November 8, 2011

"Could you put me in touch with that lovely young lady who asked the question, so I can give her a more thorough answer over dinner?"

Said Herman Cain, allegedly, after a speech in Egypt.

This new allegation isn't a claim of sexual harassment, but the active pursuit of relationships with women. Does it fit a pattern in the allegations? I would distinguish the allegations — reported without names and details — that involved his employees. These have to do with making the workplace different for women, a species of sex discrimination in the legal doctrine.

The incident described by Sharon Bialek, like this new one, occurred outside of the workplace, and might be construed as dating. The Bialek allegation involves aggressive groping, which is missing in this new allegation. And it involves a statement that suggests that her effort to enlist his help in finding a job depends on her sexual compliance. So the Bialek allegation has more negative elements than this new one.

But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern. There is a reinforcing effect as these allegations pile up. Our suspicions grow, even if we can imagine a scheme to concoct a bunch of phony stories to ruin the man — a vast left-wing conspiracy, if you will.

141 comments:

Bob Ellison said...

Now it can be told: Herman Cain once commented favorably on the shirt I chose to wear one day.

Shouting Thomas said...

Quite the opposite.

Now that Gloria Allred, an character assassin the employ of the Democratic Party, is in charge of this operation, I'm pretty convinced that the attack on Cain is orchestrated from the highest levels of the Democratic Party... probably from the White House.

Althouse, time to face up to what the sex abuse hysteria has become... the ultimate political weapon.

Charges of sexual abuse have become about as reliable as charges of being an "enemy of the people" in the old Soviet Union.

richard mcenroe said...

The company you keep, Ann... http://tinyurl.com/cbd5cbw

pm317 said...

We don't yet know who is hounding Mr. Cain (but we did know that the Republicans hounded the Clintons). Therefore calling it a vast left-wing conspiracy would not be right. You just wanted to put that video of Hillary up, didn't you?

All this infighting with the Republican candidates is not looking pretty and plays right into giving Obama his second term. Cain was never going to get the nomination and why is this going on and on?

Scott M said...

Two comments made by her yesterday stand out.

The "What are you doing? You know I have a boyfriend" statement...as if it would be okay to do whatever he was doing if she didn't have a boyfriend.

Secondly, the part about Cain admitting what he had done to "people" not "me". Two different cops yesterday, one retired, one an investigator, suggested to me that this would set off alarm bells if it were in an statement by a witness.

Shouting Thomas said...

Nothing really has to be proven in this witch hunt against Cain, does it Althouse?

Althouse, you're watching the use of a vicious weapon of demagoguery and not seeing what's happening.

Take off the feminist sunglasses.

You're blessed campaign to rid the world of sexual abuse and sexual harassment has degenerated into something worse than what you thought you were curing.

Amazing how that happens, isn't it?

Ann Althouse said...

Anyone who chooses to attack me owes me a decent level of proof. Quote something I have said that is wrong and say why. Don't assume I've said things or think things that you feel I have said or thought.

Man, there is some rich hypocrisy here!

TWM said...

"Where the white women at?"

Sheriff Herman Cain in "Blazing Politics."

Ann Althouse said...

I stand by all my statement. If you read them with sobriety and reason, you will see why.

Sharpen up, people.

Shouting Thomas said...

Your statement, Althouse, that the accumulation of phony charges makes the charges seem more believable, is demagoguery.

As I said, now that a Democratic Party smear operative, Gloria Allred, is in charge of this attack, I have no doubt that it is a coordinated effort of the Democratics, directed from the White House.

The strategy of the Democrats is precisely to keep parading up paid liars to attack Cain.

I have no proof of that either, but it's more credible than your accumulation of phony charges bullshit.

traditionalguy said...

Herman Cain is talented. He makes friends of everyone he meets. Frequently women make the most valuable friends that you can in political circles. Women will respond to one on one encounters and network for a man they like.

That Herman is a Rich Black Man is the only why we see a meme that Herman makes sexual attacks upon our women.

Speaking of boxing, Herman is being re-created as the latest Jack Johnson figure.

ndspinelli said...

That was Bubba's MO! He would have George or Rahm get phone#'s of lovely spectators.

Professor, I believe struck a nerve w/ one of your regulars here and he's in manic/panic mode. I apologize to you but you're not one to be bullied..I know you can handle it. But, I still am sorry for poking the bees nest.

Shouting Thomas said...

This spinelli fools accused me of being a pedophile in another comment threat, Althouse.

Take a look at this tactic. You'll see precisely what's going on with Cain.

Clyde said...

The story in the Chicago Sun-Times about Sharon Bialek hugging Herman Cain at the Tea Party Convention in Chicago a month ago raises my level of skepticism about her story. In the group photo from that story, she is standing next to him, smiling, with her arm around him. That just is not how victims of sexual harassment/assault normally behave. I also read a story on the web site for a Baltimore newspaper about her history of legal and financial problems. She sounds like just the sort of person who could achieve a financial/employment windfall for helping out Herman Cain's enemies. I'm not saying that she's lying, but something's very fishy here. And one thing's for certain: One of them did something heinous, either Cain 14 years ago or Bialek yesterday.

Shouting Thomas said...

Take a hard look at the tactics of this spinelli clown, Althouse.

Multiply by several thousand.

Every asshole in the universe is using the vile tactics of this spinelli idiot.

The White House is using this tactic.

Get a grip on what's happening, Althouse.

write_effort said...

At what point does Clarence Thomas assert that he and Herman Cain are nothing alike.

BTW, that's meant as a joke.

Clyde said...

Witness: Cain accuser hugged him during Tea Party meeting a month ago

DADvocate said...

Heaven forbid! Herman Cain wanted to have a conversation with a female. OMG!! Doesn't he know he's supposed to eschew interaction over half the human population so as to avoid any sexual innuendo?

TWM said...

"I stand by all my statement. If you read them with sobriety and reason, you will see why.

Sharpen up, people."

First, just because we might disagree with you does not mean we aren't sharp or reasonable or sober. Well, okay, maybe you have a point with sober, but . . .

That said, in my possibly dull mind, I have yet to see a pattern past a political one. We have two women who got settlements for what we don't know cause they aren't talking. Another woman who says she was groped but also chose that ambulance chaser to put her story out there which makes it suspect from the get-go, and finally someone who says Cain asked about meeting a woman, which is a big nothing.

If one looks hard enough you can make a pattern out of pretty much anything, just ask the Truthers and the Birthers and the "We never landed on the Mooners."

pm317 said...

yeah, everyone gets it that there may be a pattern here or that it may all be concocted to ruin the man or not. But why? Why go to these lengths? And it makes a mockery of the media to dredge this up on this poor man when Obama goes unscathed and protected on all legitimate scandals.

While this is going on, you know what else is going on? Holder is testifying for more gun control using F & F today. Bill Daley the chief of staff has effectively been demoted, fired if you will.

Clyde said...

Cain accuser has history of financial troubles, legal squabbles

TWM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christopher in MA said...

"Where the white women at?"

Man, if that were the first sentence out of Cain's mouth at his next press conference, I would die laughing.

Clyde said...

My favorite line from the second story (about Bialek's legal and financial problems) comes from the fiance, who said (as the TV trucks were pulling up and reporters were ringing the doorbell), "We're in it together," he said. "My only concern is that it not become some type of media circus."

Dude! The elephants from the media circus are already pooping on your lawn!

Shanna said...

Now it can be told: Herman Cain once commented favorably on the shirt I chose to wear one day.

Hee!

Titus said...

The saddest part of this story seems like he tries really hard but never succeeds.

That's just sad.

Ann Althouse said...

"Your statement, Althouse, that the accumulation of phony charges makes the charges seem more believable, is demagoguery."

Quote me. I didn't say that. Your failure to quote demonstrates *your* demagoguery.

I said: "But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern. There is a reinforcing effect as these allegations pile up. Our suspicions grow, even if we can imagine a scheme to concoct a bunch of phony stories to ruin the man — a vast left-wing conspiracy, if you will."

Now, read that carefully. Every word. Read it with sobriety and reason. Then attempt to pull it apart. Rip it any way you want, but don't pretend the words are different from what they are. I challenge you.

Shanna said...

In the group photo from that story, she is standing next to him, smiling, with her arm around him. That just is not how victims of sexual harassment/assault normally behave.

Yeah, but if he made a pass that wasn’t too bad but not received because she ‘had a boyfriend’ I could see her not caring 10 years later and being friendly.

Shouting Thomas said...

By the way, folks, I want to introduce you to J's new alias.

Meet ndspinelli. It's J. Same guy, different alias.

TWM said...

"The saddest part of this story seems like he tries really hard but never succeeds.

That's just sad."

Well, in the olden days the bar theory was that by asking ten women for sex you might get nine face-slaps and one piece of ass, which as any guy knows is an excellent outcome.

Now it's ten lawsuits whether you get any ass or not.

Ann Althouse said...

I think for Bialek, the allegation is mainly that he's an aggressive womanizer.

Now, ask yourself, if that's all it is, does that count against him as a candidate?

BTW, remember that we have not seen his wife, and that he has made a point of keeping her out of public view for some reason. We don't know what there relationship is. Do you care about that? Many married couples have an understanding about extramarital activities. Is that an issue you are concerned about when choosing a candidate for the party you want to win.

Meanwhile, look at Mitt Romney's wife and family.

Think about it.

Anonymous said...

Titus said...
The saddest part of this story seems like he tries really hard but never succeeds.

That's just sad
________________________

Thread winner!!

KCFleming said...

Vera Baker.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

Tony Rezko.

Columbia records.

Harvard records

Sshhhhh.

pm317 said...

Ann Althouse said...
---------------

I heard a radio interview a few months back before the race started -- the way he spoke about his wife, it looked like a healthy marriage. BTW in a Kimmel interview last night, he is calling this Bialek episode a complete surprise, a discovery unknown to him and his staff. His wife is supposed to have said that what Bialek alleged does not sound like him at all.

ndspinelli said...

ShoutingThomas, ndspinelli is my name. Did mommy name you ShoutingThomas?

Titus said...

I actually feel more sorry for him than the for the women.

Could you imagine being dissed by all these women? I would be devastated. What a blow to the ego.

And he's a rich and powerful man. Doesn't that at least deserve a little nookie?

That's quite a bit of pent up load waiting to bust.

Clyde said...

Shanna, let me ask you personally, as a woman: If a man tried to do to you what Cain allegedly tried to do to her, sticking his hand up her skirt and reaching for her genitals, as she put it, how would it make you feel? Would you be willing to let bygones be bygones 14 years later? Would you go to a public meeting and seek him out like Bialek did, and put your arm around him in a group photo?

Maybe I'm wrong, but to me that level of crudity goes way beyond a simple "bad pass" or even simple sexual harassment.

write_effort said...

His wife is supposed to have said that what Bialek alleged does not sound like him at all.

As a defense it beats, "Herm, honey, that sounds exactly like you."

Shouting Thomas said...

The "touched a nerve" thing gave it away, J.

ndspinelli, J = same person.

Yesterday, you were even trying to get me to debate both sides of the same question with your different aliases.

Nice try, J.

Shouting Thomas said...

So, you've been taken in by the "accumulation of charges" tactic, Althouse.

Cain is an "enemy of the people." Gather together enough people to denounce him, and, by God, there must be some substance to the charges.

This is what your precious feminist campaign against sex abuse and sexual harassment has become.

Amazing how much evil you can do when you've convinced yourself you're on a white horse fixing the problems of this world.

Cain, I repeat, is now officially an "enemy of the people." I can produce an endless stream of people to denounce him.

Time to take him before the people's court for an inquiry into his character.

Shouting Thomas said...

I no longer have any doubt that this campaign of accumulated denunciations originates in the White House.

The arrival of the apparatchik, Allred, sealed the deal for me.

edutcher said...

Oh, come on!

Strom Thurmond said pretty much the same thing to Kate Michelman and Mollie Yard in the way of being polite (Michelman burst into tears at being called pretty, BTW) and anybody who thinks he was making a pass at Mollie Yard thinks Helen Thomas is a red-hot mama.

Clyde said...

Cain accuser has history of financial troubles, legal squabbles

And a paternity suit.

We also know she only worked 6 months at the NRA, circumstances of her separation have not been made public.

FWIW, if Dick Morris is right, the woman hasn't had a job in 13 years.

So there may be a couple of motives gurgling under the surface.

Scott M said...

Meet ndspinelli. It's J. Same guy, different alias.

Prove it.

Jenny said...

I see nothing suspicious with this, NOTHING. The accusations have now gone from ridiculous to insane. If you are a hammer all you see are nails; now all his fem/sex fanatic detractors can see is sexual innuendo in anything and everything the man does. This smear campaign is beyond the pale.

Shanna said...

Would you be willing to let bygones be bygones 14 years later?

It depends on how serious it was.

If it was violent and scary? No. But if it was more calm and in the realm of a date like behavior that stopped when you make it clear you aren’t interested, then yes. Bygones.

Was he groping or was he coaxing? If she was hugging him later, I don’t think it could have been all that scary or violent. Men get handsy on dates, some are more pushy then others.

Damon said...

"But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern."

Really? We have two specific allegations that both CLEARLY look trumped-up.

1. An OBAMA SUPPORTER was asked to set up a dinner, but didnt because she felt it was innappropriate.

2. A woman with a very sketchy past and a HISTORY OF FALSE ACCUSATIONS, REFERENCED CRIMES IN THIRD PERSON, and suposadly solicited advice on reporting from her 13 year old son; alleges a groping.

Wait, actually Althouse is right, it does show a pattern. Unfortunately it clashes with her conclusion. It looks like a hit job. No tortured logic required.

Unknown said...

He sounds like a low level harasser but hardly using Clinton's level of force on the women. He stopped when she said no, if the account is to be believed at all! He is also not a cruel liar like Riele Hunter's Baby Daddy.

And ladies, let me ask you, when is the last time you traveled to a city to talk about getting a job (not interview for one) and had drinks and dinner alone with some executive at the place that fired you (allegedly for false claims of sexual harassment)? Lunch with no alcohol might be appropriate, but IMHO you're sending a clear signal by agreeing to drinks and dinner.

ndspinelli said...

SaintShoutingThomas, You're like all bullies, when someone punches you back you go running to mommy.."Mommy Althouse..look what he did." You're classic dude.

Shanna said...

Lunch with no alcohol might be appropriate, but IMHO you're sending a clear signal by agreeing to drinks and dinner.

In her defense, this is pretty normal in DC. (not the traveling to another city, but drinks with the meal would not raise a flag). I’m honestly more bothered that she went with him in the car. If you are trying to keep it professional, you can take a cab.

William said...

Bialek is in the hospitality industry. Part of her job is to look attractive and field passes from high rollers. I'm sure that, if this happened as she said, this was not the most sordid event of her working life. For that matter, Cain looks like a high roller. I don't know if he is truly a womanizer, but it's certainly not inconsistent with the rest of his personality......Some men--see Clinton and Schwartenegger--look like philanderers. Perhaps, that's why they're able to survive such charges. You don't feel conned. Others--see Spitzer and Edwards--play the moralist and good family man role. When the truth comes out, the public feels one with the cheated wife. Cain may survive this simply because the charges are so credible....The Penn State Athletic Dept and the Catholic Church hierarchy acted in surprisingly similar ways. Republicans are acting in similar ways to Weiner Democrats in their reaction to this scandal.

bagoh20 said...

"But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern. "

Herman Cain may make a terrible President or a great one, but do you want this kind of thing to make the decision, and if not, why contribute to it?

This would have eliminated some very popular Presidents from our history and replaced them with others who may have been disasters.

I don't know if Cain is the right choice, but I'm sure this is not how to find out?

blog advertising blog advertising

bagoh20 said...

"Republicans are acting in similar ways to Weiner Democrats in their reaction to this scandal."

If we had pictures of his penis in action here, which he took and disseminated, then maybe that would be true.

Shouting Thomas said...

When do you morph back into J. Spinelli?

The J alias is more entertaining and more coherent.

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bagoh20 said...

Calling someone "J" is pretty low. It's downright Allredian.

Roger J. said...

Here's my conspiratorial theory: J, Ritmo and Allie's Apple are actually althouse and meade trying to up their hit totals--which of course, translates into advertising dollars on the sidebar.

>600 hits featuring mostly the "love fest" between Ritmo and Allies Apple.
Anyway thats my theory and I am sticking with it.

(sarcasm off for any one not appreciative of sarcasm)

Roger J. said...

Oh--And Professor: this is a blog not a 1L or 2L law paper--recall, please, it was your coolly rational analysis that contributed to the election of the incumbent POTUS.

I think you might want to rethink your analytical capabilities in light of that decision.

Dont go all Professor Kingfield on us.

Anonymous said...

PatCA said;

And ladies, let me ask you, when is the last time you traveled to a city to talk about getting a job (not interview for one) and had drinks and dinner alone with some executive at the place that fired you (allegedly for false claims of sexual harassment)? Lunch with no alcohol might be appropriate, but IMHO you're sending a clear signal by agreeing to drinks and dinner.

11/8/11 10:20 AM

The reason she was fired is unknown Pat, why do you assume she was fired for unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment?

ndspinelli said...

bagoh20, Thanks. As Nixon would say, "I am not a j."

Since I often read post alleging people using aliases I suppose that happens. As I've said..I use my name and don't use an alias. That's the truth, I don't lie, and folks can go shit in their hat if they don't believe it. It says much about them and nothing about me.

Anonymous said...

Here's my conspiratorial theory: J, Ritmo and Allie's Apple are actually althouse and meade trying to up their hit totals--which of course, translates into advertising dollars on the sidebar.

>600 hits featuring mostly the "love fest" between Ritmo and Allies Apple.
Anyway thats my theory and I am sticking with it.

(sarcasm off for any one not appreciative of sarcasm)

11/8/11 10:56 AM

Roger J , Ritmo and I made cyber love on a different thread, the day before, you got the wrong thread.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry ndspinelli, no one here believes you are J. He is one of a kind and no one can be his sock puppet. All these sock puppet accusations are stupid and should just stop.

Love said...

Ann - "But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern. There is a reinforcing effect as these allegations pile up."

No kidding?

Try telling that to your regulars.

They just-don't-get-it.

Martha said...

Who describes a crotch grab as "reaching for my genitals"?

Who happily accepts a "palatial suite" upgrade paid for by an older man you are allegedly meeting to ask for a job--but you do not mention why you asked for the meeting until having cocktails at the hotel bar?

The clumsy pass in the car--if it happened--sounds similar to what happened at the end of most of my ill-fated college dates.

Bringing Gloria Allred into the picture---ridiculous.

Scott M said...

Try telling that to your regulars.

You're a regular.

Love said...

"And ladies, let me ask you, when is the last time you traveled to a city to talk about getting a job (not interview for one) and had drinks and dinner alone with some executive at the place that fired you (allegedly for false claims of sexual harassment)?"

Where have you ever read this?

Do you have an objective, factual link to such a charge?

Oh, and she's a registered Republican to boot.

Love said...

Scott - I'm not even close to being a regular. I pop in from time to time to see what everybody is complaining about on that specific day...and it's usually always the same.

You and a few others literally live here.

Why not get your ass out of the house and get a real job...or maybe visit a library and read a book...open that little mind of yours to opinions and information that might expand your understanding of issues at hand.

All you ever do is bitch and whine about anybody who disagrees with you or of course, anything related to President Obama.

AllenS said...

You know, if I become rich and famous, I could be in real trouble.

WV: rebel

How's that one folks?

Love said...

Martha - Blah, blah, blah.

Same ol', same ol'.

Everybody's lying except for Cain.

Sure...

Love said...

AllenS said..."You know, if I become rich and famous, I could be in real trouble."

Well, I wouldn't spend much time worrying about that happening.

AllenS said...

Hey, I could be somebody!

MikeR said...

I tend to believe that these kinds of accusations are not true. That, even though my track record is lousy. Can I remember a case of such accusations against a major political figure that turned out to be unfounded?

I guess my reason is that it's just so difficult to believe that these political figures let themselves in for this kind of thing. Why would Herman Cain run for president? Doesn't he know that there are incidents in his past - if there are - that will come out? Doesn't he understand that his life will have been ruined in a serious way? Not totally ruined, of course, but with clear damage to his public image, his position as a minister, and most of all his marriage?

That's what I can't understand. What are they thinking?

This doesn't apply to every case, of course. Anthony Weiner did his indiscretions after he was elected. I can understand that - people yield to temptation. John Edwards seemed to think that everyone would cover for him; they certainly tried.

Maybe that's what happens to all of them: Go somewhat public, slip up and get away with it, slip up a few more times - and eventually forget about the thin line they're treading.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Love said...

Shanna said..."I’m honestly more bothered that she went with him in the car. If you are trying to keep it professional, you can take a cab."

Oh, please.

You're with the CEO of a major organization, discussing potential employment...and you're going to tell him you'll take a cab...why?

Because you want to make sure he doesn't have the opportunity to do something unseemly?

And as for traveling to another city...are you saying you've never had an interview or discussion of employment where it was necessary? You think she should have asked Cain to travel to Chicago?

Ridiculous.

Love said...

Allen - Know how to box?

Anonymous said...

Love , I'm guilty of being here all the time, but my excuse is that I'm Occupying Althouse, it's a dirty job , but someone (liberals like us) has to do it.

11/8/11 11:32 AM

a psychiatrist who learned from veterans said...

Excellent framing of the situation, Ann.

Bryan C said...

Can we save ourselves the trouble and just go back to assuming that every major politician is a general philanderer with at least one mistress?

We might actually be able to widen the field to include someone who can, you know, govern and stuff.

Love said...

MikeR- "That's what I can't understand. What are they thinking?"

They aren't thinking.

They get so caught up in their own perception of themselves, combined with the sycophants who surround them on a daily basis, in addition to having major bucks and power...and they figure, hey...who will care?

And just look at what we have so far...at least here: 99% of the people here (and on other conservative blog sites) have spent the last few days posting damn near anything they can come up with to denigrate the women accusers, while at the same time acting as it it would be impossible for someone like Cain (who they hardly knew anything about 6 months ago) would do such things.

It's ALL about politics...until the shit hits the fan.

And just hide and watch: It will, and Cain will slither away...to give speeches and appear on Fox.

AllenS said...

Love said...
Allen - Know how to box?

Are you challenging me to a fist fight?

Scott M said...

All you ever do is bitch and whine about anybody who disagrees with you or of course, anything related to President Obama.

Hardly. You tenuous grasp about the facts of my life not withstanding, I'm willing to bet that the number of comments you make daily is easily double mine. Take that for whatever you think it's worth.

I try to insinuate some humor, more often than not, unless the topic at hand is something near and dear to my heart. On the other hand, it's very difficult to simply let blowhard statements or outright logic failures to go unanswered when I see them. You have both made blowhard statements (see above re my life) and logic failures recently.

Other than that, I don't see what your problem is other than that huge, double-bladed battle axe you're grinding.

Shanna said...

You're with the CEO of a major organization, discussing potential employment...and you're going to tell him you'll take a cab...why?

Because love darling, when you fly out to meet a man, and then he picks you up at your hotel and takes you for dinner and drinks and then takes you home, that pretty much screams DATE!

When you meet someone at X restaurant for a business dinner, its easier to keep it professional.

If she were being super professional, she would have met him at his office for an interview, but I took this as more of a schmooze for job leads thing rather than a formal interview.

Love said...

Bryan C said..."Can we save ourselves the trouble and just go back to assuming that every major politician is a general philanderer with at least one mistress? We might actually be able to widen the field to include someone who can, you know, govern and stuff."

Remember that Clinton guy?

The GOP tried to impeach him for screwing while governing...or governing while screwing.

Whatever.

Unknown said...

"But the allegations fit together enough to make us suspect that there is some kind of a pattern."

As they are in all probability false allegations, that pattern would be a smear campaign, not any wrong doing on Cain's part.

How is it a bright woman such as yourself can't determine that simple conclusion?

"There is a reinforcing effect as these allegations pile up."

So, are you saying that given enough false allegations, you then believe them, rather than the truth?

You sound confused or biased.

MikeR said...

"99% of the people here (and on other conservative blog sites) have spent the last few days posting damn near anything they can come up with to denigrate the women accusers, while at the same time acting as it it would be impossible for someone like Cain (who they hardly knew anything about 6 months ago) would do such things." I don't think I saw one thing like that. Not one - you're projecting. Every single thing I saw was, "This is all incredibly fuzzy. Can't I wait to react till you tell me what you're talking about and maybe provide some evidence too?"

AllenS said...

Love said...
The GOP tried to impeach him for screwing while governing...or governing while screwing.

Brush up on your facts. Try perjury. Did you know that Bill Clinton lost his law license over it?

Anonymous said...

You're with the CEO of a major organization, discussing potential employment...and you're going to tell him you'll take a cab...why?

Because love darling, when you fly out to meet a man, and then he picks you up at your hotel and takes you for dinner and drinks and then takes you home, that pretty much screams DATE!

When you meet someone at X restaurant for a business dinner, its easier to keep it professional.

If she were being super professional, she would have met him at his office for an interview, but I took this as more of a schmooze for job leads thing rather than a formal interview.

11/8/11 11:41 AM
Professionals do hook each other up with job offers and help obtaining jobs, it's not unusual to have dinner out at a restaurant and why are we assuming they were having drinks, was this discussed in the press conference? And so what if they were.

My daughter traveled to DC , to meet in a restaurant ,with a "hook up" in search of a job. The guy acted like a complete gentleman, it happens and usually doesn't end with sexually aggression bordering on assault.

Unknown said...

I said allegedly for false claims of sexual harassment. It's all over the internet, not yet the MSM, so allegedly, yes. Even if that proves to not be the case, she is not exactly the most reliable witness. Look at her job history and legal troubles.

Still, even if she was a perfect witness, a woman does not meet an older married man, whose company fired her, for drinks and then on to a restaurant in his car for dinner for some vague conversation about him helping you find a job, not about any specific job. That's a date, not a job interview.

Shanna said...

The guy acted like a complete gentleman

Well that is lovely for your daughter, but my point is that it's best to avoid sending mixed signals if possible.

The Crack Emcee said...

Wasn't it Hillary who said there are worse things than adultery?

Spread Eagle said...

She is supposedly a Republican, that hasn't been verified, but she's also a woman with a history of severe financial distress, having filed for bankruptcy twice. There must be a buck in here somewhere for her, or at least she's been promised.

I won't call this a "vast leftwing conspiracy," but I will say this is a coordinated effort emanating from the high with the Demo Party --maybe even to the Obama campaign-- to neutralize Cain permanently. Don't be a tool, Love. Politics ain't beanbag, as Cain is now finding out.

edutcher said...

For those interested, her story is already starting to come apart.

Check out Drudge and/or Insta.

PS Does having lived in the same building as David Axelrod look suspicious?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Shanna, MY point is that she DIDN'T send mixed signals. That it was a meeting about a job hook up, not a sexual hook up.

Shanna said...

Shanna, MY point is that she DIDN'T send mixed signals. That it was a meeting about a job hook up, not a sexual hook up.

If you look at that on paper it reads date. That's mixed signal number one, which was my point about meeting him there versus getting picked up. Picking someone up, having drinks and then taking them to dinner? Reads date. Meeting for a business lunch does not.

How they acted on the date will probably tell you how mixed the signals were, but obviously none of us were there and can't speak to that.

Anonymous said...

So eddy, do all 4 women live in Axelrod's apartment building?

G Joubert said...

I won't call this a "vast leftwing conspiracy," but I will say this is a coordinated effort emanating from the high with the Demo Party --maybe even to the Obama campaign-- to neutralize Cain permanently.

I have a black woman in a sociology class I teach who has heretofore been an ardent Obama supporter. She came to class yesterday quite animated about "what they're doing to Cain." She explained, "they always do this to strong black men," further explaining if they say he was coming on to white women "it will turn away white Republicans from him in droves." The old stereotype of black men wanting white women, and all that. She said she was going to register as a Republican just to vote for Cain

Anecdotal, I know, but it got me to thinking. We can all see how Cain has risen to the top amongst GOP voters. What if the Obama polling data show he's resonating with black voters? What would that do to Obama's base? Why would a Democrat activist like Gloria Allred be all involved in taking out a GOP primary candidate? This _could be_ tied to the Obama campaign indeed.

Scott M said...

having filed for bankruptcy twice

Of the people I know that have filed for bankruptcy, only a handful were not business owners. That handful was comprised of extremely irresponsible and dubious people. In all but one case, they were also system-gamers, liars, and/or had criminal records.

I have to admit...I don't know anyone who filed for bankruptcy twice.

Blair said...

Apparently black men are not supposed to show any sexual interest in white women at all. And they certainly can't be President. I thought this was 2011, not 1911. Have attitudes really changed so little?

Chip S. said...

Herman Cain is starting to remind me of Austin Powers.

Roger J. said...

Allie: was it good for you? :)

But I want to be clear--I never groped Ritmo--green skin is a turn off :)

As to the substance of the accusations, this will devolve into a he said-she said; and sides will be taken based on one's ideology.

I am of the belief that Mr Cain can use these allegations, and turn them into an attack on the MSM; I suspect he will come out swinging this afternoon--I dont see where the allegations will hurt him in the least. And may even help him. Certainly the polling data to date dont appear to suggest these allegations have hurt him.

As to the good Professor's suggestion that several allegations establish a pattern? At this point we have only one (IMO rather dubious) allegation and there is no pattern. At least that is my serious and sober (but not for long) opinion.

Methadras said...

All of it now is suspicious. I don't trust any of it and at this point, there is still ZERO PROOF that anything wrong has been done by Cain.

edutcher said...

Allie said...

So eddy, do all 4 women live in Axelrod's apartment building?

She did.

And I don't doubt a fact like that makes the single-celled intelligence uncomfortable.

According to some of the articles, this isn't the first time she's tried to shake somebody down.

Anonymous said...

PatCA said: I said allegedly for false claims of sexual harassment. It's all over the internet, not yet the MSM, so allegedly, yes. Even if that proves to not be the case, she is not exactly the most reliable witness. Look at her job history and legal troubles.

I'm not expressing any opinion about why she was terminated, but if it is true that she made false claims of sexual harassment for which she was fired, and THEN, knowing this, Mr. Cain agreed to meet her under any circumstances which didn't include multiple attentive witnesses at all times, I'd call that a massive failure in judgment.

Anonymous said...

Professional women have this problem a lot (I hear- being married before you become professional helps in so many ways) - is this networking or is this a date? The line is not always clear, and men, particularly those in power, tend to give themselves too much credit for attractiveness, while women tend to fear clarifying because there's not really an easy way to say "Hey, by the way, I'm not sexually attracted to you" when he hasn't made that clearly his intention.

There's no easy answer - as long as men and women are working together and have to network with each other, the line between being nice and flirting can be thin. You've got to be upfront and clear up any misunderstandings asap. Like Ms. B did here.

Patrick said...

I just apply the Clinton standard to it. I was never great on going after Clinton for his indiscretions. His private life, his business. The grand jury was essentially an overblown excuse for his political enemies to attack him. It made me think less of the grand jury system than Clinton.

With Cain here. He seems somewhat unpolished still. But learning. I'm a modern conservative I guess. I don't really care if he was dating even if he was married. It is pretty common in America. So common as it should be a non issue except for the gadflys

edutcher said...

Truth in advertising - according to Michelle Malkin, turns out she shared a building with another David Axelrod, not that one.

Howsomever, the other stuff looks legit.

DADvocate said...

What's with all this any way? Is this the age of Boston, MA in mid 17th century and Heather Prynne? Or, the early 20th century South where black men were lynched for being with a white woman? Come on libruls, it's 2011.

Freeman Hunt said...

The whole thing is weird. The character of Bialek is questionable. Her account of the events screams date and failed pass. (I want a guy to help me find a job, so I fly out to see him, find out that he's upgraded my hotel room, have drinks with him at the hotel bar, and then go out to dinner with him in his car. That's a date, folks, not a professional networking interview.) Some things make no sense at all. (He reached for my crotch while pulling my head toward his crotch. I don't know how someone would physically perform that move.)

But I don't know about Cain's character. He could be a total womanizer for all I know. I know that it's not uncommon for "upstanding" men to make pretty bold passes at women.

Who knows? Wait and see... wait and see...

Some of these other women need to give details so that this can be sorted.

Freeman Hunt said...

Now, if everything bad about Cain turned out to be true, would I fail to vote for him over Obama. Probably not. It would be a decision between womanizer jerk and economy destroying jerk, so the womanizer jerk would probably win.

Scott M said...

(He reached for my crotch while pulling my head toward his crotch. I don't know how someone would physically perform that move.)

Maverick: We were inverted.
Iceman: (cough)Bullshit!(cough)

Anonymous said...

"Our suspicions grow, even if we can imagine a scheme to concoct a bunch of phony stories to ruin the man — a vast left-wing conspiracy, if you will."

Except of course that there actually have been vast left-wing conspiracies that we know of. Such as JournoList among many.

How does this differ from Alinsky? A political death by a thousand cuts, none of which are actually substantiated, most of which are anonymous. How does any of this have any legitimacy at all?

Anonymous said...

Allie: was it good for you? :)

But I want to be clear--I never groped Ritmo--green skin is a turn off :)

11/8/11 1:04 PM

RogerJ, I'm still basking in the afterglow......

Bender said...

would I fail to vote for him over Obama. Probably not. It would be a decision between womanizer jerk and economy destroying jerk, so the womanizer jerk would probably win
_____________

Expediency over principle, Freeman?

Sigh. It profits a woman nothing to gain the whole world yet lose her soul -- but for an abrasive womanizing jerk?

Vote "no" to both. Be able to look at yourself in the mirror the day after the election.

Freeman Hunt said...

Expediency over principle, Freeman?

What principle is that? I don't have a principle that says one man's sexual harassment is worse than plunging a huge number of families into poverty or government assistance and greatly expanding the State. I might, I think, have a principle that says it's wrong to sell the next generation into State slavery to keep one creep out of office.

Freeman Hunt said...

And vote "no" to both?

What and be a fool?

I don't vote to select the ideal candidate. I vote to get the best person possible into office. I'm not into statement votes unless my vote truly makes no difference.

Roger J. said...

Freeman Hunt--so your "new baby" must be close to three--hows it going with motherhood?

sorepaw said...
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Unknown said...

In addition, is it really sexual harassment? I thought that implied a work relationship. They were discussing her getting a job somewhere at HER invitation. She had already been fired by the NRA.

Without a work relationship, it was an obnoxious pass -- brought on by his possible bad behavior and her totally inappropriate behavior...if she was actually seeking a job.

Freeman Hunt said...

Roger, having a third new baby in January. All is well. Thanks.

mccullough said...

What Herman Cain needs is a woman to come forward and say she accepted his pass. So far, it looks like Cain has struck out every time, going down swinging on at least one of them.

I'm sure there are a few women who rebuffed JFK's sexual advances, but we mostly hear about all the conquests. Cain needs a conquest or else he looks like a creep/loser.

No one wants that in a President.

janetrae said...

Shouting Thomas: Reading Ann Althouse's comments closely, I think she is saying that no matter what Cain does now, this death by a thousand cuts (OK, four) claims is designed to raise a question in one's mind (assuming, unlike Occupying Allie one has a mind)about Cain. You can't unring a bell, you can't unsay what has been said. Accordingly (I think is Ann's point) the campaign to besmirch Cain has already succeeded regardless of the truth of the situation. I agree with you ST that the charges are nonsensical and suspect. And as for the question from Ann and others about the reason for Ms. Bialek's dismissal from NRA --> Drudge from Freerepulic (google "Bialek fired NRA"). May I add that the demands that any commenter "prove" anything are multiplying and are ridiculous: and no I can't prove that statement either.

janetrae said...

Oh -- and forestall Allie (in whatever avatar she has decided to appear this hour) and Love (whoever it is): of course inappropriate behavior in the workplace has been part of my life experience -- on the receiving end. I diffused it, refused ever to be alone with the creep, and he ended up in federal prison for securities fraud (so I DO have good taste in men by avoiding him). To this day, bygones would never be bygones and I would never appear in a picture with him grinning and touching him: so, Ms. Bialek, shame on you.

Love said...

janetrae - Blame the victim.

That always works.

Love said...

sorepaw - Blame Obama.

That always works.

Love said...

edwardroyce - "A political death by a thousand cuts, none of which are actually substantiated, most of which are anonymous."

How do yu know that?

The two women who were paid off were paid off because the organization just had plenty of money to throw around?

And why, when first accused, did Cain say that he had no knowledge of any such settlements...when in fact, he was the CEO of the organization.

Do you really think they would take it upon themselves to settle such charges without his knowledge?

That would imply that they did not believe Cain, but did believe the women.

Seeing Red said...

Do you really think they would take it upon themselves to settle such charges without his knowledge?



Sometimes it's just cheaper to cut a check even though one isn't believed. Cut your losses.

Anonymous said...

Janey Two Shoes , you are one boring woman, break out of that girdle and post an avatar! The one of you kissing Rush Limbaugh's feet would be good for starters.

Anonymous said...

Next woman is going public. Karen Kraushaar, her attorney was just on MSNBC.

Love said...

It doesn't get any better than this...especially the last line.:

Meanwhile, a fifth woman has come out to talk about some suspect activity at the hands of Cain.

Former employee of the United States Agency for International Development Donna Donella, 40, from Arlington, said the Republican presidential candidate asked her to help arrange a dinner date for him with a female audience member following a speech he delivered nine years ago.

She told the Washington Examiner: 'After the seminar was over. Cain came over to me and a colleague and said, "Could you put me in touch with that lovely young lady who asked the question, so I can give her a more thorough answer over dinner?"'

When she declined to saying she didn't feel comfortable doing it, he then invited her to dinner. She accepted and brought two colleagues with her.

Though she said Cain exhibited no inappropriate sexual behavior during the dinner, he did order two $400 bottles of wine and left the women with the bill.

Love said...

Seeing Red - I understand settlements, but you didn't address my question: "Do you really think they would take it upon themselves to settle such charges without his knowledge?"

Forgot to call him? Didn't think he would care?

C'mon...

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
edutcher said...

Do the trolls think if they put up enough banal, insipid posts so they outnumber all the others that they'll win?

Guess what?

Won't work.

Love said...

edutcher - Can we assume you consider those with whom you disagree as "trolls?"

Instead, consider them to be people who spend more time thinking and researching before posting inane comments representing nothing more than a regurgitation of what you and others here have have already heard via Beck, Rush and Fox?

How long will this denial go on?

Anonymous said...

Eddy, and you are the Althouse washer woman gossip, posting every new piece of dreck that Drudge posts, then you have to go back and retract it, as in Bialek lives in David Axelrod's apartment building conspiracy.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely believe any and all allegations aginst Herman Cain, sourced and anonymous, made by any woman anywhere. Because, as the National Organization for Women will tell you, women don't lie. Certainly not about something so important as sex. Certainly not about sexual harrassment by a RethugliKKKan.

They can't. Their primitive, childlike brains aren't capable of it.

They do, however, have perfect memories, and are able to recall details of incidents that occurred a dozen years ago ... whether or not they remarked upon them at the time to anyone else.

</sarcasm>

Crystal Gail Mangum and Tawana Brawley were unavailable for comment. Priscilla Wear and Jill Cowan (AKA "Fiddle" and "Faddle") and Juanita Broaddrick might have been available, but for some reason the media didn't ask them.

Love said...

Now what in the world does this actually mean??

In response to a question from a reporter, the presidential candidate signaled he'd be willing to take "a lie detector test" to prove he's not guilty of any wrongdoing when it comes to the charges.

He added, however, "But I'm not going to do that unless I have a good reason to do that."

What more would he need to make it a "good reason?"

HT said...

No, the country is not ready for someone who would openly admit he is an aggressive womanizer, but for Cain to be honest, he would have to admit that. Otherwise, he will just be telling lie after lie after lie. "None of that happened," and so on.

It's not really is the country ready for it, which we are not, but is Herman Cain? Herman Cain is step one.

No, I don't think he is.

Anonymous said...

@ Love

How do yu know that?"

Because I read the news reports.

The two women who were paid off were paid off because the organization just had plenty of money to throw around?

$80,000 split two ways is not very much. Paula Jones got $850,000. Others have gotten millions of dollars. $35,000 and $45,000 dollar payouts are chicken feed compared to the legal costs of going to trial.

And why, when first accused, did Cain say that he had no knowledge of any such settlements...when in fact, he was the CEO of the organization.

Because CEOs of large organizations rarely get involved. Instead it is normally left to Human Resources and Legal. Especially if the accusation is made against the CEO. In such circumstances the CEO would get involved if the -Board of Directors- got involved. And that would require something very substantial with 6+ figure payouts or more.

Do you really think they would take it upon themselves to settle such charges without his knowledge?

You really have zero clue as to how companies work. It's called "delegation". Executives have to delegate because otherwise they would be overwhelmed by details. It's also called "making people do their jobs for which they were hired". e.g. Human Resources and Legal.

That would imply that they did not believe Cain, but did believe the women.

No. If they believed the allegations made against Cain then they would have been very concerned about going to trial. The women would have had a much more solid case and the settlement would have been correspondingly higher because the legal costs of the case would have been much greater.

Instead the settlements reflect basically the cost of going to a judge and having the whole thing thrown out.

Seriously. Learn how corporations actually work vs how you think they work. It'll help your arguments. I work with high level executives all the time. And that is the one thing that they never have enough of; time.

Anonymous said...

@ Love

btw that wasn't criticism in a bad way. If you're not familiar with how corporations work then that is a liability. Doesn't reflect on you as a -person-. Just on the basis of your argument.

Consider this: if the women had a stronger case then they could have hired a lawyer on a contingency fee basis where it costs them nothing up front but the lawyer takes 40% of the final settlement as his "fee".

That the settlement was that small suggests that neither of them had a lawyer because then the settlement that they ultimately got would have been even smaller.

Then I think legal settlements are treated as regular income so just getting the full settlement of say $45,000 would have bumped one of them to the max 35% rate (I think) so the net take home would have been even smaller than that.

Subtract legal fees for a lawyer and you're looking at something really not that big at all.

Steve Koch said...

I am not a Cain supporter but I don't care if he is an aggressive womanizer. It is not a crime to be horny and it shouldn't be a crime to let a woman know that you are sexually attracted to her.

Gloria Allred is a dem operative.

BTW, it doesn't take a vast conspiracy to persuade one or two additional women to complain about Cain.

Having said all that, I still don't favor Cain because he has never won an election and is living on borrowed time wrt being a cancer survivor.

damikesc said...

The two women who were paid off were paid off because the organization just had plenty of money to throw around?

Wal-Mart seldom goes to court for a suit of $5,000. Even if they are in the right, they will settle.

You know why?

Because it would cost more to fight in court.

Make it loser pays and that would stop so fast it'd make your head spin.

What more would he need to make it a "good reason?"

A sliver of evidence provided by the women of their accusations has yet to be produced?

No, the country is not ready for someone who would openly admit he is an aggressive womanizer, but for Cain to be honest, he would have to admit that. Otherwise, he will just be telling lie after lie after lie. "None of that happened," and so on.

So...women don't lie? That is the basis of your argument here. He should just "Yup, I did it" even if he did not?