Source disputes account of Cain impropriety at Va. dinner

By: Jan Crawford
Topics: Campaign 2012

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 21: Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks with the news media after unveiling his 'Opportunity Zone' economic plan in front of the Michigan Central Station, an abandoned train depot, October 21, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Cain has reportedly proposed changes to his '9-9-9' tax plan to exempt taxes for those living at or below the poverty line and businesses investing in 'Opportunity Zones'

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks with the news media after unveiling his 'Opportunity Zone' economic plan in front of the Michigan Central Station, an abandoned train depot, October 21, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

(Credit: Bill Pugliano/Getty Image)

A Republican source who was at the dinner in which pollster Chris Wilson says Herman Cain sexually harassed a young staffer is contradicting the account, telling CBS News he never saw Cain sexually harass anyone that night, although he does remember Cain drinking.

"I did not see a lech," the source said.

Wilson, who was doing polling for the Restaurant Association during Cain's tenure, told an Oklahoma radio station yesterday: "This all occurred at a restaurant in Crystal City [Virginia] and everybody was very aware of it. And so it is, it was only a matter of time because so many people were aware of what took place, so many people were aware of her situation, the fact that she left after this, that it was, it was a-everybody knew with the campaign that this would eventually come up.

But the source said he "didn't remember (Cain) doing anything" at the dinner, which he said was at a Ruth Chris' steakhouse in Crystal City, Virginia. The source said Cain "may have been a little drunk," but he didn't see anything inappropriate--and added that he never heard anyone discuss anything inappropriate that may have occurred. He said about a half dozen people were there.

Wilson, who has done polling for Tex. Gov. Rick Perry's super PAC, also told the radio station he witnessed Cain harass the staffer on other occasions.

Jan Crawford
Jan Crawford is CBS News Chief Political and Legal Correspondent. She is from "Crossroads," Alabama.
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by gangstalook1 November 4, 2011 11:29 PM EDT: This person "Wilson" works for Rick Perry, so believing he witnessed the woman being harassed and he noticed Cain drunk is too much of a smear campaign. Rick Perry hasnt come up on the polls so I guess its back to back stabbing as Republicans do best.; Reply to this comment


by noloyalisti November 4, 2011 5:19 PM EDT: I love the way they describe a sleazy, lying, immoral, cheating Republicon as a credible "source". How's THAT for an oxymoron?

It's kind of like the "sources" of information they have on Fox Republicon Propaganda Channel.; Reply to this comment

by tsigili November 4, 2011 10:42 AM EDT

Again.......until such time as some credible evidence is presented.....this becomes nothing but character assassination, by the media, with zero proof.

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by noloyalisti November 4, 2011 5:20 PM EDT: No paying two women $80,000 to shut them up was nothing. Move along, nothing to see here.

by winchesterla November 4, 2011 6:38 AM EDT

I AM A MAN and I'd love to have sex with women, not with a man of course . What is wrong with it and how do you get it if you dont make sexual advances? What is wrong in our world, plse. Let men be men and women be women. I am sick and tired of this semi castrated society where for the sake of women equality, men have been reduced to impotent bophoons. ENOUGH

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by winchesterla November 4, 2011 6:45 AM EDT: The strength of a man is measured in havin' it, doin' it, y'know. Just like a sex machine. And real women love it. If this persists, we have to organise our OCCUPY OUR MANHOOD.


by nancy_naive November 4, 2011 5:44 AM EDT: Too bad.

Cain would have walloped Romney and sent the slimey flip-flop home for good, and the end it would be Obama 60%, Cain 20%, Mickey Mouse 20%. With Romney, Mickey won't get enough for matching funds.; Reply to this comment


by nancy_naive November 4, 2011 5:40 AM EDT: To CBS... it's Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I know, what's a Chris?; Reply to this comment


by RogerInHawaii November 3, 2011 10:39 PM EDT: Not seeing something is not evidence that it didn't happen. That doesn't mean that something DID happen, it just means that it provides no additional information to the story.; Reply to this comment


by payasyougo November 3, 2011 10:39 PM EDT: Its good to get this kinda stuff out of the way now.

Like the accusations have any meaning in the grand scheme of things.; Reply to this comment


by louislouis5 November 3, 2011 9:47 PM EDT: It appears that all of the crackers think they're closing in on the coon. . . when it is really a snipe hunt.; Reply to this comment


by voxpopulus November 3, 2011 7:58 PM EDT: SO, he has apparently been accused of harassment so often that he doesn't remember this case? Most of us innocent men would never forget being accused of harassment because it would be a major traumatic accusation.; Reply to this comment