Thread: Herman Cain's shifting story raises doubts

Editorial: Herman Cain's shifting story raises doubts

For the moment, let's give Herman Cain the benefit of the doubt. So far very few people know — or even claim to know — exactly what Cain did to prompt two sexual harassment complaints when he was president of the National Restaurant Association in the late 1990s. Nor is much known about why the association paid to settle those complaints, or the degree of Cain's involvement.

All the same, the Republican presidential aspirant had better get the facts out soon, or he might end up as the latest politician to learn that coverups do more damage than the offense.

Since Politico disclosed the complaints Sunday, Cain has tried just about everything else.

After the report surfaced, his campaign attacked it. Cain followed up personally on Monday, asserting on Fox News and at the National Press Club that he had been "falsely accused" and, what's more, he was unaware of any financial settlements. But by evening, he had reversed himself, telling interviewers that he recalled a harassment complaint and "termination settlement" with one woman who worked at the association.

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On Tuesday, Cain shifted again, saying that there had been an "agreement," not a settlement, and therefore his previous comments weren't in conflict.

Such evasions are unlikely to help Cain any more than they did Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal or Richard Nixon during Watergate. In the white-hot spotlight of the presidency — or a presidential campaign — embarrassments that might be buried in private life get exposed, and one Cain accuser already is seeking release from a confidentiality agreement.

Attempts to cast the allegations as racially motivated were appropriately dismissed Monday by no less an authority than Republican political guru Karl Rove. Cain "should be prepared for things like this because he's a serious presidential candidate," Rove told Fox. "We want our presidents to be as far above reproach as possible."

Indeed, there's only one thing that can help Cain: the facts, assuming he has done nothing wrong. He should get them out as quickly as possible, starving the story of fuel and his critics of ammunition. Given the sometimes fuzzy, he-said/she-said nature of harassment complaints, the truth might still be elusive. But Cain would at least look like he's trying to pursue it, not bury it.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/ed ... 51033286/1

The allegations against Cain are vague and anonymous. I see the hand of Obama in these charges. He's played dirty in Illinois politics before, somehow managing to get his opponent's sealed divorce files released.

there's only one thing that can help Cain: the facts, assuming he has done nothing wrong. He should get them out as quickly as possible, starving the story of fuel and his critics of ammunition. Given the sometimes fuzzy, he-said/she-said nature of harassment complaints, the truth might still be elusive. But Cain would at least look like he's trying to pursue it, not bury it.

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

The allegations against Cain are vague and anonymous . . .

RELATED

Cain accuser Sharon Bialek: 'Come clean,' admit harassment

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-254652.html

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

The allegations against Cain are vague and anonymous. . .

Sharon Bialek, the first woman to publicly accuse Cain of inappropriate behavior, said Cain was "sexually inappropriate" with her in 1997, saying he put his hand under her skirt and pushed her head toward his crotch after a dinner together . . .
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-254652.html

The Christian Science Monitor's View

Using money or secrecy to sweep a sex charge under the rug can often lead to bigger problems

Penn State and Herman Cain: sex charges handled badly

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-254655.html