“A+”: Fox Applauds Cain's Defense Against Sexual Harassment Accusations

Written by Chelsea Rudman

Published

Following GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain's press conference at which he denied allegations of sexual harassment, Fox News figures immediately applauded Cain's defense, calling it “very strong” and giving it a grade of “A+.” This follows Fox figures previously attacking one of Cain's accusers and dismissing allegations of sexual harassment as “meaningless.”

“Very Strong”: Fox Lauds Cain's Press Conference Dismissing Sexual Harassment Accusations

Fox's Tantaros And Bolling Agree: Cain's Performance At Press Conference Was An “A+.” On the November 8 edition of Fox News' The Five, co-host Andrea Tantaros praised Cain's press conference as an “extremely fierce counter-punch” and went on to say: “I think he answered a lot of questions ... A job well done. A+.” Co-host Eric Bolling agreed, also rating Cain's performance an “A+,” and said, “I think this going to end up helping him going forward.” [Fox News, The Five, 11/9/11, via Media Matters]

O'Reilly: Cain's Defense Against Sexual Harassment Accusations Was “Very Strong.” On the November 8 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, host Bill O'Reilly said Cain was “very emotional” at his press conference and said his performance was “very strong.” [Fox News, The O'Reilly Factor, 11/8/11, via Media Matters]

Hannity: “You Would Think This Is Going To End [The Harassment Discussion].” During the November 8 edition of Fox News' Hannity, host Sean Hannity reacted to Cain's press conference by saying, “You would think this is going to end it.” From Hannity:

HANNITY: You know, you would think that this is going to end it, but it's not. Here we have this woman, I guess she works in the Obama administration, is -- Kraushaar, and she's out there saying, Karen, that she would be willing to now have a joint press conference with all the other women. Now, so what does that mean? So, all of these women together are now going to come out publicly and the story never goes away and the media will never stop asking this, there never comes an end to this? When in each case it's he said, she said, she said, he said? [Fox News, Hannity, 11/9/11]

Fox Previously Attacked Cain Accuser Bialek ...

Fox News Figures Attacked And Dismissed Cain Accuser Bialek. On November 7 and 8, Fox News figures and the Fox Nation website attacked Cain accuser Sharon Bialek. Fox Nation featured a post about Bialek under the headline, “Latest Cain Accuser Has a Chicago Smell.” Fox News contributor Dick Morris called Bialek a “gold digger” and also said, “I look forward to [Bialek's] spread in Playboy.” On his radio show, Hannity said: “There's nothing here. The lady didn't even work for the company.” [Media Matters, 11/8/11]

... And 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, Fox News figures claimed that such allegations are often “meaningless” or are brought by employees who are “looking for a little green.” [Media Matters, 11/1/11]