Herman, Herman, Herman. With four women on your heels and poll numbers dropping, you are, in PR terms, in deep doo doo.
What was with the non-press conference where Cain was going to lay out all the facts? He did mention that the allegations were “baseless” several times and that no lawyers were involved in separation agreements that are typical when employees leave. But, he later said the ex- restaurant association employees brought in lawyers who met with the association lawyer, so it sure sounds like folks were lawyered-up.
I loved when Cain remembered an incident where he compared his wife’s height to one of his accuser’s and used his hand to demonstrate. I sure hope his wife wasn’t at breast level. Cain was going to lay out all the facts? He did mention that the allegations were “baseless” several times and that no lawyers were involved in separation agreements that are typical when employees leave. But, he later said the ex- restaurant association employees brought in lawyers who met with the association lawyer, so it sure sounds like folks were lawyered-up.
Do I automatically believe women’s sexual harassment charges because I’m a woman in business? Absolutely not; I would need to know more about these women, especially Sharon Bialek. But, it’s interesting that another of the alleged victims, Karen Kraushaar, is a spokesperson at Treasury and is calling for a joint press conference so all the women can present their stories in a unified front. It’s a good idea from a PR perspective. And Kraushaar is a registered Republican, so there goes the theory that the Democrats were behind this. In fact, James Carville pronounced that, “The Democrats would love Herman Cain as the Republican Presidential candidate, but it’s not going to happen.”
If I were Cain’s PR strategist I would have prepped him differently for his press conference. His message needed to be, “I don’t know these women except in a strictly business setting, these charges are baseless, ask the association about settlements because I was no way involved in any of this. End of story.” The hitch is that I’m not sure that’s the truth. It’s one thing to say, “I used drugs as a kid,” as Obama did and another to fess up to groping a former colleague… and another… and another.
Cain did say that there might be more women coming forward. That sounds like someone who knows what they’ve been up to. It doesn’t sound like things were all that kosher at the restaurant association. If things get too hot, it’s time for Cain to get out of the kitchen.