During a private conversation earlier this month, a well-connected Dallas political observer predicted the Herman Cain sex-harrassment bombshell that was reported over the weekend by Politico. So this morning we asked this clued-in insider–who requested anonymity, and said he/she was “a witness [to], not a participant” in the story–what affect the harrassment charges are likely to have on Cain and his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination.
“I don’t know who it helps or hurts. But it can’t help Cain,” the observer said. “How badly it hurts him has yet to be determined. Is there any substance–or were these disgruntled employees? Are there more charges to come? You can’t predict it yet. But it could be pretty painful to him, if the story gets legs.” Is it fair game for the media to bring up these sorts of older, thinly sourced charges? “When you run for president, everything seems to be fair game as long as it’s truthful,” the source said. “If it’s a lie, it’s not fair–and you should be ashamed for putting it out there.”
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All white people will rest peacefully tonight after this news.
Ruth Marcus writes in today’s Washington Post that the Cain campaign response on this was as bad as the actual allegations. Indeed, Politico waited 10 days after getting the story and contacting the Cain campaign before publishing, yet Cain and his people did themselves no favors by not getting their response together in the interim, which has subsequently been all over the board.
Cain himself said today he knows nothing of a financial settlement, which Politico says was in the five figures for at least two women. The guy was head of the National Restaurant Association, and the sexual harrassment charges were against him personally, yet he claims to know nothing of a settlement. This makes as much sense as his 9-9-9 plan.
“the behaviors of Kennedy(s), LBJ, Clinton, Edwards, Gore, Jesse Jackson and company” didn’t seem to hurt them too much.
This reeeks of Rove.
Nor did it hurt Clarence Thomas.
“if this were about Clinton, the Left would be circling the wagons. This story is a joke that can only be appreciated by Clinton.” While “[Herman Cain is accused of] physical gestures which were not overly sexual but made women uncomfortable . . . during the 1992 Presidential campaign, there were all sorts of bimbos who were claiming that Clinton had done things to them, like rape, not just made overtly sexual gestures . . . these women were silenced.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/281726/rush-cains-alleged-sexual-harassment-nathaniel-botwinick
Cain is no LBJ/Kennedy/Clinton/et al.
Lest we forget Gary Hart…an unknown trying to mount (pardon the pun) an effort to gain credibility and to introduce himself as a viable candidate. Then derailed by allegations and a bad response and photos of his Monkey Business. The fallout for Cain depends upon what is uncovered in the next few days (and how it’s handled) but this could damage a guy trying to gain traction (which is exactly why it probably came from a competing campaign).
The behavior of Gary Hart didn’t seem to hurt him too much. Oh, wait.
@daniel-unfortunately we live in a different time than when Gary Hart was running nowdays the more publicity they get, good or bad just seems to propel them.. Kardashian’s split took top stories in the news, even with the economy the way it is. 24/7 news has changed politics forever – some good and some bad.
Sorry to be redundant. Bobby Ewing’s comment was in moderation when I made mine.
Yvonne, it’s true that times have changed, but entertainment and politics are two entirely different spheres (notwithstanding that they’re both largely the creation of press agents). This will either sink Cain or he’ll get to wear the mantle of persecution that seems to play so well with the Republican base these days. Hard to tell which yet. Amanda’s right, I think turdblossom’s gone a-Rovin’.
Rove either works FOR you, or he seeks to destroy you. Welcome to the GOP.