful way” that is “hard to imagine being asked on MSNBC to anyone other than a black conservative.”
Cornel West: “I think he needs it get off the symbolic crack pipe”
Belafonte: Another statement that he’s not a real negro, that he’s not authentic because he’s conservative.
Bashir of MSNBC: stating that Cain didn’t do enough for racial equality and that he has to reassure them that he’s no angry black man.
The attacks go on and on about his authenticity, etc, attacks that the left’s interviewers would NEVER ask or make comments about Jesse Jackson or Sharpton. Black conservatives are routinely vilified as race traitors by the left. Besides the personal attacks, the implication that he’s just a token to prove that the GOP isn’t racist is also insulting. The continual ignoring of his accomplishments, denigrating him as just a “pizza man” is insulting.
Criticize his actions and his policies. That’s perfectly fine. Criticize his honor if he demonstrated that he is dishonorable by lying, cheating, etc.
@Censored bybvbl
So, you’ve already convicted Cain of these allegations. Very nice.
@Cargo…this might take a while.
1. Minstril-y one person’s opinion? I would suggest that the person is too young to have ever seen a real minstril show. Do they know that minstrel shows have white actors in black-face, usually done with burned cork?
2. Karen Finney–never heard of her but she is voicing her opinion. You might not like what she said but I don’t think that is a racist statement.
Chauncy, Cornel, Beafonte- I just wouldn’t go there. I learned not to do that over 40 years ago. They are going to say what they have to say. Why get yourself worked up over it? Belafonte is over 70 years old and has given millions to the civil rights movement. Not everyone was comfortable with going along to get along. As I said, they are going to have their own opinion and its probably just not something I would comment on.
White people have made comments about Jackson and Sharpton for years. They have often used ‘take no prisoners’ tactics. They certainly haven’t been treated as sacred cows. During their hayday, the internet wasn’t quite as sophisticated as it is now.
Now….You are complaining about a few liberals who aren’t household words and black activists and commentators treating Herman Cain like…well..I think the word everyone is tap-dancing around is, an Uncle Tom. I have always hated that expression but I think that is probably what you are complaining about.
Everyone isn’t doing that. Some people like him and some people are assessing him as they see him, same as they do Rick Perry or Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin.
Now, having said that, can you honestly tell me that the right hasn’t had a hay-day with Obama? Let’s see, just here locally in PWC, we have had a lawn jockey on a blog, Ann Coulter never misses a shot. (I will put up Jon Stewart from last night so you can see her in all her vileness.), Rush Slimeball even took a cheap shot at the Obama children…the list goes on.
I guess this is where I say, give a little, get a little. It takes some guts to be a black man reaching for the stars. No one has been more denigrated than Obama that I can think of. I expect he developed thick skin along the way.
@Cargosquid
Where did you read that? You need to find a way of supporting your arguments without putting words in other people’s mouths and then refuting them.
Here are my thoughts on Herman Cain and qualifications. He seems like a nice guy, but his clear distaste for indepth solutions is troubling. He scoffs at those who have long answers to complicated questions.
I feel sorry for the republicans actually. Rick Perry was the golden, coming in like the cavalery to save the day. Only, as it turns out, it aint much of a cavelry. In desperation, 9-9-9 suddenly seems like a good idea?!
Now that he has risen to the top and economic experts have trashed his tax plan, Cain must turn to foreign policy. He was not clear in his explanation of China and nuclear weapons. If he requires an interpreter (i.e. Steve or Cargo)then he is in trouble. As president he needs to be clear when it comes to dealing with global powers. Too many problems occur through miscommunication.
@Censored bybvbl
I said that because of this: I’m wondering when the third will pop up – maybe after one of the women goes public with her side of the story. Then I expect we’ll hear “he said, she said”, “she asked for the attention”, and “she’s a slut”.
That implies that Cain did commit sexual harassment, that he did do wrong. You are assuming that what she says is the truth, or that what she says happens rises to a level of wrongdoing. Without proof.
@Elena
I agree with you. Actually here is one of the best articles I’ve read.
http://www.redstate.com/leon_h_wolf/2011/11/03/a-moment-for-two-deep-breaths/
I agree with it.
My defense of Cain is due to the double standard being put out by the media. I like him. But, if he continues as is…I probably won’t vote for him in the primaries.
Unless he has committed a wrong….a crime….I will vote for him as the candidate if he is running against Obama.
The Washington Post:
How do you sue if there are 2 women who accused him of sexual harrassment in the 1990s? He has already said that at least one women did bring charges against him.
Cargo, most women I know who have been victims of sexual harrassment actually don’t report it. More don’t than do. I realize that there are sleaze bags who make false reports or who want to stir up something for money. However……how many are going to trot out?
@Cargosquid
What is the double standard? Help me understand.
Apparently, I can’t. Many of us show examples of how the media treats a Democrat vs a Republican. When we do, we are told…”we aren’t talking about “x”, we are talking about “y.”
We point out how the media covers for so many Democrats while putting conservatives under a microscope and expressing outrage about Republican actions for the exact same things done by Democrats and ignored.
But, you keep asking, “what is the double standard?” Apparently you don’t see it.
The left can call for a President’s death and even make a movie about it…but the right can’t make jokes about the President without outrage. Leftist pols commit actual crimes, but are given a pass. Leftist pols commit serial abuse of women (which you don’t feel that he did) and get a pass. Leftist pols aren’t put under a microscope and vetted by the media. Their scandals are not only NOT investigated, but they are covered up.
That is very paranoid talk. What ‘leftist pol’ committed crimes but was given a pass? What serial abuse of women?
What leftist pols arent put under what microscope? I really hope you aren’t serious about all of this.
Clinton, as I’ve said before. Willey, Broderick. Lewinsky. Paula Jones. Remember, Lewinsky’s seduction should have been treated as sexual harassment or fraternization at the least. The boss is always responsible. The boss is the one in authority.
So, if Cain is guilty of asking women that worked for him to …whatever….he is guilty of sexual harassment. You cannot “date”, etc, your subordinates.
Obama was not put under a microscope by the press. Brokaw and Charlie Rose even admitted in an interview that they didn’t know his background, his values, etc. And then the press refused to find out.
Edwards was not only NOT put under a microscope, his scandal was covered up by the press.
@Moon-howler
Sorry, missed the leftist criminal….Jefferson, that froze money in a freezer. While the justice dept prosecuted him, the press ignored the scandal. Rangel….he hides income, assets, etc….still in office…no press unless its gets too obvious.
Heck, even now….Fast and Furious. Where’s the outrage in the press? People have died. But it was buried until the blogosphere forced it out into the open. Where’s the outrage in the press about the obvious money laundering to Democrat donars through green companies that go bankrupt “unexpectedly.”
As a person who endured a degree of sexual harassment at work when I was much younger, and there were far fewer protections against it, this is a difficult thing for me to say. But I really hate the idea that our country has devolved to a point where a person can be tried and convicted in the press, and a reputation and a future ruined, because of anonymous, third-party allegations. It’s not unprecedented for a self-aggrandizing lawyer to go out there and relish the media attention. And what did Herman Cain allegedly even do? Ask a woman out on a date more than once? None of us has any idea what was done. And the “third woman” who never actually filed a complaint? Does she even exist? We don’t even know. I’m not supporting any of the Republican candidates at this point, but Cain’s treatment in the press has all the appearances of an uniformed lynch mob that feeds all the horrendous stereotypes that somehow make it so much worse for black men to engage in sexual follies.
Hey, Starry, whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? You really should respect the Constitution of the United States, otherwise we become a third-world regime. But why let facts get in the way of righteous condemnation?
@Emma
I don’t know why race is even brought into the Herman Cain situation. Can’t white or hispanic men also be sexual pigs? I have a problem that race keeps creeping back into the conversation, like its the magic bullet here.
Either there were sealed cases or there weren’t. This is fairly easy to verify I would think. Keep the names out of the public eye and either yes, it exists or no it does not. Done. Then the American people get to decide if they want someone with this in their background to serve as president. I don’t think it probably matters, if history tells us anything.
The real story is someone fumbling each and every time the story is brought up. That is the part that is disturbing. Watching Cain address the issue is as painful as watching Rick Perry make an ass of himself. Perry needs to think better on his feet and he needs to be able to field problematic questions without the Koch brothers there to prop him up.
Race is irrelevant.