Herman Cain scandal: Sharon Bialek's 'explicitly specific' allegations
A Chicago-area single mom unloads graphic, devastating charges on the GOP presidential frontrunner — and some critics say it's time for Cain to drop out
![Sharon Bialek](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Cm7q7uZHnUS6kU56xbEcN-415-80.jpg)
The video: Things are going from bad to worse for Herman Cain. Already dogged by accusations from three anonymous women who say the GOP presidential front-runner sexually harassed them while heading up the National Restaurant Association (NRA) in the 1990s, Cain is now facing allegations — by far the most specific yet — from a fourth woman. Sharon Bialek, a Chicago-area single mom, revealed her story Monday at a press conference, flanked by high-powered attorney Gloria Allred. (See the clip below.) After Bialek was laid off from an NRA-connected foundation in 1997, her boyfriend suggested she ask Cain for help finding a new job. Bialek says she traveled to D.C., only to find her hotel room upgraded, courtesy of Cain, to a "palatial suite." While Bialek and Cain were en route to the NRA office, Bialek says Cain "suddenly reached over and put his hand on my leg, up my skirt, and towards my genitals." When she protested, Cain allegedly countered, "You want a job, right?" Bialek also claims that Cain forced her head "towards his crotch." Team Cain fiercely denies the charges: "All allegations of harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false." Bialek is not filing a lawsuit against Cain, saying simply, "I want you to come clean, Mr. Cain."
The reaction: Oof, says Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Beast. This is a "pretty ugly physical account." And it will be hard for conservatives to spin "Bialek into a liberal tool" — she's "Republican, an accomplished professional, and white." Too bad Bialek's attorney is Gloria Allred, says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. I simply couldn't believe how "stupid" it sounded when Allred called "the incident Cain's 'idea of a stimulus package.'" Still, says Ewen Macaskill at Britain's Guardian, these televised allegations are obviously bad for the GOP front-runner. "Many Cain supporters were able to dismiss [past] accusations because they were made anonymously." Plus, says Noah Rothman at Ology, this is a major "escalation from allegations of sexual harassment to those of assault and battery." This "explicitly specific account" means the end for Cain, says Tod Robberson at The Dallas Morning News. "Cain must end his presidential campaign and, for his own good, seek treatment." Really, "this man does not belong anywhere close to the levers of power in any government." Judge for yourself:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The journalistic mission to follow the facts and deliver the truth must persist'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - September 5, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - weird creatures, McConsequences, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published