Cain: Wife didn't know about friendship, ‘financial assistance' to Ginger White

Union-Leader ^ | 12-1-2011 | John DiStaso

[smoothsailing]

Cain: Wife didn't know about friendship, ‘financial assistance' to Ginger White

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is questioned by New Hampshire Union Leader publisher Joe McQuaid in Manchester Thursday. David Lane

MANCHESTER - In his most candid interview since the latest allegations emerged, Herman Cain adamantly maintains that he and Ginger White were no more than friends. He told the New Hampshire Union Leader that in about 70 text messages she sent him between Oct. 22 and Nov. 18, she was "asking for financial assistance. She was out of work and had trouble paying her bills and I had known her as a friend."
By JOHN DiSTASO
Senior Political Reporter
MANCHESTER - Herman Cain acknowledged Thursday that he repeatedly gave Ginger White money to help her with "month-to-month bills and expenses" without telling his wife.

In fact, the embattled presidential candidate said, his wife, Gloria, "did not know that we were friends until she (White) came out with this story."

In his most candid interview since the latest allegations emerged, Cain adamantly maintained that he and White were no more than friends.

He told the New Hampshire Union Leader that in about 70 text messages she sent him between Oct. 22 and Nov. 18, she was "asking for financial assistance. She was out of work and had trouble paying her bills and I had known her as a friend.

"She wasn't the only friend who I had helped in these tough economic times, and so her messages to me were relating to ‘need money for rent' or whatever the case may be. I don't remember all the specifics."

Cain said White, who has alleged that she and Cain had a 13-year extramarital affair, told him that she did not have a job and was unable to get financial help from her family, "and that quite frankly, I was the only person who was a friend at the time - and I underscore ‘friend' - that was in a position to help her.


"I'm a soft-hearted person when it comes to that stuff. I have helped members of my church. I have helped members of my family.


"And I know a lot of other people who had done the same thing, and sometimes, quite frankly, it was desperation," Cain said.


Cain said that in 17 reported text messages back to her, he would respond with messages such as, "What are you doing to get a job?"


Cain said he did give Ginger White money, although he would not say how much on the advice of counsel.


And, he acknowledged, "My wife did not know about it, and that was the revelation. My wife found out about it when she went public with it.


"My wife now knows," Cain said. "My wife and I have talked about it and I have explained it to her. My wife understands that I'm a soft-hearted giving person."


He said his wife "is comfortable with the explanation that I told her."


He said he told his wife about White only after White went public.


Cain said that in retrospect he should have told his wife about his friendship with White, "but retrospect doesn't necessarily change what's going on now."


He also said his wife "did not know we were friends until she (White) came out with this story."


He said White did not threaten to go public with the allegation of an affair if Cain did not give her money, "nor was there any indication that there might be blackmail or anything like that.


"I thought I was helping a friend, end of story," he said.


Cain said the two "struck up a friendship" many years ago when she attended a conference in Louisville, Ky., where he was the keynote speaker.


Cain said he does not know why White has gone public with the allegation.


"But I have very strong speculation that someone offered her a lot of money," Cain said. "I was helping her with month-to-month bills and expenses and somebody _ this is speculation only _ offered her a lot of money.


"And one of my objectives is to clear my name and my reputation," Cain said.


(This story will be updated throughout the evening.)

[07Jack]

I agree Mick. I guess I'm another old school guy too. Alot of folks are being awfully pretentious here in their judgments.

[GlockThe Vote]

At this point i would not be surprised if a porn film surfaces with Herm in it.

[Persevero]

“I was putting fuel in my truck the other day and some young lady came up and said she had run out of gas and need some fuel, I gave her a few bucks, but we did not have sex on the fuel island. Guess I must be some sort of pervert.”

Not a good analogy. She remained a stranger to you, there wasn’t ongoing communication, it was done in public, it was a one time thing.

[Ozymandias Ghost]

“Brace yourself for the incoming flood of apologies and “gee, maybe you were right” notes.”

First of all, my apologies to any and all who may have thought I questioned their veracity or integrity.

I was one who argued forcefully on Herman’s behalf on this and other matters of contention. Until this article, I had seen nothing verifiable that indicated whether Mr Cain’s wife knew or not. In fact there were statements attributed to Cain’s campaign staff posted on FR which indicated his wife and family did know. It is my nature to believe in the honor of a candidate I back unless something proves that this is not the case. Having said that I must admit I am disappointed in Mr Cain and will have to reconsider my support for him.

[Responsibility2nd]

Brace yourself for the incoming flood of apologies and “gee, maybe you were right” notes.

 

 

[tjd1454]

And sometimes I told my wife and sometimes I didn’t....for no other reason that I forgot about it. it isn’t what our life was about. And sometimes the person in question would call my home and then I would have to talk about it...until she would just tell me to stop being such a soft touch...even if it was a younger woman.....end of story. But then my wife is a grown up, like Cain’s wife, from a different generation, I guess.

If you imagine that for a wife, being "grown up" means not expecting your husband to be accountable for his actions, you are sorely mistaken. Quite the contrary: having an "adult" and "mature" marriage relationship means that both spouses are accountable to each other - and are able to trust each other because they are "transparent" with each other.

The fact that you have not been "transparent" with your wife regarding giving money to "younger women" is certainly nothing to boast about, and may have hurt her more than you realize.

it isn't what our life was about...

I suspect the truth is that it isn't what YOUR life was about. Though you offer it as some kind of justification for Cain's actions (as well as your own), the truth is that we cause hurt and disappointment if we do not "honor" our spouse by being "transparent" in all that we do.

[Flame away - but what would be really interesting would be for you to run what I've said by your wife and include her response in your reply]

[TBall]

No he died many years before the text, but he was from Memphis.

[Sequoyah101]

You said, “Busted. I don’t care how “innocent” the situation is. If your wife ain’t in the loop on something like this....”

Let me finish that thought for you, you know she wouldn’t like it or approve and you have reason for her not to know about it because you may just be expecting something other than thank you and want to keep that option open on the side.

Bad news for Herman, good news for us to find out sooner than later.

And he never considered this a problem lurking in the wings?

Life is tough, it is tougher when you are stupid.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Changing your support for Mr Cain was never our intent. Looking at the reality of who and what Cain was from the start is what seemed to escape so many who support him so blindly. And they sent him money. Lots of it, based on not much at all. Really!.......Not much at all, from the start.

[GlockThe Vote]

I just am thankful this is all coming out now rather than later.

Another electoral disaster averted. Herman Cain is a real idiot to have run knowing this was all out there and not telling his wife beforehand.

[07Jack]

LOL..Good one there.
I’m a Cain supporter but I have to admit that made me laugh.

[GlockThe Vote]

I am A B O I like Cain, but these things are a disaster in our quest to defeat obama.

[tjd1454]

“I was putting fuel in my truck the other day and some young lady came up and said she had run out of gas and need some fuel, I gave her a few bucks, but we did not have sex on the fuel island. Guess I must be some sort of pervert.”

Not a good analogy. She remained a stranger to you, there wasn’t ongoing communication, it was done in public, it was a one time thing.

Excellent rejoinder. I am frankly amazed to see how people can refuse to admit the obvious in their determination to make light of indiscrete behavior.

[Esther Ruth]

No scary movies either, not during the Christmas season.

[Free Vulcan]

“At best he’s a moron”

Yep. So far it looks to be the whole ‘13-year affair’ thing is falling by the wayside, as Ms. White can’t seem to verify any of that stuff. Seems like the typical pattern of all the other ladies - make outrageous claims to get the headline and no following proof.

What she only seems to have is phone records from this fall, unless I’m confused about the timeline, that mostly looks like she was initiating and he responding. It makes this really smell like a setup.

Point is he fell for it. Didn’t tell his wife. Cavalier in the middle of a Presidential campaign where he is the frontrunner. Not thinking of the consequences of his actions.

That’s as bothersome as if he actually did something, which I’m not sure he did. I truly don’t get it.

[Responsibility2nd]

You finished my thought perfectly.

Now. If this was a one time gift - no problem. But if this acquaintance developed into a friendship and more money was given over 13 years...

That is a problem. As the whole world now sees.

[TBall]

If Cain was squeaky clean he would not be able to get past the machine. I hate the media.

[jdub]

I disagree. Cain is a very wealthy man. If I was giving an amount that would put a dent in our checking account (like help with rent), I’d have to explain myself. But peeling off a couple of bills off a roll of 100’s isnt much of a big deal to a millionaire. If I was a rich person I’d love to be able to give very large tips to service people and such, so long as it didn’t have a real effect on my finances.

[Joe Boucher]

Burnt toast

[HarleyLady27]

I agree...you can tell that all these ‘women’ who have come forward on this type of slime, is what it is....PHONY!!!!!

I believe in Herman Cain, I hope he doesn’t quit....Billy Boy Clinton did FARRRRRR worse!!!