bialek. >> i have never acted inappropriately with anyone, period. i saw ms. allred in that news conference for the very first time. i don't even know who this woman is. secondly, i didn't recognize the name at all. >> cain also said the scandal would not drive him from the race. >> as far as these accusations causing me to back off, and maybe withdraw from this presidential primary race, ain't going to happen. nine days ago, the media started to beat me up, covering anonymous accusers, and then yesterday, another accuser came forth, came forth, identified herself, went on tv, and made some other allegations. it was tough last week? yes. has it been tough the last couple of days? yes. that's one thing about herman cain a lot of the american people know. and that is, just because it's tough is no reason for me not to do what i feel like i have to do. >> this morning, the cain campaign released a memo attacking what it claims is bialek's "long, troubled history," including claims she's gone bankrupt twice and been involved in several lawsuits. this morning, bial

ms. bialek was dating at the time and from a businessman in the chicago area who has known ms. for 30 years. she told each of them separately, shortly after mr. cain's sexual harassment, that mr. cain had engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior with her and that she was upset and surprised by his behavior. she told the businessman that mr. cain had been aggressive with her. our client is very brave to have come forward. she will explain why she has decided to do so in her own words. she could have attempted to sell her story but chose not to do so. she knows that by stepping out into the light that she will face public scrutiny. we applaud her for her courage. if all of these allegations by all of the women who have been reported to have made them are true, then i, for one, am disgusted at mr. cain's serial sexual harassment of women. because there cain, while running for president, is actively lying to americans, showing disdain for our comm commonsense and intellect and showing that he could care less about the impact of his behavior on the dignity of these women. it is ti

bialek. so yesterday, ms. bialak. i think howard has it exactly right. i didn't do anything inappropriate, period if there is additional reporting it is what it is. i mean, otherwise it's very difficult. i think that theextent to which if herman cain is telling the truth if they are false allegations, allegations didn't have merit and it stands the test of time, i think he'll be strong. getting that place, though, could be very difficult when there is going to be day after day of questions, and perhaps some, you know, additional public testimony as it were about this, and people sort of evaluating people's credibility here. remember, the -- i apologize for mispronouncing her name. 55 years old. inspector general of the treasury department, not someone who came forward, it's not like everybody is rushing to the cameras with gloria allred and that made it through the democratic machine. >> we'll see an m.o., if you will. a method. if he's accused of the same kinds of pattern of behavior by a number of people, it begins to take a pattern for most people wat

ms. bialek, the assassins underestimate the decency of the american people. they don't realize that what i saw on that stage today is a symbol of america turning the page largely on the question of race within our country. >> i hear you on that point. and i think that's one of the reasons people applaud the herman cain campaign in terms of his becoming a candidate at all. but when you say that we can't get beyond the whole issue of a black male and white woman, is it perhaps that these women coming forward in this modern time proof that we are beyond that, that this isn't about the hypersexualized black male, it's about a woman telling her side of the story and a mantling his and that it isn't about race at all? because it doesn't sound like you're making it about race. >> well, what i am saying is this. i'm saying the way that the media is treating this case, there is a hypocrisy and double standard for conservatives, vis-a-vis bill clinton, who had a variety of alleged charges of not making people feel uncomfortable, but things such as rape. and john edward

ms. bialek, the assassins underestimate the decency of the american people. they don't realize that what i saw on that stage today is a symbol of america turning the page largely on the question of race within our country. >> i hear you on that point. and i think that's one of the reasons people applaud the herman cain campaign in terms of his becoming a candidate at all. but when you say that we can't get beyond the whole issue of a black male and white woman, is it perhaps that these women coming forward in this modern time proof that we are beyond that, that this isn't about the hypersexualized black male, it's about a woman telling her side of the story and a mantling his and that it isn't about race at all? because it doesn't sound like you're making it about race. >> well, what i am saying is this. i'm saying the way that the media is treating this case, there is a hypocrisy and double standard for conservatives, vis-a-vis bill clinton, who had a variety of alleged charges of not making people feel uncomfortable, but things such as rape. and john edward

ms. bialek. tied still. >> this is what's extraordinary.ng but not imploding. numbers the same as a month ago before allegations started to swirl before today's press conference. here's important data to keep in mind. 54% of republican primary voters say they are not concerned at all about the charges. that's incredibly significant. you see a rally around the flag effect where people are saying the media is beating up on herman cain. i don't believe it. he's raised $2 million in the last two weeks. that's significant. also, even though his negatives are up dramatically which is understandable, his somewhat positive rating actually jumped significantly to 32 from 24. again, you are seeing support for herman cain solidify in part because of these attacks. whether this press conference will be a tipping point will be an interesting challenge. >> do you see a gender breakdown? >> we are seeing some gender breakdown. you also see an age breakdown. you see some fishers in his support but overall right now you see fascinating rally around the flag

ms. bialek's appearance on the stage. so when you had a somewhat one-sided conversation, just herman cain giving his side of the story without the face, without the other explanations, then people, particularly the base, was much more, you know, comfortable giving him the cover he needed by saying, it's the press, it's the left, all of that. that dynamic changes. you see in the poll there was slippage in his favorability that will translate into electability over the next few weeks i think. >> melissa, as we look at this, talk about the fact we have a white woman accusing an african-american presidential candidate of this type of harassment. how does that change things moving forward especially in the atmosphere we live in today? we have an african-american for president. doesn't even need 20 to be talk about? >> at the moment, doesn't seem to be racialized. there's plenty of time for that to turn into that. in order for this to be racialized, they would need to see that as an effective strategy and make use of it in that

ms. bialek says she met cain that night for help finding a new job. the cain campaign denies her story altogether. abc news has nod independently confirmed bialek's account. she says she never filed a claim against cain because she didn't work at the restaurant association at the time adding that she decided to speak yesterday in solidarity with the other women who accused mr. cain of harassment. >> i'm coming forward to give a face and a voice to those women who cannot or for whatever reasons do not wish to come forward, and on behalf of all women who are sexually harassed in the work places but do not come out of fear of retaliation or public humiliation. i want you, mr. cain, to come clean, just admit what you did, admit you were inappropriate to people. >> following that press conference, bialek's credibility has come under fire as you might expect with several newspapers pointing out the chicago woman has an extensive legal record and filed for bankruptcy twice. the cain campaign actually pointing that out and questioning her motives in statement

ms. bialek. >> instead of going into the offices, he suddenly reached over and he put his hand on my leg,nder my skirt and reached for my genitals. he also grabbed my head and brought it towards his crotch. i was very, very surprised and very shocked. i said, what are you doing? you know i have a boyfriend. this isn't what i came here for. mr. cain said, you want a job, right? >> whoa. i guess that's about a clear a case of sexual harassment. looks to me like sexual assault, basically. you've been covering this case, by the way, the cain campaign has issued this statement this afternoon in response to that press conference. "just as the country finally begins to refocus on our crippling $15 trillion national debt and the unacceptably unemployment rate, now activist celebrity lawyer gloria allred is bringing forth more false accusations against the character of the republican front-runner herman cain. all allegations of harassment against mr. cain are completely false. mr. cain has never harassed anyone. fortunately, the american people will not allow mr. cain's bold 9-9-9 plan, clear fore

ms. bialek has had a long and troubled history from the courts to personal finance which is may help explain why she has come forward 14 years after an alleged incident with mr. cain powered inti celebrity attorney and long-term democrat donor gloria allred." the campaign e-mail lists a half dozen lawsuits against bialek as well as two bankruptcy filings and a paternity suit involving her now 13-year-old son. cbs news has confirmed bialek filed for bankruptcy in 1991 and again ten years later. she also has been sued at least six times for amounts under $5,000 over such issues as nonpayment of rent. she was evicted once. as for the paternity suit-- she won and got child supportment bialek, a 50-year-old single mother who now lives in the chicago area, says she is not seeking money. >> i have so much to lose but really nothing to gain. >> reporter: now, republican strategists say they can't remember a presidential campaign openly attacking the credibility of an accuser. scott, those responses typically are done by surrogates or just whispered to reporters. >> pelley: jan, thank you very much.

ms. bialek is doing here.: you think your friend, herman cain s the victim here of these attacks simply because he is a public figure, because he's running for president? >> i think there's no question that he is a victim of these unfair, unfounded, anonymous in many cases attacks. and by the way, i don't think it's just going to stop here. i think it's now like an episode of "dancing with the stars" or "who wants to be a millionaire." you now have folk who are trying to attack him to get their 15 minutes of fame and maybe get $15 of fortune along with the 15 minutes of fame. and i think he is a victim, and i would caution those within the conservative movement that are discarding herman cain, do you really believe that this new political weapon or revived political weapon of sexual harassment is just going to end with herman cain? jon: is that, that sounds almost like a threat directed at conservatives. is it? >> it is a threat. absolutely. it's a threat and -- jon: but is it a threat from you? >> no, it's no

ms. bialek, the answer is yes.u believe herman cain, the answer is no. >> appreciate your insight tonight. when we come back, jeff noted that the political arena, the political impact on the man who is the surprise of the gop race including some brand new poll numbers just outside suggesting these allegations are beginning to take a toll. [ indistinct talking on radio ] [ tires screech ] [ crying ] [ applause ] [ laughs ] [ tires screech ] [ male announcer ] your life will have to flash by even faster. autodrive brakes on the cadillac srx activate after rain is detected to help improve braking performance. we don't just make luxury cars. we make cadillacs. quaker oatmeal is a super grain. ♪ it gives me warmth. ♪ [ boy ] it gives me energy to help me be my best. quaker oatmeal has whole grains for heart health. and it has fiber that helps fill me up. ♪ [ male announcer ] great days start with quaker oatmeal. energy. fiber. heart health. quaker oatmeal. a super grain breakfast. [ whooping ] ♪ it was the best day ♪ it

ms. bialek. she was asked, doesn't this go bond sexual harassment, doesn't it go toward more sexual assault? she didn't answer the question. the more this gets repeated for herman cain. i think this is something he's going to have a harder time not answering questions about. >> what's different is we've heard the word murky used more time during anything in my time of coverage. there's nothing murky about this. either she's telling the truth and he should go or she's totally making something up. this is not an interpretive event. this is horrible, horrible. if anybody knew their daughter was submitted to this kind of behavior by a boss, a wife, a spouse, sister, or anybody they cared out, it's unbelievable. it's horrendous. a christian conservative watching this description by her would have to say either she's completely lying or this guy shouldn't even be thought of as a president. it's one or the other. >> right. i think what she did to bolster her claim was that gloria allred read from two sw

ms. bialek's statement and how she made her statement and gloria allred saying this is a stimulus package and -- >> i agree, i thought that was distasteful. >> and then bialek saying she went home to her boyfriend, but she he didn't it he will htell details. >> i also thought that was unusual that she would have shared with someone. but then i started thinking about experiences i've had or women i know have had and sexual harassment at work parties, it's common, women often do feel guilty or awkward in, a sense it's sort of like how the race issue is for you, which is it's there but not there. for a lot of women i think the sexism issue is there but not there. is that something you can understand? >> i can definitely understand it and more than understand it, i empathize with it. and what i say, and i want to be consistent here, the way that i address those who put the race card on the issue unfairly and how it undermines legitimate cases and examples of racism, how it undermines and disresp t disrespects those ancestors of ours that truly had to overcome racism, say that for sexual haras

ms. bialek's account yesterday. if there is, he's going to have to be right back before cameras explaining again. because the way he put it today so completely that absolutely nothing inappropriate ever happened opens him up that if something else trickles out, judy, he's going to have to answer more questions. >> woodruff: one of the original anonymous accusers has given name. in this instance he says he does remember in the instance where he compared her height to the height of his wife. there's something he's acknowledging there. >> he went into detail with you about this a week ago when he was on the newshour. this formal complaint was filed at the national restaurant association at the time. he did not end...it the not end in an legal settlement but it was an arrangement. she did get money of some sort when she left the national restaurant association. but he claims that the restaurant association looked into all of her charges and determined that it was baseless. what you will see happen now is that more and m

ms. bialek's case pro bono.s her client. >> the cain campaign came out with a statement last night that touched on specifics last night of sharon bialek's story raising questions about this money. you asked her, she said it was pro bono. you heard her talk about filing for bankruptcy. those were the first specifics we heard in terms of rebutting these allegations. but, you know, this is going to be widely watched and one other thing that she didn't talk about today, but she mentioned yesterday, she saw him last month at a tea party convention in chicago. approached him and said, do you remember me? she said he remembered her from the foundation, but she said he looked uncomfortable. >> we'll see what happens. we'll watch it closely along with you, mary. thank you. >>> it appears italian prime minister silvio berlusconi's days could be numbered. even the losest political ally saying it's time for berlusconi to go. italy trying to get its finances under control. the italian parliament is proposing a chance. could

bialek?" that's the other woman who made the accusation yesterday. they said, quote, as ms. sharon bialek has placed herself in the public spotlight through making patently false allegations against mr. cain, it is only fair to compare her track record alongside mr. cain's. then they list her debts and attacking her as an accuser. is this something that karen kraushaar was worried about and wanted to stay anonymous? >> i think that's one reason, anderson. but i think that anybody who understands these things, not wanting to come out publicly, first of all, you don't want to relive a nightmare situation that happened a long time ago. secondly, she is concerned about her personal safety, and that of her family. but thirdly, she doesn't want to go through this because she is a classy, professional individual. she doesn't want to be, if she can avoid it, she doesn't want to be at a microphone talking about lurid gestures that she says happened when she worked for mr. cain at the national restaurant association. i think all of those things put together, any woman can understand wh

ms bialek became the first to speak out, but some of the other women and the other allegations as we. we've got our reporters an analysts standing by, including gloria borger, donna brazile -- i said that, but gloria, let me start with you. it's taking right now even as we speak, a whole new dimension because another woman who made these allegations against him in 1999, she now work it is department of treasury. she's about to go public if she hasn't yet. >> she is, wolf. she is somebody who tried not to go public. and who went through her attorney, joel bennett, who you just had on the show. but now, her name is known. karen crassour. she is a friend of one of our contributors, maria, c. maria has just said to you and to me, that this woman told her when she hired her, the ins, she saved her from this monster. >> she called herman cain is monster. >> so at a certain point, wolf, you've got four women. you have now just knocked out one accuser or two and git gets saern point where herman cain cannot now blanketly deny this. he has to answer specific charges from specific women. we ha

ms. bialek who said cain needed to start talking, that was what she said she wanted. but cain came out last night vigorously defending himself at this news conference. >> i have never acted inappropriately with anyone, period. as i sat in my hotel room with a couple of my staff members as they got to the microphone, my first response in my mind and reaction was, i don't even know who this woman is. the charges and the act sayings -- accusations are absolutely, i absolutely reject. they simply didn't happen. we will get through this. the fact is, these anonymous allegations are false, and now the democrat machine in america has brought forth a troubled woman to make false accusations. statements, many of which exceed common sense. and they certainly exceed the standards of decency in america. bill: so where are we this morning? molly henneberg live in washington begins our coverage. first, what are we learning about the first accuser? karen crushauer is her name, molly. >> reporter: it's possible we could get something from her lawyer today, we just found out, but noth

ms. bialek. we'll have that interview in one hour's time. good morning, it's a very busy tuesday, good to have you along with us. how you doing? martha: very interesting stuff in that interview. that's coming up in about an hour from now. good morning bill, good morning, everyone, i'm martha maccallum. just a few hours before she finished that news conference, herman cain went on jimmy kimmell. listen: >> all things considered, i'm still alive. it got off to a somewhat surprise start. >> we are going to have a press conference. we are taking this head on. bill: that was from last night, so far the allegations not hurting cain in the polling among republicans. latest gallup poll has cain neck and neck with mitt romney. you see it will on the screen. bob cusack, good morning to you, what's the poll tell you? >> the poll tells you he's still alive in the republican primary, he's right there with mitt romney even as this story goes into its second week, herman cain is doing well on one aspect. on another aspect he's not doing well, in the head t

ms. bialek, talking about a paternity suit, that she was a defendant in several lawsuits and filed for bankruptcy, sort of a character assassination. the question is whether not this is relevant. clearly he decided to go after her credibility to try to undermine it. but the problem is, it is very possible she could be is sketchy person but also be a victim of this. i thought it was a very risky strategy. and the other problem is it sort of reminds people of bill clinton. this is the third instance i can count where people have been reminded or associated cain with clinton. the fact that he was parsing what "is" is, and you have james carville, and his famous line about dragging a one of the dollar bill through a trailer park. and during the press conference herman cain talked-about the democratic machine, which reminded people of pillory clinton's vast right wing conspiracy. clearly he is taking a page on how to handle these attacks from the clintons. host: the numbers to call -- you said risky strategy. what goes off in your mind when he mentions taking a lie detector test? guest: first tech sai

ms. bialek, talking about paternity suits, the fact that she was a defendant in several lawsuits, that she fought for bankruptcy. it really a sort of character assassination. the question is whether or not that is relevant. clearly, the cain campaign decided to go after her credibility to undermine it. it is every possibility that she could be -- is very possible that to be a statue person and yet be a victim in this period is a risky strategy. the other problem is that it's sort of reminds people of bill clinton. this the third instance where people have associated cain with clinton. we had at the moment where he was sort of parsing what "is" is, and then you have to james carville, his famous line about dragging it $100 bill for a trailer park. yesterday, during a press conference, herman cain talks about a democrat machine, which reminds people of hillary clinton, "ask right-wing conspiracy." -- "vast right-wing conspiracy." clearly he is taking a page from the clintons. host: you said a risky strategy. what goes off in your mind when he talks about a lie-detector test? guest: first he

bialek and didn't even know her. >> i never acted inappropriately with anyone. period. i saw ms. allred and her client yesterday that? that news conference for the very first time. as i sat in my hotel room with a couple of my staff members, as they got to the microphone, my first response in my mind and reaction was, i don't even know who this woman is. >> gene robinson it seems this puts him in a position that's quite fuel factually based. this puts anything that comes along and says he did know her, did have dinner with her, drinks with her, did go for a ride, any evidence along that lines crashes him unless he has one last fallback, i forgot. >> well, i forgot. i don't known that's going to cut it, given the definitive nature of his denial. he doesn't remember her, this never happened, so the records are checkable. also in the -- the other case that we know a little bit about, the one in which there was one of the two in which there was a settlement with the national restaurant association and the woman who is now coming public, he said that case was resolved with a finding t