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Will Herman Cain resign his candidacy? Should he?
I was disturbed yesterday to hear new allegations being made against Herman Cain. This time the accusations are not of sexual harassment, but of having a 13-year affair with a woman named Ginger White. The skeptic in me really wonders if this is true, and even so, if it’s just another attempt to force a good man from the race after the previous attacks failed to work. The timing makes me suspicious.
Moreover, it frustrates me that President Bill Clinton coasted to two victories amid numerous counts of sexual impropriety (including allegations of rape) and continues to be wildly popular with Democrats. But Herman Cain is now expected to bow out after being accused of having an affair. We don’t even know the facts yet. And I’m willing to extend Mr. Cain the benefit of the doubt unless facts prove otherwise.
Based on a conference call today, Cain is “reassessing” whether to remain in the race and will make his final decision “over the next several days.”.
“Obviously, you’re all aware of this recent firestorm that hit the news yesterday,” Cain began, his voice somber. “First thing I want to do is say to you what I have said publicly: I deny those charges, unequivocally. Secondly, I have known this lady for a number of years. And thirdly, I have been attempting to help her financially because she was out of work and destitute, desperate. So, thinking that she was a friend — and I have helped many friends — I now know that she wasn’t the friend that I thought she was. But it was a just a friendship relationship.”
“That being said, obviously, this is cause for reassessment,” he continued. “As you know, during the summer we had to make some reassessments based upon our financial situation. We were able to hang in there; we reassessed the situation and kept on going. We also did a reassessment after the Iowa straw poll and we made another reassessment after the Florida straw poll. When the previous two accusations, false accusations, came about, we made another assessment. The way we handled those was, we continued on with our schedule. We made an assessment about what was going to happen to our support. But our supporters, and even some folks that we didn’t have as supporters, they stood with us, and they showed it not only in terms of their verbal support, they showed it in terms of their dollars.”
“Now, with this latest one, we have to do an assessment as to whether or not this is going to create too much of a cloud, in some people’s minds, as to whether or not they would be able to support us going forth,” Cain said.
When I heard the details of this latest accusation, my heart sank. There will be many on the Right who will immediately dismiss Cain now, whether or not he’s guilty. Some will now (further) doubt Cain’s electability. And some will pull their support entirely for fear of being accused of supporting a philanderer.
Personally, I’m torn. I’ve been leaning more and more in Cain’s direction throughout the past few months. He’s the only candidate who could disarm the Democrat Party from their perpetually-played “race card.” And, more importantly, I think he’s the one man who’s got a track record which proves he could turn around America’s economy for the better.
My immediate, knee-jerk response to yesterday’s bombshell accusation was, “Cain is toast.” But the more I thought about it, the more it ticked me off that my candidate might be eliminated just because of the very thing that Democrats spent years justifying: “it’s just sex.” The Left shrieked that a candidate’s personal life should be immune from consideration. And their laissez faire attitude extended beyond personal behavior when the politician in question was someone they favored. For example, the leftist organization MoveOn.org was born from the Progressives’ arguments that America shouldn’t prosecute President Clinton for his felony perjury, but we should all just “move on.”
Bill Clinton didn’t step down when it was proven that he had an affair with Monica Lewinsky as well as numerous other women. And he refused to step down even when it was proven that he broke the law and perjured himself before a grand jury. He held on and rode out the storm of public opinion, flipping the bird to his opponents in the process. Part of me wishes Cain would do the same. But when I look closer at my thoughts and feelings about this issue, I hope he won’t sink to Clinton’s level.
Whether the accusations against Cain are true or not, I don’t think America will “move on” from his scandals. He won’t be extended the same leniency that was (and still is) afforded to Bill Clinton.
If these accusations are false, then I sincerely hope that Mr. Cain will refocus his strategy and proceed with all haste and gusto toward winning the Oval Office.
If, however, the facts show that Herman Cain deceived his wife by carrying on a 13-year affair, I think it’s best that he voluntarily resign his candidacy. Even though it bothers me that Democrats are held to a far lower standard than are Republicans, I don’t think that makes it ok for a Republican to carry on in a way that calls his character into question. If it’s outrageous for a Democrat to do it, it’s just as outrageous for a Republican to do the same. And when one seeks to be the “leader of the free world,” I think we need to hold all candidates to the highest standards possible. I don’t want another Bill Clinton in the White House, even if I happen to agree with his politics this time around. We deserve better.
“[A] good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.” ~George Washington, letter to Steptoe Washington, December 5, 1790
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UPDATE: As someone who struggles to be a good Christian, I try to follow Jesus Christ’s example of forgiveness and tolerance. When He was asked by the Scribes (lawyers) and the Pharisees (pretentious religious zealots) what should be done about a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery, He didn’t rush to judgment:
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?”
This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him.
But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?”
She said, “No man, Lord.”
And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:2-11 KJV)
You can undoubtedly tell I’m wrestling with this issue and I apologize that this post has become a rambling stream of consciousness. Of course, all of this is premature until the actual facts come out about whether or not this affair actually happened. But what if it’s true? Should one sin disqualify a man from running for (or holding) office? What if he confesses it and asks forgiveness? If he did this, and his wife forgives him of it, should I withhold my forgiveness and support even if he didn’t lie to me personally? If he did have a long-term affair, does it indicate a critical failure in his decision-making and character that would impact his ability to serve as President? Something tells me that if we knew every secret about every politician, nobody would be worthy of public office.
*sigh*
I still haven’t made up my mind. I’m not done with this yet. But I’ll leave it here for now.
Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
Cain should quickly say, “I have never flown Ginger White to my destination, anywhere, or given her a gift my wife would disapprove of.” If he can’t say ithat he should drop out and let us get on with the the important matter of replacing Barack Obama.
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