Views on Herman Cain Increasingly Negative
EmailUnfavorable views of Herman Cain have soared by 17 points in the face of allegations of past sexual harassment, including a sharp increase in negative views of Cain within his own party.
The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that more Americans now see Cain unfavorably than favorably, by 44 percent to 29 percent, with the rest undecided. Favorability is a basic measure of any public figure’s personal popularity. It’s trouble when it goes negative.
Favorable views of Cain are essentially unchanged from a month ago – 31 percent then, 29 percent now. But the number who have no opinion of him has dropped steeply, while the share seeing Cain unfavorably has jumped from 27 percent in mid-October to today’s 44 percent.
The results suggest that essentially everyone who’s formed an opinion of Cain in the past month has done so negatively – a change concurrent with allegations by four women that Cain sexually harassed them in the 1990s when he headed a restaurant trade association in Washington, D.C.
More Republicans still see Cain positively than negatively, by 50-36 percent. But that compares with 52-17 percent last month, a 19-point rise in his unfavorable rating within his own party. His unfavorable rating also is up by 14 points among independents, as well as by 22 points among Democrats. And it’s up by 20 points among women, but also by 14 points among men.
In a measure of intensity, “strongly” unfavorable views of Cain now outnumber strongly favorable ones among the public overall by a 2-1 margin, 23 percent vs. 11 percent, after being essentially even last month.
One exception to the double-digit increases in Cain’s unfavorable rating is among Americans who identify themselves as very conservative, a core support group in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He’s viewed favorably by 48 percent of very conservatives and unfavorably by 28 percent, the latter up by a comparatively modest 7 points.
This poll was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates. Check back for more from the survey tomorrow on ABC’s Good Morning America.
METHODOLOGY – This ABC News/Washington Post survey was conducted by landline and cell phone among a random national sample of 1,018 adults from Nov. 9-13, 2011. The results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 points. This survey was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates of New York, N.Y., with sampling, data collection and tabulation by SSRS/Social Science Research Solutions of Media, Pa.
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Hmm… don’t know if its so much the allegations or more the inept handling of this fiasco along with his dismissive attitude regarding the issue of sexual harrassment. Look… I’ll give him a break… in his mind he did nothing wrong. However, the Board and Human Resources did. This is something he should acknowledge. Cain could still disagree but his blaming victims, calling them liars, laughing about Anita Hill et alia just does not fly–especially for any woman who has worked in the workforce and either saw or experienced sexual harrassment. Throw on top his inept experience regarding foreign policy to the point that he is insulting/offensive to foreign powers and thus an embarrassment for the USA, his favorablity dropping is hardly surprising. Its going to further drop as days go by. As someone else wrote regarding another article; “This turkey will be done and eaten by Thanksgiving.”
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 14, 2011, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
If the Republicans do or do not think the sexual harrassment claims are worth noting, it will be interesting to hear their reactions when they see Cain’s answer when questioned about President Oboma’s response to the uprising in Libya. He appeared confused, off message, ignorant about what the US actions were, incapable of articulating a message that clearly separated how he would have responded differently; searching for a clear response that would distance himself from Obama. He clearly is over his head with the stress; learning foreign policy might do him in.
Posted by: Robert Dent | November 14, 2011, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Joke about electrocuting human beings who try to cross the border. Joke about Anita Hill voting for him. Lord, does this shabby campaign think it’s for real when Cain alienates Hispanic and Women voters?
No, just another Koch Brothers funded project to keep national political discussion pegged to the Libertarian hard right.
Posted by: green.goddess | November 14, 2011, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
One more point… I’m not a Palin (what was her first name? Well… ya know who I’m talking about) at all, BUT had she made such an egregious error regarding China and its nuclear capability as Cain has done, (along with his other errors), the press would have figuratively crucified her! I think media needs to look in the mirror and reflect…
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 14, 2011, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
Unfortunately Obama’s refusal to enforce our border and Holder’s attack on states which seek to control the border is also a JOKE. Hahahahahahaha – not. I guess only Dem jokes are acceptable…..
Posted by: Logicsgood5 | November 14, 2011, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
I believe the only reason Cain was recommended by the tea party was to try to prove that Tea party members are not racists. Not only are the allegations of harassment disturbing but the lack of empathy about sexual harassment and his comments about Anita Hill and bantering that took place tell us where Cain and some of the tea party members are with their views of women. Tea party members would love to have this country return to the days when women and african americans are viewed as inferior. Apparently some of the members of the tea party are clearly racist, sexist , and homophobic . Each time they open their mouths they proceed to make themselves look quite ignorant. Go ahead tea party, continue to behave in this manner, and the women that you continue to insult and degrade eventually screw you when the time to vote comes around. We then will be the ones bantering and laughing at you
Posted by: Angela | November 14, 2011, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
Interesting – the press can convict this man in the court of public opinion, but when obama was running, they failed to vet the clown who would become the worst president in a century. It’s common knowledge now that the national press is no longer of much value due as the result of it’s corrupt bias.
Posted by: shepard245 | November 14, 2011, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Logicsgood5….I don’t believe that Obama is ‘refusing to enforce our border’, (intended to be reinforce?). It is up to Congress to pass legislation on immigration. A debate on the overhaul of the immigration law would be welcomed I expect by the WH. Spending money, billions of dollars, to create a physical barrier is not necessarily protecting the integrity of our borders. Fences have to end somewhere and if someone wants to enter the US, they’ll likely find a way, even via Canada. Is the next answer to build a 3,000+ mile fence across the northern border? And enforcing existing laws makes it even more complicated when individual states make their own laws. Congress is responsible for acting…the POTUS can only do so much to motivate them. You and I can likely do more by calling upon our representatives to act and quit being afraid of the debate.
Posted by: Robert Dent | November 14, 2011, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
SHEPARD245: President Obama had Osma bin Laden taken out by the Navy Seals on his direct order. Just what the hell did YOUR clown do in eight years except make the rich (probably YOU) a lot richer and the poor and middle class a lot poorer. All you kind can do is lie and spread hate. What a sorry mess you all are.
Posted by: LEE TAYLOR | November 14, 2011, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
“Interesting – the press can convict this man in the court of public opinion, but when obama was running, they failed to vet the clown who would become the worst president in a century…”
Tell us… what did they miss? Birth Certificate; relations with Ayers, Rezko, Wright, extramarital affairs; taxes; schooling; campaign financing; ACORN et alia. All produced n-o-t-h-i-n-g! What did they miss?
By the way… the century is far from over.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 14, 2011, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
“…Just what the hell did YOUR clown do in eight years except make the rich …”
Like it or not! President Bush was yours and my President too. Let’s try and respect the office and those (whatever persuasion) who holds it. We can absolutely disagree but just as President Obama has the authority to send our sons and daughters into combat so too did President Bush (of which he did.)
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | November 14, 2011, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
What always angers me is when people’s morality is dependent upon their politics. I consider sexual harassment wrong. I consider adultry wrong. I consider abuse wrong. I consider perjury wrong. However, so many others will first look at the person’s political party before supporting or condemning that person’s behavior. I bet that many of the people screaming for Cain’s head right now bent over backwards defending Clinton’s cheating on his wife in the Oval Office and then committing perjury. True Morality states that certain actions are WRONG, and one’s political party has nothing to do with it!
Posted by: Terrence | November 14, 2011, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
I have never cast a republican vote in a major election. not one time ever.also as a background point i want ya’ll to know i am a southern white woman in her mid fifties who works for a living.I am as partisan as anyone on the planet and even i know “they” have set this man up to get him out early so the sheeple can forget what good ideas he had.it is like someone decidd two black presidents in a row just could not be had. too damn bad, he might have been my first cross over vote.
Posted by: babz covington | November 14, 2011, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
If the press failed to vet Obama exactly what has come to light by now to prove this claim? NOTHING. If there was anything it would have been out by now. So obviously this isn’t true. God forbid we deal in reality in this country anymore. It’s like we can’t have a sane conversation because we’re too busy batting down stupid.
Posted by: lexingtonlady | November 14, 2011, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm
I told you tea bagggers two weeks ago he was done.. You’ll have to find another horsey to ride.
Posted by: Jim Bob jr. | November 14, 2011, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
Not a problem, he’ll take Sara’s place on FAUX news.
Posted by: dan | November 14, 2011, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Terrence – I don’t recall a lot of people defending Clinton when it came to perjury in fact, when he lied to the country is pretty much when most public support for him was out the door. Although there is no doubt the attacks back then were politically motivated by the right as are the attacks on Cain are initiated from the right this go around. Trust me Terrence, we democrats would love nothing more than a bozo like Cain become the GOP nominee. Although there really isn’t anyone on the stage at this point that will actually ever be president, Cain would make it just that much for of a cake walk for President Obama.
Posted by: dan | November 14, 2011, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
All you anti Cain people must think Bill Clinton should have never been elected… RIGHT? Right.
Bill Clinton makes Herman Cain look like a Saint!!!
Anyone want to try and tell me I’m wrong?
Why does the left hate Cain? Because he’s a Republican.. or because he’s black…?
Lemme guess… he’s hated for both reasons!
Typical leftwing yellowbellies.
Posted by: trax | November 14, 2011, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
I see Cain and Sandusky are sharing the same tactic now. Deny deny deny.
Posted by: Penn State of the Nation | November 14, 2011, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
And yet the left LOVES Bill Clinton.
Clinton makes Cain look like a saint!
Take a whiff and smell the sweet sweet irony.
Posted by: trax | November 14, 2011, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Give it up Trax. It’s known as a red herring. And you appear to be forgetting about Newt bj Gingrich.
Posted by: Quick look over there! | November 14, 2011, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Trax, the point you seem to be missing is that it’s not only the “left” who don’t trust Cain. It’s everyone except a small minority of rabid Cain supporters. Point one – he’s unelectable. Point two – as their specific racist comments about Obama have shown (particularly when he first got in), running a black man for office will alienate a HUGE herd of Republican supporters
Posted by: Martin8 | November 14, 2011, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
Someone mentioned the worst president. Not sure if Bush was the worst, but he certainly put us into the greatest debt and recession with his minimizing regulation and his costly war in Iraq. On July 30, 2008, in a strange effort to help the economy (the bill was hated by his party but loved by the banks) President Bush signed a bill that was the biggest overhaul of housing law in decades; provided a lifeline for an estimated 400,000 homeowners facing foreclosure, and provided assurances to the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose books were loaded with bad mortgages. Obviously it was too little too late but isn’t that classic Bush? Wage a costly war and reduce taxes. Recipe for disaster. We’re feeling it. And now the Republican congress wants to sit back and allow the economy to fester in an effort to place the blame on Obama. Afraid it is going to backfire. People see through the smoke screen. Its a lame duck Congress on the wrong side of the election.
Posted by: Robert Dent | November 14, 2011, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Do Republicans EVER grow out of “Mom, HE started it”?
Posted by: Spock fan | November 14, 2011, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
So, GOP voters are finally souring on this Koch-financed train wreck??? Naw, I don’t give them that much credit. They’ll vote for anyone who isn’t Obama, even this idiot con man.
Posted by: Dr. bubba | November 14, 2011, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
Sorry, but the fools who think GW Bush put us into this debt, please think again. Obama has given us $5 TRILLION in debt in three years. Bush gave us much less than that in 8 years. Get a life. He’s a one termer. Better get used to that.
Posted by: TJ in CA | November 15, 2011, 12:20 am 12:20 am
TJ – For starters Obama got a really bad recession and because of this he didn’t have the incoming revenue Bush had to work with. Get it?
Posted by: lexingtonlady | November 15, 2011, 1:15 am 1:15 am
Obama was handed a failing economy and was forced to take drastic action in order to prevent either a complete meltdown, or a decade or more of stagflation – no growth – according to most economists and experts. Japan is often cited as an example of what can happen if the government responds too slowly or with too little stimulus, when responding to a crisis. Their economy went flat for more than a decade.
Up until the very end, much of Bush’s spending, as in Iraq, was elective. He was handed a relatively thriving economy that nearly collapsed by the time he left.
Posted by: Bushbandit | November 15, 2011, 1:30 am 1:30 am
Simple fact, the cost of just the Bush tax cuts ($1.8 trillion) exceeds the costs of ALL spending under Obama ($1.4 trillion).
The final tally–$5.07 trillion of spending under Bush, $1.44 trillion under Obama. By the way, those figures for Obama are projections from 2009 to 2017. In other words, both presidents are being judged in eight-year time frames. And Bush “wins” the spending contest in a runaway.
This figure is based on elected policy changes, the things over which Congress and Administration have some control, as opposed to largely external shocks–like the repercussions of the 9/11 attacks or the deep worldwide recession following the 2008 financial crisis. Those external events make a big difference in the deficit, and they are the major reason why deficits have increased faster in absolute terms during Obama’s first two years than during the last two under Bush. (In a recession, tax revenues plunge, and government spending goes up–partly because of automatic programs like unemployment insurance, and partly in a deliberate attempt to keep the recession from getting worse.)
Posted by: Reality Check | November 15, 2011, 1:36 am 1:36 am
Reality Check – Way over their heads and they won’t be interested in facts. Too far gone.
Posted by: lexingtonlady | November 15, 2011, 7:20 am 7:20 am
Herman Cain’s done….
Posted by: newcountryman | November 15, 2011, 7:30 am 7:30 am
LMAO…..Herman has left all his staunch supporters at the alter of the “Has Been Church”. Don’t mind saying it but, “told you so”. The right is so desperate not to nominate Romney that they will stand behind ANYBODY but, Romney. With a mindset like that it just shows how desperate the GOP is. It also shows how weak and lame this field of candidates are. And you republicans want us to vote for someone even you don’t want, get real. Sorry, the GOP might just as well throw in towel now.
Posted by: Indymind | November 15, 2011, 8:08 am 8:08 am
POSTED BY: SPOCK FAN | NOVEMBER 14, 2011, 10:27 PM 10:27 PM. Sorry but that’s Pres.Obama’s line.
Posted by: Lizzie | November 15, 2011, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Green……and the rest, just to let you know that David Axelrod is pleased, one down and three to go, watch the media and the so-called sane bloggers ramp it up.
Posted by: Lizzie | November 15, 2011, 9:50 am 9:50 am
Lizzie | November 15, 2011, 9:50 am post ————— LOL! You’ve posted the exact same ‘one down three to go, Axelrod is pleased’ tripe on several stories here. Let me guess: that’s the latest Rush Limbaugh talking point……….
Posted by: Searambler | November 15, 2011, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
Regarding our border problems, you people on the right are CLUELESS! Do you recall that we had this SAME problem, actually it was WORSE when GW was the Pres???? Didn’t think you would. Also, did you know that President Obama’s Administration has sent BACK more illegal immigrants than gw EVER did??? Didn’t think so. So why weren’t any of you “up in arms” back when the “decider” was the leader???? Oh yeah, he couldn’t do anything wrong and yet Obama in YOUR eyes can do nothing right!!! As for Mr. Cain, he was over with long before he ever entered the race and so are most of those other CLOWNS you all have loved for a week or two. If you put a certain FIVE of them together, collectively, they STILL could NOT answer CORRECTLY 10 questions regarding our Government and our National Security!!! One reason why there aren’t many happy Republicans any longer, the whole damned party has gone WAYYyyyyyyyyy too far right. Attila the Hun would worry about you guys at this point. Come back to earth and give a tiny bit of compassion while you spew your dislike for so many people that haven’t been quite as “fortunate” as you.
Posted by: demNme5 | November 15, 2011, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
As far as vetting President Obama, DAN had it right. To this day there’s really been NOTHING bad about President Obama and I’m SURE the RIGHT has spent tons of time looking under every rock they can just to find some dirt. Since they HAVEN’T been able to find dirt, they LIE and make things up which is not a shock considering republican’s track record. So now they’re going to delve into the Solyndra affair to find SOMETHING!!! Sort of makes me wish our President would have OK’d those MANY investigations into the REAL liars that were in the GW Bush Administration. you know, gw Chenney, Rummy, Dummy and all the rest! What the Republicans in Congress are doing right now WILL come back to cost THEM in the next election because citizens are NOT as DUMB as you all think and they have been witnessing 3 years of solid barriers put up by those who love their LOUSY Party more than our Country!!! SHAME to all of them!!!!
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