When Herman Cain’s SUV pulled outside the American Enterprise Institute this morning, a school of reporters was waiting, and gave chase down the ramp of a parking garage. It was the beginning of what’s sure to be the most challenging day of Cain’s presidential campaign, following last night’s Politico story reporting that as CEO of the National Restaurant Association during the 1990s, he had to settle claims concerning “inappropriate behavior” with two female employees.
The AEI speech itself focused on his 9-9-9 tax reform plan, and the think tank prohibited attendees from asking about the Politico story during the question and answer session. When ABC’s Jon Karl asked him about it anyway, Cain hid behind this policy. Cain himself will appear on Fox att 11:15 am, and is scheduled to attend a 12:30 luncheon at the National Press Club. So he’ll be forced to address the story.
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Earlier this morning, chief of staff Mark Block, famous for smoking in a campaign ad, appeared on MSNBC. Video here.
“Herman Cain has never sexually anybody, period,” Block said. “End of story. The only people who spoke publicly about the story in that article are the ones who were in the best position to know. They were the chair, vice chair and immediate past chair of the National Restaurant Association during Herman Cain’s tenure. Yet all three said that he was a man of total integrity. Every negative word and accusation in the article is sourced to a series of unnamed or anonymous sources, and this is questionable at best. I am not personally aware of any cash settlement relating to sexual harassment charges to Mr. Cain.”
Host Chuck Todd pressed Block further, noting that “personally aware” leaves wiggle room. Block referred him to the National Restaurant Association.
Block said he asked Cain about the allegations, “and he said emphatically, when there is facts, bring them to me. Let me face my accusers, and we’ll deal with it then.”
Cain will soon have a chance to respond himself.
