republican presidential candidate, herman herman cain is being forced to address claims that he sexually harassed two women. >> reporter: republican front runner hermann denied allegations he engaged in improper behavior with two former female employees. >> in all of my 40 years of experience, running businesses and corporations, i have never sexually harassed anyone. >> reporter: they said the inappropriate conduct happened in the 1990s, when cain was the head of the international restaurant association. the candidate insists, an investigation turned noip evidence to support the two women's claims. >> i was faultily accused of sexual -- falsely accused of sexual harassment. >> they tried to promote his 999 tax plan. >> yes, it's a bold idea and yes it's a bold plan. but america can't wait. >> reporter: cain is coming under more scrutiny, now that he's leading in the polls. a new des moines register poll puts him just ahead of mitt romney in iowa. >> reporter: in a washington think tank, cain gave movement and poked fun at a gop strat edgist who predicted he would fail. >> this flavor of the week is now flavor of the month. and it still tastes good.

herman cain going to be at that night? american for prosperity summit in washington. herman cain's campaign structure insofar as it exists is the koch brothers. big corn serve conservative activist group. americans for prosperity. what was herman cain, himself, doing before he started running for president? >> hello, i'm herman cain. you know, there are some people in this country that are trying to make the word "prosperity" a dirty word. but it is not. >> before running for president, herman cain was working for americans for prosperity. the pizza thing, that was a while ago. as alternet reported, herman cain was tapped to be a public faces of something called prosperity 101, a workplace seminar program that businesses use to educate their employees about the dangers of things like health reform and taxes on millionaires and regulations on businesses. so your boss tells you to sit through this lecture, you sit through the lecture. message received. your boss essentially just told you how to vote. in other words, this prosperity 101 thing is yet another way the koch brother

address this issue within the context of him talking about black folk being brainwashed. >> herman cain, herman cain is a brilliant candidate. the reason why he's in the top tier of candidates coming from the bottom tier is because he i >> joe -- >> i think you can make the case here herman cain on one hand says black folks are brainwashed by the democratic party but maybe that rock might have had something to do with it. >> hello, thank you, ed. this will connect the dots here. >> great to have you with us tonight. it's always great to have both of you both us. here on "the ed show" tonight. answer the question on the bottom of the screen. share your thoughts on twitter @edshow. >>> the frenzy to get new jersey governor chris christie into the presidential race proves one thing. the republican party doesn't like its current crop of candidates. would christie stand a chance with the new brand of republican voter? i'm not so sure. >>> and hank williams jr. did not ask me if i was ready for some football tonight. he visits the kids on fox and friends and compares president obama to hitler. espn r

. >> herman cain was spot-on, but his statement didn't sit well with the texas governor. perry communications director jumped all over herman cain's statement with a press release right after the show. today, here we go, the drugster also attacking herman cain for calling perry insensitive. >> they're trying to say that perry is a racist and herman cain has jumped in and basically joined that chorus. and this is absurd. it is absurd they painted over it. they tried to -- when they leased it, they tried to paint over it and cover it up. then they eventually turned it over. so that people wouldn't see it. >> rush limbaugh attacks herman cain. herman cain does a 180. look at how the pizza man buckled to perry right after limbaugh took him to task. >> i really don't care about that word. they painted over it. end of story. i think it happened way -- i accept governor perry's response on that and i'm ready to talk about what's really important to the american people. >> just a different tune all of a sudden. herman cain isn't the only republican trying to sweep this story under the rug. rick santorum and ron paul want to change

herman cain. some are contradicted by facts. some seem barely tethered to reality. hermanome of his critics are racist. you know believe he's a racist that's a pretty heavy indictment. stick by it? >> yeah. i think that herman cain to some extent is the perfect racist because racism is most effective when it has a black face. >> racism is most effective when it has a black face. so you can't be an african-american and be a conservative without being a racist? it's unbelievable. >> barack obama -- yeah, look, look sean. let's be serious here. this is the assassination campaign against herman cain began yesterday in full throttle. it is going to be unbelievably ugly. you think what they did to bachmann was ugly, think what they did to perry was ugly? have you seen nothing. my message to the tea party movement, don't take this. stand up. don't take this. when that assassination campaign begins, respond. contact the networks. contact the newspapers, contact the boards of directors and ridgester your anger at this character assassination campaign. i would not put up with it. he

. >> i think it was herman cain. >> herman cain. >> former pizza company executive. >> bill: hillary clinton and afghan president karzai dissing herman cain. wait until you hear this. caution. you are about to enter the no spin zone. "the factor" begins right now. >> hi, i'm bill o'reilly. thanks for watching us tonight. you live by the sword or you die by the sword. that's the subject of this evening's talking points memo. another brattle dictator meets a violent end. apparently he was killed in his hometown. details are sketchy, but there is no question his end was grisly. as saddam hussein, gadhafi was likely executed, but he didn't get a trial. they took him out. all throughout history, terrible war amongers met a bad end. guys like that survive for far too long. in the end they got it, but along the way, they did incredible damage. the lesson over and over again is there is evil in the world and always will be. that is the basis of many theologies, struggle between good and. we all have free will. what side will we choose? hurting other people is evil. you can't help on tuesday a

herman cain. -- mitt romney and herman cain. herman cain came out very steady. mitt romney still in the lead. >> with the economy the way it is did we see in a real direction from the candidates when it comes to what they can do to get jobs back on the line for people? did you see anything like that? >> in these situations it is easy to talk about what you would do. you can tell people things that they can imagine will succeed but literally going in is a different story. you have to deal with congress and realities of what the president can and cannot do. getting it done once you're in office is a whole different story. >> thank you. we appreciate you visiting with us as always. >>> president obama will celebrate the contributions of latino americans. he will honor latinos who helped shape american history at the white house. he is also expected to be with evangelical leaders and the defense secretary. >>> very scary moment involving president obama's motorcade in florida. police officers were hurt when their motorcycles collided while escorting the president to

. >> it was michele bachmann then rick perry now it's herman cain. >> herman cain is second. >> herman cain is a terrific guy. >> herman cain strongly supports the bailouts. >> vote for either one of us and you'll be happy. >> if you don't run, chris christie, romney will be the nominee on the loose. >>> one week after announcing he was definitely not running for president, new jersey governor chris christie reveals his pick for the republican nomination. christie placed a safe bet on front-runner mitt romney. after a joint press conference with mitt romney, here's christie explaining his decision in an exclusive interview with nbc. >> he's the best person for the job. it's simply on the merits. and the fact is that we need to make sure that barack obama is a one-term president for america's future and i've looked at all the republican candidates. i've met with many of them. there's no question in my mind governor romney is the person who gives us the best chance of winning back the white house in november of 2012 and i want to do everything i can to help him. >> did you promise you an

herman cain a racist? >> i don't think that herman cain is a racist. i don't think that harry belafonte is a racist because he says herman cain is a bad apple. i think race is being used in this instance all around the table to repress differences of opinion. when race issues to repress dissent, it is wrong on all sides of the table. look, herman cain as a republican, heetds conservative. he believes he has a prescription for growing the economy, creating jobs and providing opportunity for all americans, inclusive of black americans. >> when it comes to -- >> i think the name -- john, john, i think name calling has gone too far. >> you are saying name calling has gone too far. we have known each other a long time and your involvement in ohio politics including being the secretary of state. you are among the african-american republicans trying to build support in the african-americanommunity. is the language helpful to that effort to have more blacks join the republican party or hurtful? >> i think mr. cain's prescription for growing the economy is helpf

and herman cain is just herman cain. >> i love it! >> the american people look at herman as they look at themselves. >> reporter: traditional rules would dictate that cain would be hurt by recent seeming contradictions on issues ranging from abortion to negotiating with terrorists. even his signature 9-9-9 plan isn't that popular, with 59% of voters saying they don't like it. but his supporters say it is not the message that matters most, but the man. >> if you meet herman cain, you love herman cain. >> reporter: which is why struggling candidates may have been out selling their simple solutions today. even if they can't cut through the smoke. john berman, abc news, new york. >>> and we want to tell you, as well, that tomorrow, washington is going to tackle an s.o.s. from 6 million americans. and listen to this figure. college students now owe $950 billion in student loans. and that's more than the entire credit card debt in this country. so many broke, back home with mom and dad. before they even get started. and thousands of you wrot

and herman cain is just herman cain. >> the american people look at herman as they look at themselves. >> reporter: traditional rules would dictate that cain would be hurt by recent seeming contradictions on issues ranging from abortion to negotiating with terrorists. even his signature 9-9-9 plan isn't that popular, with 59% of voters saying they don't like it. but his supporters say it is not the message that matters most, but the man. >> if you meet herman cain, you love herman cain. >> reporter: which is why struggling candidates may have been out selling their simple solutions today. even if they can't cut through the smoke. john berman, abc news, new york. >>> and still ahead right here, those toddlers 1/2 gafting the ipad? is this a good thing? >>> and the marines who were sent into the most dangerous battles, only to face prejudice after the war. recognition today, long overdue. americans are always ready to work hard for a better future. since ameriprise financial was founded back in 1894, they've been committed to putting clients first. even if they can't cut through recogni

herman cain is still surging. a new poll shows the unlikely front-runner ahead of mitt romney, even as more americans say they dislike cain's signature 9-9-9 economic plan. >> if you meet herman cain, you love herman cain. >> reporter: but for republican voters, the primari are still a long way off. a new poll found that eight out of ten say it's still too early to say which candidate they're supporting. >> a lot of decisions there, karen. tell us about the jokes. i know the president made a few jokes with jay leno last night. but many americans are wondering about that herman cain ad and whether he was joking with his chief of staff smoking. was all of that for real? >> reporter: it is absolutely for real. there's no subliminal message in that ad. he's just a smoker. he also says that herman cain is just herman cain. and that is why american voters like him. this ad has certainly generated a lot of buzz for the cain campaign. it was a hot topic on "the view" yesterday. it is probably got him more mileage if he had done a straight issues ad or went after mitt romney or rick perry. the polls show that herman cain's campaign is on fire. and apparently it's also smoking, too. >>

in 2011, destiny is calling again, and in 2011, destiny is calling on herman cain and herman cain is answering the call. [applause] the beauty of herman cain's quest is not only that he inspires america with charisma and his personal story, but he stimulates us, he stimulates our minds with his ideas. his innovative 9-9-9 plan reset the entire economic debate. his 9-9-9 plan forever changed the economic landscape, and the way that herman's 9-9-9 plan reshaped the economic discussion, his opportunities, which we are here today to unvail are going to change the way we think about economically depressed communities all across our country. today, the unemployment rate is over 9%. for latinos, 12 percent. for african-americans, 16%. for african-americans in cities like detroit and many cities like detroit, the unemployment rate is over 25%. this is the depressioner ray status -- era statistics, ladies and gentlemen, but where some see decay, herman sees opportunity. where some see economic decline, herman sees fertile soil for economic development and growth. [applause] herman's opportunit

here is haley barbour and what he had to say on laura ingraham's radio show after herman cain, about hermann. let's watch. >> he's attracted a very good following, in my family. you know, i think if it were today, my wife would vote for herman cain. one of my sons -- i've got grown children -- from the first day said, dad, do you know herman cain? i said, sure, i've known him since i was chairman. he said, i like him, i like what he says. and that's one of his great strengths, laura. he is likable. he does not give you the impression that he's full of himself. >> why are so many republicans in poll after poll saying herman cain? >> why so many? we've only had this for a week -- >> nbc's got the best poll in the country and he's number one in it. >> he is now. listen, we were going on and on about donald trump last spring, michele bachmann seemed to be the anti-romney candidate. there is a taste, a desire, a craving for someone other than mitt romney. but as anyone has come up, they've fallen very quickly. >> who's going to replace him on that job? that's my point. is he the last guy on the

and then michele bachmann, who d the opposite finding that herman cain did. herman cain went from 2% to 12%. she went the opposite way. she went from 12% to 2%. she says that her fus is not on new hampshire. clearly there is one poll that you have to realize and taken, the fact that only 11% of folks in new hampshire say that they know who they are going to vote for. the converse means that 89% of the state of likely voters in the new hampshire republican primary are undecided. new hampshire always makes up their mind very late. the contest is wide open. that is encouraging news for mitt romy's competitors. host:, james pindell, you tell us that new hampshire voters make up their mind very late, but the new hampshire primary could come earlier than usual. tell us the current situation of when they will try had the new hampshire primary and how that relates to the iowa caucus and the other pmaries and caucuses that follow new hampshire. guest: the decision from the republican national convention of the four early states, all of the republican national mmittee said th

on monday you may remember we ran a story about herman cain's rise in the polls. hermana straw poll and is leading in a number of other states, and yet a recent "washington post" headline called him the republican flavor of the month. "time" magazine asked, herman cain, flash in the pan or serious candidate? we couldn't resist asking the question, what is it about herman cain herman cain that some people seem to not like? that's when we realized, unlike the other candidates, herman cain has a mustache. if elected mr. cain would be the first president with facial hair since william howard taft and when we spoke to herman cain today we couldn't reassist asking hill about it. the american mustache institute has officially endorsed your campaign. they told us you are up for a robert goullet award. >> erin. >> i have to get through the question. we spoke to the chairman of the institute and he had this to say to you. >> without question we have seen an up tick in his popularity and it is no doubt related to the support of the mustache of america people and i would recommend t

herman cain. what? yes. herman cain. herman cain criticized rick perry's racist ranch name and racist rock at its gates. as you just saw. then the conservatives piled on to herman cain. rush limbaugh accusing him of piggybacking on the "washington post" smear of rick perry. matt lewis at "the daily caller" calling mr. cain's comments at best premature and worst highly irresponsible. he goes on, it's a cheap shot and a signal cain is willing to play a race card against a fellow republican when it benefits him. erick erickson calling it a slander, cain is picks up and running with to get into second place. here's how herman cain was handling questions about the rick perry racist hunting camp story. >> his question, his question of was i satisfied with governor perry's explanation about the name on that ranch where he went hunting, and i said, yes, i am. next question. >> are you disappointed any of the other candidates haven't expressed similar reactions like you have? >> relative to? >> relative to this rock on the perry -

devil's in the details. >> in the spotlight tonight, herman cain's media honeymoon as the front-runner ends right here, right now. the truth about herman cain's 9-9-9 america. herman cain's 9-9-9 tax plan is the most vicious assault on the middle class and the working poor and the most lavish giveaway to the rich that has ever been proposed by a presidential campaign front-runner. we have issued a standing invy take to herman cain to return to this show and respond to everything you are about to hear about his 9-9-9 plan. much of which you will be hearing for the first time. like his plan to abolish social security and medicare. you haven't heard about that because his republican opponents haven't bothered to actually read the 9-9-9 plan. here's what it says about social security and medicare. for the generations of workers who have paid into social security and medicare, the federal government's inevitable failure to pay them as they retire is undeniably stealing. these are generations who have worked and sacrificed to leave this country a better place for their children and grandchildren, as they retire. the current behavior of an ou

we don't have time. >> i'll tell you who was the big hit at the debate last night, herman cain. hermannowhere. he's now the front-runner. and he's got this -- [ laughter ] economic plan. he calls it the 9-9-9 plan. the 9-9-9 plan. >> when you take the 9-9-9 plan, and you turn it upside down, i think the devil's in the details. >> we give you several chances. i'll come back. >> that's right. >> that's good. i like that. >> can count on those guys for a good laugh. >>> we want to say good-bye to tanya this morning. her last day. >> it's been fun.

here is haley barbour and what he had to say on laura ingraham's radio show after herman cain, about hermann. let's watch. >> he's attracted a very good following, in my family. you know, i think if it were today, my wife would vote for herman cain. one of my sons -- i've got grown children -- from the first day said, dad, do you know herman cain? i said, sure, i've known him since i was chairman. he said, i like him, i like what he says. and that's one of his great strengths, laura. he is likable. he does not give you the impression that he's full of himself. >> why are so many republicans in poll after poll saying herman cain? >> why so many? we've only had this for a week -- >> nbc's got the best poll in the country and he's number one in it. >> he is now. listen, we were going on and on about donald trump last spring, michele bachmann seemed to be the anti-romney candidate. there is a taste, a desire, a craving for someone other than mitt romney. but as anyone has come up, they've fallen very quickly. >> who's going to replace him on that job? that's my point. is he the last guy on the

herman cain >> mike: you heard the criticism of herman cain's we have herman cain joining us from tennesseeeal tell us why it is a good one. herman you heard it would hurt lower income people. true or not true. >> guest: that is false and here's why. and governor you pointed it out. what a lot of people don't understand is, 9-9-9 plan and the sales tax piece is a replacement tax. we are going to replace invisible taxes that are embedded in all products and services with a visible tax and as a result of that competitors will take out invisible taxes so the costs of goods go down and they pay nine percent retail tax they will not being paying anymore. we are taking invisible taxes that are embed replace it with a visible tax of a nine percent retail sales tax. >> you talk about invisible taxings. you are talking about the tax that is built in because was pay roll taxes and the products as they are developed and corp rages and this is what people don't understand. corporations don't pay tax they collect it and pass it in the cost of what they are doing. whether a product or service. you are sa

herman cain is big league now soaking up the limelight on "the view" and the "tonight show" promoting his book "this is herman cain." still many the topsy-turvy universe of 2012 politics, getting to the top and staying there are wholly different things. with me now, republican presidential contender herman cain. >> thank you, candy. >> thanks for finding time for us between "the view" and the "tonight show." appreciate it. couple of topics have been in the news and i want to play you something that pastor robert jeffress, head of the southern baptist convention and senior pastor at a church in texas, had to say about -- was sort of aimed at mitt romney. take a listen here. >> yes. >> the southern baptist convention, which is the largest protestant denomination in the world, has officially labeled mormonism as a cult. i think mitt romney is a good moral man, but i think those of us who are born-again followers of christ should always prefer a competent christian to a competent non-christian like mitt romney. >> is mitt romney a non-christian? >> i'm not running for theologian in chief. i'm a lifelong christian