It was an "Agreement" Not a "Settlement"
Herman Cain gave another interview Tuesday to address the rise of accusations related to alleged sexual harassment claims made while he served as head of the National Restaurant Association. In an appearance on CNN, the businessman and candidate for the Republican nomination also addressed rumblings that he “changed his story” as the story grew legs between Sunday morning and Monday night. Here’s the clip. I’ll leave to your good judgment whether he’s telling the truth, holding back, or covering his tail in the aftermath.
A few things I thought were interesting here before we get to my thoughts on the interview/statements generally.
I thought the most obvious question that needed to be asked came right at the opening. Did it come out of nowhere for you? Cain’s response was one most would expect and certainly not one I can fault him for. He said they (and I’m paraphrasing slightly) We had it for ten days. We made a conscious decision. With my signoff. I’m not going to start chasing two anonymous accusations. Fair enough. I wouldn’t chase “anonymous” accusations either. However, I would spend every waking moment for the next ten days getting all the facts together from every single accusation of any kind that was ever made against me regarding my professional conduct.
Cain also points out that it was twelve years ago and that it was anything but fresh on his mind. Fair enough. But he does say he “told his wife” because it was found to be baseless. Anyone else want to venture to guess whether or not she remembered the accusations once the story caught the political news world by storm? I’m not Herman Cain, and I’m not going to try to get in his head or even walk in his shoes; but I am a dude, and I know how any woman who’s ever been in my life would have reacted. She would have made damn sure that I remembered – every single detail of what I told her. I’m not saying… I’m just saying. Let’s be real here folks.
Regarding his “story changing” as reports of the claims evolved and came to light Sunday-Monday, Cain decided to go in a direction I certainly would not have advised him to choose – as a friend, an attorney, a political adviser, or otherwise. He says he did not change his story. He simply viewed the “settlement” as an “agreement.” If you buy that, comments that he had no knowledge of a “settlement” would be accurate. His knowledge of a sexual harassment claim was limited to remembering an agreement reached between two parties to resolve a dispute arising from a sexual harassment claim. I don’t know about you, but I call that a settlement.
Anyone want to check the definition of a settlement? Merriam Webster’s got six, but I’ll spare you the time and throw you one.
“an agreement composing differences”
Soooome biscuits!!!
I know “settlement” is a term of art used by attorneys – and Herman Cain is not an attorney – but really folks? If “settlement” is not seen as a synonym for “agreement” by this guy, I’m not sure I’m all that comfortable believing anything that comes from his mouth. Talk about playing politician with some not-so-clever linguistic maneuvering. I thought this guy was the anti-politician candidate, no?
Like I’ve already stated, I could really care less about a sexual harassment claim from the 90′s. If there are half a dozen of these things, I might begin to get a little worried. But at the end of the day, without more facts of the actual settlement(s) it’s purely speculation at this point – one case or twenty.
What I do care about is the fact that what Herman Cain brought to this race was something different, something refreshing, something I was beginning to buy into because it was a very welcomed departure from the norm in GOP politics. He represented a new face and new ideas. He was pitching conservatism and Republican principles in a positive and upbeat fashion that has been missing in recent years from most campaigns. I fear much of that will now be lost because of this – right or wrong.
For what it’s worth, I’m not one to write off a candidate because a story like this emerges. I judge every candidate as a man (or woman) and understand that he/she is not going to come without a past; without flaws; without baggage. I would not feel so comfortable living in a glass house. They are human, period.
That said, I do not like, appreciate, or respect being lied to. I wouldn’t go so far as to say Herman Cain has “lied” up to this point regarding this story, but he’s dancing a rather fine line and looks to be on the verge of falling on the wrong side of it. Settlement versus Agreement – spare me. You’re an educated man Mr. Cain. You’re not that stupid; and I didn’t think you were that arrogant either – to assume the American People would buy that distinction.
I’m fairly certain that as more facts are revealed here, many will begin to draw conclusions about Herman Cain; his past; and his candidacy. I will reserve judgment on each, for now. But the one thing I am absolutely certain about at this point is this… Herman Cain can no longer claim the title of the non-politician politician. He has demonstrated over the course of less than 72 hours that he is every bit as much a “politician” as the rest of them.
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