Cain Accuser Affirms Her Claims

Republican Candidate Herman Cain’s “campaign train” has been temporarily derailed due to strong allegations of sexual harassment against the candidate during his tenure as GodFather Pizza executive. One of Cain’s accusers, retaining her anonymous identity, released a statement through her lawyer, Joel Bennet, which was delivered to support her claim that, "in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances” (Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib). Bennett’s client, Cain’s accuser, has been married for 26 years and wishes to avoid media confrontation concerning the alleged traumatic series of inappropriate events that occurred during the span of a few months in 1999. The statement was released in accordance with the National Restaurant Association, which Cain headed for a number of years. The current head of the organization, Dawn Sweeny, issued a press release confirming that in July 1999, Bennett's client "filed a formal internal complaint, in accordance with the association's existing policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment” (Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib). In the past, Cain disputed the allegations and is continuing to do so in light of the current exposure.

Cain’s spokesman, J.D. Gordon, affirmed the campaign’s desire to restore media and public attention on Cain’s political strategy to correct the economic and unemployment problems facing America. Gordon expressed the campaign’s intent to consider filing a lawsuit against Politico, the news organization that released the anonymous allegations last Sunday. The basis of the lawsuit would be in question of the use of anonymous sources. However, Politico executive editor Jim VandeHei expressed to CNN his confidence in the factual and accurate collection of the details delivered in the text supported by the anonymous subject (Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib).

On Thursday, in an interview with CNN, Cain questioned rival GOP candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry involvement in the recent allegations forged against him. Cain submitted that Curt Anderson, a recent addition to the Perry team and former aide and consultant to the Cain campaign, released the allegations to Politico journalists as a political strategy, considering Cain’s recent rise to the top of the polls. During an interview on Thursday, Rick Perry responded to these claims by declaring himself and his staff as innocent. He stated that anyone involved in his campaign that was found to be “passing rumors” would be fired.

In response to the accusations, Cain expressed his belief that American’s are tired of the slanderous “gutter politics” commonly seen within presidential races and also declared his determination to win the primaries. Recent polls show that despite the scandalous allegations against Cain, his campaign has raised $1.2 million this week from loyal supporters. An ABC News/Washington Post poll released Friday morning displayed Cain at the top of the charts alongside running mate Mitt Romney (Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib).

Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib report, “According to the poll, 24% of Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP now say they support Romney, compared with 23% for Cain. Romney and Cain have been neck-and-neck in most major national surveys over the past month.”

Works Cited: Tom Cohen and Alan Silverleib. http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/04/politics/cain-allegations/index.html