Feisty, I'm sure you realize sometimes organizations settle just to put a lid on issues. Not saying that's what happened here, but it's plausible.

Media Alert:::: Karl Rove a memeber of the "liberal media"

says just saying "speak with the Restaurant Association" is just not enough

ooppps guess you teabaggers just flushed your $ by backing CokeCain

"Herman Cain has never sexually harassed anybody. Period. End of story."

Feisty -- in my experience, when people make this kind of blanket denial -- it's worth looking further into it.

Allegations like this usually do not come from nothing, and it's likely that at least something happened, although it may be open to various interpretations. To say that nothing ever happened is merely to put your own interpretation on events.

Herman Cain's interpretation of it, however, is not relevant as a legal matter.

Sexual harassment is in the eye of the victim -- both what the victim subjectively experienced, and what a reasonable person in the victim's place would have perceived.

@ Paul M -- I'm sure YOU realize that organizations sometimes pay out legal settlements where there IS substantial risk. Not saying that's what happened here, but it's plausible.

Please Mr. Aide, speak for ya self.

"@ Paul M -- I'm sure YOU realize that organizations sometimes pay out legal settlements where there IS substantial risk. Not saying that's what happened here, but it's plausible."

Absolutely, Anna. But I think what we're both saying is we don't know what happened, and the fact of settlement money being paid (assuming it is a fact) isn't proof of anything. Like you said, the original allegations could be completely true. Or not.

By the way, what is "substantial risk" to an organization? Tainted reputation via a longer more public legal process? There can be substantial risk in conjunction to false allegations, too.

Block is just blowing smoke.

My main point, Paul, is that allegations of harassment usually don't arise from nothing. Blanket denials make me very suspicious. I don't know any more about this than you do, but because of my own experience, my eyebrows went up when I read this.

Substantial risk can be many things, as you say. But people who have bought into the demonization of trial lawyers need to remember that mere nuisance or cost or embarrassment isn't the only risk.

Sometimes there is risk because allegations are true.

Ask Anthony Weiner about that.

Ohh take a breath girlie_bits......

We asked Mr. Obama MANY simple questions that we never got answers to and the world didn't come crashing down.

An absolute non-story in less than a week with one year to go.

P.S. Crusty - Mr. Cain won't make it to the Oval Office anyway. The liberals don't feel THAT much white guilt to elect a black conservative.

allegations of harassment usually don't arise from nothing

I would have to agree with you Anna. Women don't just throw that stuff out there for nothing. They fully understand the gravity of what they are alleging. We had an incident of sexual harassment when I was a Union officer. A guy came to us and told us that his Supervisor was putting his hand down the front of his pants and playing with himself while he spoke to the complainant.

I thought to myself that this was a genuine complaint because no guy would ever want to admit that he was sexually harassed by another man.

I think the same is true of women. They want to avoid the stigma, and the focus of an investigation if at all possible. They bring a complaint only as a last resort.

As a general rule we used to say don't make the comment, or engage in the conduct if you would not feel comfortable seeing it done to your own spouse, sister, or mother.

As a general rule we used to say don't make the comment, or engage in the conduct if you would not feel comfortable seeing it done to your own spouse, sister, or mother.

LoL That's EXACTLY my rule of thumb, too, Greg.

As I said on the other thread, I confess to being not much impressed by Cain's denials.

So ...... by the standard being applied to Cain, most of you pretty much agree that Bill Clinton was a rapist and lying serial sexual predator worthy of impeachment, huh?

Thanks for your affirmation.

Methinks the campaign aide is blowing smoke again. Sorry, Amy B.

Bob lotsanumbers: There is an explanation complete with FACTS on the previous thread that shows you for the tool you are. Bill Clinton DID NOT perjure himself. Serial sexual predator? Bob, Bob, Bob! Those women were very willing. Do you also need an explanation of intent?

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Monday's rock - I couldn't have done it without you Fiesty...Thank you...You've been my inspiration

How much fun is it today, reading posts that mostly opine "Bill Clinton 'got some' again?

But- I think for now, I would wait to see if this 'leak' came from the right, or left.

You might be right, Ursula. And from the perspective of the incumbent, that might not be a good thing. As long as its a race, we'll see Republicans taking shots at one another. Once it's settled, that doesn't happen anymore. Look how much Romney has been dinged by the field already. What Democrats ought to want is a full-throated knock-down, drag-out. The type of race that stresses candidates and keeps them in front of microphones - where they can damage their opponents and themselves.

If you're right and Cain starts to drop off, Romney will go into hibernation until the general election. Great for Republicans; bad for Democrats. Plus, less spectator fun for us independents.

Paul, my point exactly. Romney hasn't even been campaigning in Iowa and is in a dead-heat with Cain (who's really just on a book tour). What will the media do without months and months of primary agony to dissect and report?

Ursula, maybe the media will keep up the hunt for a white knight to save the Republicans, right up to the last primary. When is that, March? There's still time to find a qualified opponent to face President Obama, still time!

They'll follow the tea people GOP republicans bashing of the President Urusla, and chime in daily with they're own bashing. Anything for ratings, even if they have to fudge the truth and facts.

I'm disappointed on several levels. If its true, I hate it for the women involved. If its not, I'm sorry for Mr Cain cuz true or not, it will stain him forever. And, I'm disappointed for the process. I am not a fan of Herman Cain, but I had far rather he had failed on his merits, or lack of same.

Onexenuf - perhaps you should spare MSNBC your anger, and instead direct it toward whoever fed this info to Politico. I don't know for a fact, but my first bet would be on some anonymous Romney supporter.

It's another data point, Monet. We're probably never going to get a definitive answer. People who were predisposed to see the worst in Cain will probably blindly believe the allegations. His strongest supporters will blindly not believe them. And people in the middle - like you and I - will probably never know.

But it hurts his campaign because not all of his supporters are among his strongest supporters. Plus, if he were to win the nomination, it would become part of a running narrative - kind of like Slick Willard the political weather vane will be part of the narrative, should he win the nomination.

Like a little insight as to how the laws work?

My husband's company bought a small company in another state in order to expand their business. One of the liabilities they acquired with the company was a sexual harassment charge against one of the managers.

A woman who had been fired for incompetence brought the charges. The basis?

On four occasions, she had been invited to dinner- along with every other member of her department- at the home of the manager, AND his wife.

There was a calendar of birds in the manager's office- one of which depicted a robin feeding hatchlings. She called it "suggestive".

On at least four occasions, the manager called her at home- to find out of she was actually coming to work, since she was so late.

So, my husband's company lawyer, along with a new team of managers, went before a hearing with a judge to discuss the merits of the case. The judge who heard the complaint told them two things-

This was a totally merit less case, and

They should settle it for $50,000.

Why? That's what it would cost to win the case.

That, my friends, is what is wrong with the tort system in the country. If we had a "loser pays" system, you would not find a lawyer anywhere who would even take up such a baseless case- never mind getting a settlement.

I don't know anymore than anyone else what the basis of the issue with Cain was, but I find it easy to believe it was a similar situation to the one my husband's company acquired.

We need to do better.

I'm not a Republican, nor do I support Mr. Cain. However, enough of the 'tripe' at this stage of the game. Is he such a formidable candidate that his opponents (who may well be within his own party!) would stoop to a new low? It took them this long to come up with this story?

Apparently so! (My 'Independent' take on the subject.) ; -)

It just seems to me that this quotation from a Board member saying how Cain treated both men and women very well should have been put on page one of the Politico piece - not page four. I doubt if many waded through the entire story and caught her comment.

It will be interesting to see how Cain handles it later today. So far his Teflon coating has been very thick.

I am a Democrat who thinks no matter which GOP candidate gets the nomination that President Obama will win in 2012. But as a political junkie it is interesting observing this GOP race unfold.

Politico's CEO is about as Establishment GOP as you can get. Fred Ryan is the head of the Reagan Library and held a senior position in the Reagan Administration. The owner of Politico is the GOP Allbritton family. On the whole I think Politico tries to be straight down the middle. But these last few weeks I have noticed numerous less-than-flattering pieces about non-GOP-Establishment Cain - culminating in this latest story. I think the K Street GOP big-wigs - including people like Karl Rove - are literally pulling out their hair - which is problematic for Karl!- over their lack of influence with someone like Cain.

NOW and other leftie groups rallied around Clinton

Bill Clinton is running for President?

That's news to me...

Hey, the GOP is the party of so-called family values. Not only do you have to talk the talk, you are supposed to walk the walk. Although, that seems to be a real problem for them.

Bill Clinton is running for President?

No, but he set the bar for what is acceptable behavior according to the democrat party.

When asked by a reporter if he ever sexually harassed a female worker, Cain replied:

nein nein nein

(I know tiered joke)

But I thought pro-life, good, Christian conservatives were morally superior to us Clinton-lovin,' degenerate liberals. You mean they're not?

Well the poop is out of the bag. The point is the republicans/teabaggers think there poop don't stink,but when they step it, its time to blame someone else. If the "killer cain" had the balls he would man up to it! Than the koch brothers will have to find a new fool to be there mouth piece.

:(

Not supporting Republican style "family values" is not the same as having no values.

Inferring otherwise is simply disingenuous.

But then, you knew that Bob.

What are the moral values that Democrats prescribe to?

OK, I'll take that answer.

I will also answer for the question as a Republican.

I value the life of all American Citizens. I believe that abusing children is wrong. I believe that the cornerstone to a strong family is a Husband and a Wife (Male and female). I believe that married couples should be faithful to each other. I believe in a higher power that does not control our lives but has given us the ability to choose how we live those lives. I believe in the golden rule.

There are plenty more, but I find it somewhat telling that not a single Democrat was willing to post a single value that they believe in. I don't think it is because they are without morals, but it makes me wonder if they are ashamed of their own beliefs.....

Thanks for helping make the argument.....

It was republicans that pushed Nixon into a resignation. They didn't defend him unlike the democrat party with Clinton.

You mean like the republiK party gave David Vitter a standin "O" when he returned to Congress?

Like that?

"The OWS movement terrifies repubs"

Dude, I for one love this "movement". John Q Public is growing increasingly more tired of these snot nosed kids. And now in boston we have to pay for their flu shots???

Mainstream Americans are turn off by protesters in the streets taunting cops and turning public parks into fecal swamps. Watch their poll numbers continue to crater inspite of the media portraying them as some kind of crusaders for working americans. Talk about a con job. Remember the overwhelming negative media spotlight on the Tea Partiers? Why the double standard. And by the way, Elizabeth Warren a democrat senate candidate said she invented the movement. I know she's back away from that statement but it's clear she's supportive of OWS. Pelosi has also made public statements supporting them.

Do you not have a clue. These snot nosed kids are our kids or grandkids.

I remember the Vietnam war protest. We were just about as welcome as the OWS movement. We grew and grew until we could no longer be ignored.

As an older person I stand for the 99% and would never ever vote for a republican for anything.

You seem to be one of the few libs that liken OWS to the vietnam era. You do realize it was the vietnam protests that led to the 5 of next 6 administrations being republican.

some of whacher smokin dude.....

Impeach Obama? wanna run against Biden or Clinton...ya fool.