Herman Cain Accuses Rick Perry of Smear Campaign over Sexual Harassment Allegations

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain has launched a blistering attack on his rival Governor Rick Perry, accusing him of mounting a “despicable” smear campaign by orchestrating the leak of sexual harassment allegations against him.

Aides to the Republican presidential front-runner demanded that Mr Perry, the Governor of Texas, “apologise to Herman Cain and quite frankly to America", as a third woman who worked for him in the 1990s alleged that he had behaved inappropriately towards her.

The pizza tycoon’s chief of staff, Mark Block, said an adviser to Mr Perry, Curt Anderson, had learned about the allegations while working on Mr Cain’s unsuccessful 2004 campaign for the US Senate. He accused Mr Anderson of giving the details to reporters after joining Mr Perry’s team a fortnight ago.

"It is an outrage,” Mr Block said. “The antics of the Perry campaign are despicable ... Mr Cain has never committed any sexual harassment. Period. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pressure mounts on Herman Cain as third woman claims sexual harassment: The presidential campaign of Republican Herman Cain has been thrown into deeper trouble after a third woman came forward to accuse the former pizza chief executive of inappropriate behaviour when he headed a restaurant industry lobbying group in the 1990s. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Thursday, November 03, 2011

Herman Cain steps up attacks on Occupy Wall Street protests

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Republican presidential contender Herman Cain amplified his criticism Sunday of the growing Occupy Wall Street movement, calling the protesters “jealous’ Americans who "play the victim card” and want to “take somebody else’s” Cadillac.

Cain’s remarks, on CBS’ "Face the Nation," came amidst an escalating war of words between Republicans and Democrat sover the merits of the movement, which has spread from New York to other cities across the nation, including Washington and Los Angeles.

GOP politicians in recent days have stepped up their criticism of the protesters, with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) calling them "mobs" who have pitted “Americans against Americans.”

But Cain, surging in popularity among many conservatives, seems to have had among the most virulent responses to the protests.

On CBS, Cain suggested that the rallies had been organized by labor unions to serve as a “distraction so that many people won’t focus on the failed policies of the Obama administration.”

The banking and financial services industries aren’t responsible for those policies, Cain said. “To protest Wall Street and the bankers is basically saying you’re anti-capitalism,” he said. » | James Oliphant | Washington Bureau | Sunday, October 09, 2011

Herman Cain’s comments on the Wall Street protests show that he has no uderstanding of what the Wall Street protests are about. To dismiss the protests as a manifestation of “jealousy” and the protesters wanting to “take someone else’s” Cadillac is total and utter nonsense. What we have in the States (and elsewhere in the West) today is not capitalism as capitalism is supposed to be practised, but corporatism. We have big business and banks ruling the roost.

In the US today, 40-50% of all wealth is owned by 1% of the population. This is an extremely unhealthy situation. Societies in which there are such disparities of wealth, societies in which we see huge differences between the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, are societies which are ripe for social unrest and even revolution. We will never see harmony in society when there are such differences in living standards.

Clearly, Herman Cain has no understanding of economic history. He should get back to what he understands most: making pizzas! – © Mark

Herman Cain Vows to Fight On

THE GUARDIAN: Republican candidate for presidential nomination will not pull out of race despite fresh allegations of sexual harassment

The embattled Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has insisted he is not planning to pull out of the race despite a second woman coming forward to abandon anonymity and publicly accuse him of sexual harassment.

The woman, Karen Kraushaar, a 55-year-old treasury official, said she wanted all four women making sexual harassment allegations to hold a joint press conference.

Cain held a press conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, denying the allegations, in particular seamy details offered by Sharon Bialek, who accused him of forcing himself on her in a car in Washington.

He said he did not remember either Bialek or the alleged incident. "I did not recognise the name, the face, the voice," he said.

He faces an awkward event on Wednesday night: a nationally televised presidential debate in which he can only hope his rivals will not seek to exploit the allegations on air. After a week of silence, his Republican opponents have begun to raise the issue.

Cain denies all allegations made by Bialek and Kraushaar, as well as two other women, who have so far opted to remain anonymous.

"The charges and accusations I absolutely reject. They simply didn't happen. They simply did not happen," he said. » | Ewen MacAskill in Washington | Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Related »

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain is a monster, says second woman: A second woman who claims she was sexually harassed by Herman Cain identified herself last night, as the Republican presidential hopeful said he would undergo a lie detector test to prove his innocence. » | Jon Swaine, Washington | Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Herman Cain on Libya
Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain talks to the ‘Journal Sentinel’ editorial board about the Obama administration’s handling of Libya

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain's poor grasp of foreign policy goes viral: Herman Cain's poor grasp of US foreign policy has gone viral, with a video showing the Republican candidate struggling to comment on Barack Obama's stance on Libya. » | Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Herman Cain's Wife Gloria Rejects Sexual Harassment Allegations
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain's wife Gloria has rejected accusations of sexual harassment against her husband, a leading Republican presidential candidate, insisting: "He totally respects women."


Speaking publicly for the first time, Mrs Cain told Fox News: "You hear the graphic allegations and we know that would have been something that's totally disrespectful of her as a woman. And I know the type of person he is."

After listening to the string of accusations about her husband levelled by at least four women, Mrs Cain said, "I'm thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said."

The most lurid allegations came from Sharon Bialek, 50, who said that in 1997 Mr Cain lunged at her in a parked car, putting his hand up her skirt and pushing her head down towards his crotch.

Mr Cain has said that his wife of 43 years, who suffers from a serious heart condition, was already aware of allegations made back in 1999, when he ran the National Restaurant Association, where Miss Bialek had worked. Two other women from the association received severance payments after making allegations against Mr Cain. Read on and comment » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Monday, November 14, 2011

US Election 2012: Woman Breaks Silence to Say Herman Cain Sexually Groped Her

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A woman broke her silence to accuse Republican presidential contender Herman Cain of sexually groping her in a car, when she asked him for help in finding a new job in 1997.

Sharon Bialek became the first woman to go public with detailed allegations, amid swirling accusations by four different women of sexual harassment by Cain, vying to be crowned the Republican Party's nominee for the 2012 elections.

She also became the first to offer graphic details of what has been referred to as "inappropriate behaviour" by Cain, a former pizza company executive now at the top of the opinion polls in the Republican White House race.

Bialek said she had appealed to Cain for help after she was let go from her job with the educational department of the National Restaurant Association, of which he was the then president. The two were driving in a car in Washington, when Cain pulled over.

"He suddenly reached over and he put his hand on my leg under my skirt and reached for my genitals. He also grabbed my head and brought it towards his crotch," Bialek told a packed press conference in a private club in New York.

"I was very, very surprised and very shocked. I said, 'what are you doing? You know I have a boyfriend. This isn't what I came here for.' Mr Cain said, 'You want a job, right?'" » | Monday, October 07, 2011

What Sex S[c]andal? Herman Cain Releases Cringe-worthy Christmas Video Hand-in-hand with Wife Gloria as He Reads the Bible by an Open Fire

MAIL ONLINE: What sex sandal? Herman Cain releases cringe-worthy Christmas video hand-in-hand with wife Gloria as he reads the Bible by an open fire

Scandal-hit pizza tycoon Herman Cain may be out of the presidential race but he's wasted no time returning to the spotlight to resuscitate his image - with a warm and cozy Christmas video featuring his wife, Gloria.

The former Republican candidate dropped his bid for the White House after several sexual misconduct accusations and claims of a 13-year extra-marital affair surfaced.

But the married couple have put on a united display for the holiday clip, sitting in front of a roaring fire as Cain reads an excerpt of the Christmas story from the Bible.

The four-minute video, entitled 'It's Christmas in America!' opens with a pair of glowing candles flickering by a fireplace, and the word 'Peace' appears on the mantle.

The camera pans and in soft focus reveals the Cains sitting behind a lit Christmas tree, as the former Godfather Pizza CEO begins to read the story of Jesus’ birth.

The couple smile and hold hands, exchanging glances between the scripture.

A message posted below the online video reads: 'As we experience the joys of Christmas this year, let us not forget the birth of Christ and what it means to mankind.' » | Jennifer Madison | Friday, December 16, 2011

Ginger White: Herman Cain ‘Would Be a Bad President’
BBC: Herman Cain would not make a good president, says Ginger White, the woman who said she had a 13-year affair with the Republican White House hopeful.

Speaking to ABC News, Ms White also referred to her relationship with Mr Cain as "very casual".

The former pizza firm executive has denied the affair, calling Ms White a "troubled Atlanta businesswoman".

The candidate has said he is "reassessing" his campaign in light of the new allegations.

Ms White, 46, said on Wednesday that her mobile phone records show interactions with Mr Cain as late as November, although their relationship ended eight months ago when he began running for president.

"It was a very casual affair. Am I proud to admit to that? No I'm not," Ms White told ABC.
Mr Cain has not denied he was friends with Ms White, or that he helped her financially, but has denied they had any sexual relationship.

Mr Cain, a former head of the National Restaurant Association, wrote to supporters on Tuesday: "I have helped many friends and acquaintances throughout the years... Ms White has made it apparent that she was abusing the friendship." (+ video) » | Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Herman Cain, l'anti-Obama

CYBERPRESSE: «Yes We Cain!» Il n'y a pas d'erreur dans la manchette publiée en une du numéro courant de l'hebdomadaire Newsweek. Le titre fait à la fois référence au fameux slogan électoral de Barack Obama et à Herman Cain, l'homme de l'heure parmi les candidats à l'investiture républicaine pour la présidence.

Malgré son inexpérience politique, l'homme d'affaires noir de 65 ans se retrouve aujourd'hui en tête chez les républicains dans certains sondages ou à égalité avec l'ancien gouverneur du Massachusetts Mitt Romney dans d'autres. Un baromètre publié lundi par la maison Rasmussen le donnait même gagnant par deux points sur le président démocrate.

Qui est ce Herman Cain? D'où vient-il? Que veut-il? Voici 10 choses à savoir sur ce prétendant républicain. » | Richard Hétu, collaboration special, La Presse | jeudi 20 octobre 2011

Politico Exclusive: 2 Women Accused Herman Cain of Inappropriate Behavior

POLITICO: During Herman Cain’s tenure as the head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, at least two female employees complained to colleagues and senior association officials about inappropriate behavior by Cain, ultimately leaving their jobs at the trade group, multiple sources confirm to POLITICO.

The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.
In a series of comments over the past 10 days, Cain and his campaign repeatedly declined to respond directly about whether he ever faced allegations of sexual harassment at the restaurant association. They have also declined to address questions about specific reporting confirming that there were financial settlements in two cases in which women leveled complaints. » | JONATHAN MARTIN & MAGGIE HABERMAN & ANNA PALMER & KENNETH P. VOGEL | Monday, October 31, 2011

Herman Cain Faces Fourth Sexual Harassment Claim

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A fourth woman to accuse Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain of sexual harassment will outline allegations against him at a news conference in New York today.

The woman alleges she was sexually harassed by Cain "when she sought his help with an employment issue when he was President of the National Restaurant Association," according to a statement by her lawyer, Gloria Allred. The news conference is scheduled for 1:30pm (1830 GMT).

She will become the first person to give her name and come forward publicly to lay out her case against Cain, a front-runner in the Republican presidential race.

At least three other women have accused him of sexual harassment from his time as the restaurant industry's top lobbyist in the mid-1990s. Cain, 65, insists the claims are baseless and that he was wrongfully accused. » | Monday, November 07, 2011

US Election 2012: Herman Cain Denounces Sexual Harassment Allegations as 'Totally False'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain, the unlikely Republican front-runner in the 2012 presidential race, has been forced to deny claims he sexually harassed two women when he was head of America's leading restaurant lobbying group.

Mr Cain, who has been married to his wife Gloria for 43 years and is an ordained minister, acknowledged that he was accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s but said the allegations were "totally false."

"I have never sexually harassed anyone. Yes, I was falsely accused while I was at the National Restaurant Association. And I say falsely because it turned out, after the investigation, to be baseless," he said.

The Washington-based association, which represents 380,000 restaurants, reportedly made five-figure out-of-court settlements with the women under which they left the organisation and agreed not to speak publicly about their cases.

Mr Cain said he had no knowledge of any financial settlements with his accusers.

"If the restaurant association did a settlement I wasn't even aware of it. And I hope wasn't for much because nothing happened," Mr Cain said. » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Monday, October 31, 2011

Related »

Herman Cain Recalls New Details as Sexual Harassment Story Shifts Again

THE GUARDIAN: Republican frontrunner changes version of events for second time in 24 hours as criticism grows over his handling of crisis

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain was struggling to maintain a credible response to allegations of sexual harassment as he shifted his version of events for the second time in 24 hours.

After insisting on Monday that he had no recollection of any settlements being paid to two women who complained about his conduct when he was president of the National Restaurant Association, Cain changed his story on Monday night when he said he could, in fact, recall such a payout.

He also recalled that he had compared one of the women in height to his wife, and raised his hand to his chin to demonstrate his wife's height. The woman was apparently uncomfortable with the gesture, though Cain said his office door had been open and an assistant had been sitting outside.

On Tuesday morning, he added a new twist, admitting that there had been "a couple of other things" in the complaint he had not previously mentioned. He dismissed these as "ridiculous", but declined to elaborate on what they were, saying he could not remember. » | Ewan MacAskill, Washington | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Related articles here and here

Herman Cain Consults Wife, Then Bows Out of Republican Race over 'False Allegations' of Sexual Misconduct
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain, the former pizza executive has abandoned his White House ambitions after a string of "false accusations" of sexual misconduct.

Mr Cain, who briefly upended the Republican race to face President Barack Obama next November, arrived at the opening of a new campaign headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, holding hands with Gloria, his wife of 43 years.

Mr Cain, 67, was by turns defiant and emotional as he announced his decision.

"I am proof that a common man could lead this nation," he said, his lip trembling "I consider myself to be one of you, not one of the political elites.

"But as false accusations about me continue they have sidetracked and distracted my ability to present solutions to the American people."

His decision was a blow to Mitt Romney, the party establishment favourite for the nomination who is facing a powerful surge from Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. » | Toby Harnden in Washington | Saturday, December 03, 2011

Herman Cain Accused of 13-year Affair with Businesswoman

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain has been accused of having a 13-year affair with a businesswoman, providing a potentially lethal blow to a presidential bid already faltering under the weight of repeated sexual allegations.

The former pizza executive strenuously denied the detailed claims made by Ginger White, a woman he described as "an acquaintance who I thought was a friend".

Miss White said they met after a business presentation by Mr Cain in the late 1990s and that for more than a decade he had flown her to cities around the United States where they had sex in upmarket hotels.

The single mother of two said that their physical relationship had ended eight months ago, shortly before he declared his presidential bid, but that they had spoken as recently as September.

Her mobile phone bills showed she had contact with him 61 times in recent months, often receiving calls or texts in the early hours of the morning.

"He made it very intriguing. It was fun. It was something that took me away from my humdrum life at the time," she told Fox Atlanta. » | Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Herman Cain to Reassess Presidential Plans
Political analysts in Iowa start to dismiss Herman Cain as a factor in the state's presidential caucuses, in the aftermath of an Atlanta woman's claim that she had a 13-year extramarital affair with Cain. Neil King has details on The News Hub.

Related »

The View: Cain – Gay Is A Choice

LGBTQNATION: Herman Cain: Being gay is ‘a choice,’ and bring back ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’: GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain, appearing on ABC’s “The View” on Tuesday, said he feels being gay “is a choice,” and that if elected President, he would reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the former ban on openly gay military service members. » | Staff Reporters | Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Romney joue la carte du sérieux républicain

LE FIGARO: Face à Herman Cain et Rick Perry, l'ex-gouverneur paraît organisé et crédible.

Une foule souriante attend Mitt Romney devant l'immeuble de brique du Parti républicain de Fairfax, dans le nord de la Virginie. Une semaine après le passage de Barack Obama dans cet État crucial, qui avait voté démocrate en 2008 mais a ensuite élu le gouverneur conservateur Robert McDonnell, «Mitt» est venu soutenir les candidats républicains aux élections locales de novembre 2012.

En bras de chemise, silhouette élégante, cheveux bruns en arrière, sourire poli aux lèvres, Mitt Romney a l'allure du fils de famille qu'il est indéniablement. Son père était gouverneur du Michigan. Lui a fait carrière dans les affaires avant de remettre d'aplomb le Comité d'organisation des Jeux olympiques d'hiver de Salt Lake City, puis d'être élu gouverneur du Massachusetts de 2003 à 2007 -une performance dans le fief démocrate des Kennedy. Toute sa campagne consiste à mettre en avant son expérience de gestionnaire avisé. Ses débats télévisés, où il est apparu compétent, ont partiellement effacé l'image de «girouette» qui lui collait à la peau depuis la campagne de 2008. Tous les jours, son équipe, très rodée, publie en ligne des attaques précises contre ses adversaires.

Cette stratégie commence à payer. Mitt Romney est en tête des intentions de vote dans le New Hampshire et la Floride, et au coude-à-coude avec l'homme d'affaires afro-américain Herman Cain dans l'Iowa et la Caroline du Sud, des États clés qui tiendront leurs primaires très tôt. «Il va gagner la nomination, c'est sûr», affirme Bart Marcois, un ancien diplomate, volontaire à Fairfax. C'est «le seul capable de battre Barack Obama». » | Par Laure Mandeville | vendredi 28 octobre 2011

US Elections 2012: Bizarre Herman Cain Advert Features Chief of Staff Smoking
The Republican presidential nominee's chief of staff puffs on a cigarette in Herman Cain's latest campaing advert.

Herman Cain Presidential Announcement Video
Herman Cain officially announces his candidacy for Presidency of the United States of America!