Breaking news in the last 24 hours: Presidential candidate Herman Cain is spending time backtracking and excusing his way out of factual evidence that he was sued for sexual harassment back in the 1990s.
The two women involved received a small financial settlement and agreed to non-disclosure terms.
Now, there are a few things I want to point out here.
I don't dislike Herman Cain. He seems to have an impressive resumé and his experience in the business world might be something we could use in Washington. He might be very good in the job.
However, he has never been elected to any office -- and jumping into the White House is a mighty big step to take. There is a reason that the United States usually elects Governors or Generals. We like to have a person with government leadership experience at the top.
I have actually always felt that this run at President was just Herman Cain "building his brand" so that he could eventually win a race for U.S. Senate or Governor further down the road.
I don't believe he will win a single primary or caucus.
Things like this sexual harassment lawsuit are a perfect example. When it comes right down to it, most people don't know what Herman Cain was doing 3 years ago, or 5 years ago, or 10 years ago.
This leaves too much room for "gotcha" politics.
What else don't we know about Herman Cain?
We know what Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul have been doing for many years...they have been members of Congress. We know Mitt Romney has been running for President non-stop for about 6 years. We know Rick Perry has been Governor of Texas for the last 10 years straight.
But Herman Cain? He was the CEO of Godfathers Pizza. That is about what the average voter knows about him.
Now they know that he was sued for sexual harassment, and his poll numbers are going to sink like a rock, because the issue goes directly to his integrity. Politician John Edwards got caught cheating on his wife, and his career was ruined. Newt Gingrich could easily be the top candidate, except for the fact that voters don't trust him because he was an adulterer in his personal life.
Herman Cain hasn't helped himself by being less than honest about these facts. And he is starting to get his story mixed-up about what he knew and when he knew it. Again, these issues go straight to trustability and character.
Herman Cain better get his act together quick on this story, or he is going to find himself back in the single digits.
