David Gergen: Cain Must Give Straight Answers, And Fast [But Clinton Hasn't Answered Yet!]

CNN ^ | November 02, 2011

[Steelfish]

Cain must give straight answers, and fast David Gergen, CNN November 2, 2011

(CNN) -- Herman Cain may very well bounce back and remain a popular contender for the GOP presidential nomination, but the normal rules of politics would say that he has about 48 hours to get his campaign under control.

As he struggles with the allegations swirling around him, it is worth remembering that so far, there is no hard evidence that he has done anything wrong. It is also worth recalling that in sexual harassment cases, perceptions of men and women can differ and lines can be blurry. That was especially true in the 1990s when the alleged events took place. He deserves the benefit of the doubt until we know more.

His fortunes have been bolstered as well by the way conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter have rushed to his defense. Limbaugh has sparked a familiar cry among tea partiers about "liberal media witch hunts." On Wednesday, Politico -- the news organization that broke the story -- reported that voters in Iowa aren't paying much attention: Cain still rides high there.

But no one, least of all the Cain forces, should believe he is getting this behind him. Far from it. The explosive way that a Washington lawyer has jumped into the middle of this episode, as he did Tuesday night when he called in to Anderson Cooper's CNN show, is throwing fat into the fire.

Joel P. Bennett, asserting he represents a woman who he says complained about Cain harassing her at the National Restaurant Association, told Cooper that his client wants to get her side of the story out. She is offended by Cain's proclamations that he was falsely accused and thinks he is lying.

[justsaynomore]

He’s answered. It’s time to move on.

[kevao]

She is offended by Cain's proclamations that he was falsely accused and thinks he is lying.

One of Cain's accusers *thinks* he is lying. Does anyone else find this statement bizarre?

[TwoSwords]

The media has to answer for their perfidy. The time may be coming.

[Fledermaus]

David Gergen is still alive? Wow.

[Hunton Peck]

Davids Gergen and Brooks should have a pillow fight to decide once and for all which is the RINOest of Them All.

[VRWC For Truth]

They're terrified of Soetoro without a teleprompter. Cain will be beating Barry like a baby seal.

[Carl from Marietta]

His name is David “rodham” Gergan, let’s not forget it.

[Lazlo in PA]

Is there anything in David Rodham Gergen's past that would indicate he is nothing more than a liberal Rat? Any observations he has on anything concerning the right should hold as much weight as Lanny Davis or Bob Beckel's blathering.

[Political Junkie Too]

On Wednesday, Politico -- the news organization that broke the story -- reported that voters in Iowa aren't paying much attention

Oh, they're paying attention. They're just not giving it much credence.

-PJ

[Razz Barry]

What is sexual harassment? IMHO, it's where a guy is short, fat, bald, has bad breath, and/or has no money. Really. If you've ever been forced to watch one of those videos on sexual harassment, that's what you'll learn. It's all about how the woman is "made" to feel. If she is "offended" by what you say or do. I have seen women allow male coworkers, the good looking executives, to grab their behinds and they would simply laugh. Then they'd complain about how Joe six-pack looks at them.
You know, Cain may have started this himself to snare the Clinton soccer mom vote.

[fightinJAG]

Yes.

[El Cid]

I just glanced at the headline and saw the words Gergen and Fast and thought that the faux moderate Gergen was demanding Obama to provide answers for the Fast and Furious debacle... But of course I was wrong. The Media could care less about this grievous wrong doing by a Democrat Administration... But regarding anonymous and vague accusations of something that didn't include physical contact ... but perhaps included unsavory words or gestures ... Or perhaps nothing at all -- Now this MUST be answered immediately...

How I despise these Media slime. Ignoring crimes that resulted in murders -- but round the clock salivating over third hand insinuations.

[Talisker]

...the normal rules of politics would say that he has about 48 hours to get his campaign under control.

LOL, this while we're still waiting for a straight answer about Hillary's cattle futures. Just shut up, Gergen, and crawl back into your hole.

[byteback]

Gergen hasn’t said anything worthwhile in decades. At least guys like Steponallofus are still in touch with current politics even if I don’t agree. Gergan is about as current as Colin Powell.

[goat granny]

David Rodham Gergen as Rush calls him. That man doesn’t possess any testerone, or if he does, it’s well hidden..

[sheik yerbouty]

David Rodham Gergen?

[Lionheartusa1]

David ,,,, you want some straight answers ,,,,, ask about these current issues;

Fast and Furious
Solyndra
0bama’s Social Security Card
1,800 bamstercare waivers
Fannie and Freddie and the Dims in charge
The Flag currently flying over the capitol of Lybia
,,,,, and on and on

[Shethink13]

One of Cain's accusers *thinks* he is lying. Does anyone else find this statement bizarre?

Yep. It's the first thing that struck me when I read it. If she knows what happened then how come she only "thinks" he's lying. And what is he lying about?

[kevao]

Basically it’s: “Mr. Cain claims my accusations against him are untrue. I think he’s lying.”

The other GOP candidates had better start rallying behind Herman Cain now, and rejecting this kind of outrageous BS, or they’ll be the next ones to get sucked into this surrealistic bizarro world.