Concerned Women of America’s president and CEO Penny Nance issues this statement (emphasis mine):
While seeing Gloria Allred insert herself into another national scandal (her last client was a porn star) was disturbing, listening to Sharon Bialek’s story of how she was dealt with by Herman Cain was even more shocking. I have to reiterate, that in my dealings with Mr. Cain, he has always been a gentleman. However, hearing that there is a growing number of women who have accused Mr. Cain of inappropriate behavior gives me pause.
This woman is now the face of an issue that continues to grow and be a distraction for Mr. Cain’s campaign. Mr. Cain needs to address these new allegations head on. Unlike anonymous allegations, Ms. Bialek appeared credible and I was very disturbed by her characterization of what happened. Whoever Republican primary voters choose as president should be a man or woman of good moral character. We said when Bill Clinton was president that character counts and we still believe that.
Meanwhile, the Des Moines Register reports that two prominent Iowa social conservative leaders would like to hear Herman Cain also address the charges:
Bob Vander Plaats, president of the Family Leader, a conservative organization that promotes Christian values, said in a telephone interview this afternoon that Cain needs to address these allegations head-on, or a “cloud of doubt will envelop his candidacy.”
“The Iowa and American voter are fair when humility, sincerity and authenticity are communicated. This is a ‘tipping point’ for the viability of his campaign,” Vander Plaats said.
Steve Scheffler, head of the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, another conservative organization, said he didn’t hear the press conference with the fourth victim and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, but advised Cain to be forthcoming at this point.
“Denying some of the charges and then sometimes later saying he remembers some of the facts is not helpful,” Scheffler said.