Cain blasts "character assassination" against him

Republican presidential candidates businessman Herman Cain and Texas Gov. Rick Perry talk before a Republican presidential debate at Oakland University in Auburn Hills, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Herman Cain continued to defend himself Wednesday against a slew of sexual harassment charges leveled against him, arguing at CNBC's Republican presidential debate that the American people "deserve better than someone getting tried in court of public opinion based on unfounded accusations."

When asked about the recent allegations - a question that was met with boos from the audience - Cain said voters "don't care about the character assassination."

"They care about leadership and get thing economy growing and all of the other problems we face," he said.

The Republican presidential hopeful has been dogged over the last nine days by a series of allegations that he acted sexually inappropriately toward a number of women in the 1990s. Earlier this week, two women spoke publicly about incidents surrounding the allegations.

Cain, who has repeatedly asserted his innocence, argued Wednesday that most Americans aren't buying the charges against him.

"I value my character and my integrity more than anything else. And for every one person that comes forward with a false accusation, there are probably -- there are thousands who would say none of that sort of activity ever came from Herman Cain," he said.

He pointed to a recent surge in campaign earnings as evidence of his continued popularity.

"A lot of people, despite what's happening over the last nine days, are still very enthusiastic behind my candidacy over the last nine days -- over the last nine days, the voters have voted with their dollars and they are saying they don't care about the character assassination," he said.

Since word of the accusations against Cain surfaced, his campaign has touted what they say are record-breaking fundraising figures as evidence of the candidate's continued support. In an e-mail on Nov. 1, the campaign boasted that Cain had raised $400,000 in donations the day after the allegations surfaced alone. According to an e-mail the following day, Cain's team wrote that "within the last 48 hours, Mr. Cain's campaign has received nearly a million dollars from supporters all across the country."

When asked if he was "persuaded" by Cain's response to the allegations, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said it was up to "the people in this room and across the country" to "make their own assessment."

When the moderator changed the subject, the crowd cheered.

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[americalvet]

Mr. Cain has confused assassination and suicide.

[jms133]

Herman Cain reminds me of Ida Amin of Uganda or Baby Doc Duvalier of Haiti.Accuse me of something and security will be knocking at your door and take care of you.

[ongelooflijk-2009]

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.

[Roger_de_Coverly]

Cain is a bully, a liar, and a con artist. But because his genitals continue to command center stage in this race for the nomination, we have yet to even begin surveying the vast landscape that are his financial misdeeds. Even a cursory glance at the list of his shenanigans will do him in. So, let's move the lime light from Herman's "stimulus package" to his checkbook, shall we?

[oltimer1001]

Yea; lets move him on to the white house.

[WeHappyFew]

Do I believe Romney, Perry, and Paul (in his day) have always kept their pants fly firmly zipped around their employees? Not a chance. But here's the thing. The truth is, however distasteful, there's a difference between seduction... and pulling rank or offering advancement in a cold exchange for sexual favors which, according to these women, was Cain's MO.

[oltimer1001]

Yea and there is a whole lot of difference between facts and bought women with no facts.

[cybervigilante]

Herman Cain
He has a brain,
But it's in his dick
Like Willy the Slick.

[noloyalisti]

Hey Hermin, if you a lying, ignorant corporate sleazebag who everyone with even half a brain knows is a moron, "Blame Yoself".

[oltimer1001]

If you don't recognize the difference between good and bad then you will get bad.

[stuttgart1000]

Does not matter what CAIN Says or not....in short time, his truth will come out and besides...he is only here as a Entertainment puzzle...no way in Hell can this clown win...never!

[oltimer1001]

You wish

[doneinone]

Think Herman Cain is guilty? Think again.

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/16002149/investigator-herman-cain-innocent-of-sexual-advances
He has better software than polygraphs that has been proven to be more effective. He used Cains statements and Bialeks.
Found Cain to be totally innocent. Bialek is LYING

Think the Obama media will report this?

[pdchapin]

This is from a guy who blamed the Democrats for his troubles. As a Democrat, I'm pulling for him to win the nomination. He'd be the easiest candidate to beat in November and with Obama at the top of the ticket, we need all the help we can get.

[oltimer1001]

Really.. You hope you don't lose your check..