By Luke Warm
Professor of Mendacity
University of Munchausen
Aren’t you just in total awe of Herman Cain and his legion of high-priced lawyers and researchers working overtime to tarnish other people’s reputations so they can cover the ass of their boss?
As a public relations artist specializing in misdirection, duplicity and deceit, I’ve always followed the maxim, “Why tell the truth when a lie will serve a better purpose?”
But Herman Cain is pushing damage control to a new level that stretches far beyond the realm of mere mendacity.
Herman Cain is using threats, intimidation and outright bully-boy tactics in hopes of tamping down the truth that is spreading all around him.
If his approach works, I will be amazed.
In fact, I will include his case study in my forthcoming textbook, “Living the Lie in Public Life.”
While I coach people on duplicity, I always counsel against appearing mean. At least, in public.
Sure, a little spite and vitriol are good for the soul. But Herman Cain’s lawyer has gotten over-the-top vindictive.
“Think twice,” warned Herman Cain’s mouthpiece as he methodically went about attacking the witnesses speaking up against his client.
I have grave doubts about Herman Cain’s ability to control the power he’s unleashing.
The truth is that Herman Cain is a bully. We have learned from his accusers that he is a sexual harrasser, and yes, I can even say a sexual predator who has tried to force and bribe his way to sexual gratification.
What lends authenticity to these women’s charges is the fact that they have nothing to gain and, as Herman Cain is making clear, lots to lose by coming forward with their stories.
These are charges that would mortify and chasten a lesser mortal than Herman Cain.
But Herman Cain is no mere man, no mere politically-motivated CEO with a yen for being President.
Herman Cain is a thug with very nasty instincts, if we are to believe the women.
When one, and then two, witnesses came out to describe his misbehavior, he responded with an all-out effort to destroy their reputations.
The question, class, is this: Will the public be deceived by Herman Cain’s musclebound tactics, or will they be repelled in disgust at further signs of how he treats females who are powerless in comparison to his professional, political and financial position?
Note that the people who are backing Herman Cain are male, including the high-priced lawyer Herman Cain is using as a front for his further victimization of the women he harassed.
The lawyer for the women is female.
And we have two other hefty males — Matt Drudge and Rush Limbaugh — noisily supporting Herman Cain.
Here is the danger from a public relations perspective: Does Herman Cain think that women do not vote?
Much as I hate to admit it, being myself an inveterate distorter and muddier-of-the-waters, but I’m afraid that for once the truth — a little morsel of veracity — would have served Herman Cain better.
Admit the bad behavior, apologize and move on. Make this bad moment in your political ascent a historical footnote.
But Herman Cain instead has made history into the living present.
Herman Cain prefers to gamble.
Herman Cain hopes that threatening to destroy the reputations and lives of two courageous women who dared to speak truth about him will frighten his other victims into staying silent.
So far, we have two heroes who dared to challenge a bully. How many more heroes will be willing to run the gauntlet of smears the Herman Cain Lie Machine turns out?
The more the truth comes out, the worse the future for Herman Cain.
I prefer the realm of lies, which an expert like me can manage.
Once a liar trespasses onto the terrain of intimidation, events are much harder to control.
Watch out, Herman Cain!
Rush Limbaugh and Matt Drudge won’t be with us when we cast our votes.
