Politics
Herman Cain’s poll number take a hit
At least three women have accused Cain of sexual harassment from his time as the restaurant industry’s top lobbyist. Cain has given conflicting accounts of the cases since the news broke a week ago by news website Politico. He insists the claims were baseless and that he was wrongfully accused.
But a woman who received a cash settlement from the restaurant association in response to her harassment claim rejected Cain’s denials on Friday. She said through her lawyer that she was the victim of a “series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances” by Cain in 1999.
The allegations have received wide attention. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found more than 80 percent of respondents have heard of them. Republicans are the most aware, at 88 percent, while independents the least aware, at 64 percent.
Opponents Speak Out
One of Cain’s Republican presidential adversaries on Sunday called for more information on the allegations.
“It has got to come out in total,” Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “Legitimate questions have been raised and that information has to come forward.”
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said on “Fox News Sunday” that the media went too far in covering the allegations, distracting voters from more important issues.
“The media blew this way out of proportion,” Paul said. “There are a thousand stories out there and I think that dilutes the real debates, because (Cain’s) views on foreign policy for instance are dramatically different than mine.”
