I have previously raised concern over the treatment of Herman Cain by the media and Democratic activists because of his race. While I have strong disagreements with Cain, I find it discomforting to see how his race is such a preoccupation with Democrats. This weekend, I was taken aback by the statement of Democratic strategist and MSNBC analyst Karen Finney that Cain is “a black man who knows his place.”
Here is the full statement in context:
“One of the things about Herman Cain is, I think that he makes that white Republican base of the party feel okay, feel like they are not racist because they can like this guy,” Finney said. “I think he giving that base a free pass. And I think they like him because they think he’s a black man who knows his place. I know that’s harsh, but that’s how it sure seems to me.”
What is equally remarkable is Martin Bashir’s response: “Thank you for spelling that out.”
There is of course another possibility: Republicans supporting Cain might not be racist . . . anymore than Democrats who supported Obama. Republicans have previously had African Americans run for President. Alan Keys comes to mind. Like Russ Perot, Cain is billing himself as an outsider from the business world. I have criticized him in columns, but I do not see why he should be faced with constant questions over whether he is genuine or merely some put-up black guy for racist Republicans. Yet, there have been a steady chorus of such attacks directed at Cain.
Finney is described as “having more than 20 years in national politics includes four presidential campaigns, the Clinton White House, a New York Senate race, and first African American spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.” No one would tolerate Republican attacks that she is a woman or African American valued by MSNBC for “knowing her place.” Yet, these attacks have gone on without little objection from Democrats. Indeed, MSNBC host Al Sharpton has questioned whether Cain is an “authentic black man”.
Cain for his part has called some of these attacks “racist.” Of course, not to be undone in the racist rhetoric, Russ Limbaugh has insisted that Herman Cain more “authentically black” than Obama.
What do you think?
Mespo:
The “stench” you smell is truth, as a liberal it would tend to make you nauseous.
I would guess there are probably a few legal reasons why the information remains private.
Clinton really raised the bar on sexual escapades involving public figures. Cain asking a woman to his apartment for a game of hide the salami doesnt even come close. And even if he told one of the other ones she had a nice behind, so what? Maybe she does, and we all know how women dress to hide certain prominent anatomical structures so that men will not notice.
She should have told him he had a small package and wasnt interested.
But if he did do what is alleged, so what? He didnt get an oral favor from an intern in the White House.
Bron:
“I would like to see the entire body of evidence before I come to a conclusion.”
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That Cain and his former employer won’t let us tells — even yells —all I need to know.
Air’s fine, by the way, once you get used to that conservative stink rising up here.
Mespo:
I would like to see the entire body of evidence before I come to a conclusion.
And one must remember that Bill Clinton, Jack Kennedy and Martin Luther King were not saints but they were very effective leaders.
Did Cain ever have sex with interns or use the secret service to hide his dalliances?
How is the air up there in Heaven Mr. Holier than tho?
Devil with the blue dress on, indeed.
jeff:
“Accusations of sexual harassment mean nothing.”
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How’s about three of them with paid settlements and with the proclivity for such behavior confirmed by two other people — one a conservative radio host and the other a Republican political consultant. If these were auto accident claims he’d be in the assigned risk pool. No trial on each even necessary.
And it’s true that some people — very few actually — assert comments on clothing or hair style cold constitute harrassing behavior, but so is inviting a subordinate up to your private corporate apartment amid a barrage of sexual innuendo. And that’s just the tip of what’s being reported.
How’s the dirt down there in that hole Mr. Ostrich.
eniobob:
I read it and dont know what it means, I think I know but why dont you explain it to me. I wouldnt want to put words in your mouth.
Bron:
“what does that mean?”
If you read what I posted,you would’t have to ask.
eniobob:
“IMHO I think these two women may not be women of color,I have know inside knowledge,but if true I want to see how this whole conversation will change with a lot of Cain supporters.”
what does that mean? You mean the typical bigoted idea of the black man raping the white woman?
So what if they are white or black, I would like to hear what they have to say. Apparently there arent any other allegations from Cain’s past. Usually where there is smoke there is fire.
I am betting these 2 women got pissed off at him because he called them honey or patted them on the head and didnt take them seriously. They have degrees from Ivy League schools after all.
Accusations of sexual harassment mean nothing.
Not only are “accusations” meaningless, but the definition of sexual harassment has radically changed. In the beginning it was actual horrific actions such as making the female’s employment, hours, etc dependent on having sex.
Now sexual harassment includes telling a woman she looks nice, noticing her new dress, hairstyle, etc. Not only can telling a woman an off-color joke be considered sexual harassment but simply telling a joke where the woman over hears it is sexual harassment.
And along the lines of accusations being just that. We should remember that Clinton was accused not only of numerous sexual harassment claims but even of rape.
Being awarded a monetary amount for filing a sexual harassment claim means nothing. After all we all know that many lawsuits are just paid because the amount to shut the accuser up is sometimes cheaper than a lawsuit even if you’re innocent.
I think I’ve posted here long enough for those who know will know that I am just making an observation on this and won’t go crazy.
IMHO I think these two women may not be women of color,I have know inside knowledge,but if true I want to see how this whole conversation will change with a lot of Cain supporters.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67411.html Cain beats Romney in a head to head match-up.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/10/the-fringe-frontrunner.html
“In your heart of hearts, do you really, really think that his party faithful would vote for a darkie?”
I find myself wondering if some people vote for Cain to vent their frustration with Perry or Romney, knowing that Cain won’t be the real candidate.
While I was in college, an incredibly homely girl from my high school, who probably had an IQ of 170, got nominated for homecoming queen. A fraternity bought into it and spread posters all over. Other fraternities and sororities put up posters supporting the usual blonde cheerleaders. The girl, herself, mounted no campaign and made no remarks. She was overwhelmingly picked and accepted the “honor” with grace and dignity that shamed all the people who admitted voting for her as a joke on the real contestants.
Bron,
“I rest my case.”
I’ll have to remember that.
Do you feel the same way about ditzy blondes who were educated at Stanford?
😉
Gene,
Unintentional, but funny! I sometimes screw up the touch screen keyboard.
raff,
I know it’s just a typo, but “suck a great trak record” made me snort my Sprite. 😀
Who wouldn’t believe someone like Ann Coulter who has suck a great trak record of being correct?
“Paul, whose own campaign was marked by allegations he mistreated a woman years ago, says the media shouldn’t be reporting stories like the one that’s put Cain in all the hot water he’s in this week.”
He’s joking of course?
““That’s why our blacks are so much better than their blacks,” Coulter said. “To become a black Republican you don’t just roll into it. You’re not going with the flow. You have fought against probably your family members, probably your neighbors, you have thought everything out and that’s why we have very impressive blacks in our party.”
That’s the prescription ?Now I got it.
Elaine:
I rest my case.
Otteray Scribe:
how many people in the south like moonshine and NASCAR? Come on be truthful.
I have worked all over the country in various capacities but mostly as a blue collar guy when I was younger. So no I have not led a sheltered gated lifestyle.
I am not much into nascar but moonshine and Levy Garret? Now you are talking.
I am well aware of the souths contribution to American culture. I am merely saying you can make generalizations about people, objects, animals, etc. which are not necessarily right for the particular individual but may hold up across a broad spectrum.
Bron,
Ann Coulter is an Ivy-League educated woman.
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Ann Coulter: ‘Our Blacks Are So Much Better Than Their Blacks’
TPMMuckraker
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/ann_coulter_our_blacks_are_so_much_better_than_the.php?ref=fpb
Excerpt:
If you were waiting for Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity to weigh in on the Herman Cain sexual harassment allegations — and what they mean for racism, sexual harassment and America — you’re in luck.
Appearing on Hannity’s show Monday night, Coulter agreed that the Cain story is a “high-tech lynching,” adding that “it’s coming from the exact same people who used to do the lynching with ropes, now they do it with a word processor.”
She continued that liberals are “too dense” to see the “many wonderful qualities” about Herman Cain, because “all they see is a conservative black man.”
“That’s why our blacks are so much better than their blacks,” Coulter said. “To become a black Republican you don’t just roll into it. You’re not going with the flow. You have fought against probably your family members, probably your neighbors, you have thought everything out and that’s why we have very impressive blacks in our party.”