The latest accusation of sexual impropriety against Herman Cain is being treated somewhat differently from the first two. But as several commentators have already pointed out, it's not being treated differently enough. And to the extent that is being treated differently, it's for all the wrong reasons. The first four women to accuse Herman Cain all alleged non-consensual sexual harassment, with one of these alleged victims claiming that, on at least one occasion, the harassment rose to the level of sexual assault. By contrast, Cain's latest accuser claims that her and Cain engaged in a 13-year consensual, "casual" relationship that ended eight months ago, around the time that he began campaigning for the presidency. Yet, the reaction from much of the media has been to lump this accusation in with the others. Some in the conservative media have even said this accusation is worse than the others.
As Slate.com's Amanda Marcotte points out, this response underscores the outdated hypermoralism that continues to permeate the political landscape and the media apparatus charged with covering it. It's understandable that Cain's wife might see the 13-year affair as a worse betrayal. But for the voting public, this shouldn't be the most important thing that he needs to answer for, since the other allegations actually involved breaches of law, and in one case, criminal law. Nor is Cain's 13-year affair a reliable indicator of how he would govern, given the countless past examples of statesmen who've effectively and successfully carried out their duties while maintaining affairs of their own (sometimes, on the job!).
Still, I can understand why people view this most recent revelation as conclusive evidence that Cain is indeed deserving of public scorn. What I can't understand is why that scorn hasn't also been directed at Cain's mistress, Ginger White. By White's own admission, Cain did nothing to harm her in anyway. It appears they were friends with benefits, with most of the benefits being reaped on her end. He was a wealthy businessman, while she was a failed businesswoman who travelled around the country and received financial assistance all courtesy of Herman Cain. Then, when Cain appeared to be on his last leg, she dropped this bombshell that promises to destroy his reputation and possibly tear his family apart.
I don't mean to absolve Herman Cain of his role in this whole fiasco. But the affair was over. Why dredge up these painful events from the past and force unnecessary emotional pain on Cain's family, all of whom are innocent by-standers? What's even worse is that Ginger White's decision to go public appears to be completely unprovoked. If I had to guess, I'd say she's trying to jump on the bandwagon of Cain accusers, and, by association, garner some of the public sympathy that people have been expressing toward Cain's alleged victims.
If Cain's wife ever decides to divorce him and seek a large divorce settlement on the grounds that he was unfaithful, at least some of the money should come from Ginger White, who could easily have prevented this situation in the first place.
