It's Not Easy Being a Black Conservative...

...because we all know that they're lewd and dangerous and consumed with uncontrollable lust:

...the Politico begins a sincere effort to destroy the black guy running to be the GOP’s Presidential nominee. The opposition dump on Herman Cain has begun in earnest. Before getting into the details, let’s pay attention to what this means.

It means for certain that Herman Cain’s lead in the polling is real — very, very real. People are taking him seriously. Mr. Cain is about to spend a week in Washington answering questions and giving speeches. Someone wanted to make sure he has a miserable week.

The allegations are pretty straight forward. At least two women complained of sexual harassment by Herman Cain when he ran the National Restaurant Association. How did this play out? Well, the Politico says it learned about the allegations and then began putting together a roster of board members, etc. Someone tipped them off obviously.

Stacy McCain wonders why this is coming out now:

We know nothing about the accusers and the specifics of the accusations from a dozen years ago are reported rather vaguely by Politico: “episodes that left the women upset and offended” and “physical gestures that were not overtly sexual but that made women who experienced or witnessed them uncomfortable and that they regarded as improper in a professional relationship.”

All in all, it’s a long run for a short slide. Unless and until we have some specifics — including names, dates and places — my instinct is to agree with Gordon that this is “part of a smear campaign.”

Why are Cain’s enemies firing the thermonuclear component of their oppo-research arsenal so early? Generally speaking in such matters, you save your big stuff for later in the campaign.

Erick Erickson agrees that this isn't the typical smear campaign.

Why is Herman getting special treatment?

Professional associates, including a number of women, say this story doesn't comport with the sterling reputation of the Herman Cain that they know:

"such behavior would be totally out of character"

“That’s a shock to me...”

“not within his character”

“It’s not what I know of him...”

Cain’s treatment of women was “the same as his treatment of men. Herman treated everyone great...”

x-posted to LCR

Learn more about Herman Cain.

UPDATE: Herman Cain's wife, Gloria Cain

UPDATE II: Herman Cain said that this would happen, and that he would be prepared:

Cain predicted this would happen five months ago. As the Washington Examiner's Byron York reported in May:

But wouldn't liberals and Democrats still find a racially-based way to attack Cain? They certainly found a way to attack Clarence Thomas, the black, conservative Supreme Court justice.

"They're going to come after me more viciously than they would a white candidate," Cain responded. "You're right. Clarence Thomas. And so, to use Clarence Thomas as an example, I'm ready for the same high-tech lynching that he went through -- for the good of this country." Cain smiled broadly. "I'm ready for the same high-tech lynching."

UPDATE III:

This just might backfire, solidifying conservative sympathy for Herman Cain. Ann Coulter:

"I'm spitting mad about this attack on Herman Cain. Maybe he should be a the top of the ticket."

UPDATE IV: Cain: I was "falsely accused"

“In my over 40 years of running businesses and corporations, I have never sexually harassed anyone,” he told an audience at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“I was accused — falsely, I might add. When the charges were brought, I recused myself, and allowed my general counsel and human-resources officer to deal with the matter.

“After a thorough investigation, it was determined there was no basis for the complaints,” Cain related.

UPDATE V: Cain: This is "a witch hunt"

Herman Cain called the accusations of sexual harassment against him “a witch hunt” and said he had been falsely accused while the head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s.

Declaring at the National Press Club that he “would be delighted to clear the air,” Mr. Cain said that he is unaware of any settlements paid to his accusers.

“It was concluded after a thorough investigation that it had no basis...”

UPDATE VI: Cain details gesture that led to sex accusation...

...I made a gesture saying you are the same height as my wife. And I brought my hand up to my chin saying, 'My wife comes up to my chin.'" At that point, Cain gestured with his flattened palm near his chin. "And that was put in there [the complaint] as something that made her uncomfortable," Cain said...

UPDATE VII: Professor Jacobson opines...

This is a taste of the medicine the mainstream media ... has in store for the eventual Republican nominee...

...it looked like Politico was out to get Cain, not just investigate a story. The view from above was quite clear...

I just watched Cain’s interview by Greta Van Susteren, and he was clear and persuasive that there was no harrassment.

UPDATE VIII: Limbaugh's remarks...

• Politico Story An “Unconscionable Racially Charged Attack”

UPDATE IX:

The fine art of portraying black men as sexual predators...

Memeorandum thread