More Controversy

Controversy is always excited in any political race. It provides excitement into a potentially mundane environment, and has the ability to attract more viewers than before for better or worse. In other words, controversy can make others more politically aware not because of the issues that are raised but because they are interested in seeing what events might occur after a particular controversy. So far during this year's Republican primaries, there have been controversies surrounding a few of the candidates. We all remember what was leaked about the racial slur that was spray-painted on a rock outside of Texas Governor Rick Perry's family ranch in rural Texas. Partially as a result, his rating have drastically decreased. Other factors are involved in his demise. 

On the other hand, business tycoon turned politician Herman Cain has been subject to controversy and he is neck and neck with frontrunner Mitt Romney. Previously, all Cain needed to do was just put a filter on what he said. He has said that he believes that we should have an electrical fence complemented with barbed wire along the U.S.-Mexico border to help prevent illegal immigration. Also, his comments regarding abortion did not go over particularly well in the eyes of the public. However, his most recent controversy is not about what he has recently said, it is about what he might have done in the past. The top story around Cain is that he has been rumored to have sexually assaulted a women when he was the head of the National Restaurant Association. This accusation was brought to the table when Oklahoma political consultant Chris Wilson who is ironically a Perry supporter, claimed that he witnessed the acts in person. Here is both him reiterating what actually happened in this circumstance and Cain defending himself of these accusations:

According to Wilson, Cain did a lot more than just compare his supposed victims height to that of his wife's. To make matters worse, Wilson claims that "It was only a matter of time because so many people were aware of what took place, so many people were aware of her situation, the fact that she left-everybody with the campaign that this would eventually come up.” The Huffington Post also reports that a former pollster for the Restaurant Association claims that at least two other women have made similar allegations in the past. Recently while he was meeting with conservative doctors in Northern Virginia, Cain lashed out at reported when they asked him about these allegations. 

The only way in which Cain has been lucky in this stick situation is that the victim has not made her accusations public. If she would, this would certainly result in the termination of his campaign.  But could this mean that end of it already? He is already at a huge disadvantage being a black man in a "white man's party", and although he has excelled in the business world, his lack of experience in office has raised questions like whether or not he is fit to handle our nations foreign policy issues. His 9-9-9 plan is no longer as popular as it once was which has result in him struggling to keep his head above water from his opponents critiquing his plan every chance they get. It is very possible that Cain could be losing his momentum as the minutes go by.