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Herman Cain's Anita Hill

By W. James Antle, III on 11.7.11 @ 3:20PM

In my column today on the main site, I argued that the main reason the sexual harrassment charges against Herman Cain haven't damaged his candidacy is that they are anonymously leveled accusations with little detail. There is just a whispering campaign. There are no props like the Coke can. There is no Long Dong Silver. There is no Anita Hill.

Well, Sharon Bialek came foward today to be Herman Cain's Anita Hill. Her allegations are specific and graphic. She is the fourth woman to accuse Cain, but the first to put her name on the line and make her case in public.

It remains premature to say this will hurt Cain in the Republican primaries. The Bialek press conference was a circus. Her lawyer is Gloria Allred, who weighed in Allred-like with her reference to Cain's "stimulus package." There was a Breitbart-like cameo appearance by Howard Stern's producer. And Bialek has some Anita Hill problems. She isn't one of the woman who filed a complaint at the time. By her own account, she sought Cain's assistance in getting a job.

That doesn't mean the charges are false, necessarily. I'm agnostic on that question myself. An attorney for one of the anonymous accusers told the New York Times that Bialek's story jibes with his client's experiences. But as was the case with Anita Hill and Paula Jones, the charges have not been leveled in a way that maximizes their credibility with people who are not already ideologically predisposed to believe them.

So even with a name, face, and details, I don't think the state of play has changed very much today. Unless more comes out, I don't see this derailing Cain's GOP presidential campaign -- though I do see this circus-like atmosphere becoming a real problem should he make it to the general.

UPDATE: On reflection, I don't think Bialek asking for Cain's help in getting a job damages her story since the request for advice came before, not after, the alleged incident.

View all comments (37) | Leave a comment

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 3:57PM

She seems credible because of her background and the story she provided. Granted, this could all change at the top of the hour but given the facts at this time I believe her.

I find it impossible for 4 individuals to make basically the same accusation without knowing or corroborating with each other.

Herman Cain has not handled this, nor problems answering various campaign questions. He tends to wing it and seems to be satisfied getting by solely on his likability. This is a narcissistic trait; and so is abusing one's power.

I'm not saying he's guilty but the picture SEEMS to be forming on Herman Cain and it's not a pretty one.

One the bright side, it's better to find this out now rather than, say, next March.

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 4:00PM

Corr: On the bright...

William R| 11.7.11 @ 4:04PM

Cain is done!!!

Clint| 11.7.11 @ 4:22PM

" Bialek detailed Cain's sexual overture, explaining that he spent money on a palatial hotel suite for her and then put his hand on her leg and "reached for [her] genitals]" when they saw each other in the evening. When Bialek objected, Cain asked her: "You want a job, right?"

Uh Oh !
Cain's Old Lady Is Gonna Do A Job On The Herminator.

Clint| 11.7.11 @ 4:25PM

Apparently, The Herminator Snatched Defeat From Between The Legs Of Bialek.

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 4:49PM

Cains' vein has caused him lots of pain

His designs on Mrs. Bialek were all in vain

Now the public's support for him is on the wane

So he'll soon drop out 'cause there's nothing to gain

ncatty| 11.7.11 @ 4:27PM

I don't see where these allegations, even if proved true, disqualify him. Don't let the Democrats pick our primary winners.

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 4:37PM

At minimum if these allegations are proven true, he'll be shown to be a liar due to his outright denials.

In addition, seeking the office of the presidency with this little "problem" of his and not thinking this would not be an issue demonstrates an abject lack of judgment on his part.

Two reasons right there to disqualify him.

tonypal| 11.7.11 @ 4:46PM

I don't know if any of this is true, so I will withhold judgment. But you can't be serious. We conservatives were merciless on Bill Clinton with regard to all his issues with women, rightly so. If we see a series of women come forward with credible charges, it will be insufficient for Mr. Cain to blame it on liberal media and people out to destroy him. He must deal with these allegations seriously and in a forthright manner. If he doesn't, I won't need the democrats to make my mind up.

Interested Conservative| 11.7.11 @ 4:30PM

At least we're at the beginning of the beginning of narrowing the double standards involved. Considering the results of the Kennedy/Clinton/Edwards cases when compared with Justice Thomas or pick another GOP/conservative target.

On the left you've got death/sex/live birth, and on the right I suppose you've worked your way from "atmosphere" to touching to consensual acts.

IIRC, in the Thomas case Ms. Hill didn't allege he ever so much as touched her, and barely made a case for propositioning her.

Compare that with today's episode, and this testimony alleges a more serious act, but only begins to approach even Bill C's catalog of adventures.

Herb Tarlek| 11.7.11 @ 9:27PM

I think there may be an issue of false equivalency here. As I recollect, none of the above Democrats were ever tagged with sexual harrassment labels, only extramarital affairs, this is not the same. The only case that is even applicable to this discussion is Clinton, none of the others ever received the nomination or were serious contenders anyway, as is Cain. I do not recall Clinton ever being credibly charged with sexual harrassment.

Joe| 11.7.11 @ 10:09PM

Juanita Broaddrick claims that Clinton RAPED her. And from what I've read, her story is very convincing. Far, far more serious charge.

ncatty| 11.8.11 @ 10:11AM

Paula Jones was a state employee when her boss, Governor Clinton, instructed her to kiss it. Memory refreshed?

Jeff Perren| 11.7.11 @ 4:36PM

She's represented by Gloria Allred; that alone is enough to dismiss her story until or unless it's corroborated somehow.

John - TMF| 11.7.11 @ 4:44PM

ugh... as much as I cannot stand to say this.

"Herman! Go! Go Now!"

From now on, this will be the only issue that will face Herman Cain. This is the only question that he will have to answer. This will be the only question asked of him.

The issue sucks all of the oxygen out of the room every time the media comes into contact with Cain. No matter how hard he tries to avoid it, he cannot make reporters change their line of questioning, or change the stories that will be published and broadcast.

Herman Cain's campaign is over. His supporters need to understand that they are powerless to prevent the continued splutch splutch, splat of the macaca machine.

A note of warning: Anyone who bubbles to the surface with any credible chance of being nominated will be treated in similar fashion.

Herman Cain is being accused, by these women, and the media - rightly or wrongly, justly or unjustly- of having a serious behavioral problem.

Yes, Republicans are held to a much loftier standard than Democrats. We must not, out of some fit of anger over such besmirching of a favored candidate, fall into the trap of blindly supporting someone whose political traction has evaporated, and whose voice is drowned out by the din of repeated accusation.

We were warned that this was going to be DIRTY... I see nothing that disabuses me of that impression.

r/TMF

creeper| 11.7.11 @ 5:17PM

First they came for Herman Cain...

John - TMF| 11.7.11 @ 5:35PM

First they came for Barry Goldwater... capice? Then Nixon... Then they came after Reagan... Bush I, Bush II... remember McCain? Tried it with him too...

Something you have to understand. Conservatives DO NOT CONTROL the mass media and have no control at all over the political deluges mounted on a candidate.

BTW: My wife says that Cain's denials don't pass the sniff test.

One accusation and settlement is a nuisance false accusation.
Two accusations and settlement is getting troubling
Three accusations and stories of really inappropriate verbal behavior... along with the two settlements is so bad it is dangerous.
Four accusations and stories of both inappropriate verbal behavior, but now physical behavior and sexual quid pro quos. Well that is now politically fatal, and the Dems know it.

Yes, the woman is from Chicago. I wonder who is paying the phone bill to Gloria; however lie or not, if this new woman sticks to the story the Cain candidacy is doomed.

Time for him to pack in his pizza boxes and head back to the speaking circuit.

Oh, and just ask George Allen what macaca means. He'll tell you that it was complete nonsense said in a flash of anger. That wasn't the story that was wrapped around his neck though.

"The media is the message." - Marshall McLuhan

The real truth, no longer matters much. Just its immediate perception.

-TMF

mcr| 11.7.11 @ 6:27PM

Don't forget--they also came for Palin.

Clint| 11.7.11 @ 4:53PM

The Herminator, " Miss Bialek, Let's Get Something Straight Between Us & You Can Have The Job".

Minuteman78| 11.7.11 @ 5:13PM

The Delta Tau Chi fraternity is right down the road...they might think your jokes are funny.

Clint| 11.7.11 @ 6:09PM

Clint,
"The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests—we did. [winks at RINO-CINO Minuteman ] But you can't hold The Whole Tea Party responsible for the behavior of a few, sick perverted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the whole Tea Party system? And if the whole Tea Party system is guilty, then isn't this an indictment of Our Rebellion in general? I put it to you, RINO-CINO Minuteman : isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do what you you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen! "
[Leads the Tea Party out of the hearing, all humming the Star-Spangled Banner]

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 7:28PM

Any chance that you could involve yourself in a kiln explosion?

Clint| 11.7.11 @ 8:13PM

Clint, "Grant, look at my thumb."
[Grant looks at Clint's thumb. Clint punches Grant in the face]
Clint, "Gee, you're dumb. "

Bob Grant| 11.7.11 @ 10:09PM

No one's seen your thumb because it's in it's usual place...where the sun don't shine :-/)

Zero Establishment| 11.7.11 @ 4:55PM

Not sure if the new allegations are true, but why is she coming out now and/or why come into the limelight now? Seems very opportunistic from her and her camp.

Joe| 11.7.11 @ 10:12PM

Because Cain didn't run for President until now. And because she hadn't heard about the stories of the other women until now.

GregA| 11.7.11 @ 4:58PM

Classic she-said/he-said. No evidence. No witnesses. A 15 year-old charge. No one has any way of determining whether this woman is telling the truth or lying. Her credibility comes down to whether you're a leftist supporter of Obama. Poor Herman. No way to effectively defend himelf. You have to hand it to the left: they know how to destroy people in the political arena -- start a rumor that can't be refuted.

Bumr50| 11.7.11 @ 5:00PM

Go Cain!!

No proof? Gloria Allred?

Gimme a break...

C Bowen| 11.7.11 @ 6:49PM

Mr. Antle;

Last week, Cain wrote a column for the Wa Times that said this curious line:

"we must build North America as a globally competitive strategic system with 600 million people"

In one of Glenn Beck's books (where he proves he doesn't read his own books since he supports Cain), he lists Herman Cain as one of the conspirators for a North American Union. (Page 281 of An Inconvenient Book.)

There was debate several months ago that maybe it was a misprint, but after this editorial I am wonder again...will anyone ask and just solve it?

Erling| 11.7.11 @ 6:56PM

Go Herman!

For those of you over 40...remember the 1991 confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas? It's déjà vu all over again.

Keep fightin'| 11.7.11 @ 8:35PM

Erling, I am in agreement. This is exactly that. Clarence Thomas Hearings II.

Except that this time the Dems and liberals will be even better.

They've found some bimbo who needs her $$ and probably has a bottomed-out life.

The only "up" for Herman Cain and his team is that there is enough time between now and Iowa to debunk what the Dem(on)s are doing.

They just cannot stand to see a black man who is conservative.

Dixie Pixie| 11.7.11 @ 7:14PM

Who comes up with the MSM scandal scripts.
Mrs. Bialek pronounced Ball-Lick.
How obvious can you get.

How about “Miss Penny Wise” sues a candidate for poor spending habits proving he is unfit to be President.
Or how about “Mrs Gloria Bepure” sues a candidate for an “Unnatural” Harry Potter fixation thus proving the candidate is too anti-Christian to be President.
In short how manufactured does these MSM scandals need to get so even the pundits catch on to the MSM tricks.

In what National Referendum did the populace give the MSM the ability to pick and chose the Republican candidates?
Some one needs to tell the MSM to take a hike and peddle their trash elsewhere.

Occamsrazor17| 11.7.11 @ 8:13PM

Has anyone asked why now? Let's take a peak at her background:

She has twice filed for personal bankruptcy first in 1991 and 2001. A pattern? Can only declare bankruptcy every ten years. hummm

A couple of months ago she had a summary judgment against her with an order to seize her assets for unpaid debt.

Link here: https://w3.courtlink.lexisnexis.com/cookcounty/Finddock.asp?DocketKey=CAAJ0MB0BFIICG0MD

Would getting some money from Cain or the interview circuit be on her agenda? hummmm

Isn't it strange that until now she has never come forward with this claim and can remember excruciating details from a single event that "supposedly" happend over 14 years ago.

Proud Mormon| 11.7.11 @ 8:17PM

This simplifies things for Mitt. A well known stereotype has manifested itself ending unofficially Cain's campaign. Cain will make it official shortly. What's left for the Tea Party? Gingrich? In debt and has similar libido problems. Put up the white flag now, Mitt wins all the early primaries, wins the nomination and wins the election. Instead of carping about Mitt do something useful and help the Republicans win the senate. Beating the Tea Party is more fun than beating Obama.

tym| 11.8.11 @ 8:59AM

So, Proud Mormon, this is really then all about ...Mormonism? Mormons are better? Better than, well, most? Assuredly better than most? No, truly superior compared to "others"?

C'mon. Who are you fooling?

Every one of these candidates has had some kind of daliance or the other. Including Mitt. For some women, maybe Huntsman is a really good looking guy.

We all know the Power Magnet effect. A man can be only moderately handsome and some/certain women are not averse to a flirt and use of some banter and charms.

And sometimes these start harmlessly and go a little too far. No, not necessarily a one night stand or a torrid 6 month affair, but they go well beyond the bounds of professional decorum.

And Mitts done it, too.

Frankly he's too handsome with too good a voice. He has Hollywood looks. So there are some similiar/like-type situations in his past.

It is inevitable when you have someone for several decades as a successful student, good student in university and one who earns money through businesses and stays at the top in political maneuverings.

It is inevitable. Just as sure as your eyes reading this post right this moment.