Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Media Coverage Considered Fair By Plurality In Poll

Most Americans think recent media coverage of Herman Cain's sexual harassment troubles has been fair, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & The Press.

The study was conducted before Sharon Bialek, Cain's fourth accuser, came forward on Monday. Pew surveyed 1,005 adults about whether or not they believed the media coverage of Herman Cain was fair, and if they believed the allegations were true.

According to the study, "a plurality (43 percent) of those who have heard about the allegations say they think the media coverage of Cain has been fair." 38 percent of the respondents had an issue with the coverage. Of that number, 24 percent thought coverage was too tough, and 14 percent thought it was too easy. (18 percent of respondents had no opinion of the coverage.)

Pew also analyzed the results based on political party affiliation. The results demonstrated that Republicans were "much more likely" to say the media coverage of Herman Cain has been "too tough."

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Comments

[Nighthawk1982]

11:09 AM on 11/10/2011

Cain is fair game. He is running for top office.
He settled out of court on two cases. Something was going on.

[espy310]

02:25 PM on 11/09/2011

The following URL give a different take :
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CIwBEBYwCw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wnd.com%2Findex.php%3Ffa%3DPAGE.view%26pageId%3D365301&ei=cdC6TrHJOMaU2AWc-dmuBw&usg=AFQjCNGwjccAqtPKb84n38bD2TSUdP6XcA&sig2=PgAB4lDsNW4YP6xgpWumeQ

[syr-root]

07:40 AM on 11/09/2011

are you sure that sharon bialek is not stifflers mom?

[Emmett Booth]

09:47 PM on 11/08/2011

Is there really consensus among "the media" as to how Herman Cain should be treated? It seems to me that the only aggregate attitude toward the scandal has been curiosity, combined with increasing incredulity as Cain refuses to satisfy that curiosity coherently and as the accusations keep coming. Seems fair to me.

[lvdragonlady]

09:45 PM on 11/08/2011

DOUBLE STANDARD BY THE GOP AND THE MEDIA

[Bernie M]

07:26 PM on 11/08/2011

And then there were five!

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/08/herman-cain-accuser-identified/

[JerryLevy]

03:25 PM on 11/08/2011

The media completely self censored on John Edwards refusing to report the affair and out of wedlock birth even though they had iron clad evidence. I wonder why they did that but are rushing to report any rumor on Herman Cain they can find.

[Iconcoclast]

03:30 PM on 11/08/2011

hmmm, what a conundrum. The media protected John Edwards but has engaged in reporting on Herman Cain that would discredit the National Enquirer. Whatever could be the difference between the two men....wow, I just cannot see why one would be protected and the other persecuted.

[Isaac Montgomery]

08:41 PM on 11/08/2011

Cain is accused of a criminal act, Edwards situation was a question of morals. that's the difference. just saying

[PickOneTwoThree]

12:55 PM on 11/09/2011

Are you aware of the difference between FACT and RUMOR?

Two women were PAID by their employer to keep quiet about sexual harassment. Herman Cain was the accused, the employer was the NRA. They all worked for the NRA. All Facts.

Wonder why you want all these FACTS to be brushed under the rug?

[LameDuckHunting]

02:38 PM on 11/08/2011

He_shoots, but does he ever score?..................................

[Consequence]

01:57 PM on 11/08/2011

The EXACT SAME MEDIA that chose to ignore or gloss over Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Jennifer Flowers, or Clinton's $850,000 payout to make Paula Jone's sexual assault charges disappear....

....are the same ones orgasming over the Cain "controversy."

[JerryLevy]

03:26 PM on 11/08/2011

And it is the same media that refused to report on John Edwards

[bipolarbears60]

03:28 PM on 11/08/2011

Wow. Your definition of "ignore" and mine are a bit different. Clinton sexual accusations/proclivities were all anyone could find on network news for 4 entire years (before and during presidency). So much so, that some of us with critical thinking skills were wondering at the time what really important stuff was being ignored by the media while they enjoyed the ratings boost of a sex scandal.

[Boomerwoman]

07:18 PM on 11/08/2011

Spot on: fanned for correcting the record!

[MaineSenior]

08:26 AM on 11/09/2011

For instance, the money the Koch brothers illegally gave to Cain's campaign via his sleazy manager.

[mavpay]

01:14 PM on 11/08/2011

24 percent thought coverage was too tough. Why does that number sound familiar in the polls? I believe it could be the usual suspects. I'm sure you know who they are.

[bipolarbears60]

03:29 PM on 11/08/2011

We must face facts. 25% of the U.S. isn't qualified to walk your dog, much less vote.

[Boomerwoman]

07:18 PM on 11/08/2011

they walk among us

[Kellyser]

02:31 AM on 11/09/2011

Most of that 25% is in congress.

[JBDenver]

06:26 PM on 11/08/2011

25% of the country would vote for a Dem if he wore a red suit, had a pitchfork and a tail.
25% of the country would vote for a Rep under the same circumstances.

What matters is how the remainder will consider situations like this. Will they wait for hardcore evidence (because right now it is simply an allegation) or will they close the door and focus their attention on the remaining candidates and positions on issues?

[mavpay]

09:32 PM on 11/08/2011

Wrong! It's the captive cult audience aka the right wing Republican base. When all else fails, play the victim and blame the Dems. The door is closing. I believe Cain was the fundraising opening act in this Political Reality Side Show. Romney will be the establishment candidate.

[TheOneIndependent]

02:47 PM on 11/09/2011

What issues? the world is a rosey place.. If Cain wins the nomination, he wont because he is black, he would get creamed in the General because he knows nothing about anything and whats worse he will not talk about it or anything that puts him in a bad light. I can see the debate now, question asked, " Mr Cain, What do you read?, and the response in song..
."SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT, HEY GIRL WANTTA SEE A BONE"

[kenny356]

12:48 PM on 11/08/2011

Think the coverage is very fair, it is the biggest political story going on right now. The only thing I have issue with is taking everything that was said yesterday at the accuser's word. I am not saying that she is lying, but she did say there were witnesses, so let's gets some more evidence instead of a he said/she said battle.

[mavpay]

01:51 PM on 11/08/2011

This may be a big story in the corporate media, however Cain's campaign may be investigated for possible campaign funding violations. The Center for Media and Democracy filed a complaint yesterday with the IRS. Cain's campaign manager, Mark Block has paid a fine for similar violations of using tax free donations to fund a previous campaign. Mark Block may be using several tax free donations from several charities which he heads to fund Cain's campaign.

[kenny356]

11:15 AM on 11/09/2011

I had not heard of any of that. Thanks for the info.

[PickOneTwoThree]

12:59 PM on 11/09/2011

These allegations are MORE important to me. They are happening NOW.

[UmmmHummm]

04:37 PM on 11/08/2011

Hold on kenny356! Cain's not interested in some "more evidence" coming out!!! He'd rather you be satisfied with the "he said/she said" battle on the table for now. Nothing more!

[ryannasaurus]

02:28 AM on 11/10/2011

That's true. He's a politician, the existence of the story itself hurts him. So of course he wants it to end without a resolution because no one can be sure what that resolution would be.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions if I were you. I would wait to see more evidence, like kenny356 said.

[Joshd25]

12:32 PM on 11/08/2011

When I hear new's like this I put on "All Star" and I think of how the democrats are watching and having a time of their life. Seriously, their are no Prez qualified to hold the office. Even during a time they should be up and take the office. Their own lifestyle's and questionable actions will be their downfall. In the end it will be that has stopped them. Why not? when they refuse to raise taxe's so that the richest American's can keep their pocket full. Chasing the green dragon is not only unethical it's also a sin.

[Wow Unbelievable]

12:19 PM on 11/08/2011

Innocent until proven guilty!

If she was s3xually azzaulted then she needs to press charges. No one should have to live through what she says happened and no one should be falsely accused of what she said happened.

[PickOneTwoThree]

01:01 PM on 11/09/2011

Right - so she would have to go through what is happening to her right now.

She's the victim and you're jumping on HER, the sleezball Rush Limbaugh is attacking her son, the Cain campaign is publishing her financial records.

[ryannasaurus]

02:33 AM on 11/10/2011

We can't just take her word as fact. We need to question both parties--accuser and accused--so that we can be sure of what actually happened. And there's been harsh things said about both her and Cain.

[trodriguesvah]

11:45 AM on 11/08/2011

I for one am sick of hearing about this, especially since seeing Gloria yesterday....I am sick and tired of listening to reporters expressing their opinions but when asked what the first 3 allegations were they stumble, yes everyone has had their 15 minutes of fame.....it makes you numb after awhile...tired of he said she said crap.

Lets get on with this election please.....

[Dhammi]

12:16 PM on 11/08/2011

Oh yes - why don't we just sweep this under the carpet and pretend there is nothing to it. Typical!

[Consequence]

02:01 PM on 11/08/2011

Why not.

That's what the press did with Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Jennifer Flowers and Paula Jones.

This even though some of those allegations involved rape.

Clinton paid $850,000 to make Paula Jone's accusations "go away" and the press ignored it.

[mavpay]

01:38 PM on 11/08/2011

Election? You mean "Cartoonish Political Reality Side Show" aka the Republican presidential primary. Cain's campaign has another very serious issue that involves possible campaign violations by his campaign chief, Art Bloc.

[SKamath]

11:37 AM on 11/08/2011

The 38% who had an issue were tuned into FOX "News"?