Celebrity lawyer-shrew, Gloria Allred, told a joke today during a press conference wherein a fourth Herman Cain sexual harassment accuser (pictured) came forward. It wasn’t funny. It was rather skeevy. We all groaned and then moved on to the rest of the story. This didn’t reduce the skeeve factor. Yes, kids, there’s talk of “genitals” and old Hermie’s crotch. Ew.
HuffPost reports that Sharon Bialek recounted a meeting with Herman Cain in 1997 where the contender for the Republican presidential candidacy exhibited inappropriate behavior. Bialek says after contacting Cain for a job, the two arranged to meet at a hotel bar in Washington, DC. Bialek stated that Cain upgraded her room at the hotel to a palatial suite, and then led her to the National Restaurant Association Headquarters where some groping began.
“Instead of going into the offices, he suddenly reached over and put his hand on my leg, up my skirt, and towards my genitals.” She recalled that when she protested the advances, Cain said, “You want a job, right?”
Bialek alleged that Cain also “grabbed [her] head and brought it towards his crotch.”
Gloria Allred continued by saying “Mr. Cain instead decided to try to provide her with his idea of a stimulus package.” Oh, ha! Gloria, you’re one funny lady. We get it “stimulus” and “package.” Somebody get her a Comedy Central special.
Could this be the lethal shot to Cain’s armor? (Please, yes!) Could this testimony finally be enough for the candidate to lose his GOP backing? (Yes, please!) Or does this look more like an elaborate soap opera now spearheaded by one of the most over-the-top attorneys in the game? Many are saying the legitimacy of the claim is reduced dramatically by Allred’s involvement. Personally, I don’t know what to make of Bialek’s almost comical telling of this story. Not saying she’s lying, but well, she just doesn’t seem to be the most serious of complainants.
Here’s the Cain Campaign reaction:
“Just as the country finally begins to refocus on our crippling $15 trillion national debt and the unacceptably high unemployment rate, now activist celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred is bringing forth more false accusations against the character of Republican front-runner Herman Cain,” said the presidential hopeful’s campaign. “All allegations of harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false. Mr. Cain has never harassed anyone. Fortunately the American people will not allow Mr. Cain’s bold “999 Plan,” clear foreign policy vision and plans for energy independence to be overshadowed by these bogus attacks.”
Really? Are you so sure that the 999 pizza plan, Cain’s admitted lack of foreign policy experience and knowledge, and whatever else he hopes to throw at the wall to see if it sticks, will overshadow this whole pesky sexual harassment thing that just won’t die? I wouldn’t take that bet.
