Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

“This so-called story”: Herman Cain unloads on media in new statement (Watch Video)
Hotair ^ | 11/07/2011 | ALLAHPUNDIT

Posted on 11/07/2011 5:41:39 PM PST by SeekAndFind

Via Todd Starnes of Fox News, is it still a “so-called story” when you have a woman making accusations on TV under her own name? If The One were suddenly facing a bunch of similar claims from his community-organizing days, including one from a named accuser, I’m thinking … yeah, story.

When in trouble, trust in the magic formula to firm up support: Media-bashing + “outsider” authenticity (“I won’t play by the establishment’s rules”) + vagueness on the particulars.

Unfortunately, the media-driven process by which one must seek this opportunity is fundamentally unserious. I have touched on this before – the emphasis on “gaffes,” gotcha questions and time devoted to trivial nonsense – and everyone knows the process only became further detached from relevance this week as the media published anonymous, ancient, vague personal allegations against me.

Once this kind of nonsense starts, the media’s rules say you have to act in a certain way. I am well aware of these rules. And I refuse to play by them

Another reason I refuse to play by these rules is that, by doing it my way, I’m getting much better results. My fundraising has skyrocketed since all this nonsense began. Just this weekend, the Washington Post has come out with a new poll – taken since all this started – showing me in the lead nationally, with my numbers on the rise…

But the process by which we choose our presidents has become so warped that, when something like this happens, the media and political strategists start grading you on whether you play an absurd game by their absurd rules.

A few things. One: The reason there’s been an emphasis on “gaffes” in his case is because all too often the gaffes have to do with significant policy matters. Go watch the clip here again if you missed it earlier. Two: He says later that the witnesses to these alleged harassment incidents are all conspicuously anonymous. Not true, though. Chris Wilson put his name on the record. Three: He makes the point that he’s had thousands of professional conversations over the years, so some people were bound to be rubbed the wrong way. Right, but of course so have Romney and Perry and no one’s accused them of harassment, let alone four people.

Here’s Allred talking to Wolf Blitzer tonight about the charges. She says Bialek won’t accept money for this story and, more noteworthy, claims that she has sworn affidavits from two people who say Bialek told them about the alleged incident with Cain around the time that it happened in 1997. She won’t reveal their names — yet — but she did supposedly read the affidavits to reporters after today’s presser. Oh, and according to John Nolte of Big Hollywood, it turns out Bialek is indeed a registered Republican and that she did in fact attend “Teacon” in Chicago last month, as she claimed. Stay tuned.

I am a serious person, seeking the opportunity to do a serious and very important job. Our nation has very serious problems, particularly of an economic nature, and Barack Obama does not have the skill, knowledge or will to solve them.

I do.

Unfortunately, the media-driven process by which one must seek this opportunity is fundamentally unserious. I have touched on this before – the emphasis on “gaffes,” gotcha questions and time devoted to trivial nonsense – and everyone knows the process only became further detached from relevance this week as the media published anonymous, ancient, vague personal allegations against me.

Once this kind of nonsense starts, the media’s rules say you have to act in a certain way. I am well aware of these rules. And I refuse to play by them.

There are several reasons for this. One is that, lest anyone forget, we actually have serious matters to talk about. Since the media went bananas over this so-called story, my schedule has not changed in the slightest. I have continued to make all planned public appearances. I have continued to answer questions about my 9-9-9 tax reform plan. I have continued to do everything else that our strategy proscribes.

Another reason I refuse to play by these rules is that, by doing it my way, I’m getting much better results. My fundraising has skyrocketed since all this nonsense began. Just this weekend, the Washington Post has come out with a new poll – taken since all this started – showing me in the lead nationally, with my numbers on the rise.

The media may be obsessed with this business, but the voters are not. And I am not.

But there’s another crucially important reason I refuse to play by these rules: These rules stink. Can the process by which we pick the leader of our nation be any more absurd? I’m not talking about the primary process or the role of the electorate. There is nothing wrong with that. I am talking about the media’s trivializing of such an important matter.

Consider: I held various executive positions in corporate America for several decades. I had thousands of employees working for me. I can’t even begin to recall how many conversations I had with people during that time, how many directives I gave, how much friendly banter might have taken place.

I also had to make tough decisions during these years. I turned around a poorly performing region for Burger King, then turned around a struggling Godfather’s Pizza organization. At some point during a career like this, someone will not like things you do, or how you do it. Someone will complain.
That is just the nature of things if you’ve ever done much in your life.

So once the editors of Politico started looking for people who would make claims against me, their chances of finding a few takers were probably about 100 percent. These people will not give their names. The so-called “witnesses” who purportedly corroborated their stories also will not give their names. That’s about what you would expect when people are engaging in a “hatchet job,” as it’s been described by Joseph Fassler, who was chairman of the National Restaurant Association board when I was there.

It’s easy to make accusations when, by virtue of your anonymity, you don’t have to be held accountable for the claims you’re making. It’s easy to publish them when, like Politico, you don’t follow basic rules of journalism by naming your sources or giving any details whatsoever about what supposedly happened.

But the process by which we choose our presidents has become so warped that, when something like this happens, the media and political strategists start grading you on whether you play an absurd game by their absurd rules.

When someone stops you on the street and hits you with an accusation like this, they subsequently write a story about the look in your eyes, and how many seconds it took you to speak some words in response.

They go to “crisis management experts” who offer the usual sage wisdom about “getting all the information out” – as if you can get any “information” out (aside from telling them nothing happened, which they don’t want to hear) in response to allegations that are unsourced and nonspecific.

Then, when you haven’t “calmed the firestorm” – if only because the people wielding the blow-torches have no intention of putting them out – more experts are put on the air to say this proves you are “not ready for prime time.”

Maybe that would matter if I was trying out for the cast of Saturday Night Live. But this should be a slightly more serious undertaking than that.

Contrary to the belief of experts, so wise and learned in the ways of politics, I do know what the established rules say I am supposed to do. I simply refuse to do it. That’s because the rules are ridiculous, and they produce leaders like Barack Obama, who play the political game like experts but govern like complete incompetents.

The nation needs its tax structure reformed, its spending brought under control, its debt reduced and its overall governing structure made far more responsive to the needs of the people. The nation needs many other problems addressed. If it’s OK with the American people, I would like to address them.

If the media want to continue talking about nonsense, that’s fine. I’m not going to join them. It doesn’t look like the citizenry plans to join them either.

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cain; hermancain; sexualharassment; sharonbialek
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last

1 posted on 11/07/2011 5:41:43 PM PST by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Sounds a lot like the Paula Jones accusation—too close not to sound suspicious. Also, she says that she was in Cain’s office applying for a job. What job? Where’s the app? When does a CEO hire people? Doesn’t most hiring for a big company go on well below the CEO level? CEOs don’t have time to interview people for jobs, do they?


2 posted on 11/07/2011 5:47:36 PM PST by Beowulf9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

latex3337 minutes ago

“WORTH POSTING AGAIN:

For what it’s worth, Cook County records show three court cases involving Bialek — two debt collections cases in 2009 and 2007, and one child support/paternity-related case in 1999:2009-M1-158826Filing Date: 07/20/2009 Case Type: CONTRACT Call Type: CTDivision: MD District: 1 Room/Calendar:1401Ad Damnum:$3,539.58 Most Current Court Date:09/22/2011 Time: 0930Party InformationPlaintiff(s) Attorney(s)ILLINOS LENDING AXELROD DAVID J & ASSOC1448 OLD SKOKIE RD.HIGHLAND PA IL60035(847)579-9700Date of Service Defendant(s) Attorney(s)08/29/2010 BIALEK SHARON***2007-M1-189176Filing Date: 09/10/2007 Case Type: CONTRACT Call Type:Division: MD District: 1 Room/Calendar:Ad Damnum:$1,000.27 Most Current Court Date: Time:Party InformationPlaintiff(s) Attorney(s)MIDLAND FUNDING LL BLATT HASENMILLER F L125 S WACKER DR #400CHICAGO IL60606(312)704-9440***Filing Date: 10/22/1999 Case Type: PET TO ESTABLISH PARENTAGE (NON-IV-D)Division: Domestic Relations Division District: First MunicipalAd Damnum: $0.00 Calendar: 99Party InformationPlaintiff(s) Attorney(s)BIALEK SHARON RUCHIM MITCHELL B3000 DUNDEE RD#415NORTHBROOK IL, 60062(847) 272-2800Date of Service Defendant(s) Attorney(s)NAZE WEST”

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/fourth-woman-accuses-cain-of-sexual-harassment-20111107?mrefid=election2012

Axelrod.
Chicago.
0bama


3 posted on 11/07/2011 5:52:10 PM PST by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

So she goes to the CEO of a major corporation to get a job?

What are her qualifications? Does the CEO hire low-level staff personally? Or does she have an MBA?

The only position she seems qualified for is horizontal.


4 posted on 11/07/2011 5:52:10 PM PST by Mr. K (The enemy of my enemy is my candidate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beowulf9

Rove and the Beltway establishment will drag out as many storytellers as necessary to try to take down Cain.

Pretty soon, it will be really laughable.
And it’s amusing now.


5 posted on 11/07/2011 5:52:17 PM PST by tennmountainman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Beowulf9
Sounds a lot like the Paula Jones accusation—too close not to sound suspicious.

If you take the streetwalker at her word (a risky proposition), a guy who she called up and arranged to meet made a pass at her.

She was not then, nor was she ever, an employee of Herman Cain, so it can't possibly be sexual harassment.

Since she is not alleging that Cane did not take "no" for an answer, could you explain exactly what it is that Herman ALLEGEDLY did that was so terrible?

6 posted on 11/07/2011 5:53:02 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The enemy of my enemy is my candidate.<sup>®</sup>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The consensus on Bret Bair’s show (led by Krauthammer) seems to be: Now, maybe Cain will go away. Fox news makes me sick. Then, Shep comes on and headlines the Gloria Al-red charges and follows that up with accusation of Joe Paterno in the Penn State issue. Both are unsubstantiated, but it sounded like “the seriousness of the charge” crap again. Fox has joined the tabloid slimes trying to outdo MSNBC.


7 posted on 11/07/2011 5:53:54 PM PST by OrioleFan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: combat_boots

Looks like she is dire straits, in need of money. What better motive to come forward. She has nothing to lose, and money to gain.


8 posted on 11/07/2011 5:54:32 PM PST by tennmountainman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Beowulf9; SeekAndFind
This allegation is nothing more than that. While the media is saying this is the 4th woman to come forward they are because the other three are still nothing more than a rumor conceived at Politico.

But here's where the rubber meets the road. Even if it were true that Cain put his hand on her leg and made a crude sexual advance. He was rebuffed and that was that. On the other hand we have admitted use of marijuana and cocaine, possibly associated with some low level dealing to pay for the contraband, by our current President. This is felony stuff and it is no big deal as far as the media and the general public goes.

9 posted on 11/07/2011 5:55:34 PM PST by Baynative (The penalty for not participating in politics is you will be governed by your inferiors.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Cain is just trying to change the subject rather than dispute any specifics. That’s just not going to fly. He may keep trying that for awhile, but even conservative media isn’t going to let him get away with it for long.

Did he know this woman or not? Did he upgrade her suite or not? Did he go for drinks with her nor not? Did he do any of the things she alleges he did in the car with her or not? It really isn’t that hard to dispute these kinds of specifics. Most married men I know who are faithful to their wives would be outraged and out specifically denying this stuff and not just blaming the media.

Cain will have to do a lot better than this or he will be out of the race before the first primary vote is cast.


10 posted on 11/07/2011 5:56:23 PM PST by Longbow1969
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

quote “Contrary to the belief of experts, so wise and learned in the ways of politics, I do know what the established rules say I am supposed to do. I simply refuse to do it. That’s because the rules are ridiculous, and they produce leaders like Barack Obama, who play the political game like experts but govern like complete incompetents.”

WOOT GO CAIN !


11 posted on 11/07/2011 5:58:16 PM PST by TexasFreeper2009 (Cain 2012!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Anyone miss Sarah Palin yet? A lot of people here also wouldn’t support here back. That means we will be left with whitebread Romney, just as our Rovian masters wanted all along.


12 posted on 11/07/2011 5:58:16 PM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Longbow1969

he already responded (it occured during the press confrence) he basically said it was all bunk.

that’s good enough for me.


13 posted on 11/07/2011 6:00:47 PM PST by TexasFreeper2009 (Cain 2012!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I’m STILL waiting for EVIDENCE of Cain’s felony conviction. So far I haven’t heard nothing (i.e., no felony, and of course no evidence).

Once I’m convinced that Cain has been CONVICTED of a felony, I’ll consider another person. Until then, Cain keeps getting my vote and my money...since he’s CLEARLY no worse than people before him (many people).


14 posted on 11/07/2011 6:01:10 PM PST by BobL ( A vote for Newt is a vote for Romney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tennmountainman
Don't laugh too hard cause the bastard RATS and their abominable lies are making inroads. The ones laughing are the RATS, yeah, all the way to victory. They are destroying any potential threat to OJOKER and early on and unfortunately it's working! They are borking Cain and if Cain doesn't come out and defend himself and start hitting back severely, the demonic bastard RATS mediaWHORES are going to milk this til election day. Dear God help our candidates!
15 posted on 11/07/2011 6:01:30 PM PST by RoseofTexas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

She has a baby out of wedlock, currently shacking up with her ‘fiance’ and she’s some model of pure innocence we are to believe? Scrubbing her FB page is suspicious too. She’s an immoral bimbo gold digger looking for her meal ticket paid for by the liars in the media.


16 posted on 11/07/2011 6:01:50 PM PST by tflabo (Restore the Republic)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

attempted adultery (allegedly)


17 posted on 11/07/2011 6:03:47 PM PST by truthfreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Beowulf9

She said she was terminated from her NRA job and was appealing to Cain for another job or her old one back.

She also said she contacted Cain at the suggestion of her boyfriend. She says she met Cain a couple of times and she thought they had a good relationship.

If things had happened as she stated, when she got back to Chicago and talked with her boyfriend, why didn’t she mention the alleged act then? I would think if she wanted a job, she would have had Cain over a barrel and could have forced him to hire her over fear of her going to either the press or the NRA board.

Instead, according to Allred, she told her boyfriend Cain made an inappropriate gesture. I would bet she came on to Cain trying to trade something for something and he rebuffed her. I would also guess that since Cain is a gentleman, he wouldn’t say anything to destroy her.

If she was terminated from the NRA Foundation for not raising adequate funds and she worked there for only a year, there are probably other things that factored into her termination.

In the interview with her dad even he said she had a “big heart” in “SPITE OF HER PROBLEMS.” I wonder what her “problems” are?


18 posted on 11/07/2011 6:05:08 PM PST by offduty ("There are stupid people running this country" Herman Cain CPAC 2011)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
it turns out Bialek is indeed a registered Republican

Brrrrzzzzapppppppp!!

Illinois doesn't have party registration. You request the party ballot of your choosing at the primary election. You can change each time. There are no registered Republicans or Democrats or Greens in Illinois.
19 posted on 11/07/2011 6:05:17 PM PST by Dr. Sivana (It's fun to play with your vision, but don't ever play with your eyes.--1970s PSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: combat_boots

It’s not the Axelrod you think. Seriously, it’s a lawyer with the same name: http://michellemalkin.com/2011/11/07/no-david-axelrod-is-not-connected-to-sharon-bialek-plus-cook-county-court-records/


20 posted on 11/07/2011 6:05:37 PM PST by vladimir998
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-103 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson