Herman Cain's Campaign Presents Conflicting Reports About Sexual Misconduct

Herman Cain's misconduct allegations bring out conflicting accounts - Alexander Burns - POLITICO.com

Herman Cain on CBS's Face the Nation October 30, 2011

Last week Politico reported that there were accusations leveled at Herman Cain.  Two women complained about inappropriate behavior from Herman Cain during his tenure at the National Restaurant Association.  It was reported that the women accepted financial settlements from the association during the 1990's which barred them from discussing the issue further.  The Herman Cain presidential campaign refused to comment on the allegations at first, but then stated the accusations were totally baseless and false.  Politico has now stated that Herman Cain backtracked on a central part of his story concerning the sexual harrassment allegations hurled at him during the 1990's.  He told PBS and Fox News that he recalled details of a financial settlement with one of the women involved.  Cain told the PBS "NewsHour" that he recalled a financial agreement with a woman who accused him of inappropriate behavior at the National Restaurant Association. 

Hours before he backtracked, he stated he was "unaware" of any settlement related to sexual harrassment.  He said he was aware of an agreement reached.  What actually happened?  He at first claimed the accusations were totally false and baseless and wasn't aware of any financial settlements made.  Now he acknowledges there was some type of "agreement" or financial "settlement" made.  Cain has done a poor job handling this sexual harrassment fiasco.  What is the deal with making a financial settlement with one of the women at the National Restaurant who accused him of harrassment?  I don't know whether or not he actually harrassed a woman sexually but the way he's handled this controversy isn't helping him.  He's been the GOP frontrunner the last few weeks.  I project his poll numbers will fall as a result of the way he's handling this case.  Some things don't make sense.  Many times when financial settlements are made it's usually done as a means to blackmail or to force the accuser to keep "hush, hush" about it.  I know Politico is a liberal website but regardless what its motives are it leaves questions in my mind about Herman Cain.   It's not the accusations themselves that will hurt Cain--it's how he's handled this case, which is very poorly.  It's leaves to question in the minds of people whether or not there's more to this story than what meets the eye.  To read the full story, click on the above link from Politico.com.