The allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior against Herman Cain have drawn comparisons to similar charges leveled against another prominent African-American conservative – then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas – two decades ago.
So after a day of being chased around the capital by hordes of media on Wednesday, Cain sat down for an exclusive interview with someone his campaign surely believed would be a friendly questioner: Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginni Thomas.
It was the latest turn in the Cain campaign’s desperate attempts to manage the crisis. Those efforts, in consecutive days, have included blaming inside-the-Beltway news outlets and his Republican presidential rival, Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist and Daily Caller contributor, interviewed Cain from off camera. The only voice heard is that of Cain, answering her questions, which are printed on screen.
Thomas, at least in the posted clip, did not press Cain directly about the allegations of sexual harassment. Instead, she asked if “reporters are setting you up to be ‘guilty until proven innocent.’”
Cain agreed with a smile: “That is the DC culture – guilty until proven innocent.”
Thomas also gave Cain an opportunity to walk back his recent comment that China is “trying to develop nuclear capability.” China has been a nuclear power for nearly five decades.
“Maybe I misspoke,” Cain told Thomas. “What I meant was China does not have the size of nuclear capability that we have.”
“That’s what I meant by that,” he added.
Watch the interview:
Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.
Leave A Comment