Herman Cain
Trouble is a popular word with presidential candidate Herman Cain. He called Sharon Bialek, one of the women who accused him of sexual harassment, troubled. Now he’s calling Ginger White, the woman who claims to have had an affair with him, troubled. Here’s what troubles me the most about Herman Cain and his bizarre presidential campaign: he didn’t rethink his candidacy after allegations of unwanted sexual advances on women he met through work. No, he is just know “reassessing” his election bid after an allegation surfaced that he had an extramarital affair with a consenting adult. It would make me feel better to think Cain is reevaluating his chances now because the culmination of stories that have surfaced about him are adding up to too much trouble to overcome. But I don’t think that’s it. I think many Americans can more comfortably justify and tolerate allegation of harassment than they can infidelity.
Publicly anyway, Cain remained unwavering in his quest for the White House after:
- it was revealed two women received monetary settlements stemming from harassment allegations against him
- his attorney L. Lin Wood, sent a menacing message to any other women who might come forward with allegations to “think twice”
- he was caught on tape joking about Anita Hill
- he repeatedly referred to Nancy Pelosi as “Princess Nancy”.
But now, Cain’s been accused of cheating on his wife and it’s just too damaging. Former Governor of Arkansas. Mike Huckabee said on Fox News that the affair allegation was “the most damaging allegation that has been made, to date.”
Sexual harassment is widespread and the results can be devastating. In 2009 the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 12,696 cases of sexual harassment and resolved 11,948 of them. But for many Cain supporters and political watchers, sexual harassment is a mere distraction, not a deal breaker.
Now that’s troubling.
Barb: No self-respecting man should vote for him either. His attitude towards 51% of the population should not be tolerated.
This guy should have been kicked out of the race long ago. What self-respecting woman would vote for him?