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Subscribe to RSSIn an interview Wednesday with NBC's David Gregory, the GOP’s top investigator in the House drew parallels between the sexual harassment allegations that Herman Cain is facing and Clarence Thomas' controversial Supreme Court confirmation hearings 20 years ago.
“Clarence Thomas at least had Anita Hill up front making an accusation,” House Oversight and Reform Chairman Darrell Issa said, seemingly referring to Cain’s two accusers who have not come forward publicly due to reported non-disclosure agreements that were settled when Cain was the head of the National Restaurant Association.
Issa, a former businessman, said that while he has never had a sexual harassment allegation levied against him, he has “seen them happen on [his] watch” at the companies in which he was involved. “I know that sometimes they’re real and sometimes they’re not. And I know that companies make a decision to make the problem go away to a mutually agreeable standard.”
“It appears as though that’s what Cain is dealing with,” Issa surmised.
“It has been tough to run for president and all the worst accusations are part of the process,” he continued, harking back to the time of President Andrew Jackson. “Andrew Jackson didn’t have a kind rise to the presidency; it is alleged, and [he] probably did kill his wife.”
Having already endorsed Mitt Romney for president, Issa sees Cain’s lack of governmental experience as a barrier to his White House hopes.
“To go directly from being a business man without substantial time in the government arena, both the vetting and the knowledge of it, is really hard. It’s virtually impossible. And that going directly to president seems to be a bridge too far.”
He acknowledged Romney’s lack of appeal within the GOP, saying that the Republican Party is “still out looking for better than whatever is in the field.”
Issa, however, made the case that -- unlike Cain -- Romney has the necessary experience. “You may not love Mitt Romney, he may not be the charismatic guy next door,” he said. “But you know what, he’s competent, and he’s been well-vetted and we know that he’ll administer in a way that that maybe we haven’t seen since Eisenhower.”
The California Republican also criticized Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s jobs record, saying: “If all the credit you’re taking, is taking jobs from California, you don’t get a lot of credit.”
Watch the entire "PRESS Pass" interview with Issa to hear more of his thoughts on the 2012 race, Solyndra, and the recent ‘Fast & Furious’ investigation his committee has launched.
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It's going to be so much fun watching Issa clean the egg off his face...
*popcorn* ?
Feisty, you are one of the most incoherent posters here... Do you even read the articles?
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A felon expressing his opinion about another felon and Romney. I'm sooo interested in what Issa has to say..... NOT!
Darryl Issa, as well as Rep. Peter King, are the 21st. century's Joseph McCarthy's. They will continue their witch hunts until the day comes when these two dinosaurs finally go extinct.
They will not be missed, just as Joe McCarthy isn't missed.
And don't forget, wealthiest member of Congress (the 1%?) and Grover Norquist adherent - for selfish, personal reasons.
To socialist idiots like you, wealth is evil; , you would rather everyone be a dependent drone, getitng a government check, like you.
1% ...Isnt Pelosi filthy rich , a "1%" ?
You are even more stupid than I thought.
Pelosi is a 1%er so is hypocrite Michael Moore but what does that have to do with this?
Bye Bye Cain! It's going to be Mitt, Obama and hopefully HILLARY! Bye BYe Obama ( nice guy crappy President)
Hillary 2012
No, booby, I mean bobby....
Wealth is not evil in and of itself; but taking unfair advantage of others, refusing to pay your part percentage wise for the things our government provides, attempting to take others' wealth for yourself, and worshiping the dollar MOST DEFINITELY IS EVIL.
And for you right wing conservatives to profess to be "Christian" while acting that way is HYPOCRITICAL (and God is going to get you for that!) It is so two-faced to proclaim your religion but fail to live up to it, pursuing your own selfish interests instead of adhering to scripture. But you guys just don't get it do you? Too blind (by your own GREED) to see it.
But glad I live up to your expectations.... NOT. Do you believe what you think about me makes any difference in the world?
idiot! Better open your eyes.
Bob Is money your God? How money does it take to be happy?
Can't believe it ..... Cain is a dangerous pervert and should be sued by his accusers.
The truth about Cain is that he is actually no different than those other candidates running to be president...They all want to be able to write books and get a job at Faux, just make lots of money$$$.
The whole country is watching, while the republician canidates are putting on their side shows...
The lame cain blame game...hum!!! It ain't the media this time.
Why would any candidate make his campaign handlers sign an oath of non disclosure? Herman is the first to do this. It certainly makes me curious as to what it is that he fears so much? As for Cain these allegations first came out during his run for the Senate. It isn't even a new disclosure. Cain needs to quit immediately. From here on he is dragging the party down.
Hey Ray-402,
When was the party ever up...during the Reagan year, you think??? Newgt's contract with America...help please!!!
*time 4truth*
Smoking tea leaves can make a person dal-lusional...Mitt is missing something...so I guess you are going to hold your nose and just pull the leveler??? Hey, this is America. You gotta love her or leave her...
Why are all these people asking the women to step forward? they can not legally do so, If Cain wants to face them then he needs to let the confidentiality portion of the suit be dropped...I am sure some of them would come forward...Then he could face them again...
And as to Thomas issue...WOW to0 bad the "men/women" in congress at the time of that fiasco couldn't follow common decency at the very least...Ah but Mr Thomas did get to use the race card! poor baby...NOT, It was never about race it was always about how dirty he was, and still is...
Darrell Issa is rooting for Romney to take us back to the "leave it to Beaver" Eisenhower years when we had one enemy, lots of client states, lots of commies running around and 92% marginal personal income tax rates.
You heard it here first folks, Darrell Issa endorses Mitt Romney's 90, 90, 90, flat tax plan. He will fix the fiscal deficit in a heartbeat, but the sound you next hear will be the implosion of the US Economy.
Issa is just a clone of Boehner & Cantor. Just like them, he'll say anything to try to make the Republicans look like they know what they're doing. And we know how that's going. Anyway, I'm surprised he's come out this early and endorsed Romney. Probably, Romney offered Issa a job after 2012 since the Republican Party is deteriorating into a shell of its former self, and Issa will need a job. Maybe pool boy or something. The Republican oldtimers don't even recognize their party anymore. Ronnie Reagan is rolling over in his grave.