Cain's Disdain

The question of whether Cain sexually harassed, assaulted, or otherwise sexually offended the accusers in his past is settled by Cain himself. Cain's defense up to this point has been to cite his wife's remark to the effect that anyone making such an accusation clearly doesn't know him. This defense depends on the unspoken premise that there is an unimpeachable respect for women lying in the foundation of Cain's character. This premise has been defeated by Cain himself on two instances, the first is the demeaning and disrespectful reference to the previous holder of the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives and the second instance is the recent joke involving Anita Hill.

The office of Speaker of the House of Representatives is an august office and demands a certain modicum of respect. For Cain, during the recent debate, to slight that office by referring to the previous holder as "princess" lays bare his disdain for either the office or the holder. If it is the office, then he has not learned the requisite respect for that office of government and is, thereby, unworthy to serve in the government, therefore, he is, de facto, hardly presidential material and should immediately withdraw from the race before he also sullies the office of President of the United States; if it is the second, then he not only discloses the fact that he has precisely the character of someone who would do the very things he is accused of but he also reveals himself to be bereft of the very character traits of decency, honesty, and forthrightness that are wanted in a president. On those grounds he should, again, immediately remove himself from the race.

In the case of the joke involving Anita Hill, it should be clear to even the most casual observer that his cavalier attitude toward the obvious implications of the reference to Ms. Hill betrayed a sinister glee over discovering a similar "he said; she said" successful strategy. However, whereas Chief Justice Thomas has seen the wisdom of silence since his confirmation, Cain's arrogance about his gaffes is dancing on the weakness of the law in such cases. I daresay that, except for the few that confirmed Thomas, there were precious few who believed him; and, except for the fragmented and "troubled" individuals who continue to support Cain, the very fact that he is unable to either notice his disdain for women or take disdain for women seriously, demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt that he has both the prerequisite character and had the opportunity, by virtue of his office, for behaving as his accusers have said he behaved. Furthermore, his refusal to give a complete answer to the question posed to him during the debate shows an equal disdain for the office of the President of the United States of America by treating it as unworthy of full disclosure in matters of character and that, as Churchill once said. is "something up with which I will not put." Let me just note that, insofar as he attempts to deface and mark the office of POTUS, he comes to that task with the right name.

And now a woman has come forth to say that she had a 13 year affair with Cain and last night he told Wolf Blitzer (aka "Blitz" to Cain) that he didn't have such an affair; and, by the way, Cain announced today that he will be "re-evaluating his campaign"; coincidence? I think not.