News broke on Sunday night from POILITICO that Republican
presidential candidate Herman Cain had been accused by two women of sexual harassment
while he worked as the President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association
from 1996-1999. And thus began the shaky and disorganized defense from the Cain
campaign. Since Sunday night, Cain has
found himself in a media whirlwind surrounding the controversy. He has contradicted
his own statements and the facts according to Cain have changed from day to
day. The evolving stories that involve two separate accusations of sexual
harassment as well as the chance of a cash settlement for both female employees
may have serious consequences on the Cain campaign.
The
report released on Sunday night by POLITICO included allegations by two female
employees of the National Restaurant Association of inappropriate behavior by, then
President and CEO, Herman Cain. The report included sources that recited the
incidents at hand; these sources included documentation and recollections of
associates. The
incidents included,
“Conversations allegedly filled with innuendo
or personal questions of a sexually suggestive nature, taking place at hotels
during conferences, at other officially sanctioned restaurant association
events and at the association’s offices. There were also descriptions of
physical gestures that were not overtly sexual but that made women who
experienced or witnessed them uncomfortable and that they regarded as improper
in a professional relationship.”(www.politico.com).
Overall,
it was stated that the incidents made the female employees uncomfortable and
angry. POLITICO also reported that these women were given separate severance packages
along with their departure from the National Restaurant Association. It is believed that they received an amount of
five figures in accordance with their involuntary dismissal.
 |
| Presidential Candidate Herman Cain, Source: POLITICO |
On Tuesday,
Cain claimed that the amount of time that has passed since the incidents occurred
was the cause of his poor memory of the details. He defended himself by
explaining that the twelve years lapse along with the long days he has
scheduled made it difficult to remember such significant details. In an
interview on the news network HLN, Cain claimed he does not remember signing a “separation
agreement” but admits he very well could have. During the same appearance he described
one encounter with the female employee involved that consisted of a simple
conversation about height. Cain claims
that he made a gesture by putting his hand up toward his chin as he made the
comparison of his wife’s height to the female employee. He explained that the gesture
was made only to make the comparison and that the conversation happened in his
office with the door open and his assistant sitting right outside it.
In regards to the financial
settlement, Cain still insists that he was unaware it was made, if it was to
begin with. He insists that both incidents were handled by officers at the
National Restaurant Association and that he had nothing to do with any cash
settlement that may have been agreed upon. These allegations have come out just
when Cain found himself ahead in the polls. Cain has stated that he believes
this is a “smear campaign” that evolved due to his recent success in
fundraising.
Will these allegations hurt the
Cain campaign or will they be forgotten due to another controversy surrounding
any other candidate? It seems that the more detrimental aspect of Cain’s recent
episode is the poor handling by his campaign. Their defense and explanation has
be in consistent and not the least bit convincing. Although there seems to be
bigger fish to fry in terms of Cain’s issues, such as his stance on abortion
which contrasts with Republican ideals, he has continued to stay ahead in the
polls. It will be interesting to see if Cain can continue this trend or if his
rhetoric and past will catch up to him.
Sources:
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