Fourth Woman Accuses Cain Of Sexual Harassment

Fourth Woman Accuses Cain Of Sexual Harassment. From a November 7 New York Times article:

Herman Cain said he would offer a formal defense Tuesday against allegations from a woman who said Mr. Cain made an unwanted and rough physical advance on her 14 years ago when he was the chief of the National Restaurant Association.

The woman, Sharon Bialek, said Monday that Mr. Cain had made the advance after she asked him for employment help in 1997 after being fired from the association's education foundation.

“There is not an ounce of truth in all of these accusations,” Mr. Cain said in a jovial interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC, where the highly charged issue was discussed by the host in the mostly humorous terms typical of late night television. “That's why I'm willing to do a press conference tomorrow,” Mr. Cain said, “to set the record straight.”

[...]

After taking her out for a night on the town in Washington, [Bialek] said, he suggested she engage with him sexually in return for his assistance -- seizing her inappropriately when they were alone in a car and running his hand up her skirt.

“Mr. Cain said, 'You want a job, right?' ” she said. [The New York Times, 11/7/11]

Right-Wing Media Respond By Attacking, Dismissing Accuser

Fox Nation: “Latest Cain Accuser Has A Chicago Smell.” A November 8 Fox Nation post described Bialek, a native of Chicago, as having “a Chicago smell.” The post linked to a Washington Times blog post detailing Bialek's ties to the city. [Fox Nation, 11/8/11]

Dick Morris: “I Look Forward To [Bialek's] Spread In Playboy.” During the November 7 edition of Fox News' Hannity, host Sean Hannity discussed the allegations with Fox News contributor Dick Morris. Hannity said: “This is 15 years ago. The woman did not work for the Restaurant Association. She comes forward at this moment. There really isn't any corroboration -- it's a he said, she said.” Morris responded: “Well, this is ridiculous. ... This woman is in search of money. ... This woman has been unemployed for 13 years, and this is apparently payday. ... I look forward to her spread in Playboy.” [Fox News, Hannity, 11/7/11, via Media Matters]

Morris: Bialek Is A “Gold Digger.” On the November 7 edition of Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Tonight, Morris called Bialek a “gold digger” and her accusation against Cain “outlandish.” [Fox Business, Lou Dobbs Tonight, 11/7/11, via Media Matters]

Hannity On Bialek: “There's Nothing Here. The Lady Didn't Even Work For The Company.” During the November 7 edition of his radio program, Hannity said of Bialek's accusation: “There's nothing here. The lady didn't even work for the company.” [Premiere Radio Networks, The Sean Hannity Show, 11/7/11, via Media Matters]

Limbaugh: Gloria Allred Clarified Pronunciation Of Cain Accuser's Name: It's “Buy-A-Lick, As In [Slurping Sound] Buy-A-Lick.” During the November 7 edition of his radio show, Rush Limbaugh described the pronunciation of Bialek's name by saying, "[It's] buy-a-lick, as in [slurping sound] buy-a-lick." [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 11/7/11, via Media Matters]

NY Post Columnist: Cain Accuser Is “Shameless,” “Gold Digger.” In a November 8 New York Post column titled, “Jobless & shameless gal going for gold,” Andrea Peyser called Bialek a “gold digger” who “recounted with a broad grin the night back in 1997 when she flirted like a tart with the 'inspirational' Mr. Cain.” [New York Post, 11/8/11]

Hannity Brands Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Cain: “Anatomy Of A Smear Campaign.” On the November 7 edition of his Fox News show, Hannity reported on Bialek's accusations in a segment called, “Anatomy of a Smear Campaign”:

[Fox News, Hannity, 11/7/11]

Right-Wing Media Responded To Previous Cain Allegations By Dismissing Sexual Harassment As “Meaningless”

Right-Wing Media Responded To Previous Accusations Against Cain By Dismissing Sexual Harassment As “Meaningless.” Following previous reports of sexual harassment accusations against Cain, right-wing media claimed that such allegations are often “meaningless” or used as “a political tool.” [Media Matters, 11/1/11]