Another One of Those
"Hello I'm Herman Cain. I'm running for President, as most of you know. I am sick of seeing America flail, and I am not offering hope or change. I am offering a turnaround, because I know how to do that and I've done it before, back when people were saying things couldn't be turned around at my last job. Recently, I have been hearing reports that I sexually harassed women employees in the 1990's. I know they can't talk about it due to confidentiality or whatever agreement was signed at the time, and technically, I can't break that silence either. But, without mentioning specific names, I am going to tell you exactly what happened. I ask for your trust, your patience, and most importantly, your judgment as to whether you can still believe in a Cain presidency. I firmly believe that your answer will be yes.
...
...
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Thank you and God bless
Herman Cain."
Why hasn't Herman Cain come out with that letter yet? The charges against him are almost like the media parodying itself...complete with unnamed sources, scurrilious allegations, and mysterious women who come and go, talking of Michelangelo, Coke cans, blue dresses, drunken outings, harassment, invitations...all of them seem to blend into one over the years. Americans are a forgiving lot, we've forgiven a lot more than what Mr. Cain is accused of, and honesty about something that happened nearly 15 years ago would probably make his poll ratings go up, especially when viewed against the sleazy aura of that Politico article.
But Mr. Cain has resorted to more Clintonian tactics: he vacillates, stonewalls, evades. He blames the vast Perry-wing conspiracy; his stories seem inconsistent. He blames the media and attempts to score political points off that. And most importantly, he is wrapped in Clintonian solipsism. Bill Clinton essentially argued that he lied under oath in a fight to preserve the Constitution. It was all about him: he was Gary Cooper in High Noon. When Mr. Cain talks about the "forces trying to destroy [him]" and how he embodies the "voice of the people," I couldn't help but think: Isn't the whole quest of 2012 an attempt to unseat "The One" (who also talked about himself the "voice of the people")? Why does Mr. Cain think that talking about himself as the crucified, heroic, Republican version of "The One" is helpful to us as a country, or to him as a presidential candidate? Shouldn't he come forward, tell the truth, and let us decide? Most likely, those of us who would vote for him, will still vote for him. Ricocheters?
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Re: Another One of Those
Vasant, the problem as I see it is that there may well be nothing for Cain to really recall. If it is really true that the contretemps over non-sexual-but-uncomfortable hand gestures was settled for ~$35,000 --breathlessly inflated into "a year's salary" in media reports--then this amounts to nuisance value. The sad and ill-guarded secret of corporate American HR is that you can allege practically anything and walk away with $35K to split between you and your attorney. Just firing up litigation counsel costs about that much. And you must always factor in the possibility that some juror out there has a sense of economic reality grounded in Hollywood movies, meaning that whatever the facts the evil corporation is guilty.
Of course, I could be wrong. There may be damaging facts out there. But none have been presented as yet. Therefore, the burden rests with the accusers--whoever the heck they really are--and not as yet with Herman Cain.
Jun '11
Re: Another One of Those
This is a political smear, Vasant. But Cain has got to handle it.
He cannot issue statements against sources and issues not made public. But he can be evaluated on how he handles the smear. Cain is a target because he is making major headway in two ways:
1 - changing the tax system in a major anti-big government anti-lobbying fashion
2- and he is a black conservative Republican who is winning.
Herman Cain is now and has been a wonderful influence on this campaign. From what we have to choose from, I think Cain at this time is still the best choice available.
Edited on Nov 2, 2011 at 6:40pmRe: Another One of Those
I agree. But if there really was a settlement, no matter how petty, it should not be too hard for Mr. Cain to dig up what happened. It would be a model for all campaigners--and he will be inoculated from similar charges in the future. I am confident that whatever the facts are, they will not stop him from becoming President if his policy proposals and campaign continue to resonate(his recent nuclear-China gaffe worries me far more than any made-up harassment allegation), which is why I want him to just pre-empt and do the poking-around himself to prove there's no there there.
Oct '11
Re: Another One of Those
Vasant, I'm with you. As far as I can tell, the case for Cain is 1) his tax plan, and 2) he's a real no nonsense, straight-shooting, common sense, breath of fresh air of an anti-politician. (I could be wrong, maybe there's substance that I'm missing 'cause I have allergies to political commentary and I keep running out of meds, but those two things seem to cover what my pro-Cain friends say about him.)
Ok, I'll assume for now the Politico article is pure lefty hit piece, with no substance at all; let's give Mr. Cain all the benefit of the doubt. Seems the anti-politician hero would do pretty much what you suggest. Point #2 begins to fade.
Re: Another One of Those
If Cain does as you suggest then he really truly enters a no-win scenario (which is probably the intent of the original hit piece). 1) Cain is likely not a party to any settlement and so may not have seen it; 2) Most such settlements must remain confidential, even as to the existence of a settlement; this is usually to protect the future employment prospects of the individual alleging mistreatment.
For evidence, consider that, in one quarter at least, Cain is in hot water for what little he has already said,
Oct '10
Re: Another One of Those
Also known as the Sarah Palin effect.
Oct '11
Re: Another One of Those
I've been leaning Cain of late, and the allegations as they were reported didn't bother me much, but his campaign's handling (not) of this whole thing has been abysmal, and is making me take yet another look at the feeble GOP slate, hoping to find someone I can use both hands to vote for (one not needed for nose-holding). This seems like "Running for Office 101" stuff, and they're blowing it.