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Harassment Charges: Conservatives rally around Cain
The sexual harassment allegations engulfing the candidacy of Republican Herman Cain dominated American politics Tuesday as prominent conservative voices rallied to his side, saying he was the victim of the same kind of “high-tech lynching” that roiled the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Cain has been pointing to his long record in business to argue that he has the credentials to be president during a time of economic hardship, a small government, anti-tax message that has struck a deep cord with conservatives.
Supporters were quick to liken Cain’s troubles to those of Thomas, another prominent black conservative, who also faced sexual harassment allegations during his explosive Senate confirmation hearing two decades ago.
The forceful early reaction to the Cain firestorm, fueled by racially charged rhetoric, suggests the Georgia businessman’s attempt to cast himself as a victim of the news media and liberals is, so far, paying dividends among his conservative Republican base who will hold considerable sway in selecting the party’s nominee.
But the accusations against Cain may give more moderate Republican voters pause and could cause would-be donors to shy away even as Cain works to capitalize on his rising poll numbers.
It’s not the first time Cain has had to explain himself since his quick climb in the polls. The political newcomer had a series of fumbles and has had to clarify comments on abortion, immigration and terrorism suspects.
Cain is again on the defensive after a report on the Politico website that said the National Restaurant Association gave financial settlements to at least two female employees who had accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour when he was its chairman.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper, meanwhile, reported that Cain allowed a tax-exempt charity to illegally provide money to help his presidential campaign get started. Cain’s chief of staff, Mark Block, says the campaign has asked a lawyer to review the transactions.
On Monday, the candidate declared he had been falsely accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s while he was head of the restaurant trade group. He said the allegations that are surfacing now are part of a “witch hunt.” He has, however, given varying responses to questions about whether there were financial settlements with the women who brought the complaints.
