Sometimes I think if I just close my eyes the stupid antics of the GOP will just go away. And they would, if only they didn’t talk. That’s what’s got Herman Cain into trouble, both talking and of course the not-talking. Victim number one and two surface, and Herman says “I don’t know anything about this.” Victim three shows up, represented by counsel and Herman says “I’m not going to talk about this anymore.” Victim four shows up, in person, represented by one of the toughest attorneys in the country for this kind of thing and Herman says, “ We are taking this head on, there’s not an ounce of truth in all these allegations.”
Well, we can’t wait, Herm-y. We’re all ears. Here you go “Problem solver,” turn this into Pizza. While accusations fly about who leaked this to the press, was it Rick Perry’s campaign? Was it Rahm Emanuel? No one seems to be asking “Who the hell vetted this guy?” I guess the whole “Have you ever been accused of sexual harassment, multiple times” question just isn’t on the candidate sign-up sheet.
There are lots of reasons Herman Cain shouldn’t be closer to the White House than a postcard picture of the Lincoln bedroom, or thinking again, how about a nice shot from across the street? But, we are all snake fascinated by the “sex scandal” instead. Except, as it looks so far, Herman was better at getting the “breeze” than the girl.
Herman has a tough road to hoe here, and it won’t be a quick death either as the SanFrancisco Chronicle quoted a senior Vice President from a crisis management firm saying “…it’s a death of a thousand cuts. He’s going to die from excessive bleeding.” It will be a long loud death, too. When the crisis management people say stuff like that, it’s time to fire up the chipper and dive in.
With the GOP’s continued intransigence on supporting Mitt Romney, the incidents like a giggling, giddy Rick Perry in New Hampshire just keep piling up. Can anyone say “time to circle the wagons!”, please? What is the problem with Mitt anyway? He’s nice looking. He wears a suit well. So what if he doesn’t have a consistent stand on anything? He’s the poster boy for the 1%, isn’t that enough? He’ll pretty much say whatever you want, so write the script already.
We’ve got a lot of firepower on spin cycle here, but for the party who always marches in the same direction there’s a lot of strays about. We have Rush Limbaugh disgusting every woman in the country with his slurping rendition of the fourth accuser’s name, “Buy-a-Lick.” We’ve got the New York post calling her out as a “shameless gold digger.” And Faux news contributor Dick Morris just had to chime in about the single mother from Chicago with “I look forward to her spread in Playboy.”
Really, guys? Could you sound a little more like more like a bunch of idiot cavemen in the garage drinking beer all afternoon? Just keep pounding those nails in boys, that coffin will be real tight soon enough.
We are just all over this campaign thing, aren’t we? Oh, and nice job making sure the Tea Party-ers announced they haven’t picked their candidate yet. No kidding, I’d be afraid to put my hand in that snake pit too. When you can make Congress look good, it’s time to start bailing boys.
So What’s Obama doing lately? Hmmmm? Nobody knows because we’re blowing it so bad you can’t see the President over the conflagration. I was hoping maybe 2016, now I’m thinking mid-century, with a new face and a name change.
However, I’m sure Congress will think of something to even up the attention gap soon. Time’s running out for the super committee, way up there in the bright lights I’ll bet there’s some thinking going on. Little ideas like “I don’t know if I want to go down in history, failing, no matter what the “Stop Obama” plan is.” We may have a run away committee who don’t want to be “historical idiots.” If you had unprecedented power would you throw it away, or say “Screw Mitch, I’m putting a big letter “C” on my chest, for Count Me In.”
By the way, can’t wait for the part by part votes on the Jobs bill, talk about a death by a thousand cuts. “Right now! Live and in person! Jon Boener pushes granny down the stairs and gives her purse to Exxon!”
Copyright Prentiss Gray 2011
Prentiss Gray is a writer and columnist and currently writes the Domesti-Tech Blog for Gannett. He can be reached through his website at www.prentissgray.com
Prentiss Gray
Prentiss Gray is a writer/columnist/blogger from New Jersey. After 27 years as a Information Systems consultant and the death of his wife of 21 years, he returned to his roots as a writer, creating the national column Adventures of the Lone Dad/ Daddy chronicles. He now Blogs for Gannet on domestic technology, and writes feature pieces and stories for general publication. He is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and contributes to Bloomberg News, Daily Record, Gannett and the Tribune Syndicate.
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A lot of good one-liners in here Prentiss. I suspect you are right, Cain dies of a thousand cuts, due to his own moral failings. Too bad this kind of stuff was not taken as seriously when serial woman abuser Bubba was running. Or could it be the press coverage is selective in their writings. No matter, I’m disappointed in Cain’s judgement on this issue, a very foolish error. Besides, the Dems are masters at slander and true or not Cain has a big uphill ahead. What one has to acknowledge (possibly even you) is Cain scares the s**t out of the Dems and a relentless search and destroy mission is underway. Yesterday polls showed ‘any Republican” beats Obama, but it is way too early to bank on polls. As for Cain, ‘uppity black Republicans will not be tolerated or allowed to encourage others away from the Dem plantation,’ according to the Washington Post.
David, I blame the GOP. They should have warned him, if he told them the truth, or they should have dropped him if they knew about this. No candidate is spared in the Presidential race, by either side. It is sad that all it takes is an accusation like this to nail someone running for office, but they should have realized this. We can’t blame the media for doing their job, it’s hard to believe that this is a “liberal media plot.” One accuser, sure, it’s a possibility. Four, nah, he’s a creep. Did you see that the first accuser’s name came out? He’s on right now denying everything, I guess he’s got no choice.
You really have to read more outside your comfort zone, I googled that “quote” and I can’t find it in the Wasington Post. Where is that poll? Couldn’t find that either. I’m pretty sure, with all the reasons Cain isn’t qualified, democrats aren’t scared. But we’ll see.
I liked your article Prentiss and tried to acknowledge a positive. Prentiss, I find it difficult at times to be civil to you as you repeatedly insert little barbs as though you have the corner on wisdom. You, the embarASSed Republican could fill out papers and run for the nomination. It is not the parties job to vet people and decide who may file for candidacy. I read far mor outside my comfort zone I would suspect than you do. And, I have a broad business and military exposure with contacts in places you do not, that is apparent. By your own bio you are a pampered child who has led a sheltered life. Because I am conservative does not make me ‘intellectually less’ than you. I think your “high horse” as others have noticed is a substitute for well, you know.
By the way I found the “poll” you’re referring to, or at least I think I did.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/president_obama_vs_republican_candidates.html
I never said you “were intellectually less than me,” just that you need to read out of your comfort zone a little more. I think you are an intelligent guy, it’s just I see an almost perfect reflection of the latest “buzz words” from Fox in the things you write. That’s a shame, and not indicative of someone who looks for a more rounded view. As for civility, I’ve had my moments as well.
You know what guys? Any time I see Gloria Allred I get very, very suspicious. This whole thing is very sad and I reiterate, do not like Herman Cain but what is being done to him is a damn disgrace. And yes, he is handling it very, very badly. . I truly believe this is a set up but by whom I can only venture a guess and I bet I’ll be wrong.
As I said I doubt the set-up. But I can’t help feeling bad for Mr. Cain, he still sounds like a creep though. If he was set-up, we have to ask who would gain? The democrats would gain if he was nominated, not if he’s blown out early like this. Hmmm…..Who’s left?
I tend to agree with Kaye relative to Gloria Allred. She makes ambulance chasers look really good in my mind. The woman she represents has provided yet again, no evidence. If she has evidence of wrong-doing 14 years ago, present it or get off the stage. There is no evidence of any wrong-doing. Yet another “high-tech lynching.”
I have heard “crack pipe, sexual predator, bad apple” and all manner of loaded words cast against this man. They almost always use sex to bring a black man down. It is time to put the cards on the table. If any of these women have any evidence of true wrong-doing, let’s see it. It is time to s**t or get off the pot. I’m not talking about a press conference where they cast more aspirsions. SHOW ME EVIDENCE!
Cain has been used as a punching bag by the media. He is a black conservative, something the media abhors. That is a factor as well. And I have to disagree, the Democrats don’t want this guy to be the nominee! It takes the race card off of the table in a second, and the strategists know it. But politics and tactics aside, I don’t know who planted it, and don’t care right now. Cain said the charges are utter BS. If he is lying, let his accusers prove so. Show me the evidence…
As for the quote above, it is an amalgam of quotes, and not a singular one. Part was Cain, part was Clarence Thomas, and others… Not ascribing, just identifying the origins.
As well, the woman Allred represents lives in the same building as David Axelrod, and another accuser works for the Obama administration. There are no police reports, complaints, or other evidence. Show me the evidence! And then I hear a liberal on television saying “It is all Cains fault, he put the noose around his neck and tightened it…” Give me a break!
As to the potential Republican nominees, I will admit a desire for someone different…
I have always had an extreme dislike for anyone who uses their power and infuence to attempt to take advantage of someone else. As I have gotten older and have seen many men that I deeply admire fall to their own obsessions I started looking a bit closer, it just didn’t seem to make any rational sense. The first place I looked was at myself. Have I ever acted out of character because of a temptation? How did I feel about myself afterward? Did I learn from the experience and grow a bit? Some men are simply bullies with their power and others just use bad judgement sometimes. I believe most of us have our weaknesses. In situations like this I wish I knew more about the facts involved, chances are slim that I will so I will likely not want to take a chance on him but I am staying openminded as I feel Cain is a good man. I hope he fesses up if it is true.
Michael, just what evidence do you want? You have four different women saying he acted inappropriately. Would 8 change your mind? Some men do this kind of thing. He didn’t rape any one, but doesn’t it make you wonder who hasn’t come forward?
There is a reason courts use the ” eye of the beholder” as the standard. You just can’t prove a predator stuck his hand up your dress. I really don’t think he’s the victim here.
I don’t think much of Cain, but I do think he’s been hung out to dry. That sucks, but is it really that hard to believe? I’m starting to think he was a “straw dog” all along. Why isn’t his party behind him? Where’s the support? Do we really think the GOP is this inept?
The Restaurant Association stated that there was no finding of probable cause in the two old cases in which it gave severance packages. These things happen all of the time, including some very ridiculous cases such as “he wiggled his eyebrows.” Then we have Allred and her potential cash cow, saying that he did this, she was not employed by him or anyone else for many years since. This lady has been involved in some (13) lawsuits mostly nuisance. Where is there any evidence? Thousands of people have said Bill and Hillary killed Vince Foster, is that evidence? If we used the “eye of the beholder” standard in law, we are creating lawlessness, are we not?
And Prentiss, as a man, did you ever stick your hand up a ladies dress? Have you ever been told no? I think we all have. It is what happens after the “no” which matters. I mean come on…
Of course Allred is interested in this case, that’s her bread and butter and Cain’s bad luck. She’s sharp and tough. What happens before the “No,” my friend, is the difference between “welcome” and “creepy.”
Your not completely wrong about “the eye of the beholder” standard, it is a difficult call. But it’s the better of two evils, as you said most of these incidents don’t provide proof. That doesn’t mean they don’t happen nor does it mean that the abused can’t do anything about them. I think most women have had unwanted advances at work, not just the attractive ones. I certainly hear those stories all the time. It used to be something that came with the territory, now we’re cracking down on that behavior, and we still have a long way to go.
I’m sorry because you thought this guy was worthwhile, it must be very disappointing. The debate tonight will be very interesting, will the contenders rally round Mr. Cain?
I’m not saying he didn’t do it, and really, women shouldn’t be abused. There is a difference between making a pass after dinner and two bottles of wine, than in the office. And the lady went to dinner with him by her own account, she was not employed at the time.
I am just very suspicious about all of this. It is doubtful that the contenders will rally round. They would like to see him drop for their own purposes… But the debate will be interesting.
Now for creepy look at the Penn State mess…
Just no feeding frenzy, please….
I think you are right to be suspicious, I think it has all the marks of a set-up from the beginning. Cain’s campaign has “made to fail” written all over it. His economic plan came from a bank teller? He makes fun of knowledge of International affairs? And now Karl Rove is “white boarding” his mistakes on Fox?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/66698.html
Just imagine how pissed off the contributors are.
THIS WHOLE EPISODE REEKS OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY SKULLDUGGERY AGAINST A FEARED OPPONENT.
NY POST ARTICLE: “If Sharon Bialek was at all intimidated or afraid of presidential wannabe and alleged groper Herman Cain at a Tea Party gig last month, she sure didn?t show it, one witness says.”
AP Article: Karen-Kraushaar
FILE – This March 2000 image from video shows then-Immigration and Naturalization Service spokesperson Karen Kraushaar at a news conference in Miami regarding Elian Gonzalez. The Associated Press has chosen to publish Kraushaar’s name, after independently confirming she was one of the accusers who filed sexual harassment complaints against Herman Cain when she and Cain worked at a restaurant trade group.
WASHINGTON – A woman who settled a sexual harassment complaint against GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain in 1999 complained three years later at her next job about unfair treatment, saying she should be allowed to work from home after a serious car accident and accusing a manager of circulating a sexually charged email, The Associated Press has learned.
Karen Kraushaar, 55, filed the complaint while working as a spokeswoman at the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the Justice Department in late 2002 or early 2003, with the assistance of her lawyer, Joel Bennett, who also handled her earlier sexual harassment complaint against Cain in 1999. Three former supervisors familiar with Kraushaar’s complaint, which did not include a claim of sexual harassment, described it for the AP under condition of anonymity because the matter was handled internally by the agency and was not public.
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To settle the complaint at the immigration service, Kraushaar initially demanded thousands of dollars in payment, a reinstatement of leave she used after the accident earlier in 2002, promotion on the federal pay scale and a one-year fellowship to Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, according to a former supervisor familiar with the complaint. The promotion itself would have increased her annual salary between $12,000 and $16,000, according to salary tables in 2002 from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Kraushaar told the AP she considered her employment complaint “relatively minor” and she later dropped it.
OK, let’s dance!
Ha ha ha, the New York Post, yet another Murdoch rag…..
Braaak….braaak Fox news says…. (polly want a cracker?) Braaaaak…..Braaaaawk!
By the way, there is now a fifth woman. You’re drowning here…….
Truly there isn’t much by way of proof. The press has covered this story with an intensity rarely seen. There must be a reason. And it looks like Axelrod’s fingerprints are all over this one. Interesting how the couple of years at the NRA are the only time Cain has been reported to be the beast.
Well, I was pleased that Cain did not get hammered over the harassment claims by the rest of the pack last night during the debate. At least that shows some civility amount the candidates.
But what an awful showing. The GOP came apart live and in color. The best candidate on the stage, Huntsman, who skipped the debate. I felt bad for Rick Perry though. Why are they having 17,000 debates anyway?
I have to doubt my own thinking on the GOP being after their own candidate(Cain), if last night is any indication the Grand Old Party has devolved into a free for all of the least likely. Hey isn’t that the Democrats job?