Would Mr. Cain's chance for a successful defamation action be undermined by a statement denying the accusation, whether from Mr. Wood or from Mr. Cain? How long are Mr. Cain's supporters supposed to wait for a denial?
I want to think the best of Herman Cain. I would like to see him as our standard bearer in 2012, in fact. But the delay makes it look like he's trying to figure out whether he had an affair with this woman or not.
Not waiting for denial.
Waiting for PROOF.
Cain had some big things coming out today, the timing of this is way too suspect.
I'm really concerned about supposed conservatives failing to read the news carefully and just piling on with these accusations.
None of us know what really happened, but consider this possibility:
The Democrats know that accusations of sexual misconduct are irrelevant to their candidates, but will sink a Republican candidate.
Hence the slimy rumors about Sarah Palin, including that Trig wasn't her child, affair with black basketball player, etc. etc. It worked from their point of view - she's out.
Since it worked to knock her out of the race (in their minds), why wouldn't they try it again? There's no down side for them, because Clinton and Barney Frank and others have been given a complete pass. And because Democrats think in these terms and think that Republicans are sheet-wearing, cross-burning racists, a parade of white women claiming that a . . . gasp . . . black man took advantage of them is (in their minds) a very effective attack. In fact, the very luridness of the accusations sends up a red flag to me -- it all seems a little too theatrical.
One thing the accusers seem to have in common so far is a history of questionable conduct and financial problems. A promise of 15 minutes of fame and a possible book deal, or even "covering your expenses", might look pretty good to a person with no morals and no prospects, with the rent coming due. Contrast that with a man who apparently has had a good reputation up until now.
It fits the facts as we know them, and until we know differently I see no reason to let the news media and the Democrats choose our candidate for us.
There's also the absolute certainty that, whoever the eventual Republican nominee is, they will come after him with more of the same. Especially if it works with Cain.