Herman Cain Affair Allegation: Arizona State Chairman Lori Klein Defends GOP Candidate Against Allegations

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain's Arizona state chairman defended him against allegations that he had a 13-year affair with Atlanta businesswoman Ginger White.

Lori Klein, an Arizona state Senator, told CBS News that she has known him for 12 years and he's "never been anything but a gentleman -- and I am not an unattractive woman." She added that in politics, "we want a virgin to do a hooker's job." She also said that if Cain is innocent, he should sue White for libel.

White claimed a thirteen-year affair with Cain in a report released by Fox 5 Atlanta on Monday. She said she knew that he was married and described the relationship as "fun" and "exciting" but was aware that she was involved in a"very inappropriate situation." Cain denied the relationship, saying that White "is an acquaintance that I thought was a friend." Cain has also denied multiple allegations of sexual harassment in the past month.

Cain told his staff on Tuesday that he is reassessing his candidacy in the wake of the allegations and will make a decision on whether to remain in the race in the next several days.

Last July, Klein took a pink handgun out of her purse and pointed it at the chest of Arizona Republic reporter Richard Ruelas. "Oh, it's so cute," she said before aiming it at him to show off the red beam of the laser sight. The gun has no safety, but Klein said that she didn't have her hand on the trigger.

CLARIFICATION: This article has clarified the language regarding Lori Klein's defense of Herman Cain and allegations that he conducted an affair with Ginger White.

Meet the women who have been linked to Cain below:

Comments

[pflickner]

06:04 PM on 12/03/2011

Yes, folks, this is the woman who beat me last year. While I am not saying she is not attractive, I am saying, "Has she LOOKED at the women he harassed?" Klein is no slouch, but she's no model, either.

[rationalitymatters]

09:20 AM on 12/02/2011

I agree with Klein that we are not going to find many politicians with pristine characters. Because of the nature of politics, you have to sometimes dirty your hands in order to get things done. That has nothing to do with sexually harassing women and having affairs. Still, there's that imperfect little thing called human nature that we all fall prey to occasionally. However, a man with integrity owns his "sins," rather than lying about them and pointing his finger at others. He also learns whether their consequences bear repeating. If Cain admitted to his mistakes and was not such a repeat offender, I wouldn't let those actions prevent me from voting for him if I were a Cain supporter, which I am not.

[mabinog]

05:42 PM on 12/01/2011

"we want a virgin to do a hooker's job."

naw, naw, naw, she has it all wrong. We want a virgin to the hooker's job if they are from the opposing party. If they are from our favored party, any hooker will do.

[Adamcs]

10:17 AM on 12/01/2011

We should trust the opinions of someone so stupid that she carries a gun with NO SAFETY? That alone tells me that anything she says or does is likely to be unencumbered by any rational thought process.

[aspletter]

10:09 AM on 12/01/2011

If only all the women Clinton had affairs with came forward during his campaign lol

[Babygeorge123]

10:02 AM on 12/01/2011

Hey Herman Go Home, stop wasting our time and Money ,You dont need a Lawyer, it only proves You have something to hide,, You are" Branded" my Man, you are The "Cassanovia"

[USMAMule]

07:25 PM on 11/30/2011

GOP'ers just can't help lying! "... and I am not an unattractive woman." Yes you are.

[pflickner]

06:05 PM on 12/03/2011

Now, now, that's unkind. She just needs to use less eyeliner.

[Kissthiz]

06:37 PM on 11/30/2011

Cain looks like a pimping mafia man to me. Color makes no difference. Hats do. And where a man unzips his pants. Is he the biblical 'Cain' reborn that killed his brother?

[laurelphot]

02:57 PM on 11/30/2011

It Figures. Arizona loves all Crooks, Perverts, Charlatans . Hell, look at Lincoln Savings and Loan. Charles Keating, father and son. And the Senate Seat that they bought for Represeantive John McCain (R-AZ)

[pflickner]

06:05 PM on 12/03/2011

Stuff it. You don't live here and you have no room to talk.

[laurelphot]

07:45 PM on 12/03/2011

Yep, best choice that anyone can make.

[PickOneTwoThree]

02:07 PM on 11/30/2011

Lori Klein, an Arizona state Senator, told CBS News that she has known him for 12 years and he's "never been anything but a gentleman -- and I am not an unattractive woman." She added that in politics, "we want a virgin to do a hooker's job." She also said that if Cain is innocent, he should sue White for libel.

Sounds like Sen Klein is jealous that Cain never made a pass at her. Maybe you're just not his type, Lori

[pepper1311]

09:49 AM on 12/01/2011

1- I'm white can he sue me?
2- It's 12/1 and it looks like she opened mouth and inserted ---

[jazzylyn]

02:05 PM on 11/30/2011

Smoke fire smoke fire !

[HoyaHoyaSaxa]

02:03 PM on 11/30/2011

Politics is a hooker's job? Wait, aren't you a politician?

[planetmondo]

02:01 PM on 11/30/2011

those anonymous girls (# 2&3) are hot!

[Patriot86]

01:52 PM on 11/30/2011

The fact that this woman who pointed a gun with no safety at a reporter is in his campaign is reason enough not to vote for this so called man (bul_ly). the first thing my Grand-dad taught me was never point a gun at anyone...we were not allowed to point toy guns even.

[StopMakingSense2]

01:45 PM on 11/30/2011

Yes with all the women making accusations there couldn't possibly be fire with all that smoke! It's all a well coordinated liberal conspiracy! The alternative is reality and we all know how well republicans deal with that!