The compartmentalized life of Herman Cain
Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain has his photo taken with a supporter after speaking at a campaign rally on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. AP/Jay LaPrete
When Ted Turner established WTBS as the first satellite-bounced, 24-hour TV station in the late 1970s, Bill Tush was the young fellow tasked with providing much of the station’s after-hours content.
His comedy newscast – he was a poor man’s Jon Stewart with neckties as wide as a mobile home — made Tush something of a national cult figure, though he concedes that much of his young audience was probably either drunk or stoned.
Tush is now semi-retired and a member of the Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge. Off the links and over several months of drinks and conversation, Tush made the acquaintance of a fellow club member named Herman Cain.
“I knew he had been the president of a pizza company. And he had a radio gig,” Tush said this week. Other topics – politics, say – never came up.
“I’ve always been friendly with people in the political sphere, but I never considered [Cain] a political person. And then – blam! – there he was, running for president. And I’m thinking, ‘This is the guy I used to sit in the corner [and shoot the breeze with].’”
Tush had just learned the same lesson that many of us are only now faced with. Just because you know one part of Herman Cain doesn’t mean you know the whole of the man.
This latest allegation, that Cain conducted a 13-year, off-and-on affair with a Dunwoody woman named Ginger White, only emphasizes a picture that was already forming.
Herman Cain is a driven candidate with many watertight compartments.
White says she met the future presidential candidate in Kentucky, while Cain was still president of the National Restaurant Association. Cain says that White’s claim of a sexual connection amounts to character assassination, but admits the pair had a “friendship relationship” and says he sometimes provided White financial assistance.
Yet the GOP candidate also says that neither his wife nor his family know the woman. Which perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise.
Citing a discomfort with the American system of vetting political candidates, Cain has sequestered his family from his campaign — with a single exception. When sexual harassment charges first surfaced last month, his wife of 43 years, Gloria Cain, submitted to an interview with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren.
“This isn’t Herman,” Gloria Cain said. So far, there has been no talk of a repeat interview.
Cain is an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church North in Atlanta. He loves to sing hymns from the stage. And yet his fellow church members prefer to keep mum about the candidate — the Rev. Cameron Alexander, longtime pastor of the church, included. Another sealed compartment.
The 65-year-old Cain has campaigned on his business acumen, pointing to his rescue of Godfather’s Pizza. But his former business associates have largely declined to talk about Cain’s years at the helm of the company. Yet another closed door.
Less talked about is Cain’s place within the infrastructure of the Georgia GOP. Cain moved back to Georgia in 2000 and ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate in 2004. But his presidential campaign, though run from an office near the Eagle’s Landing Country Club, was originally staffed from out of state.
His relationship with longtime leaders of the state Republican party might be described as distant.
Cain’s most public relationship in Georgia may be with Neal Boortz, the radio host for whom Cain sometimes subbed on AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB. On Tuesday, only a few hours after White’s allegations became public, Boortz was asked his opinion of his friend.
“I know Herman Cain. This does not sound like Herman Cain to me. It doesn’t sound like him,” Boortz said. “Additionally, it is very curious to me that every allegation against Herman Cain has come from his three years at the National Restaurant Association.”
Boortz was implying a conspiracy, which is an exciting option. Less exciting is not knowing the people you call friend as well as you might. In the end, Boortz said, it may be time for Cain to think about retiring from the field – for the sake of his family.
Cain’s protests this week have included a tone of outrage — that one piece of his world would wander uncontrolled into another. In his pre-emptive interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer – anticipating White’s charges – Cain was asked if more accusations could follow.
“When someone that appears to be a friend, turns around and concocts this story, you’ve got to question – the hundreds of thousands of people that I have met in my life, a hundred thousand people could possibly come out,” a frustrated Cain said.
Curiously, this week’s best argument for a compartmentalized life came from Cain’s attorney, Lin Wood, in a letter to Fox 5 Atlanta – which broke the White story.
“This appears to be an accusation of private, alleged consensual conduct between adults — a subject matter which is not a proper subject of inquiry by the media or the public,” Wood wrote. “The public’s right to know and the media’s right to report has boundaries and most certainly those boundaries end outside of one’s bedroom door.”
It was a noble statement of principle, which fell with a dull thud in a political contest for the hearts and minds of a Republican and largely conservative Christian electorate.
An electorate that might argue that a man’s religious principles ought to freely swap around to other parts of his life, mixing like gravy into vegetables on a plate.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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137 comments Add your comment
BILLY MAYS HERE
November 30th, 2011
11:43 pm
Ol’ Timer
November 30th, 2011
11:35 pm
@td: You’re right. The State of Georgia will go for the GOTP candidate regardless of who it is — even Newt Gingrich. That ought to make your mama proud.
Well firstly, you shouldn’t reply to TD because it only encourages him to post. His posting is god-awful, I mean just look at what you replied to–he thinks that the electoral college is some kind of secretive vote-stealing conspiracy rather than something that the rest of learned in 8th grade civics class. That is the kind of mental giant you and the rest of us are dealing with, so please, don’t reply to him in the future. Thanks.
td
November 30th, 2011
11:59 pm
Our dead drug addict on these blogs really thinks I will not post any longer if people do not reply to my post. I have news for the DA: I have been posting on these blogs since a 2009 and the DA will not deter me one little bit. The left wing and independents need a different point of view and it is my “calling” to make sure they read a different point of view. If you do not like it DA then you can always choose not to read my post.
BTW: DA stands for drug addict and not dumb a$$ because I choose not to act like a great many of the non intellectual libs on these blogs and call people names. I guess I will have to laugh out loud at the DA I go to the polls and cast my vote for the Republican nominee next year knowing that my vote counts and his will not. LOL
goodmagicenterpriseimagetime - Cain says “stupid people are ruining America” as he asks for support – CBS News
December 1st, 2011
12:01 am
[...] cause for Cain reconsiderationmsnbc.comNew York Times (blog) -ABC News (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 4,907 news [...]
L. R. Glass, Sr.
December 1st, 2011
12:12 am
The harshest court ever assembled is the court of public opinion. All the rules go out the window. One is guilty until proven guilty.
There was something Ms. White said that keeps gnawing at me ever since I heard it. She said that she came out of the closet because she didn’t like the way that the other accusers were being demonized, and she didn’t feel that the “burden of proof” should be on them. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? If you accuse me of stealing your car, you’d better make damn sure that it was me and not someone else. THE BURDEN OF PROOF OF ANY WRONGDOING SHOULD BE ON THE ACCUSERS! Anyone can say anything about you. Unless you have proof that can back it up, you deserve to be besmirched and debased once the truth comes to surface. Herman Cain does NOT have to show proof that it didn’t happen; Ginger White MUST prove that it did! Unless….the court of public opinion holds sway. In that case, the truth be damned!
The Kid
December 1st, 2011
12:16 am
Herman(I’s a good nigra)Cain should be great to you Repub. This is what you’ve digressed to. I hope you so called conservatives enjoy the fruits of your labor that produces the likes of Scumbag Newt. I say these things as complimentary as I can. The two of these characters add a slimey feel to the Repub primary circus. In fact, they add a slimey feel to everthing that’s good and honest about human society.
curious
December 1st, 2011
12:17 am
Enter your comments here
Isn’t adultery a criminal offense in Georgia? Why hasn’t someone called for an investigation?
BILLY MAYS HERE
December 1st, 2011
12:27 am
When you read a TD post and think about replying, just remember: NO
Ken'Trice
December 1st, 2011
12:52 am
These pre-emptive interviews are an interesting new tactic.
What will be next: “Tomorrow someone is going to allege that I held up the _____ Bank in _____ Georgia at about 10:20 a.m. on Thursday the 2nd of March 19__. This is just more conspiracy and character assassination that I will not dignify with an answer.”
double
December 1st, 2011
1:18 am
When I read a TD post I think of the 103 year old lady being evicted.TD would evict her and say she deserved it because she made a wrong decision at sometime in her life,
Deborah Montesano
December 1st, 2011
2:19 am
I think the relevance of Herman Cain at this point is that his behavior is such a reflection of what the Republican Party is really like. In “Cain, Republicans, and the Predatory Mind”, I draw parallels that I think are obvious. http://thepoliticali.blogspot.com/2011/11/cain-republicans-and-predatory-mind.html
kreedham
December 1st, 2011
3:03 am
While I’m not a republican I honestly believe that the choices the republican’s will have in 2016 will, by far, be better than the choices they have now. I believe many republicans right now are saying…”is this the best we’ve got!”
As far as the dems, if Hilary has any intention of running, I think, after the election Biden should step down, Hilary be appointed VP, then Biden becomes Sec of State. Will certainly be easier for her in 2016 if she’s already VP.
Buckhead Boy
December 1st, 2011
5:33 am
This is a man who thought it cute to spin a yarn about his father threatening another Woodruff servant with his marksmanship to protect the largesse, and yet you are convinced that Mr. Cain would not prey upon less powerful and financially distressed women?
Chris Petersen
December 1st, 2011
5:57 am
I would like to live in a world where we are judged on what we can do and what we stand for. None of us is perfect and I have been there. Bill Clinton denied rape and sexual assault and even took advantage of a young woman in the White House. People then said, ?but he is such a good president, we should not condemn him for his personal failings.” We seem to be overlooking what Newt did to two wives as well. I don’t see why we are holding Herman to a higher standard.
cloudodust
December 1st, 2011
6:57 am
Cain is being convicted of a 13 year affair in the court of public opinion with questionable evidence from a questionable woman that has lived her life on the side of errors and mistakes. Ms White has the burden of proof to make her case. To date, she hasn’t. A photo of Ms White sitting in Herman’s lap could do it (Gary Hart–Donna Rice). Albeit, we do have proof of Obama’s failings as president. Let’s focus there or isn’t the failings of a Democrat president newsworthy anymore?
Straight Talk
December 1st, 2011
7:34 am
Compartmentalized? Millions have been spent to insure we know nothing about Obama! Hypocrite Jim, when are you going to explore that?
jlfda
December 1st, 2011
7:44 am
dd
November 30th, 2011
9:02 pm
were you not paying attention: cain made no settlement and paid no money and has no confidentiality agreement. the nra did those things and it is between the nra and the other party to agree to release the info. now quit talking out of your a$$Z
darb
December 1st, 2011
8:07 am
American voters rolled the dice once and let a black man break the glass ceiling to become president, and look where that has gotten us? Not going to happen again.
honested
December 1st, 2011
8:19 am
As it has been said before…
All you cain supporters, stand strong. Send his campaign every penny you can afford. Even send them any money you had set aside for State House and Senate races. Certainly send the money you might have earmarked for a Congressional race.
Send them the money you had planned to tithe. Send them what you had planned to pay in dues to the Chamber of Commerce, ALEC, Americans for Progress, or any other opinion driving group.
Send it all today to friends of cain.
You, and Georgia, will feel much better in the long run.
Hazel
December 1st, 2011
8:20 am
“Ms White has the burden of proof to make her case. To date, she hasn’t. ”
Texts, phone records, and his admission he was “helping her out” financially, without telling his wife. At best, it shows very poor judgement to run without getting all of this out of the way beforehand.
How many married men “help” a woman out financially without letting their family know? Doesn’t pass the smell test.
Married for life
December 1st, 2011
8:26 am
Strange—Cain has to meet with his wife before deciding up on his candidacy. Doesn’t he ever talk with her on the phone? Or travel with her? Or spend any time with her? No wonder she doesn’t know he’s hanging out with troubled women.
Frederick Douglass
December 1st, 2011
8:27 am
darb
Just where did it get us indeed? I’ll tell you where it got us, it got us to a point where an intelligent Harvard trained, compassionate individual has to become essentially a janitor cleaning up a mess that an ignorant cowboy wannabee left him. “Let a black man break the glass ceiling”, as if no black has a right to be president, but idiots like Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, or Sarah Palin are waved through to the top if they so desire. Dude, everybody the GOP is running is infinitely more flawed than Obama could ever be.
Real Athens
December 1st, 2011
8:27 am
TD says:
“Guess what: If you plan on going to the polls and voting for Obama next year in Georgia then you might as well stay home and not vote because YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED. All 16 votes from Georgia will be cast for the Republican nominee and Zero votes will be cast for Obama.”
What an aspiration! However, an accurate prediction. Georgia will continue to be an inconsequential, regional player where GOP domination provides ample opportunities for graft and mismanagement reigns statewide. All the while “tea Parties” strive to keep them all in office as long as there is an -R- beside their name.
Mark
December 1st, 2011
8:46 am
@ BILLY MAYS HERE
December 1st, 2011
12:27 am
When you read a TD post and think about replying, just remember: NO
I’m way ahead of you!
Morning Must Reads: Deferred | Swampland | TIME.com
December 1st, 2011
8:52 am
[...] Cain leads a compartmentalized life. [...]
Be Careful What You Wish For!
December 1st, 2011
9:05 am
@darb December 1st, 2011 8:07 am – American voters rolled the dice once and let a black man break the glass ceiling to become president, and look where that has gotten us? Not going to happen again.
**********************************************
So that’s what “YOU” people do? RolI the dice to elect a “Black” man?
Well black people have been ROLLING THE DICE electing WHITE MEN AND WHERE DID THAT GET US?
Whats good for the GOOSE is good for the GANDER!
What is good for ‘YOU’ is equally good for ‘US’; or, what “YOU” can have or do, so can “WE” have or do.
Rich Jones
December 1st, 2011
9:31 am
All these people saying it doesn’t matter, I’m sure you feel the same way about gay people. Hypocrites.
Frederick Douglass
December 1st, 2011
9:36 am
This next presidential election is going to be too close call to right now. However; if the Supreme court upholds the Health Care act, and Obama wins re-election, that’s going to go a long ways toward driving a stake into the heart of the white notion that they should have everything their way.
Real Athens
December 1st, 2011
10:31 am
Straight Talk:
“… Millions have been spent to insure we know nothing about Obama! Hypocrite Jim, when are you going to explore that?”
Please expound on the latest conspiracy theories.
Herman Cain is a philanderer. He’s not alone, nor is he the first, but a philanderer he is. Now say it doesn’t matter and move on. At the same time, cast aside all the family values, Christian, hyperbole.
Be Careful What You Wish For!
December 1st, 2011
12:08 pm
@Real Athens December 1st, 2011 10:31 am “… Millions have been spent to insure we know nothing about Obama! Hypocrite Jim, when are you going to explore that?”
**************************************************
Get Real Real. If there were ANYTHING…ANYTHING…ANYTHING in Obama’s closet if would have fallen out by now.
“You” people looked under EVERY….EVERY rock, looked through EVERY….EVERY closet and I bet they even went to the MOON and they still COULD NOT find anything!
Why don”t “YOU” people realize that Obama is an educated black man who is a husband and father who has lived his life in a moral and ethical way.
The people you need to explore are the ones that go around talking about FAMILY VALUES!
Beware of WOLVES in sheeps clothing! They are called HYPOCRITES!
Be Careful What You Wish For!
December 1st, 2011
12:19 pm
You people CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
YOU people deny, suppress, or minimize what we know to be true about Herman Cain.
YOU assert, adorn, and elevate what we know to be false about Obama.
liberalefty
December 1st, 2011
12:45 pm
OBAMA needs to teach these wh@remongers about family values
darb
December 2nd, 2011
8:14 am
Cain is going home to GA today to tell his wife why he gave money to this woman, but he is still trying to convince all of us it was just money from the heart, and no sex involved? As they say “and pigs can fly”? I say he will not have the support of his wife and family going forward, he has done things that many men do, but that isnt right, and that will not allow him to be President of the US. Too much in this mans closet keep coming out. Cain i down for the count, lets move on.
darb
December 2nd, 2011
3:43 pm
I just read a story that Cain will make his decision tomorrow (Sat) to the public, saying his “wife and family come first”. My guess is we wont have Cain on the podium any longer. Probably a good thing.
Cain’s Good Deed « dagnyd
December 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
[...] out people in need, quietly and without anyone knowing. It was a very Christian thing to do and Cain is an associate minister at his church. Cain claims he did such favors for many people, both men and women. He also [...]
Herman Cain Campaign Announcement Video Dec. 3, 2011 GOP Presidential Campaign Status Decision | Shallow Nation
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 am
[...] Cain’ll Benefit if Cain Withdraws?Herman Cain’s Marriage Shaken by Infidelity ChargesThe compartmentalized life of Herman Cain YouTube LinkRelated posts:Ginger White Last Word with Lawerence O’Donnell Video Interview, [...]
Frank Echlin
December 3rd, 2011
10:25 am
what’s the big deal? Jesse Jackson took his girlfriend with him when he went to council Pres. Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Cai just loves dat white meat……….ha ha ha ha
darb
December 3rd, 2011
6:03 pm
Good bye herman, too many skeletons in your closet. Guess you didnt think folks would find out or care?