Editor’s note: Carolyn Edgar is a lawyer and writer in New York City. She writes about social issues, parenting and relationships on her blog, Carolyn Edgar.
By Carolyn Edgar, Special to CNN
In a more logical political climate, Herman Cain’s buffoonery and complete ignorance of foreign policy would have been enough to end his presidential campaign. But as is often the case in American politics, a never-ending sex scandal did what no amount of foreign policy missteps could – it caused Cain to “re-assess” his campaign.
In the midst of the wall-to-wall coverage, I am reminded of a free-wheeling discussion of race and politics that took place at a 2008 meeting of my Harlem book club. The author and social commentator Toure came to talk about his book, “Never Drank the Kool-Aid.” He said the Democratic primary race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would determine whether America was more racist or more sexist. In other words, who would be more palatable to the American people: a black man or a woman?
If Obama’s clinching of the nomination - and eventually the presidency - indicated America may be more sexist than racist, Cain’s presidential campaign all but proves it.
When Sharon Bialek, the first of Cain’s accusers to go public, appeared with Gloria Allred to accuse the candidate of sexual harassment that bordered on sexual assault, many thought the attractive blonde’s claims would be enough to cause Cain to throw in the towel.
“She’s white,” people whispered.
Thinking of Tiger Woods, I thought four white women accusing a black man, a presidential candidate nonetheless, of sexual harassment would be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Everyone I talked to was certain the Republican Party’s conservative base would have a problem with “a black man messing with so many white women,” as a friend put it.
We were all wrong.
Should Cain quit? Share your opinion on iReport
Some have argued that the sexual harassment allegations against Cain would have been taken less seriously if they had been lodged by black women instead of white women. Yet it’s hard to imagine sexual harassment allegations being taken even less seriously than these were. Somehow, four women, all alleging similar behavior, were tarred with the same “not credible” brush. The Cain campaign even received a flood of donations after Bialek went public with her story. Their race was a non-factor.
Indeed, the news cycle had moved off of Cain’s possible sexual indiscretions - until Ginger White came along.
In a bizarre twist, White’s story of her alleged 13-year affair with Cain appeared to corroborate the sexual harassment claims of Cain’s previous accusers. The parallels in White’s and Bialek’s accounts - drinks, explicit or tacit offers of hotel room romps, Cain’s offers of financial assistance - suggest consistent patterns of behavior that are too hard to ignore. White said yes to Cain’s advances; Bialek turned him down. If nothing else, the stories seem to confirm that Cain aggressively pursued women who were not his wife, belying his claim that “I never did anything inappropriate with anyone.”
White says Cain was “very respectful” of her and that their relationship was entirely consensual. Yet she said that she came forward with her story because of the way Cain’s previous accusers were being treated in the media.
“It bothered me that they were being demonized…that they were being treated like they were automatically lying,” White said.
White’s background is as messy as Bialek’s, but the fact that a black woman’s tale of an alleged affair was regarded as more credible than the sexual harassment claims of four white women says that race is far less a factor than many observers assumed it to be.
Cain’s behavior, not the race of his accusers, was his undoing. But while America may, in fact, have made some slight progress on matters of race, it proves we still have a long, long way to go when it comes to sex and sexism.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Carolyn Edgar.
Personally, I don't think marital infidelity is a reason not to run. Some of our greatest presidents of the past were known filanderers...Kennedy, Clinton... Even Gingrich has a history of proven infidelity. Cain should drop out because he does have the experience needed to perform the job. I actually prefer insider experience to outsider ignorance.
What has messed him up are the unbelievable stories he tells to justify his actions.
So what's the difference between him and Clinton, Kennedy, Edwards, etc?
That is because we have learned that hard way what happens when you elect someone who is not fit for the job. It destroys the country.
He without sin chunk the first rock.
Isn't about race – anybody can be a sleaze!
You have to give Cain credit for knowing how to pick a wife.Some time we are too lax on judgment to realize that ,before it is gone.
If the media spent even a mere fraction of the effort it spends investigating the GOP primary frontrunners on investigating the motives and blatant lies spread by Obama every time he speaks, it would be truly amazing.
Dozens of special insider looks at Cain's private life take center stage, while Obama tells a crowd in Pennsylvania that he has never raised taxes on the majority of Americans, despite dozens of guaranteed crippling increases buried within his healthcare law that will take effect in 2013 – conveniently after he presumably wins reelection on lies. Not to mention the tax-like effect of increases in energy costs.
Where's the special "truth finder" report on that? I want in-depth coverage and opinion pieces and behind-the-scenes looks into why Obama repeatedly lies.
"Obama tells a crowd in Pennsylvania that he has never raised taxes on the majority of Americans"
That's PRESIDENT Obama to you, bub. And he is absolutely correct in that statement.
First, this blog is about Cain and his lies.
Second, if the GOP hadn't put Bush into office we wouldn't be dealing with all of the mess. Obama would need 4 terms to fix the last 8 years that have just about destryoyed this country!!!
Right on!
I like Cain's 999 909 plans. I like the opportunity zones for areas with high poverty and high unemployment. I don't know or care much about his personal life. I am pro abortion rights, and pro gay rights, which puts me at odds with Cain. But I do like his novel approach to taxes and terminal poverty areas.
I don't. A flat tax like Cain's 999 or Perry's is nothing more than tax cuts for the rich and tax increases on the poor.
Tax-like effect on increasing energy costs? I'm confused, what real power does the president of the united states have over the price of energy in the country? Oil and energy prices typically operate on macroeconomic principles well beyond any real influence the POTUS wields. You might be one of those silly people who argue `well the EPA prevents us from tapping new reserves' but that would be a rather short term speculative solution for a much larger problem. Tapping a couple extra reserves is not going to make oil any cheaper in the future, and really, oil companies own plenty of land with oil, it's just they want to secure the rights to have even more wells to drill.
All this while avoiding the real problem of `why, in the 21st century, are we still relying on a 19th century oil based economy?'
Those who are seem to be Mr Cains Judge and Jury on here, would not have supported him anyway. Your comments are being read here on CNN by those of you who would never vote republican anyway. The liberals are scared of this man. He is Obamas number contender, I for one am going to wait to hear from Mr Cain before passing Judgment. I do not know the facts, and until they are presented to me I will not condemn him. Neither should you. It is time we stop politics as usual, It is time we stop electing politicians and start electing smart educated NON lawyer types, NON political types. this country will not get back on its feet until we do. Democrat or Republican.
I have voted republican and I think Cain is an arrogant a ss. I would have never voted for him. All the facts? I've seen enough smoke. 7 seemingly credible, unrelated accusations is enough evidence. You waiting for Cain's spin to call that the truth? Good luck.
But "the facts" have been sworn to in public. Phone records and witnesses have been put forth. What do YOU consider facts?
Liberals are scared of Cain? LOL! "Please Mr. GOP, please don't nominate Cain! Please don't, I'm so scared!" LOL!
We have enough proof. He is a liar, and a cheater. His wife needs to yank his nuts untiul he screams, then divorce him.
He is philandering, lying TRASH.
I'd vote for Huntsman or Paul if either got the nod from the GOP, but given how far right the GOP has moved in recent years, I doubt that Reagan would vote Republican if he were still around.
All of this wouldn't matter if we would have stuck to our roots and kept the women in the kitchen where they belong.
You mean like Paula Deen, Giada de Laurentis, Sandra Lee and Julia Child?
(Dave is unmarried.)
Cain says he didn't call her in September. She said he did. It's very easy to to see if a call was made by looking at the cellphone bill. If Cain doesn't show that bill, then he's guilty.
Yeah, funny story there; she provided phone records showing various texts and emails at many different times including the September call; Cain is full of crap and she has the evidence to back up her claims.
Why are we still talking about this guy? NEXT!
Where is Joe the Plumber when we need him? Maybe he is willing to take the plunge?
Joe the Plumber must realize that Cain is going down the drain.
His campaign is all clogged up
The only thing that Cain is trying to figure out isnt should he run for POTUS, its whether he will go back to hustling pizza or be a politcal consultant on FIXed NEWS
Maybe he can position himself at the Port Authority Bus Staion to pick up some ho's getting off the Minnesota trailways bus?
A sure bet for a talk show on Fox where he can go toe to toe with Miss Alaska Wilderness.
First, Cain is not smart and cannot think "fast" on his feet. We need a leader who can stand toe to toe with the other world powers. His stammering made me sweat just watching. The fact that he is lying (finally can't deny White) is just to much for all Americans to swallow...The scandals are just ending his campaign a lot quicker and sparing us a lot of pain as we watch him skirm. And as far as race and gender, Hilliary could probably have won if she had not been associated with Bill. She defenitely has the brains. It's a shame we can't find honest, dedicated people to lead us.
It is a shame Johnny Carson iis not around.There was a man who could think quickly.
Cain's behaviour is scandelous, and he lacks the decency to be Commander in Thief.
You think she called him Sugar Cain?
no, but he called her "sugar T-ts. Oh no, that was Mel Gibson.
What I find ironic as a black man is that it's been the white conservatives (the same people who deny that racism is an issue in our country) who've been playing the race card and accusing the left of giong after Cain because he's black. No, they're targeting Cain because he's a CONSERVATIVE. The truth is, the GOP has been using Cain because he can say what most in the GOP are thinking (that black people are brainwashed and too stupid to think for themselves, and are too lazy to do an honest days' work) and get away with it by virtue of his skin color; a white GOP candidate would get slammed for making the same comments.
That's the best comment I've read all day.
Cain is a CONSERVATIVE ? WOW !
Michael...just becuase you're a black man, who happens to be a racist, doesn't mean that every white male conservative hates you.
You nailed it Mike. Thanks
wlv After replying to something you posted, I read this foolish and annoying comment further down. Then I looked up at the name.... it was you again!!
Either race of infidelity.. Infidelity got him first!. Black Presidential nominee from the GOP.. aint gonna happen!!!!!
I actually wish he'd continue in the race. I'd like to see him go down even further. This guy is so full of s**t that he just needs to be cut down, because he is oblivious to the fact that he is a caricature. Let him have it. Maybe he'll repent one day.
Big Daddy Cane likes white meat.
Foremost, I am glad Cain is gone. He was a lightweight in the first place but these revalations make him a depraved light-weight.
However, let's not fool ourselves by another article of left-wing drivel. The left-wing never passes up a chance to blame some event on racism so why dedicate a whole article trying to convince us this is not race-induced. WHETHER OR NOT CRITICISM AND ATTACKS ARE RACE_MOTIVATED DOES NOT MATTER IN THE RACE GAME! We all know that so please stop with teh leftist squiggly line about when things are racist and when they are not (conveiniently, they are only racist when the claim benefits left-wing causes) and stop insulting those who think.
Wow, just wow. Lets see, get a black women to write about a black conservative and state that this is not racism. LOL, I guess a white reporter saying this would seem racist? Jeez, everyone knows Cain was run off the road because he is a black man and a conservative. I guess the hood wearing Dems was not ready for a black man to come off the democratic plantation and make a splash.
The left would have LOVED him to be the GOP nominee.
Next?
Your noun-verb agreement is awful. Also, you're wrong.
Oh and I must meet with my wife to discuss my campaign... Wonder if she may want to discuss kicking your dumb a$$ to the curb
Gloria's cooking up some lye about now
We must consider the fact that the reporter that broke this story called the phone number Ginger White said was Herman Cain's cell phone and Herman himself answered it!
Undone by ignorance! Be real, you have a history of doing the wrong things with the wrong women... You thought you could slip into main stream politics and compete for the top prize and nobody would find out... Righttt!!!
Little brain, little brain, little brain. The undoing of lots of (they think) powerful men. It's a sign of the times apparently. To be worn like a badge of honor amongst the Washington set. These men are such good role models. Wait, it doesn't matter anymore, as everyone is doing it. You think he was alone when these affairs happened. NOOOO
What gets me is,black,white,republican,democrat,straight,gay(...oh wait,none of those in this game),why would any woman knowingly sleep with a married man? What possible positive outcome would they (or the man) be expecting?
Just Say No,people.
Money.
I don't get it.... Doesn't this happen every campaign. Shouldn't there be some kind of investigation, details, results, trial, plea bargain? I would like to see some substantiation behind the allegations so I can give an educated answer to that question.
And by the way, if every politician quit because of a scandal where would we be?
Bill Clinton – Didn't he like to stick cigars somewhere?
Obama – He has such a dodgy background (no experience, came out of Chicago (yes I did live there), hangs out with Bill Ayers, his wife was never proud of this country until her husband was voted in, Tony Refcoe.... how about the Chicago economy & the 10.25% sales tax on top of their rip off property tax rates)
Newt – Didn't he say women shouldn't be on the front lines due to their monthly "Infection?"
Give me a break.... The news media is the worst outlet to listen to when it comes to presidential races...
You certainly seem to have the right wing BS talking lies down pat.
Ever meet a REAL fact?
I didn't think so.
Back to your fantasy playground, little one, the adults are talking.
Which facts are you refuting?
By saying now that he "has to talk to the wife", something he confesses hasn't been doing for at least 13 years, Cain is preemptively trying to shift responsibility for his actions and his campaign's future from himself to his wife. If the campaign ends now, he and the rest of the cain train can and will put the blame on her.
One measure of a man is how he handles responsibility. Cain likes blaming women for the situations he creates and that, from a character standpoint, is what we call poultry poop.
On the other hand, he may want to talk to his wife first out of deep respect for the possible emotional anguish fighting all of this in public might bring upon her. I don't know, and don't really care which way. I find both sides (Mr. Cain and his accusers) difficult to believe. I also find one-sided comments that only consider one's personal experience and realm of understanding difficult to believe. You may be 100% right; you may be 100% wrong. Maybe he doesn't want to blame her; maybe he wants to protect her – or himself, or their children, or their marrige – or he just wants to make sure they're on the same page before moving on – in any direction. People who accuse someone of something, according a psychological principle, usually do so because that's what that individual would do or feel or think in a similar situation. Just sayin'....
I dunno...wouldn't his -not- sleeping with women who aren't his wife indicate this so-called "deep respect" for her/their marriage?
I read the article and all of the comments. The article makes a cogent point from a precast point of view.
I learned from it. Carolyn presents great food for thought. She certainly strikes a nerve, proven by the
counter fire and passionate support evidenced in the blog. Give the writer credit whatever your take.
It is easier to knock/boost an argument than build and present it. Very educating writing. A point of view
I never considered. The blog: very entertaining stuff with a good dose of humor. Herman Cain: in the end
we all stand as the average of good and bad points. Running for president will test the core of anyone,
let him run. He will go as far as his true self will carry him.
edco
Cain's mistake is that he never watched ending of the movie Moonstruck. "Tell them the truth. They find out anyway."
Taking a black women to undo Cain rather than 4 white women says to me that this was about race.
I'm not mad at Cain because he likes to screw with women...i'm just upset with his taste in women. Why do polticians go for such trashy ladies?
I think Ginger is a lovely looking woman and talks well too. I dont know what the heck she was doing doing herman.
totally mismatched on the looks scale. And as for her being trashy, what is Cain doing screwing around while being married to his Saint of a Wife? He actually makes her look like TRASH through HIS actions
The question should be, why do trashy looking women, or otherwise, pick such ugly creepazoids to be their Sugar Daddy?
We get it. The liberals are the ones who truly decide what black folks are able to be in politics.
Sad.
Herman Cain is lacking in good character, however other then that flaw, he has been rather amusing to watch.
What about "The Gingridge that stole Xmas", the biggest adulterous in GOP history and the architect of banking laws that got us in 2007-2008 mess .
All is forgotten ...
Architect of what banking laws?
"...I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character..." – Martin Luther King
Cain is being judged by the content of his character and frankly it stinks of hypocrisy and immorality.
nicely put it, I couldn't agree more!
Mr. Cain is an adulteress swine
Sorry this is a little off topic per the OpEd. But IMHO, if a woman makes a widely publicized statement of a 13 year affair, and her statement has even a shred of truth (such as 13 year 'friendship' not revealed to wife) a decent husband drops everything (even a presidential campaign) and goes home to his wife to discuss it. He doesn't wait until Friday.
Amen to that!
Cain is done....his past is catching up with him. Good riddance.
It would appear that mental myopia and idiocy are treasured virtues for you-I only hope your parents didn't instill them in you.
A suggestion-take some time to step back and see the whole picture and reflect.
This is the most idiotic piece of drivel I have ever had the displeasure of reading. I wish I could have the last two minutes back. The POTUS could have been caught on video in a romp with a male choir director from his old church and you would probably say that he was somehow the victim... Herman Cain would have made so much of what you people like you Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Roland Martin and others have to say TOTALLY irrelevant. That's why you and the left don't only need him beaten- you need him to be destroyed.
Typical defense position – sorry buddy the left didn't create that mess, he did.
Don't blame the Left, blame yourself!
Cain made his own bed. He's just not Presidential material. Imagine if he wasn't Black. Another Conservative coming forward with his policies (or lack thereof) wouldn't have gotten anywhere. It was the Right that thought "We now have the Anti-Obama".
Obama would have beaten him anyway.
I'm black and on the right and I can assure you the right does not look at Cain as our Obama. I'm not supporting Cain for the nomination even though I like him immensely. It doesn't have anything to do with this alleged scandal either. I am a Black, very conservative Christian who is supporting Newt Gingrich because I think he is our best presidential candidate divorces and all.
to LogosPatriot: I got news for you, the left will wind again in 2012, have the freak show in congress starting the genius GOP/TEAPR reps because is not over and OWS is not going anywhere, mark my words.
Herman Cain has DESTROYED HIMSELF. He had no chance of beating Obama if he was nominated even before all this happened. It is utterly ridiculous of him to be blaming this "conspiracy against him" on "someone, some organization, liberals, democrats, republicans, etc"...he just doesn't know!! HE ADMITS HE HAS NO IDEA.....but it must be SOMEONE wanting him not to run because they are afraid he will win. What a joke. What hutzpah. What arrogance. What disengenuous BULL!!! But there is always someone like you who will believe his nonsense.
My post was meant as a reply to LogosPatriot.
Aha! I knew there was something phony about 9-9-9!
It actually meant 9% of the truth, 9% of accountability, and 9 women.
It's more like 9-6-9, with Herman in the middle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKDDTqWrTTQ this kinda sums it up really....
Poor Uncle Ruckus. He thought he could be president.
Nice
Mr. Cain had a friendship with a woman other than his wife. That friendship involved him giving this woman money, taking her on trips, and talking to her at all hours via cell-phone. Mrs. Cain did not know about this friendship until earlier this week. That is enough in my book, right there, to disqualify him from my vote. If a man is going to keep a secret like that from his wife, what inappropriate secrets will he keep from the American People as President?
a pig is a pig is a pig
You slander pigs everywhere with that comment-perhaps you should call him a bull instead? See...
A pig at least gives you delicious bacon.
A bull gives you,well...bulls__t.
Hating the governement and its policy and the history of racism and discrimination isn't unpatriotic, it is the very defenition of being a true patriot.
The logic of this article's writer is really astounding. She says that the stories are "alleged", then somehow, with no real explanation, makes the leap from "alleged" to actual, by simply finding similarities in the stories of Bialek and White. And someone actually pays this woman for legal advice?
I hope Cain is not guilty. The media better hope he really is. Because if Cain is indeed innocent, there's a special corner in the hot place for all the shills who unjustly and probably permanently damaged this man's reputation and life.
Oh please, he did this to himself – isn't that Hermie's thing "Blame yo'self ? Stop looking for others to blame.
If you care to wager that Cain is innocent, I will bet my life savings against you. What a combination of arrogance and delusion this man must have! Back to the food service world for Mr. Cain, probably as a bus boy after all this.
By still hanging on to the garbage that the non-effective, proven to be an idiot, Sarah Palin spewed shows you to be a delusional, ignorant and stupid fool.
Rev. Wright does not hate America, he was criticizing the country that he defended for years as a member of the U. S. Marine Corps. What have you done to serve your country? If idiots like you would take the time and listen to his sermon, you'd see that some of the stuff he was saying was absolutely true! People like you never learn anything because you're so closed minded!
So funny that all u can bring up is Rev. Wright. I am a loud mouth who wasn't proud of the U.S. until that night The illustrious Obama's became POTUS and FLOTUS. The last shall be FIRST and the first shall be LAST. Now move out of the way, it's a new sheriff in town. Don't like it, get a passport.
Only because Cain is a Black Conservative are we seeing the piling on by the Liberal Media. It wasn't a big deal in the case of Clinton, Edwards, Corzine, Weiner, Gore, Rendell, Condit, Tiger Woods, Letterman, Michael Jordan, Matt Laur.
You forgot Newt!
You DO remember Clinton being impeached, don't you?
Yep. Impeached, with charges dismissed. He committed perjury, suborned perjury, and got off with a $10k fine, 5 years of a suspended law license in Arkansas, but kept his job as POTUS.
Heck, as long as we're claiming allegations as fact, isn't Bill Clinton guilty of rape? Anyone who can't see the double standard here is blind.
Cain's plan should be 666, like his devilish behaviour
@wlv: The "lying under oath" (not perjury) charges was not dismissed. He was found guilty in the Senate but not removed from office. Furthermore, Clinton didn't rape anyone. If you think you have some fact that say otherwise, bring them on.
Okay, First lets ignore Tiger Woods and Micheal Jordan. Lets stick to politians. Clinton was impeached because he had an affair, not even a full affair mind you just a BJ. Wiener was pressured so much by the media he resigned and he didn't actually have an affair. With Edwards it derailed his campaign and is now going to jail because of it. So please don't play the race card because it doesn't work. The bottom line is no matter who does it in politics it makes the news. The difference being Republicans will stick by their lie even if proved to be a lie.
Its not realistic to conclude that conservative are treated the same as Liberals by the media in times of scandal or politics.
I didn't mention the Kennedys in my last post to further my point because of lack of space.
No, Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice. I wonder what might have happened if Cain's reaction to all the recent allegations was 'none of your damn business' instead of lying about them.
your right. Republicans are often treated with kid gloves in times of scandal.
Dave, that is because the fact that Clinton had an affair actually was investigated criminaly. It was a direct result of the affair, just like Edwards.
If Conservatives would not pretend they are the voice of morality then they wouldn't get the heat; it is their hypocrisy as much as their lies that are the cause of their undoing. And forget the liberal/race card, if they mess up on the national circuit your going to be prime time.
To Anthony, who wrote:
I didn't mention the Kennedys in my last post to further my point because of lack of space.
Yeah, right, lack of space. LAME!! Were you around when the media "MADE A BIG DEAL" of it when Marilyn Monroe showed up at the inauguration ball seemingly drunk and sang Happy Birthday to JFK? THE MEDIA WAS ALL OVER IT, probably especially conservative media. You logic is lame, sir.
My memory of history is that it -was- a big deal for President Clinton. It -was- a big deal for Edwards. It -was- a big deal for Newt, and it -was- a big deal for Representative Weiner.
It was a big deal for Clinton because of the Republican Congress and not the media. The story about Edwards was a National Enquirer article and not the main stream media.
Michael Jordan ran for President? I would have voted for him....damn, free niikes for everyone...
You can't be serious that it "wasn't a big deal" in all those other cases......the news media were all over those stories too. They tried to impeach Clinton over it, didn't they? Tiger Woods? "wasn't a big deal media story"? What are you smoking? Short memory have you.
Wrong!
Herm your days are numbered playin da fool for the Koch bros.You can quit the shuckin and jiving now.
"shuckin and jiving now" this sounds racist. The bottom line is, Cain is a clown with a 999.
I can only pray to god your "wife" tells you to run as that would assure Obamma 2012
That would be a great pay per view debate.
This story reminds me of a joke. A man and wife, who've been married for over thirty years, are sitting at the breakfast table one morning when the wife turns to the husband and asks: "Honey, if I die first, will you remarry?" Shocked by the question, the husband simply stares at his wife for a moment and then replies, "What a horrible thing to talk about!" But, the wife persists, "Would you remarry?" The husband puts down his fork, sighs and finally replies, "Well, I guess so." Obviously agitated, the wife then asks, "Would you sell the house?" After thinking a moment, the husband replies, "Well, no, I don't see any reason why I'd sell the house." The wife then asks, "Would you let her sleep in our bedroom??" The husband shrugs his shoulders and replies, "Well, to be honest, yes, I think I probably would/" Tossing her napkin on the table the wife stands and screams, "Would you let her use my golf clubs???" Startled by her response, the husband finally stammers, "Of course not, she's left handed."
Won't lie, that was funny.
lol!
So NOW Sharon Bialek turns out to own her landlord $ 7,500 in RENT and has received an eviction notice from the local sherrif !......No surprise she wants to be on the news and of course on our liberal and not-so-objective news conglomerate CNN. And of course together with the infamous Gloria Allred... (Maybe learn something about THAT woman too, before you judge and decide on Mr. Cain) As for you liberal sheep, please become a little open minded and check the other crappy news channel FOX once in a while, you might actually learn something new! (like the report about the the $ 7,500 rent she owes.......). Where there is smoke, there is fire, yeah right, but when it's about people and their need/urge for money, it's not ( just) some of the capitalistic pigs who might play a trick when it comes down to money...... Let's wait and learn a little more about this Ginger White woman, before we judge.... And do not forget, what this is all about: Herman Cain is a serious and valid threat to the Left..... Wake up Y'all!!
You had me until you typed 'Y'all'...
He had me until he typed, "So..."
Survey: People Who Watch No News Know More Than Fox Viewers. Fairleigh Dickinson University
Why do I get the feeling Herman Cain is playing out a scene from the Cain Mutiny. "There's no reason to call her to the stand, I know what she'll tell you, lies, all lies." as he rolls three ball bearings in his palm.
He never had me.
He/She's a FOXER. They leave a bad smell behind!!
Kind of guts y'alls claims that these women are being paid to come forward. Y'all need to think these things through just a bit more, because we all are LOAO at y'all.
@Dutch – "Herman Cain is a serious and valid threat to the left." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On what planet?! I think most Dems would LOVE for Hermie to be the Republican candidate – Obama would wipe the floor with him in any debate on any topic! Herman Cain is arrogant, ignorant, and most likely, an adultering preacher. What Dem WOULDN'T want him to run against Obama?! Best look toward the Repubs as the ones who ferreted the info out and leaked it.
do you not find it at all curious that all of these women had financial troubles and needed jobs and HERMY was helping them? Is it not obvious to you that Herman Cain TAKES ADVANTAGE OF VULNERABLE WOMEN WHO TURN TO HIM FOR HELP? (odd that they all have that in common). "Yeah, sure, I'll help you......lift your skirt, take some trips with me, but "keep it quiet, won't you"? "I am married you know".
Clearly Mr. Cain preys on women in financial distress. Don't pimps go after runaways they pick up at the bus station?
Do you know "all" black people and "all" women personally to make such a sweeping generalization or are you as much of an "ignorant buffoon" as Cain has demonstrated his behavior to be.
Cain is a liar! He tried the Clinton tactic - deny everything! Except Clinton got away with it (well, sort of). But if Cain had been smart, he would have followed the lead of Schwartzenegger: accept blame, express remorse, and apologize. End of story, and everyone moves on. Also, the other women would not have been motivated by his denials to come out of the woodwork and nail him to the cross. But he brought this on himself. If you screwed up, people can forgive if you come clean. I used to like him. But what a mess, Dude! You're toast. Get out (for being such a liar).
Youre assuming he did it. How do you know? There is no proof thus far...
Nothing brings out racism more than a black man running as a conservative. Seemingly, even some blacks then conveniently become "racist." True, he may also be a skirt chaser, and, no doubt, it is the hope of many that turns out to be the case in order to justify their already harbored angst of Cain.
I think you're somewhat right. But not totally. Survey after survey show blacks are actually more conservative as an ethnic group than nearly all other ethnic groupings. We just tend to vote more Democratic because Democrats spend less time talking about "going back to the way America used to be". We are against Cain because he's a buffoon, far too friendly with the ultra-conservative, looney Koch brothers and is a compulsive liar.
lol this story IS actually about racism... newt gingrich cheated on his 2nd wife big-time... apparently infidelity doesn't matter to republicans, unless you're black haha
Tell that to Clarence Thomas. Obviously didn't matter for him either.
I cannot agree that this is about race. It is about his continual lies. He denies, denies and denies much as Clinton and Edwards did. That is what gets to the heart of the matter. How can you vote for a man who continually lies? Yes they all do it, mean and women, but they don't get caught! When caught just own up and get it over with!
This is pure racist BS
What has to happen before someone considers Jon Huntsman. He's the only reasonable candidate amongst this motley crew of fools.
Agreed!
Pervert! Well, he's done the Blonde and the Brunette...I just can't wait to hear from the Redhead.
Sorry, wrong forum.
Wait...Ginger White is Black?!! I'm so confused...
I thought the same thing. All the women have been white, so I'm not sure what the author's point was. I do know that Cain will not be the nominee and will never occupy the oval office.
Wait until you hear that Mary Anne Black is white.
I didn't know any of Cain's accuser's were black? Is the author suggesting Ginger White is actually black? Says who?
Says who? My tv screen has excellent and accurate color tuning. She is most definitely a light skinned black. What is wrong with your vision?
I don't see the DNC running anti Gingrich adds. I wonder which candidate they would rather run against.
Please let it be Cain! Frankly, if I were a Democrat I would settle for anyone but Huntsman. They're all very, very beatable.
Given time the demoncrats will go after everyone and anyone, that is the only possible campaign they can run, they haven't got else, nothing has "changed," if anything it has all gotten worse, i.e. unemployment, the backing of the wall street protestors, come on, they will tell stories about whoever wins the Republican nomination, they can only fight dirty while we sit with so problems solved. Newt will be next!
CNN, you are SO predictable! If it were a Democrat in this situation, it would be all about racism. Since it's a Republican, it's NOT about race. You have NO credibility.
Mike – quit being ridiculous. The blinders and selective reasoning you need to have to believe Cain and his conspiracy theory is truly remarkable.
I'm dropping this. Enough already !! The man is toast in this contest now. I like Ron Paul the best. He seems to be the only candidate who understands that the huge national debt and compound interest will eventually crash us all down unless we get down to designing and implementing an entirely new financial and banking system in America.
The sky ins falling, the sky is falling....where were you when Bush / Cheny were spending gazillions of dollars invading / occupying foreign countries and handing out welfare to the oil companies and the wealthy??
The is a PERFECT example of dem logic. You are completely oblivious to the fact that Obama has spent as much in 3 years as Bush did in 8. Besides how do you give WELFARE to oil companies. Democrats DO NOT live in reality. They live in this fictional universe they've created for themselves.
As for Cain, Its simple really. If he did these things, he should not get reelected. but there is SO FAR not a bit of evidence to support the claims. And the media is giving this story WAY to much attention for baseless allegations.
Carolyn,
In your article, you seem to conclude that it was the acquisition of a black woman – Ginger White which finally did in Herman Cain – proving to you that race is a non-issue. I don’t think it is entirely correct to come to this conclusion. It is entirely possible that the barrage of acquisitions against Cain just happened to tire his supporters and they went on to other candidates. In other words, if Ginger White were white, still his support would have dwindled after this latest acquisition.
Furthermore, the woman is white, not black.
Cain is a lover, not a fighter. He's a leader, not a reader. 999. That's how many women he's slept with.
Now that my friend is funny. I don't care who you are!
999 is how many women he has hit on. His successes in that area have not been determined.
Went far enough to infer that President Obama isn't "black enough." He's spewing the same garbage that keeps the black community stagnant on the streets. The guy is a clown, as he got raises at Godfathers–more than half his employees were paid under a living wage. I feel for those that have been and still are in this situation. Working to live, not living to work. After rent, food, electric, phone (optional) and cost of commute are compiled these people are sadly not in positions to save anything. I know it is a better life then most but surely not the quality of life people aspire to get to in the "land of opportunity."
It was the lying about it that was his undoing.
Not that he is a minister or should I say a singing minister?
Herman Cain, you're an old school pimp that needs to get somewhere and SIT DOWN!
people are just racists..........................................at least that's what obama's supporters say when obama is criticized.
References please?
References please?
Are you joking? sure that kid said sounds stupid, but people cry racism with obama every day, why the hell would you need references for that? You're dumber then the kid who posted it.
I wonder why that would be hard to fathom? More often than not, and seemingly unbeknowst to many whites, African-Americans are NOT "quick" to raise the issue of "race" UNTIL we've exhausted every other scenario! It's a humiliating feeling to know someone MAY be against us simply because of "color"! When we see OTHERs (non-blacks) treated differently (better?) for the same complaints/issues/behavior – we have no choice but to wonder why and come to the conclusion you state about Obama. YOU know as well as most that the vehemence and uncooperation and vitriol has NEVER been displayed or acted out on a previous President – at least not with so much open disrespect! WHY we must wonder?! For some, it IS his policies, his personality, etc. and that's fine and acceptable. But for so many others it certainly IS his race! We, as a people, are FULLY aware of the innuendos, stares, "code" language used to disguise racial animous. It may provide whites with an escape of sorts when confronted, but WE know the deal! A black man can be a 'jerk' just like the next man (er, Cain) – but when a man does EVERYTHING America tells 'us' to do to live the American dream and then is crucified because of it, that is suspect to say the least. To be demeaned because you served your community as an "advisor"?? To reach our continuously to your opponents/enemies only to have that outstretched hand slapped away everytime and called the most offensive names, BLATANTLY and unashamedly LIED about at every turn – and YOU'RE the one to blame for any negative results instead?? Seriously?? Might it be another reason – or is it his "race"?! That's an independent observation and conclusion often based on "experience". I believe blacks are MUCH better experienced in knowing when it's applied as such negativity has been directed towards US for decades/centuries, and cautionery "reaction" preached to us by our parents just as long!
But my fellow racist Americans are trying to outdo OUR PRESENT PRESIDENT WITH RACE. Wow, that's America for you! Cain is a sleeze bag and a snake. President Obama is smart, a gentelman, great family man and has many other great attributes but yet people give him hell!
absolutely. Obama is an intelligent man of honor who got nothing handed to him and is a devoted family man. Cain is a straight-up clown.
What a joke this guy needs to get lost and start tossing pizzas again he keeps lying all them people are just lying and hes telling the truth yeah right sure what a loser
Im sorry. He's done. But he was really never a serious contender. NEXT!
Exactly; all "straw" polls, but NO contributions. Money talks...and we all know what walks. NEXT.
If he started out his campaign as Sir Bang-A-Lot, he'd be much better off, and wouldn't come off so disingenuous
BD
Why isn't he upfront and in your face with his sleaziness like Newt? Why try and hide the fact? It doesn't seem to be hurting Newt with all his affairs from his high school teacher to his messing around while his wife was ill.
I hope that fatso Newt wins the nomination so Obama can destry him once and for all.
Ok breathe...
Cain dont quit brother.. Stay the course. I love you tenacity..Who cares what these say..Poursuit your dream bro the book deal is on the way
I've been thinking that for a while now. This self-help book peddler and motivational speaker is positioning himself to be the next Sarah Palin; politically irrelevant, yet, still,...somehow...Paid In Full.
Nope, he was still trying to white and forgot that he was not. He brainwashed himself.
Your commentary and line of inquiry are in fact wonderful because you so exceptionally highlight the very phony world in which we live. I can tell you firsthand that the world's history and inheritance cause us to be trapped. We are trapped because we cannot even feel for the abused women without thinking about the offender's race and the victims' races; we are trapped because we treat women like garbage in this world. It is a world sickness that is disgusting and your writing is very much tries to deal with it, which is a good thing.
I agree it is a worldwide sickness. It needs to be addressed desperately. Women are treated like pieces of meat or property and devalued even in societies that claim to be progressive. Equality has not been realized. The world will be a better place when women and feminine qualities are afforded equal significance in the world. Look at the number of female babies that get discarded in China, for example. Sad Sad
To paraphrase Lloyd Benson, Jack, ' I know blacks, blacks are friends of mine- and Jack, you are not black.'
Cain like Bill Clinton and Tigger Woods have difficulty making good choices, this type behavior more than likely was exibited by them all there lives. When given some power their choices and their decisions become more exagerated. Imagine Cain's choice if he has his finger on the launch button some day. What would he do? what choice would he make? Send Cain back home, he has home work with his family to be done. He does not belong in this race.
You are absolutely dead on. This appears to be behavior he has exhibited most of his career. What should be most disturbing to the public is that he refuses to be honest. I think the public is forgiving by nature to most things, but when you are willing to lie to the people you are going to represent repeatedly, you simply lose all credibility.
seriously, you need some help, and I am surprised CNN posted your comment it is disgusting
Not surprisingly, it's been conservatives, themselves, who've been making the most noise about race in this campaign.
First it was the constant "reminders" that Cain was black (as if we couldn't deduce that for ourselves) as though they thought they deserved some special recognition for NOT lynching him, or something.
Then it was Cain's own pathetic use of the race card after accusing every other black person in America of doing just that...a white self-described "conservative" female makes an accusation against him, but no...it's "the Liberals" attacking him because he's black–PATHETIC.)
Well, if that aint the pot [slandering] the kettle.
Woah woah woah... you're saying that the GOP has been playing the race card in this election??!?
6 months ago, anyone that disagreed with Obama was being called racist.
Wow. Just wow.
While the "race" card may not have caused Cain's downfall... the ONLY reason he is even a candidate is due to the GOP trying to come up with ANYONE "that can beat Obama in Nov 2012!!" They wanted to be able to say that the GOP candidate is "blacker" than Obama.
Herman Cain is too dumn and not qualified to be in the oval office – plain and simple!!!!
Wow. You misspelled dumb while calling someone dumb. Only in America.
That made my day!
Not that's just Dumpid.
That was a typo.
what a dumi (just kidding)
"dumb"
You are misguided in your thinking. I am a black person with independent conservative views and I do not like Herman FED CHAIRMAN Cain. He has been lying about his history the whole time and bet your bottom dollars Herman has a shady past. He has no connection with black america and his comments about his actions during the civil rights movement made me sick to my stomach. While we have made very considerable progress in race relations in this country, we have a very long ways to go in improving social equality where everyone in the country is given the same level of respect. Cain speaks NOTHING to that and in fact has turned his back on anyone who has a social disadvantage in this country. Cain is a puppet of the banking and industrial cartels. The Rothchild and Koch families. It's a pity you are not able to see that.
test
Carolyn – very good article, very good. Burbank – enough already, there is 100%, there is less than 100%, you cannot do anything 110%. Herman Cain needs to stop wasting the country's time with his book tour. He was never interested in the presidency. And if my husband was accused of having an affair – for 13 months, much less 13 years, and he did not fly home IMMEDIATELY to discuss it with me, all his belongings would be on the street when he did get home.
So sorry you don't understand what agreeing with someone 110% means, but if you are that dense, it won't do any good to explain it to you.
So, should Hillary moved Bill stuff out. After all he cheated with a BJ with her at home. Jerk.
all we want is true justice and a good cup of coffee
The MSM are doing their part to make sure the establishment GOP props up two lemons like Mittens or Newt so the US can continue its march towards oblivion at the current frantic pace no matter which party wins the next election.
It's not so much propositioning women that killed his campaign as the fact it represents his untrustworthiness and dishonesty and attempts to control and bully with even more lies. If that's the way he treats his wife and women in general, how would he have treated the rest of the citizenship once he was in office???
And I agree, the guy is a disrespectful, arrogant buffoon!
The one with extra-marital affairs being just freshly exposed is quickly out-run by the one with extra-marital affairs having been exposed years ago. No, it's definitely not about race.
I agree with this 110%. Take Rap music for an example. Women are slurred with being called B-- and H- in every other line and no one thinks anything of it. One the other hand, if a non black uses the N word, there is an absolute uproar!
The truly sad, sick and scary part really is the fact that no one thinks anything of constandly degrading women in pop music.Not only that, women are blasted with it constantly booming out of people's sound systems in their cars whether they want to hear these slurs or not! It's blasted at us daily!!!
That may be, but it won't change as long as there are women screaming "That's my jam" and running to the dance floor when that "B- and H-" song comes on.
touche my friend!
Burbank,
What about the women who subject themselves to this behavior and refer to them as those words... The N-Word is getting cliche. I hear more Indians, LATINOS, Asians and dare I say whites using it more then blacks so I've given up on it. No mention of the women who pose for videos and centerfolds wearing nothing and letting a credit card get swiped through their buttcracks. If women stopped glorifying folks like Kim Kardashian there will be no supply to a misogynistic and chauvinistic demand. The term it takes two to tango may actually be appropriate here.
Cain was ( is ) a test bed to establish a best guess at what kind of candidate the US People will tolerate.
Do you want him in office? Me neither.
One thing is for sure though, the US Democratic and Republican partys are awash with candidates to dredge up from the sea of applicants.
Sooner or later, one will be chosen and We the People will have to be saddled with him, her, it, these, those and theirs for four more years of international "save the economy" jaegerwurst !
The truth is that it had to happen. Sooner or later, it may as well be sooner, we "the elitist" americans who have had it good for so long, our dark side had to come under international scrutiny eventually.
What do you do with a society who values their "grade" of cellphone and " cellphone plan" more than who we really are as citizens, people and what we really think of our lifestyles, our cars, our homes, our clothing. Our public schools are being closed for no $,000,000,000. We pay teachers too little, our Police and Fire Department Crews are nearly volunteer's and our society balances in near poverty over international misbehavior, crimenals thrive.
Herman Cain is a kind of american thermometer. When the tip glows red and pops, the turkey is done and those who begged to ask the question," who or what will america(s) settle for in our highest office?," That answer is in the wind.
PS I agree Dr, dump him before it starts to smell even worse! Kudos Carolyn! What are you doing for the next four or five years? Would you serve? I already have.
J
It's funny how Herman Cain tells the public everyone is lying, but him. Can you imagine what he would lie about if he was elected to office! It is shameful to see how the women in this issue are being treated by republicans and conservative commentators, but I am not surprised. I knew Cain would stumble, but not like this. As a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas city I expected more from him. Not only did Cain turn out to be a dishonest man, he has no respect for professional women in the work place because ALL he can think about is getting in their pants.
Hmmm.... I'm a 58 year old white guy. I honestly never thought about the fact that his accuser was white and he was black until I read this article. Maybe times are changing, or maybe I'm just odd or something?
I'm a 28 year old Black male, and I never thought the race of the accusers mattered (though I clearly noticed it) until I read this article.
Times haven't changed, but I don't think race of Cain or the accusers matters here. Here, its more of a "where's there's smoke, there's fire" feel.
Republic=hypocrite. The party of family values.... is this what the party wants for themselves? I don't trust any of these wackos. If Cain's wife was smart she would listen to this comment/saying. "NEVER trust a cheater."
So would have Hillary and the entire Democratic establishment, but they had no problem with Bill and still consider him a substantive figure
Sanford from Carolina, helped impeach Bill Clinton, but he was running down to south america to cheat on his wife, once again, hypocrites. Hopefully people will see whats going on in American. GOP=Party of do nothing, and pretend to have family values.
Actually someone on this blog coined a better term for it. GOP = Greedy Old Pigs!
An the Dem party aka: FRD, Clinton Edwards = cheat of wives, and tax, tax, tax,tax,tax.
The Democrats never thought Clinton's escapades were enough to keep him out of office. They just wanted to win. Hypocrisy? The Democrats have that one covered.
Dan, are you conveniently forgetting John Edwards and Gary Hart? Edwards had one mistress come forward -he was out of the race .... Hart got caught with a women on his lap – he was out of the race.
Herman wasn't just having an affair – he actually has along history of Harassing women – with the pay offs to prove it.
Whenever Liberals or Democrats point at a Republican moral misconduct the conservatives jump all over them calling them hypocrits. I don't think I would look down on their moral indiscretions as much if they were not constantly putting themselves out their as somehow morally superior and more famly oriented while attempting to shove Christianity down everyones throat.
You know Jessica, people like you just irk my friggin bird. There are hypocrits on both sides of the political aisle and just as many immoral and corrupt people trying to force their world view on others no matter what their political allegiances are. But I am sick to death of people like you throwing in disparaging comments about Christianity, just because you know that there are sheep out there willing to cheer you on just for doing it. If you hate the freedom that Christianity gives to people of that faith then why don't you haul your butt off to Iran or Egypt and see what shooting your mouth off about religion gets you there.
If he was a Democrat it would be about race.
As yes, GOP: the family values' party.
Well you're right that it sure wouldn't be the Democrats who would claim that one. Clinton was/ is their hero.
You are right.. democrats have had their share of mornal indiscretions. but at least they don't try to say that good Christian leaders with family values while while sleeping around....
If the whole "God told me to run" thing didn't clue you in you should be ashamed of yourself.
Perhaps "God told him to run" because it would bring to light publicly his deceptions and untrustworthiness so that he could change for the better. Karma coming due just when the lessons are needed most with the most impact. To coin a Christian phrase: "The Lord works in mysterious ways." God sure must be having a good laugh at his expense! Gotcha!
God told me to run too... down to the 7-11 for a 12 pack. Back in 5.
It just seems funny to me how he keeps denying. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool everybody all the time, and you can't fool your wife none of the time.
Go ahead, keep lecturing us (the dumb stupid black people who need the enlightened black intellectual to tell them what to think) about what is racist and what is not. Why not make this your personal opinion and not try to give "the black community" lectures on what should be considered racist and what shouldn.t. I am so sick and tired of these paternalistic articles on CNN, dictating to ethnic minorities what they should believe as though we are a bunch of sheep who can't think for ourselves.
She pointed out that it wasn't about race, but Cain's behavior and how these women were being treated by the media. and this is her opinion about the whole situation that's why it is filed under the opinion tab.
I'm sick of those articles too, but I thought this one was rather fair.
Carolyn, you have a way of putting a situation into perspective with such precision. T
Great blog post, Carolyn! I laughed so hard when Herman Cain said, "I THOUGHT we were FRIENDS." His poor wife. Dump him, immediately, Mrs. Cain. He was never, ever, ever going to be the Republican Nominee, let alone the President, anyway. He's a clown and, apparently, always has been. Let him be court jester by himself.