Josh Marshall composed the predictably twisted and deceptive series of Cain campaign reactions to the sexual harassment allegations:
1. Politico allegations are false. Story is crap.
2. Yes, there were allegations. But they were false.
3. Yes there were allegations that were false and I don't know what money was paid.
4. I don't know whether money was paid. And it would be wrong for me to find out whether money was paid because it's confidential.
5. There was a in-depth investigation. And I was cleared. But I don't know anything about it.
6. Here's the gesture that led to my getting accused of harassment.
7. Okay, I remember some discussion of a settlement number.
In case you're wondering, conservatives and conservative talk radio is rallying around Herman Cain. Rush Limbaugh defended Cain against the -- get this -- racist allegations.
Adding... Dennis Prager, who I've been listening to in the car lately, was musing today that liberals have no explanation for why "racist" tea party people and conservatives are supporting Cain, therefore conservatives aren't racist. Yeah, Prager loves a good straw man argument. In this case, he assumes that all conservatives support Cain, which isn't true -- only 32 percent of tea party people support Cain, and only 25 percent of Republicans. Therefore, not "all" conservatives/tea party people support Cain.
In fact, a supermajority of both groups don't support Cain. So it's possible that a significant number of tea party people could still be racially biased against both Cain and President Obama. Also, a racist white conservative might say he supports Cain, but then vote for Perry or whoever else while standing in the booth. Yes, it's possible for racists to be dishonest -- especially racist conservatives.