In response to allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace, this is what Cain should have said:
“I acknowledge that there were two formal complaints made against me while I was serving as CEO of the American Restaurant Association. That’s a fact. These complaints were made, as far as I’m concerned, in good faith based on the perception of those who made them. I did not believe that I did anything to warrant the complaints."
"By the same token, I was not born with a well-developed sense of interactions that were inappropriate and those that were meant as innocent compliments or in good fun. For all of us, that sense has to be learned. I have learned that reality is largely in the mind of the beholder, and I’ve learned that it is best to err on the side of caution in order to enhance a professional work environment. My wonderful spouse has been one of those who has done much to educate me that innocent comments can be misconstrued. Other, strong women in my various workplaces, that I highly respect, have also been instrumental in educating me. While I do not intend to discuss the details of the interactions that gave rise to the complaints, women, and men who respect women, deserve to be assured that I respect women, I intend to be president of all of the people, as president I intend to involve in my administration competent people regardless of gender, and I will not tolerate inappropriate behaviors toward women who are among those serving in my administration. “
This is what he actually said, successively (paraphrased),
I don’t recall any complaints.
I don’t recall any underlying particulars of any complaints that I now do recall.
I clearly recall that nothing happened to support the complaints that were filed. They were complete and utter fabrications [Read: those complaining women are all money-grubbing liars].
There were no settlements.
I don’t recall any settlements that may have taken place and I sure hope they were for modest payments because the complaints were baseless.
As I recall, there were severance “agreements” and not settlements, and amounts paid were nothing more than customary severance payments for people who had performance deficiencies, in the range of three month’s salary [turns out, they were equivalent to a year’s salary each].
If there were or are future allegations from others, they are false, fabricated lies, just like the original complaints.
I will not agree that the complainants should be permitted to speak publicly about the incidents.
People should ignore the fact and substance of the complaints in favor of focusing on my detractors who leaked the truth to the media.
Then, ignoring the axiom that when you’re in a hole you should stop digging, he said, “There is not an ounce of truth to all these allegations." With that, there’s no going back for him. He’s committed to calling all of the female accusers – without any allegation of collaboration among them – bald-faced liars.
Is it any wonder that the story has just not gone away, as Cain would prefer, so that he can get back on message? Arrogance of the guilty is almost always their comeuppance. But most importantly, the fact that he just doesn’t get it is the surest sign that he can be trusted to do it again. He’s clearly not yet ready for prime time.
