Herman Cain’s Top Iowa Organizers: ‘The Story Has Made Some People Angry’
EmailABC News’ Shushannah Walshe and Michael Falcone report:
URBANDALE, Iowa — Herman Cain’s Iowa state director thumbed through a stack of supporter sign-up forms at the campaign’s headquarters here, telling ABC News that the sexual harassment allegations that have rocked the Cain campaign this week have actually been a “catalyst” in this state.
Larry Tuel, who runs Cain’s campaign in Iowa, said that the endless stream of news stories on Cain’s alleged misbehavior toward women have attracted new supporters and emboldened existing ones.
“The story has made some people angry,” Tuel said in an interview on Thursday. “We think that people want to show their support for Mr. Cain. I think the average Iowan that’s supporting Mr. Cain or any candidate sees through this story, sees that there is nothing to it and that they’re out in droves to support Mr. Cain.”
Tuel and Cain’s Iowa communications director, Lisa Lockwood, said they were undeterred by the controversy enveloping the campaign this week or the fact that over the past couple of months Cain has mostly been an absentee candidate in the state, which holds the nation’s first nominating contest in early January.
“We’d like to see more of Mr. Cain,” Tuel said. “Of course Mr. Cain cannot move to Iowa any more than he can move to New Hampshire or South Carolina, and he’s got a busy schedule. We’re running a different kind of campaign. It’s a national campaign — that requires his presence coast to coast.”
Cain last visited Iowa on Oct. 22, and Tuel said the next time he expects the candidate back in the state is Nov. 19. Tuel also noted that plans are in the works for an early December bus tour through the state, much like the one Cain took ahead of the August Ames Straw Poll. Campaign sources said the tour might include a “mega town hall meeting,” with thousands in attendance.
During a lunchtime visit this week to Cain’s headquarters, located in a shopping center in the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, reporters from ABC News found about a dozen volunteers telephoning potential supporters, many of them older Iowans. When ABC returned in the evening — a time when local campaign offices would usually be packed with an after-work crowd — only two volunteers remained in the office. They said that others were at home making placards for Friday night’s Iowa Republican Party Dinner, which Cain does not plan to attend.
ABC News visited the same campaign headquarters last month and found the office quiet and empty.
On Thursday, the walls of the headquarters were adorned with red, white and blue bunting and hand-printed, poster-sized calendars of volunteer shift times. The office only has eight phone lines and volunteers sat in front of laptops at cubicles making phone calls.
One of them — retiree Pat Smith — said she started volunteering at the Iowa office last week. She carried a photo she had taken with Cain on a previous visit to Iowa, and in an interview she called Cain a “moral” and “genuine” man.
“I think that they’re just trying to besmirch the man,” Smith said of the sexual harassment allegations against him. “I think he’s such a gentleman that I don’t even think he’s capable of this kind of behavior, I really don’t.”
But Smith acknowledged that during her phone banking on Thursday, Iowans she spoke with peppered her with questions about the controversy.
“That came up with every phone call,” she said. “I think there’s a concern about it, but I really think that he’s above so much of this. I don’t think it’s going to hurt him at all.”
Another volunteer Patti Spencer Burdette, a Presbyterian minister who’s been volunteering for Cain since January, called the presidential hopeful the “real deal.” She said the allegations were not hurting the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO with voters here and that Iowa Republicans were taking them “with a grain of salt.”
“Everybody wants to see the top dog be brought down, and I firmly believe that’s very much a part of it and other people wanting to get 15 minutes of fame on their own,” Burdette told ABC News. “It’s reaching people, but it’s not necessarily reaching them in such a way as they are going to start doubting the man.”
She added, “We are Iowans. We don’t get real upset about anything because we know that common sense is supposed to guide our lives.”
Tuel said the allegations that have gripped not only the campaign, but the political news cycle for the entire week will make the campaign “stronger.” In a recent Des Moines Register poll, Cain and rival Mitt Romney were running in a virtual dead heat for the lead in the Hawkeye State, less than two months before the first caucus votes are cast here.
“We have had no one mention to us that there’s anything negative about the story as it relates to Iowa voters,” Tuel said. “All of our supporters think that the story is just what it is — there’s nothing to it. The bottom line is these people really have come out and supported Mr. Cain, perhaps a little bit because of the story but also because now is the time to get behind your candidate and that’s what they’re doing.”
Earlier this week, Cain’s Iowa State Chairman, Steve Grubbs, tweeted that the campaign signed more than three dozen new precinct captains in one day. And Cain campaign officials here said they were planning to open two other satellite offices — one in Council Bluffs and another in Cedar Rapids — between now and the Jan. 3 Caucuses. The campaign only has a handful of paid staff in the state.
Also this week the campaign launched its “Iowa Fund” — a challenge to raise $999,000 before Nov. 9. Late Thursday the campaign announced it had already collected more than $250,000 toward that goal.
Cain’s communications director Lisa Lockwood, who used to work for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, said she thinks the accusations against her boss are only bubbling up now that he is at the top of the polls.
“The further ahead in the polls he gets the bigger the target gets and the more ammo they try to throw at him,” she said.
A national ABC News poll released on Friday showed that Cain remains a top contender for the Republican nomination. Cain was just one percentage point behind Romney, 23 percent to 24 percent.
“I don’t see Mr. Cain being in any way any kind of a threat, making any woman uncomfortable,” Lockwood told ABC News. “He’s a friendly guy. It’s — I was skeptical about it because now that he is becoming nationally known, all of a sudden this has been dredged up from, what, 12, 15 years ago. The timing of it is, I think, odd.”
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Yes of course these are trumped up charges, After all, they were made and settled in 1999 when Mr. Cain had no political asperations. I love the discussion that the fact that he has greater support because of the legal action against him shows an indication of where the republicans are going. Give accolades to the boss and denigrate the employee.
Posted by: John | November 4, 2011, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
If I were Mitt Romney I would be SOOOO teed!!! Everyday a slap in the face! “Anybody but Romney…”
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 4, 2011, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Sooooo, they are in essence therefore also effectively showing support FOR sexual harassment. How can any clear thinking person support let alone vote for a serial sexual harasser? Pathetic.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | November 4, 2011, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Sooooo, B-K KNIGHTRIDER, I trust you were not a Clinton voter? Just saying.
Posted by: James | November 4, 2011, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
POSTED BY: B-K KNIGHTRIDER | NOVEMBER 4, 2011, 5:45 PM 5:45 PM. Do you know something the rest of us don’t know. Do you know the women, where you there????????
Posted by: Lizzie | November 4, 2011, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
The iowan Cain supporters are in a classic state of denial; pure and simple. He represents their response to allegations of racism, so the’re very desparate to keep him in the race until the GOP convention. They are willing and eager to dismiss the sexual harassment charges. If such charges had been made about Barack Obama when he was a candidate, they would never be so tolerant or dismissive. When the identies of the women become public, we will witness a character assasination campaign, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the McCarthy Era.
Posted by: cloteasboy | November 4, 2011, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
The National Restaurant Association called this lady’s bluff by removing the confidentiality restriction and she folded like a cheap suit. The big news and story on this was that Mr Cain was hiding behind the confidentiality agreement and that these women wanted to talk freely. “Where are thy accusers”. They ran away when their bluff was called. Duke Lacrosse Team. Tawana Brawley. Jennifer Flowers- oops, scratch that. That one was true.
Posted by: Austin | November 5, 2011, 5:25 am 5:25 am
It makes you angry???? You should be angry….at your candidate. These are not trumped up charges and others have attested to seeing him be disrespectful to females. including one radio announcer who says he was inappropriate to one of the females on his station and another male who claimed to have dinner with him where he had to be told to “cool his comments” because he was making the women at the table uncomfortable. I understand why this woman does not want to come forward as she will be made to be a “whore” as was Anita Hill. However, one thing cannot be denied…the Restaurant Industry did make two not one payouts to women because of something Mr. Cain did. ….to the tune of $80,000. That is a heck of a lot of money over nothing. If the restaurant industry wants to solve this matter….they should release what he was accused of and why they paid out that amount of money to two not one but two women. Funny how the republicans immediately said Weiner should resign and yet are willing to support his man inspite of these allocations. Just like they did Mr. Sanford who flew to Brazil to cheat on his wife. They seem to have double standards as they did with Mr. Ennis when it comes to their party. It will all come out in the end. It is amazing that Mr. Cain who claims there is no racial inequality and everyone can get ahead resorted to “racial sentiments” as soon as he was charged. As I said…double standards. The worst part of this is people are ignoring he is not qualified, did not know that China already has nukes and does not know one country from the other. He says he can learn them…..not in time…Mr. Cain.
Posted by: Talmag | November 5, 2011, 10:11 am 10:11 am
The Des Moines Register reports that the so-called “conservative” talk-show host says that Cain said to one of his female staffers, “Darling, do you mind doctoring my tea for me?”
This fool doesn’t realize that this is the way southerners talk, and pillories Cain for making “awkward if not inappropriate” comments.
Ironically, this Steve Deace character acts quite patronizingly toward his own womenfolk – “I have instructed our employees not to address the situation specifically…”
Yes, let’s keep them away from that oversexed black man.
Posted by: Oliver Shagnasty | November 5, 2011, 10:18 am 10:18 am
(From Iowa, and the extremely conservative radio host Steve Deace’s show): “On Wednesday’s show, Deace began by interviewing conservative filmmaker John Ziegler, who contended that in aiding Cain, the conservative media are really helping President Obama, who he said would beat Cain handily in a general election. Deace played the skeptical straight man. He asked how the conservative media could prove Zielger wrong. “Tell the truth about Herman Cain,” Ziegler said. “Don’t prop him up. Hold him to the same standard you would hold a liberal candidate to. We’re not seeing that from the conservative media.” Deace jumped in: “You mean, for example, that if a Democrat said he wouldn’t sign a pledge to defend marriage, that he had gave six different positions on abortion in two weeks, if he didn’t know that China had nuclear weapons, things like that, that these same people would just trash this guy six ways from Sunday? Is that what you’re saying?” It was only the opening salvo in a two-hour show that frequently returned to the topic of Cain’s many heresies against conservative doctrine. By the end of the show, Deace was declaring, “The fact this guy got this far knowing nothing, standing for nothing … is more of an indictment against us than Mr. Cain…. We get the government we deserve, whether that’s Barack Obama or the next Kool-Aid drinking cult of personality — Herman Cain.” ———- Deace is obviously focused on ending Cain’s bid. And Deace is very influential in Conservative talk radio. So long, Herman………………….
Posted by: Searambler | November 5, 2011, 10:40 am 10:40 am
If the charges are trumped up…why did the National Restaurant Assoc. pay out $80,000 to keep it quite 9 years ago? Just asking. That is a lot of money for nothing. These women remember what happened to Anita Hill who until today …I believe her. What is more important is Mr. Cain did not know that China already has nukes and he is not familiar with the names of other countries. When it was mentioned…his reply was I will learn them as I go along. Do we want a student in training or someone who at least knows something about other countries and their policies. And forthermore, who will be teaching him…the Koch Brothers.. his brother f rom another mother?
Posted by: Talmag | November 5, 2011, 11:07 am 11:07 am
LIZZIE: ‘POSTED BY: B-K KNIGHTRIDER | NOVEMBER 4, 2011, 5:45 PM 5:45 PM. Do you know something the rest of us don’t know. Do you know the women, where you there????????” – - – Of course I was not there. And of course I don’t know the women. I am however able to understand a lot more than conservatives appear able to understand. For example, I understand how wrong sexual harassment is. When the form of the harassment is serious enough the FIRST TIME, and when harassers REPEAT THE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR even AFTER learning it is inappropriate, sexual harassment is IMMORATL – PERIOD. When the harasser is in a position of power/authority sexual harassment is an IMMORAL ABUSE OF POWER – PERIOD. I correctly understand what sexual harassment is and WHY it is immoral. I taught sexual harassment prevention for 14 years. I have investigated sexual harassment complaints. I have counseled and assisted victims with their complaints. I have counseled some alleged harassers and actual harassers. If SHE/THEY thought Cain’s behavior was sexual in nature, and if SHE/THEY thought Cain’s behavior was unwanted/unwelcome, and if SHE/THEY thought Cain’s behavior had an adverse impact on HER/THEIR work or work related environment and if another reasonable woman could perceive Cain’s behavior the same way then what Cain did was sexual harassment – BY DEFINITION. Why do so many conservatives seem to want to change the definition of a term? I also know that I HAVE NO RATIONAL REASON TO DISBELIEVE THE WOMEN. When it comes to complaints of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape my default position is to believe the complainant until I have RATIONAL REASONS that have the support of SUFFICIENTLY reliable objective and/or subjective evident upon which to doubt the complainant. I also know my reaction would be IDENTICAL if Cain was white and/or a liberal. I also know I am not sexist let alone a misogynist.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | November 5, 2011, 11:33 am 11:33 am
How much did the lawyers make in these agreements – $40,000 to $50,000 (50% to 60% contingency)?
Yes its much cheaper to pay the lawyers than take them to court because when the company wins, the business has paid its lawyers hundreds of thousand dollars. It’s really a scam fostered by the legal community which clouds “real” abuse of the other sex.
Let’s beat Obama with a Cain!
Posted by: NHead | November 5, 2011, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Cain and Brock playing the media like a base drum Boom Boommmm Boommmmmmmm!
Posted by: Big Papa | November 5, 2011, 11:51 am 11:51 am
OLIVER SHADNASTY: ” The Des Moines Register reports that the so-called “conservative” talk-show host says that Cain said to one of his female staffers, “Darling, do you mind doctoring my tea for me?” – ” This fool doesn’t realize that this is the way southerners talk, and pillories Cain for making “awkward if not inappropriate” comments.” – - – You really don’t understand how that word darling alone is sexist and dismissive and condescending? Just because that form of sexism and dismissiveness might be the normal “way southerners talk” toward women that does not change the reality of what that kind of language can mean in its totality. And yes, that means southern culture is in many ways sexist and dismissive and condescending toward women as a matter of routine. I know because I mostly grew up in the South. Well, judging from the name you use here I am guessing that you are the fool who is totally clueless about how the meaning of language goes WAY BEYOND the literal meaning of words. So, even if we ignore the word darling I am guessing you are totally clueless about how non-verbal cues can change the comment you quote from an innocent request for something in his tea to covert sexual innuendo. Actually, if the name you use here indicates anything it means you probably understand quite well about how to use sexual innuendo, both the overt and the covert kind.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | November 5, 2011, 11:51 am 11:51 am
‘The Story Has Made Some People Angry’?
Yep, I dug down and sent some more money to Herman!
Posted by: bobh | November 5, 2011, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
BOBH: “‘The Story Has Made Some People Angry’? Yep, I dug down and sent some more money to Herman!” – - – Why? Why do you support a serial sexual harasser? Why do you support sexual harassment? Why do you reward someone who abused his power to harm women? That is pathetic.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | November 5, 2011, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
‘The Story Has Made Some People Angry’?
Yep, I dug down and sent some more money to Herman!
Posted by: bobh | November 5, 2011, 12:19 pm.
Really? Let’s be clear here. A story surfaces that Mr. Cain was accused of sexual harassment a number of times several years ago. Payoffs were made and non-disclosure statements were signed. And THAT caused you to send him MORE money. Is that correct? And if so…..
Why?
Posted by: Searambler | November 5, 2011, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
I don’t know if Herman Cain did these things or not, he refuses to tell the American Restaurant Association to just put all the facts out there and get it over with. Why people would send him more money until they knew the whole story is beyond me. Ideology is one thing, the facts are another. As John Wayne said in the Sands of Iwo Jima, “Life is hard; it’s even harder if you’re stupid”
Posted by: tmferretti | November 5, 2011, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
DEBRA: “YES, I SENT MONEY BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF LEFT WING MEDIA…THE CHICKS HAD A CHANCE TO TALK AND DIDN’T SO I DON’T BELIEVE THIS STUFF.” – - – Thanks for being honest about how you are totally incapable of engaging in independent rational thought. Thanks for being honest about you are willing to reactively and reflexively use the genetic fallacy (i.e. the source of information matters far more than the validity or rationality of the information, as in refusing to evaluate the rationality and validity of an idea or information ONLY upon its own merits). I bet you don’t have a clue about how poor and irrational that kind of thinking is. As for the “thousands of allegations regarding their own party” that the media is supposedly not reporting – PROVE IT. Provide us some evidence about even one single case in the last 10 years when the media did not report about sexual harassment allegations “their own party.” Which BTW includes FOX News not reporting about other Republicans engaging in sexual harassment because FOX News is after all part of the media. As for the Larry Sinclair implication – ROFL. Exactly how much koolaide have you been smoking? As for your claim that the women did not talk, well, that is patently false. They did in FACT talk to and through their lawyers. Whether or not they spoke indirectly through their lawyers or were to say EXACTLY THE SAME THING DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC would not change one bloody thing. Whether or not they speak directly or indirectly is irrelevant to the reliability of what they say. Besides, you demonstrate your own hypocrisy if you accept any of that insane Larry Sinclair tripe that the “left wing media” did in fact report. You demonstrate that you are perfectly willing to believe the “left wing media” when you like what it reports. I bet you are also clueless about how hypocritical that is.
Posted by: B-K knightRider | November 5, 2011, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
They should be angry only if he is completely innocent. However, he is obviously aware of these charges. If he is a sexual harrassing man, do we really want him in the white house. Granted his story is compelling that he climbed the corporate ladder, but that doesn’t make him an average American. That puts him in the top 1% and means he is the top boss that most Americans would never meet. Sure he speaks his mind, but do we really want that type of loose cannon dealing with other nations in diplomatic terms. He already said it is perfectly ok for us to go into a shooting war with IRAN. Do you really want that type of war mongering leading the nation?
Posted by: TV | November 5, 2011, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
herman your 999 will not work.does your volunteers know that if their income is $50,000.00 or less that they do not pay any federal income tax(married couples).you will have us pay 9% flat tax and 9%national sales tax.this will cost us thousand of dollars.try and explain to all how your 999 is going to help ever one,you haven’t been doing your homework….
Posted by: jim hummell | November 5, 2011, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
I’ve worked in management for years and have seen and been a part of sexual harassment cases. Cain was not involved in the meeting The restaurant association and the alleged victim and their representatives. I want people to pay close attention here. I would say over 90% of the time there is a pay off regardless of guilt or not. This is a “pay off to go away” and to keep from spending thousands upon thousands in court. What these women were paid are peanuts. If it was “TRUTH” OR “REAL” they could have fought it in court. REAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT begins at $250,000.00 or more. I know a case going on now which will probably be millions along with prison. Was Cain fired? No he wasn’t. MOVE ON this is baseless! WE SHOULD RALLY BEHIND HERMAN CAIN AND SUPPORT HIM. THIS IS JUST WHAT THE PROGRESSIVES RINOS GOP GOOD OLD BOYS WANT… TO KEEP HIM OUT
Posted by: Yahalomit (Kimberly) | November 6, 2011, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm