CBS News/ December 2, 2011, 9:58 AM

Ben Stein: Cain isn't running for pope

Author, lawyer and former game show host Ben Stein says politics are getting a little too personal, and believes candidates should not be judged by their "gossipy love life."

Appearing on CBS' "The Early Show," Stein said the coverage of GOP president contender Herman Cain and allegations of extramarital affairs was getting to be too much.

"I keep thinking to myself, yes, he is a sinner. Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone," Stein said. "He's not running for pope. He's not running for saint. He is running for president. We've had lots of presidents who had girlfriends. We had President Kennedy who was a great president, he had girlfriends. President Roosevelt who was with his girlfriend when he died, he was one of the greatest presidents that's ever been. Thomas Jefferson had a very well-documented affair. I'm not saying it's a great thing; I'm just saying people are human. We can't judge people by super-human standards."

Stein said there is something wrong with politics right now: "I'd like to see them concentrate on policy issues. It doesn't do an unemployed person one bit of good to concentrate on Herman Cain's love life. If you concentrate on economic policy that will give a man or a woman a job, that means something. To concentrate on a person's gossipy love life, that doesn't mean a darn thing."

For more from Ben Stein click on the video player above.

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Herman Cain on the campaign trail

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54 Comments Add a Comment

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ellensmithee says:: I laugh to see the Republicans who wanted to hang Clinton for a BJ now saying we should accept Cain's 13 year affair.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican.; reply

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Liberalhate says:: All of you commenting don't even know that there is zero evidence of inappropriate behavior by Cain. 61 texts or phone calls and nothing was said about them hooking up for sexual intent. If this were a conviction going to a court hearing the judge would throw it out due to lack of supportive evidence. Until there is definitive proof he is still considered innocent. If you follow liberal "logic" Cain is guilty until proven innocent. If you liked that you should hear my definition of Liberal integrity. lol; reply

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samXXkiley says:

coucou,
advance such comments is shameful, Ben Stein, you encourage immorality,
you ask not to judge Cain, yet the media did not hesitate to judge Bill Clinton,
speaking about the Pope, the churches also are not blameless, they are tarnished by the scandals of sexual abuse
"au revoir"


Liberalhate replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; I take it that you didn't get the joke.

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ardeinne says:: Yes, Ben, you are right, he is "not running for Pope."

As a political figure, his private life wouldn't concern me at all -- EXCEPT that he has repeatedly touted himself as the candidate with the "traditional family values," etc., etc. Singing gospel songs and talking about his Christian upbringing and morals. Candidates who do this lay themselves open to this sort of thing that has happened to Cain when they turn out to be plain ole horndogs.

GOP candidates almost have to do the traditional family values thing -- they HAVE to be on board with the Christian Evangelicals, the Focus on the Family/Family Research Center crowd, and their ilk. As a result, they're the ones who have the most problems in this area. Cain's only the latest victim.; reply

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smith12121212 says:

Ben Stein declares Cain isn't running for Pope. I think we all know that. And perhaps marriage infidelity doesn't disqualify someone running for office. But the voting public does have their opinions on it and many will say a shaky personal life could reveal how an individual may govern. Integrity means alot since we see so many politicians who have little-to-no integrity. But aside from the fact Cain is a scoundrel, he does not possess the intellect to be this country's president. And why would we want a man like Cain to represent the United States? The president of the US is supposed reflect intelligence, self-control and integrity. Cain has not shown us any of these traits. I find it very difficult to take him seriously especially when he says things like 'he's the brother from another mother' when referring to the Koch brothers. What adult running for president talks like that?


signseeker1717 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; This isn't ABOUT the integrity of OTHER people: it's about the integrity of ONE man, a Presidential candidate named HERMAN CAIN.

smith's comments are on the money.


ardeinne replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; A previous poster sez: "Oh, ya.. all the Democrats have a glowing aura of integrity."

Yeah, well, see, that's the point. The Dems (generally) don't sell themselves as exemplars of "traditional family values" and Christian morality.
The Pubbies, OTOH, do. Cain repeatedly portrayed himself as a Moral Christian Family Man.

It's called "hoist by your own petard," Herman.

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addict42 says:: Marriage and family values are the core of the Republican mantra so anyone with a hint of infidelity is terrible and should be exiled to the GOP. Meanwhile the banishers are all engaged in all sorts of perversion. They are the biggest hypocriteson earth.; reply

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ronaldh7 says:: I, for one, do not want adulterers like Newt and Calista the tart in the White House. Sorry, but as the conservative right has hammered so many times, what's good for the goose . . . .; reply

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RealiteBites says:: Did Ben Stein take the same position when it was Slick Willy whose character was coming under scrutiny? Or does he take the position that that situation was somehow different?

It's kind of a sad day when a President turns out to be a pervert - I mean like cheating is one thing ... but the sexual harassment allegations, are a different kettle of fish. Is there really no viable alternative? If so, why? Is it because the person's really all that special, or is it because everybody else is just as bad as the pervert?

And if it's the latter ... which I do believe it is ... I mean like why is that the case? I think that would have been the more interesting op-ed to have heard from Ben Stein ... what to do when all the politicians seem like egomaniacs with entitlement complexes.; reply

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thrashd11 says:

Cain cheats on his wife committing adultery. He stays married to the woman but deceives her and lies to her and has a sexual affair with another woman. This is not presidential material. If he lies and cheats on his wife will he not lie to and cheat us?


democracy8 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; One_American__________--Really? I'll go along with Victor and ask you to PROVE your statement. To my knowledge, Obama has done no such thing as you claim. I believe you are full of **it

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involved_indi says:

Well stated Ben. The only think you left out was that the reason for the personal attacks is that Cain is a threat to the democratic base. He's a conservative black man. The same think happend with Palin, a conservative woman. If "the base" actually starts to investigate and think about how far left the democratic party has moved in the past 20 years or so, they will lose wholesale support.


democracy8 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; indi, there is absolutely NO reason that the Democrats would want to attack a Republican during the primaries. It would be a waste. IF they wanted to do what you claim, they would wait until the general election. Seriously, think about it.