American Morning
Talk Back: Is the Cain accuser's statement a game changer?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
After days of blaming the media, Rick Perry, and all those women named "anonymous," Herman Cain can at last point to an accuser with a face and a voice. Yesterday, Sharon Bialek, a former National Restaurant Association employee, accused Cain of groping her sexually in 1997 when she asked him to help her find a job.
Cain has denied Bialek's claims and issued a statement that reads, "Just as the country finally begins to refocus on our crippling $15 trillion national debt and the unacceptably high unemployment rate, now activist celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred is bringing forth more false accusations against the character of Republican front-runner Herman Cain."
However, Bialek's claims go beyond sexual harassment. CNN legal analyst Jeffery Toobin says Bialek's allegations amount to assault and that Cain may never recover.
Talk Back: Is the Cain accuser's statement a game changer?
Let us know what you think. Your answer may be read on this morning's broadcast.
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After Bill Clinton and Monica. THis is only a slap on the hands.14 yrs ago is not the present. I respect Herman for stopping any act of sex. she said stop and he stopped. Personal mistakes and politics are two separate entities.
Yes, Herman is DONE at this point. I am sure that there are other incidents that will surely come out if Herman remains in the race. But, why was Sharon going to the hotel in the first place and how did Herman know about it to do an up-grade?
Not yet. She didn't feel a need to come forward when he was a relative unknown but now that he is in the spotlight all of a sudden she has a conscience and feels obligated to tell the truth. Hmmmm. We don't have heard both sides of the story yet.
If this is not a game changer, and it should be, then not only are we off course, our society is beyond sick. Before this aspect of Cain's life was revealed, Cain was merely a clown. Now there is evidence that his "sense of humor" is riddled with perverted, misogynistic, arrogant egotism. This guy is a husband, father, grandfather. There is no way he can be president. He is an embarrassment – to his family, party and the nation. He ought to consider himself lucky he isn't in prison and listed on the registry of sex offenders.
A game changer? Absolutely NOT...why have all of these women waited until Mr. Cain has become the front runner in the republican race for the presidential nomination, to come forward with these allegations...two have already been paid off and now this third one has hired Gloria Allred of all people to represent her trumped up charges against this man. If it smells like a fish and looks like a fish, then the whole situation is just one big FISH to me...and no I am not a republican (smile).
I'm sure it will be a game changer–BUT- What are you doing? You know I have a boyfriend–Between the lines does this mean she would've done him for a job if she didn't?
I think the better question is – do you think Herman Cain is so stupid to mount a presidential campaign and all the money he has personally put up if he had a "game changer" like this in the closet?
It certainly should be a game changer for Cain. Bialek has shown lots of courage in coming forward to show Cain for what he is; a leacherous, lying, power abuser. This man has proven himself to be a flip-flopper, a spin doctor and clueless when it comes to policy matters. He and his supporters insist he's not a politician, but he led a lobbying group, whose sole purpose is to effect political decisions on policies that would favor his group. He needs to get out of the race for the good of his party and our country.
While I don't believe Herman Cain is a saint by any stretch of the imagination, I believe these charges by this woman are fabricated,her having Gloria Allred ,raises eyebrows,that this is all about money & a smear campaign.
No, its not a game changer. First, not one verifiable acusation has emerged. Not one of these women has someone to cooborate their claims, it seems Cain was able to do all this harrassement in a vaccumm. Second, the second this woman shows up with the white, female version of Al Sharpton, her credibility is toast. Third, has it occured to you supposed "journalsts" that something is really fishey about this story when right after she claims Cain goes for her crotch and grabs her head and pushes it down to hers which is actully a crimminal act she asks for and accepts a ride home in a car with him? Give me a break. Fourth, conservitives like me will never believe anything that comes from the MSM. We all know that it's biased as hell towards us. You people wouldn't mention the John Edwards scandel although all of you knew about it until National Enquirer forced your hands. You spent months investgating not Bill Clinton but every women he actully did harrass and one that I believe he raped. The women were the culprits, not Clinton. You all portrayed Paula Jones as 'trailer trash". And by the way, I believe that Paula Jones got something like 850K as a settlement for real harrassment and no gag order. The one women with a settlement got "pest" money and when given the chance to speak decided not to. So in conclusion, until some real evidence of wrong doing emerges, we conservitives will believe Cain.
Any one who follows the news knows that any woman who is the victim of sexual harassment or abuse by a famous man will be attacked twice. First by the words or act, and then when she goes "public", her character and name will by destroyed by the famous man and his mob of friends. Why would any woman face the destruction of her personhood unless it was true? And the famous man always brings out his wife to say what a wonderful man he is while he is disrespecting her and all women with his actions outside the tv camera!
Not a game changer, but a push over the edge in the court of public opinion. Herman Cain could've avoided all this, if he had nothing to hide, by encouraging the NRA to release all information from the file. Whatever the contents, the public would've trusted him. But, 3 accusations later and now an actual face make Herman Cain appear as if he is lying and a womanizer. You have to admire the 4th woman who spoke up knowing that Herman Cain was getting away with all of this, while the other woman allowed him to. Mr. Cain thought he could dictate the terms of his communication on this topic, like a business transaction, it he is now realizing that he is ill prepared for any national leadership role. I'm very confident that the 4th accusation will not be the last. Mr. Cain had his day in the sun, but let ego drive his lack of honesty.
It changes nothing, I have followed the man for years and he can lead the country in the right direction, When you talk about character flaws Obama's list is miles longer and you never bring up even one of them. I will vote for Cain
"A game changer"? Sexual harassment charges and politics for that matter, is no "game". It is very serious and should be looked at in a serious light. Having said that, it makes no difference to me because; thanks to George W. and Dick Cheny I will never again vote for a republican.
This is not a game changer. This woman is not reliable. She has waited to late to make a comment now. When at the time of such assault you tell nobody. Then she walk in front of the camera holding hands with the Gloria (lawyer) who is known for getting every dime she can out of men. Claiming this is not about money and all she wants is for him to admit it. These two need to sit down and shut up.
Larry, your opinion reveals your absolute lack of empathy. You have no idea how difficult it is for women, whose jobs are on the line, to bring formal complaints against their male bosses. For millions of women who are abused, harassed or assaulted by the powerful men in their lives (at home and in the work place), there is no viable opportunity – no win – in subjecting themselves to the "she said – he said" circus. I am sure Cain's accusers really want to simply forget and move on. They held their breaths hoping he would never become a viable candidate and would eventually disappear from the scene. Now is the perfect time for them to be concerned and waiting longer would not be right. I applaud their courage. I am not alone in believing that where there is smoke there is fire. This is not the end of these accusations. At the very least, this should be the end for Cain's presidential aspirations, which, to be frank, started as a marketing ploy and have recently sucked him – and his followers – into a game of grandiose delusions.
Women are often made to look as if they somehow instigated a man's inappropriate sexual advances. Of course Mr. Cain isn't going to admit what he's done. There's a man on the Supreme Court who was as delusional as Mr. Cain is. I'm African American. The person's comment that black men are historically accused by white women as sexual predators might be accurate in some instances but one has to be objective and not let one's mental instabilities affect their perception of the world.
Goodmorning Carol, Ali, and Christine! You bet it changes things! This is a very good chance for Mr. Cain to step up to the plate and put things to right! Everything depends on what he does next.
We all know what all these al about. It about the majority Whites cant stand another Black man in the white house. Can you imagine imagine Cain being a challenger to Obama?. Thats two black men for the white house. Thats crazy isnt it. Yes its . America wake up buddy, this has been the melting pot and will continue to be for yes to come where people seeking freedom and good life come.
We are in a debt crises, i cant find a job, and all these crapt is in washington.
I dont care who get there. I need job and food for me and my family. I want America to be the leader to protect her citizens and not those jerks in washington that cant pass " just a job bill" .
CNN tell them We all need a job.
Congress members are all ostrictches with their heads in sand and body out.
Romney, perry , you need tp man up. you are the fuel driving thses fire. its not gonna work
It isn't a game changer YET, but the anyone but Romney Republicans may in fact make Cain their nominee despite his shortcomings however those very same shortcomings may come back to bite them in the butt. I'm just not sure which will hurt Cain worse in the general election. His propensity toward sexual harassment of women he works with, his lack of foreign policy (you know – nukes in China) or his desire to fry Mexicans on his new border fence – sorry guess I should have said 'electrocute'. I once thought the economy was Obama's worst enemy but it turns out that Republican primary voters may turn out to become Obama's best friend! Game changer, yes. Cain blindsided by this, yes. But it will blindside him in the general, not in the primary.