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Posted on 11/03/2011 1:08:28 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
DES MOINES -- Recent reports here in Iowa suggest that Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is having little trouble weathering accusations of sexual harassment dating from his time as head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s. On Monday, the Des Moines Register published an article, "Iowans appear ready to give Cain benefit of the doubt on sexual harassment allegations," in which the paper got in touch with participants who supported Cain in a recent poll. "None said the allegations had moved them to reject Cain as a potential pick," the paper reported. Other news organizations, following the Register's lead, also suggested that Cain's problems are not hurting him in Iowa.
There's a good chance those assessments are wrong, or at least seriously premature. Talks with voters here in Iowa suggest two things. The first is that the still-sketchy details of the Cain controversy have not fully sunk in with people who are not following events in Washington moment-to-moment. And two, some voters' continued approval of Cain is based on the condition that there be no more damaging revelations in the case and, indeed, that nothing else go wrong with his candidacy -- a tough condition for Cain to meet, if the experience of the last week is any guide.
When asked whether she still supported Cain in spite of all the controversy about the harassment allegations, one woman in Fairfield, Iowa answered with two words: "For now." If anything else comes out about Cain, she said, she'll reassess her position. Other voters also suggested they would re-examine their support if more damaging details emerged. But they also said they are not following the case at every moment of the day and have not kept up with the most recent developments. Coming from another perspective, an Iowa man who started the day supporting Cain and declaring that "whoever is going to be running against Obama is going to be crucified," later on Wednesday said he was reconsidering his support of Cain.
"The story is unfolding, and I think it would be premature for anybody to put a period after this one," says one well-connected Iowa evangelical activist. "What Herman has to be concerned about is the evolving nature of his comments, meaning he's gaining a bit of a track record. Negotiating for terrorists, abortion, and now, did you know about this settlement? If this story continues to grow, the last thing Herman Cain wants is for caucus-goers to go to the caucus on January 3 with more questions than answers about his ability to be president."
"He needs to get to Iowa, and he needs to get to Iowa quick," says another well-connected insider. "People need to vet the candidate and kick the tires and see him in person, and that need has only been heightened by these allegations."
All that suggests the Des Moines Register re-survey of its poll respondents, done less than a day after the Cain story broke, was simply too early to give any definitive picture of Iowa GOP voters' reaction to the matter. That's also true for assessments right now, given the speed with which the Cain story is changing. Even with a well-informed electorate, things take a little time to sink in, and the Cain controversy is just now starting to sink in.
Another factor in Cain's standing here in Iowa is the gap in his support between men and women. "Cain already has a gender gap among likely Republican caucusgoers in Iowa," writes Des Moines register columnist Kathie Obradovich. "Women prefer Mitt Romney over Cain, 27 percent to 17 percent, according to the Register’s Iowa Poll, released Saturday. Cain’s handling of these allegations, which leaves the door open for a steady drip of negative revelations, won't help him win over female caucusgoers."
One striking feature of the Cain campaign has been Cain's ability to weather gaffes with little damage to his popularity. To some observers, Cain has seemed to defy the political law of gravity. But now, with Cain leading in many polls and at the same time he has been struggling to address the harassment allegations, that ability is being put to its toughest test. Talks here in Iowa suggest that he has already used up some of the good will Iowans naturally extend to candidates. For some of those voters inclined to support Cain, the feeling is: I still like him, but there better not be anything more.
Already donated to the IowaFund!!!
“He needs to get to Iowa, and he needs to get to Iowa quick,” says another well-connected insider.”
That cant be bother to be named.
“All that suggests the Des Moines Register re-survey of its poll respondents, done less than a day after the Cain story broke, was simply too early to give any definitive picture of Iowa GOP voters’ reaction to the matter. That’s also true for assessments right now, given the speed with which the Cain story is changing. Even with a well-informed electorate, things take a little time to sink in, and the Cain controversy is just now starting to sink in.”
We are trying to demagogue as best as we can, keep taking polls until we get the one we like!
Nice try York! Man don’t York don’t you EVER get tired of being Karl Rove’s kneepad boy?
Read the article. NO evidence to support the claims in the article but all the “unnamed insider sources” tell York Cain has to get to Iowa quick.
I think they want Cain in Iowa because he been kicking the GOPbot Establishment in DC butt all week. The fund raising and national polling data shows the GOPbots are losing the game here. They know they are getting their asses handed him and want Cain gone to Iowa
Rove said he was finished two weeks ago. This guy is saying he might be finnished this week.
Let’s see what next week brings because each time he has just kept climbing.
I trust Cain and do not believe he acted lewdly or improperly towards these women. I am satisfied with his explanations to date, and the support of those who have known him well.
So far the attempted campaign to make this something more than a smear is failing and Cain is increasing his poll numbers and his war chest.
I believe he will continue to do so and support him. I pray he can move on from this and that there is nothing truly untoward about it other than the MSM, te DNC, and other candidates trying to bring him down with old, already addressed news.
We need an individual like Herman Cain to take on and defeat Obama and then come in on the heals of a new GOP/Conservative dominated House and Senate and begin to roll back the progressives and their policies and restore America.
They don’t speak for me.
I am an American first.
Conservative second.
Romney makes me ill.
If Cain did not know this was going to be used against him he does not understand the nature of the Treason Media. That will make it very difficult to win the nomination.
Clinton always polled well with women too. Romney is slick
Clinton polled women? Who’d a thunk!
“For some of those voters inclined to support Cain, the feeling is: I still like him, but there better not be anything more.”
“More” WILL come, what will matter is how Cain handles the continued incoming.
Cain needs to remember that it’s much more difficult to kill a moving target.... He needs to focus on his message and not look back.
You gotta be kidding me.
Someone on Facebook just now likened it to Cain being like Road Runner, and the liberal media being Wile E. Coyote
He is trying - he had a healthcare (repeal Obamacare) meeting with doctors yesterday, called on Holder’s resignation today, he met with Senate GOP last night, he’s meeting with Kissinger today, and has been deflecting the questions at every point.
It’s not the Hawkeye State.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Iowa Money Bomb for Cain works. I contributed this afternoon for the third time: hit submit twice by mistake. Oh well. I hope he takes in a million dollars! If everyone does what I did, then it’ll be two million. :-)
We need to remember that we are the exception(intelligent Freepers that we are) and how many people are not aware of this smear attempt. Some of my family/friends are just now finding out who Cain is. And then there are the drones who never will.
See my tagline!
Good.
Wow, he already took my advice. ;>)
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