Politico was first to break the story:
Herman Cain accused by two women of inappropriate behavior
There were bumbling denials from the campaign. Then Cain himself went on Fox News. He acknowledged the accusations, said they were untrue and denied any knowledge of a settlement from the National Restaurant Association. But was that the end of the story?
Here’s what folks around the web are saying:
Ann Colter says: “Liberals are terrified of Herman Cain. He is a strong conservative black man. Look at the way they go after Allen West and Michael Steele and they aren’t even running against Obama. They are terrified of strong, conservative, black men.” [ Real Clear Politics ]
But at National Review Online, Kevin Williamson says:
Herman Cain, not bothering to have learned how a complaint or complaints of sexual harassment against him was resolved, decided to run for president without bothering to learn.
But, perhaps it was all the extra Halloween Candy, later in the day in an interview with Greta Van Susteren Cain recalled the charges. According to Byron York:
Cain told van Susteren that he remembered one woman who was a writer in the Association’s communications department. “I can’t even remember her name, but I do remember the formal allegation she made in terms of sexual harassment,” Cain said. “I turned it over to my general counsel and one of the ladies that worked for me, the woman in charge of human resources. They did investigate…and it was found to be baseless.”
I have no problem believing that false charges are brought up against candidates all the time. I do have a problem with how the media will pounce on a Republican candidate but will give Democrats a pass. Far worse allegations were levied against Barack Obama in 2008 (Google Larry Sinclair), and the media ignored them. Now, based on the anonymous claims of two women, they’re ready to tear Herman Cain apart.
I like Herman Cain. But his campaign, or lack thereof troubles me.
He bumbled the answer on Gitmo. He bumbled his position on abortion.
Then there was that bizarre campaign ad with the campaign manager drawing on a cigarette. It was just…weird.
And now this story comes out. If the allegations are true, they are very troubling. If they aren’t true, it’s troubling that the campaign bumbled the response.
Rick Perry and Mitt Romney send their thanks.