First on CNN: GOP senator says Cain should quit if allegations are true

[NNN0LHI]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/08/first-o... /

4 hours ago

First on CNN: GOP senator says Cain should quit if allegations are true

CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett

Washington (CNN) - Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski told CNN on Tuesday she is "concerned" that the most recent charge of sexual harassment against Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain "is not an isolated incident" and that he should quit the race if there is any truth to the claims.

"I'm learning about this at the same time as any of the rest of you. But I would suggest that if, in fact, there is substance to the claims - and now there are apparently four individuals that have been involved or who have come forward - if that's the case, I think that his opportunity as a nominee are gone," the senator said.

Nearly all of the Republican senators contacted by CNN sidestepped questions about the scandal that has rocked Cain's campaign, saying they want to learn first if there is real evidence to support the mostly anonymous charges.

However, Murkowski made clear she was moved by the public account of Sharon Bialek, a single mother from Chicago who held a news conference on Monday to say Cain wanted sex in return for helping her to find a job.

[hlthe2b]

1. heh heh... Murkowski certainly no longer has reason to give cover to her fellow RETHUGS...

They sold her out and she "ain't" forgetting....

[MinneapolisMatt]

3. +1

[Tx4obama]

4. Ever since the GOP tried to stab her in the back Murkowski has been voting

quite a lot with the Democrats in the Senate, especially on bills/issues regarding women.

I find it quite interesting that the majority of the GOP senators that cross over the most frequently to vote with dems are 'female': Snowe, Collins, Murkowski -- (and if you count a man that has worn 'pink shorts' in the past Scott Brown could be added to the list)

[KharmaTrain]

2. "Truth To The Claims"?

What are the payouts from the Restaurant association indication of? They sure weren't charitable donations. Typical rushpublican enabling. The hypocrisy of this fiasco is off the charts...but also expected.

[jberryhill]

8. Do people think settlements indicate liability?

I'm just curious.

The overwhelming majority of legal claims settle out of court because litigation is so expensive.

If you are facing a $100,000 liability claim, you have an 80% chance of winning, and it will cost you $40,000 to defend, then what, in your mind, is the rational decision?

A. Go to court
B. Pay $60,000 to settle
C. Pay $20,000 to settle.

Seriously, between A B and C, what would you do?

And let me give you a hint. If you go to court, you are going to pay $40,000 guaranteed. Then, you have a 20% chance of paying an additional $100,000.

[seabeyond]

9. from the attorney papo(whatever), schultz friend, said they almost never settle sexual harassment

claims UNLESS there is something to them. he does them in his lw firn. he was very adament that if there was a settlement, you know something was there. AND everyone seems to have witnesses. the man did not seem shy about harassing in front of people.

[jberryhill]

11. The "attorney papo(whatever)"?

I've been practicing for long enough that I'm perfectly aware of what settles and what doesn't.

It's not a question of "nothing there". One can be right and still lose. And the litigation itself can have unwanted side effects. There are a lot of considerations that go into the mix, and there are worlds of difference between a strong case, an "eh" case, and an outright frivolous claim.

Sorry, anyone who says categorically that "X doesn't settle" is full of it. (and I say that having, twice in the last month seen cases settle that I would never have thought would settle)

[seabeyond]

13. Papantonio. nt

[KharmaTrain]

12. Depends On What The Claim Is...

Corporations don't like to pay out unless its a last resort. As you point out the suit may have been easier to be settled out than litigated. Here's my question. How long did this process take? I know many who have sued corporations and organizations and these cases drag on for years...the strategy of wearing down the claimant and hoping they go away.

In Mr. Cain's case we don't have one but two of these cases that appear to have happened in a his brief tenure at the NRA...and that the payouts came rather quickly. The appearance is more of a "go away" and many questions remain...and as long as those do remain Cain will be dogged to answer them.

[jberryhill]

14. One minor difference with other corporations

It wasn't a corporation moving product out of the door and looking to minimize cost.

This was a lobbying organization doing political work, and the optics count more.

I doubt these were entirely baseless and frivolous claims, btw.

[indepat]

5. But, but, but Herm, the worm(?), has averred all these salacious and racially-motivated assertions

are patent falsehoods, so EOS as far as he is concerned.

[Pryderi]

6. There are enough Cainiacs to keep him as a contender. n/t

[rhett o rick]

7. What an A-hole. Why does he think Cain should quit? Repukes never quit. Many still support Cain. nm

[Politicalboi]

10. Sure glad this one ain't running for Prez

She actually could win.