Herman Cain seeks to salvage reputation as scandal continues

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Updated at 12:40 p.m. ET

Republican presidential contender Herman Cain on Tuesday aggressively attacked the character of the latest woman to accuse him of sexual misconduct, emphatically maintaining his innocence even as the building charges take a toll on his reputation.

The Cain campaign sent an email to it supporters on Tuesday with the subject line, "Who is Sharon Bialek?" The email lays out Bialek's history of filing civil lawsuits as well as her shaky financial history, putting her motives into question.

"The fact is that Ms. Bialek has had a long and troubled history, from the courts to personal finances - which may help explain why she has come forward 14 years after an alleged incident with Mr. Cain, powered by celebrity attorney and long term Democrat donor Gloria Allred," the email says.

The email comes ahead of a press conference Tuesday afternoon during which Cain has vowed to address the charges against him "head on."

After Sharon Bialek came forward on Monday to accuse Cain of groping her in the 1990's, Cain responded that he's ready to "set the record straight."

"There is not an ounce of truth to all these allegations," the former restaurant lobbyist told talk show host Jimmy Kimmel on Monday. "We are taking this head on."

A new Wall Street Journal/ NBC poll shows that the percentage of people with a negative opinion of Cain has risen to from 18 percent in October to 35 percent. Among Republican primary voters, the percentage of those with a negative view of the candidate rose from 6 percent in October to 19 percent.

Still, the percentage of Republican primary voters with a positive view of Cain stayed the same at 52 percent. On top of that, the poll shows Cain is still statistically tied for first place with Mitt Romney among Republican primary voters. The poll was conducted Nov. 2 - Nov. 5; initial reports of harassment charges against Cain broke on October 30.

Meanwhile, it's impossible to know what other accusations could emerge if Cain doesn't clear the air. In the latest story, one former government employee came forward on Tuesday to say she found Cain's motives suspicious when he asked her to help arrange a dinner date between him and a young woman, the Washington Examiner reports.

Up to this point, Cain's strong favorability ratings stood out as noteworthy when compared to the ratings voters give the rest of the GOP field. Addressing the harassment charges directly may be the best thing Cain can do to save those faltering numbers, some Republicans are saying.

If he doesn't, conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats told the Des Moines Register, a "cloud of doubt will envelop his candidacy."

Vander Plaats is president of the Family Leader, an influential Christian conservative organization in Iowa, the first state to hold its presidential nominating contest.

"The Iowa and American voter are fair when humility, sincerity and authenticity are communicated," Vander Plaats said. "This is a tipping point for the viability of his campaign."

Oran Smith, head of the Christian conservative Palmetto Family Council in South Carolina (another early nominating state), similarly told Politico, "The American people and specifically Republican primary voters need some closure on this and really only he can do that."

Even Cain's latest accuser, Bialek, said on CBS' "The Early Show" that she came forward "because I wanted to help [Cain]. I wanted to give him a platform to come clean, to tell the truth."

She added, "And he still hasn't done it and it's really a shame because he could have."

Bialek, a Republican, even added that she'd consider voting for Cain if he admitted to the alleged harassment. "I hope that he does, and I'd have to think about that one," she said.

Before announcing that he would hold a press conference Tuesday evening, it appeared as if Cain's campaign was ready to simply focus on its economic message. The campaign released a web video on Monday targeting Iowa voters, which focused on the excessive regulations putting a burden on farmers. (Watch below)

[ongelooflijk-2009]

"Republican presidential contender Herman Cain on Tuesday aggressively attacked the character of 'the latest woman' to accuse him of sexual misconduct."

Note - "the latest woman to accuse him...."

The allegations as put forth, while Mr. Cain was president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, represent what is termed, an abuse of authority. Because the alleged abuse occurred without the presence of witnesses, a finding against Mr. Cain in a court of law would have been unlikely at the time. Because they were 'offered' money and required to sign a non-disclosure agreement does not imply greed on their part but speaks to the seriousness of the allegations themselves.

By default Mr. Cain is accusing each of these women, who he denies even knowing, of lying; the probability of which decreases with each new allegation. The fact that there is more than one, unrelated individual, accusing Mr. Cain of similar behavior is damning in itself. The zeal of those supporting Mr. Cain is admirable, yet the proposal by many, that this issue has been contrived in an effort to smear their candidate simply defies reason.

[realpeoplerep]

Sugar Cain says, I'll take a lie detector, but I won't take a lie detector. Typical politician. I love you my wife and will always be faithful. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[realpeoplerep]

Sugar Cain aint so sweet. He cheated on his wife and he will cheat on the american people. A pig of a man. An animal. Can't be trusted. Jobs for Jobs...... That's a family values party platform.

[magicwhiteman]

I told you people when the story first broke that it would come out that this REAL BLACK Man would be said to have abused white women! go read my words ! i know them racist WHITE HONKY Democrats! Obama is 1/2 white and he and his HONKY Friends pretend to be for the minorities, however they are RACE Pimps pure and simple. Herman Cain is the real BLACK African in the race. Herman is a patriot and gentleman, he is not a sex maniac like BILL SLICK WILLIE CLINTON. Clinton is a pervert , and he proved it in the White House and lied about it to us and his family and those same RACE PIMPS said that is was a right wing plot to smear clinton.

Herman cain will be the first 100% BLACK AFRICAN PRESIDENT !!!! I for one can not wait !!!

magic WHITE MAN

[realpeoplerep]

What do mean? "you people". Just another race card playing fool. He's a married man who cannot be trusted by his own wife and therefore shouldn't be trusted by any black, white, yellow, red, or brown American.

[Bambi_B]

>> Even Cain's latest accuser, Bialek, said on CBS' "The Early Show" that she came forward "because I wanted to help [Cain]. I wanted to give him a platform to come clean, to tell the truth."<<

Well, now you KNOW she's lying about that. Help the guy? By announcing in the media that he's a sex freak?

Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't.

Cain is clearly a pathological liar based solely on self-contradictory statements he's made during and shortly before his campaign. And when it comes to bad behavior, there are at least 3 other women who back the woman's story with stories of their own. But please. Going all sanctimonious about her motivations? How she's just trying to "help" Cain? What a crock!

[exar-1]

The President's position on this matter is clear; in his response he shows a definite attempt to ameliorate the French President, but in so doing, he exposes his dislike of the Israeli Prime Minister. Tacit as his comment is, it exposes his political stance on Israel and his duplicity of support for that country. There is no question of the hatred of Israel by elements of the Arab countries - that hatred extends to the United States, however this administration has begun to align America with those elements who will continue to hate us no matter what we do to try and pacify them. Pakistan is a good example. Respect for American is being eviscerated by the lack of understanding who our friends, our acquaintances and our enemies are; this certainly makes this country look as though we are like Janus - two-faced. When the President functions in this manner, who can trust him ... no one! And what does that say about America...

[Oblablah]

Another attempt to tear down his rep- anyone say DSK, the guy had his life ruined before anyone even checked the accusers background. granted he is no innocent angel by any means- but that was such a set up its not even funny.
As for Cain- I would love to see if this was an attack on Obama how the media, Jesse Jackson, Sharpton and everyone else would be screaming racism. But then again any person of color who is not a Dem is not black and a sell out. Laughable and the majority of idiots will not even see through it.

[ddelc]

i'm confused. did he give her a job, or did she give him a job???

[realpeoplerep]

She refused to give him a job. This has an affirmative action lawsuit written all over it.

[tomford429]

It would be a stroke of genius if this woman is actually working for the Cain campaign and is set-up to be discredited and derail the other accusations. Some people will do anything for money. Only a thought.

[realpeoplerep]

I LIKE YOUR WAY OF THINKING. WAG THAT DOG!!!!!

[dreamy_miss]

I get it now. You people just don't care. Now I know how Obama got elected in the first place...you'll vote for anybody. *slaps forehead*