Posted on 10/02/2003 5:44:45 AM PDT by foolscap
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Six women who met Arnold Schwarzenegger on movie sets and other places over the last three decades say he groped them, the Los Angeles Times said on Thursday. In interviews with the Times, three of the women described their surprise and discomfort when Schwarzenegger grabbed their breasts. A fourth said he reached under her skirt and gripped her buttocks.
A fifth woman said Schwarzenegger groped her and tried to remove her bathing suit in a hotel elevator, while a sixth said Schwarzenegger pulled her onto his lap and asked whether a certain sexual act had ever been performed on her.
Schwarzenegger is the leading Republican candidate in California's recall election for governor.
"Did he rape me? No," said one woman, who described a 1980 encounter in which she said Schwarzenegger touched her breast. "Did he humiliate me? You bet he did."
According to the newspaper, none of the women who discussed their encounters with the former body builder said they filed any legal action against him.
Schwarzenegger's campaign spokesman, Sean Walsh, said the candidate has not engaged in improper conduct toward women, and that such allegations are part of an escalating political attack on Schwarzenegger as the recall election approaches.
"We believe Democrats and others are using this to try to hurt Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign," Walsh said. "We believe that this is coming so close before the election, something that discourages good, hard-working, decent people from running for office."
The Times did not learn of any of the six women from Schwarzenegger's rivals in the recall race, and none of the women approached the newspaper on her own. Reporters contacted them in the course of a six-week examination of Schwarzenegger's behavior toward women on and off the movie set.
The Times said Schwarzenegger's attitudes about women have been an issue during the campaign, with critics accusing him of being misogynistic, based on past statements he has made to various publications.
Schwarzenegger has said he respects women and that many of his comments were made in jest or simply meant to be provocative.
This is key. I hate to say it, but these women missed their big chance, and they think with Arnold running for Gov. fortune has come their way.
This may be true. Of course we wouldn't know for certain unless you ran for office first. Then your opponents might test whether you ever touched a man or woman without first obtaining their consent. In which case you would say "never." You are awesome, good job, well done.
However, that response is typical of responses given during the Clinton debacle by defenders of Clinton.
It was typical in the absence of proof. After the allegations mounted it became unsustainable for some.
Women are going public with accusations of unwanted groping. That should be a sign.
They are ?
What are their names ?
Where are their lawsuits ?
When did it happen and what office did he occupy at the time ?
What has Gray Davis told you about the matter ?
Who is the politician who is pro-abortion, anti-gun, pro-homosexual marriage, pro-tax, pro-big government AND he is accused of groping women against their wishes? Until last night most Americans would automatically have answer "Bill Clinton." Now they can say, "Bill Schwarzeneggar."
They can say what they wish. Just spell the name right.
Did Arnold use state troopers to lure these women into his office and request various sex acts?
Let's hear from those women.
Funny how the LAT had to proclaim that they weren't carrying water for another campaign. Why would anybody think that?
Yes, because they are about Arnold Schwarzenegger instead of Tom McClintock. That makes them convenient and credible because they can be used to elect Tom Cruz instead of Arnold.
Just in time too ...
Second, this will backfire, because it will rally Republicans to Arnold as fury builds at another Dem dirty trick. A lame and obvious one at that.
Ahem. Pics, please?
McClintock is the better man....imo, since I'm a conservative.
I am pragmatic enough to realize that McClintock and/or Schwarz needs to make a last minute announcement releasing their supporters.
However, they play dirty pool in politics. Proof of these allegations will shortly be forthcoming. If Schwarz gets shot dead in the next 48 hours, he needs to fall on his sword. If the proof isn't forthcoming, then Mac needs to fall on his.
Remember.....multiple women willing to make an accusation in public (not just in print) IS considered to warrant investigation of a pattern of misbehavior.
Right on. This tactic could be known as the "Seven Vails Hail Mary". In case of the Boxer v. Hersheson US Senate race, it worked.
Look at how the Dems work - they bring out this story to send any Arnold-Tom fence sitters scurrying back to Tom.
Note also the verbiage coming from Huffington and Clark about the impending "right Wing takeover" in California. THAT language is strictly for the apathetic voters on the left.
These women admit they weren't raped, unlike Juanita.
No, Slick and his Dem enablers are in a category to themselves.
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