I don't have a dog in this fight, but...

[Lamplighter]

Oh pith the thought.

[Lamplighter]

Frankly, I am getting tired of reading of Herman Cain's exploits.
Not that I'm jealous, but instead I'm bored.
The women keep coming and Cain keeps denying.
But anyhow, here's the latest:

Christian Science Monitor
Amanda Paulson
November 28, 2011

Herman Cain has refuted allegations of a 13-year affair with an Atlanta woman, Ginger White.

She says she was upset by how Herman Cain treated those accusing him of sexual harassment.

In a press conference addressing sexual-harassment allegations three weeks ago,
the GOP presidential candidate hinted that more women might come forward,
saying that "there will probably be others."

On Monday, that proved true.

Mr. Cain appeared with Wolf Blitzer on CNN to preempt the accusations
of a 13-year extramarital affair and dismiss them as false –
even before the woman spoke on an Atlanta Fox affiliate.

He was unequivocal in his denials when asked directly whether he had
had sex or an affair with the woman, but he admitted that he knew her.
"It is someone that I know who is an acquaintance that I thought was a friend,"

As proof of the affair, White showed her interviewers her cellphone,
which had "Herman Cain" as a contact, and phone bills showing 61 calls or texts
to that number during a four-month period.

And besides all that:

A good man is always willing to help out his acquaintances financially.
and it ain't wrong if everybody's doing it...

When the station texted that number, Cain responded, telling the station
that he knew White, but that her allegations were false,
and that she had his number because he was "trying to help her financially.

And certainly, Cain would hardly be the only candidate with sexual indiscretions in his past.
It's a category that includes Newt Gingrich, the current GOP front-runner,
who is on his third marriage and has had at least two extramarital affairs (with women he later married).

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

The women keep coming

You'd think he's a Democrat

[classicman]

Still don't care about Cain's issues with women. He isn't fit to lead the country.
His ideas are awful. Thats enough for me.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by classicman

Still don't care about Cain's issues with women. He isn't fit to lead the country.
His ideas are awful. Thats enough for me.

Bing.

The man is just not of a high enough calibre, in any way, to lead any country let alone the fucking United States of America.


I swear, Merkins, if you lot allow that man to be your president the rest of us are going to be really fucking annoyed.

[BigV]

Cain Reassessing

Updated 12:14 p.m. Eastern Time

The Herman Cain campaign is "reassessing" its strategy in the wake of a woman's claim that she and Cain had engaged in a 13-year extramarital relationship, a senior staffer to the campaign told CBS News.

The staffer made the statement following reports that Cain told supporters Tuesday morning that he is reassessing whether to remain in the Republican presidential race.

On a five-minute conference call, Cain told his senior staff that he would make a decision on staying in the race "over the next several days," according to National Review.

And the Des Moines Register reports that Cain said on the call that he needs to decide if the affair allegation creates "too much of a cloud" for him to continue his run.

"If a decision is made, different than we should plow ahead, you all will be the first to know," Cain reportedly said on the 90-person conference call.

Perhaps it was the smell of fear that brought out the predators, but now it seems Cain feels there's actual blood in the water. Like classicman, I don't really think that how he conducts his personal affairs is important to his quality as a leader. I *DO* think how he responds to such questions is telling and Cain's mishandled this from the outset.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by BigV

I don't really think that how he conducts his personal affairs is important to his quality as a leader. I *DO* think how he responds to such questions is telling

Lies are not OK. He sleeps around? I don't care. He lies about sleeping around? I do care.

[Lamplighter]

My take on Cain's situation is that from the first allegation,
he decided (on PR advice ?) to adopt a campaign strategy of:
"Deny, Deny, Deny..."

Now, he is stuck with it, no matter what the truth may be.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

"Deny, Deny, Deny..."

See, he got it wrong.

step one: feign ignorance
step two: deny
step three: counter accuse


Example:

"What are you talking about? I didn't do that. I think YOU did it."

Leaves them flustered, and you can move forward.

"I didn't do that. I didn't do that. I didn't do that." Sounds like you're protesting too much.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by glatt

Lies are not OK. He sleeps around? I don't care. He lies about sleeping around? I do care.

So I guess you still feel the same about Bill Clinton?

[glatt]

Yes. His lies bothered me too. Although Clinton did eventually come clean after he couldn't deny it any more, and he apologized to the country.

Cain is still telling lies that nobody believes. He's dug himself into a hole with his lies and can't find a graceful way out. His mistake was thinking that because his lies had always worked in the past, they would continue to work once he jumped onto the national stage.

When will politicians realize that if they have a lot to hide, it's going to come out?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by glatt

Yes. His lies bothered me too. Although Clinton did eventually come clean after he couldn't deny it any more, and he apologized to the country.

So you are willing to give Cain the same break?

Cain is still telling lies that nobody believes.

How do you know he is lying? Isn't it his word against the accusers? As far as I know there is only one documented case where some monetary settlement was reached, the details of which are still sketchy. All of the other women have some major baggage in their past, so you have to question the motivation to come out now.

[Happy Monkey]

He should have just married them all, like Newt.

[ZenGum]

I imagine the Republican party searching through the cupboards and looking under the cushions on the lounge, trying frantically to find a better candidate.

[Lamplighter]

Some days the stars align and all is good. Some days, not so much.
Today, just before the Iowa caucuses, Romney is seeing some marginal
headlines and articles that ostensibly are pro-Mitt.

One announces a Florida Congresswoman's endorsement of Mitt.

Washington Blade
Chris Johnson
November 30, 2011

Pro-LGBT Republican endorses Romney

A Republican U.S. House member known for holding
the most pro-LGBT views in her caucus has endorsed former
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in his bid for president.

Ros-Lehtinen’s endorsement of Romney is noteworthy to the LGBT community
because she’s among the most pro-LGBT Republicans in Congress.
In September, she became the first Republican to co-sponsor legislation
to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
— much to the consternation of social conservatives.
<snip>
Romney, seen as the establishment candidate among GOP presidential hopefuls,
has distinguished himself among other Republicans pursuing the White House
for saying he’s open to the idea of LGBT rights.

Last week, he told the Nashua Telegraph, “I favor gay rights,”
and said he doesn’t “believe in discriminating in employment
or opportunity for gay individuals.”

Still, Romney said he doesn’t support same-sex marriage.

This one offers "friendly" advise to Mitt on how to run a better campaign.

Forbes
Gary Shapiro, Contributor
11/20/11
Mitt: All He Needs is Love

Romney’s biggest challenge is that we don’t know him as a person.
If we knew him, he could easily overcome three big complaints against him:

First, Romney is a Mormon.

Second, opponents charge that as Massachusetts Governor,
Romney signed the early model of Obamacare.

<snip>
Third, the biggest charge against Romney, is that he is a flip-flopper.

Next, the author points out that Romney has a special connection to Bobby Kennedy !

Romney will overcome these obstacles if he lets us see him as human and likable.

And besides all that:

Romney has other career opportunities.

Salt Lake Tribune
Peggy Fletcher Stack
11/20/11

Romney next Mormon prophet? Even if he loses, he could be president

If Mitt Romney fails to win the U.S. presidency,
he could always take the helm of 14 million-member LDS Church,
speculates one Bloomberg columnist.
<snip>
Too bad Hunt didn’t know that’s not really how it works in the Utah-based faith:
The Mormon presidency is not an elected nor appointed position.

If his campaign falls short, though, Romney could be tapped
as a Mormon mission president, an apostle or other high-ranking official.
Or Romney could serve again on a local level as an LDS stake president,
overseeing a regional group of churches.

He might enjoy the chance to be called “President Romney.”