Arianna Huffington wants media outlets to stop obsessing on the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain. Except at the liberal news site bearing her name.
During a "Both Sides Now" radio broadcast on which she occasionally appears with GOP political consultant Mary Matalin, Ron Reagan and others, the Huffington Post co-founder likened media coverage of the Cain controversy to the media's singular focus on the "balloon boy" incident from October 2009. (audio clip after page break) --
I think it is ludicrous that we are spending so much time discussing it. It's consuming the airwaves in a way that is really amazing when you consider that, I think that Herman Cain has absolutely zero chance to be elected president of the United States. So why are we wasting so much time on this, I have no idea, except for the fact this is the latest Balloon Boy. You know, it's the latest shining object, as Jon Stewart calls it, that's obsessed the media.
Hmm, she could have a point -- which makes it all the more inexplicable that Huffington Post has run dozens of stories about the Cain imbroglio since it broke. The extent of HuffPo's coverage can be seen here as shown on the site's search engine, these offerings among them --
"Election Monitor: Herman Cain Sucks the Oxygen Out of GOP Tent," Nov. 10
"Herman Cain Resumes Campaigning After Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface," Nov. 10
"Herman Cain Lawyer Lin Wood: New Accusers Should 'Think Twice' ," Nov. 10
"Jon Stewart Mocks Herman Cain's Press Conference," Nov. 10"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations Brought Up at GOP Debate," Nov. 9
"Herman Cain's Sexual Harassment Allegations, Presented by Peanuts on 'Conan,' ", Nov. 9
"Colbert on Herman Cain's 'Serious' Hypocrisy About Sexual Harassment," Nov. 9
"Yes, Conservatives, There is Sexual Harassment," Nov. 9"Nine Sexual Harassment Allegations Part of the Plan, Says Cain," Nov. 8
"Mitt Romney: Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations 'Particularly Disturbing,' ", Nov. 8
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Media Coverage Considered Fair By Plurality in Poll," Nov. 8"Herman Cain on Sharon Bialek: 'I Don't Even Know Who This Lady Is,' ", Nov. 8
"Herman Cain Press Conference: Sharon Bialek Allegations Addressed By Candidate," Nov. 8
"Karen Kraushaar, Herman Cain Accuser, Goes Public With Sexual Harassment Allegations," Nov. 8
"Sharon Bialek, Herman Cain Accuser, Attacked By GOP Candidate's Campaign," Nov. 8
"Sharon Bialek, Herman Cain Accuser, Stands By Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Candidate," Nov. 8
"Mika Brzezinski Bashes Herman Cain's Sexual Harassment Accusers on 'Morning Joe,' ", Nov. 8"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Charges: Fourth Woman Makes Allegations Against Candidate," Nov. 7
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations Proving Major Distraction for GOP," Nov. 7
"Gloria Allred Defends Sharon Bialek's Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Herman Cain," Nov. 7
"Herman Cain Says Wife Gloria Took Controversy 'Harder Than I Did,' ", Nov. 6
"Jon Huntsman On Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Information Must Come Out," Nov. 6
"Herman Cain Says He Won't Answer Sexual Harassment Questions," Nov. 6
"Liz Cheney: Herman Cain Can Survive Sexual Harassment Charges," Nov. 6"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Accusations Not Yet Costing GOP Contender in Early States," Nov. 5
"Michele Bachmann on Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: 'I Don't Have Any Comment,' ", Nov. 4
"Herman Cain Campaigns as Sexual Harassment Allegations Build," Nov. 4
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Candidates Says Humor Getting Him in Trouble," Nov. 3"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Accuser Speaks Anonymously," Nov. 3
"Herman Cain Settlement: Woman Who Made Sexual Harassment Allegations Reportedly Received $45,000," Nov. 3
"Rick Perry on Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: 'Our Campaign Didn't Have Anything To Do With It,' " Nov. 3"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Charges Provoke Varied Reactions From Opponents," Nov. 3
"Cain Adviser Accepts Perry Aide's Denial Of Sexual Harassment Story Leak," Nov. 3"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Accuser Reportedly Was Paid $35,000 in Severance," Nov. 2
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Charges: Third Ex-Employee Comes Forward About Candidate's Behavior," Nov. 2
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Confidentiality Agreements Scrutinized as Cain Faces Press," Nov. 2
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Accuser Hesitant To Discuss Episode in Public," Nov. 2"Condoleezza Rice on Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: 'The Truth Will Come Out,' ", Nov. 1
"Herman Cain on Sexual Harassment Settlement: Not Recalling It, Doesn't Mean I Didn't Sign It," Nov. 1
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Story Not Planted by GOP Rivals, According to GOP Rivals," Nov. 1
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Accuser Wants To Tell Her Side Of The Story," Nov. 1Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: Mike Huckabee Accuses GOP Campaigns of Leaking Story," Oct. 31
"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Allegations: GOP Candidate Faces Litany of Questions," Oct. 31
"Herman Cain Addresses Sexual Harassment Settlement," Oct. 31"Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Accusations: GOP Presidential Candidate Denies Politico Report," Oct. 30*
This is only a partial listing from the first six pages that appeared in my search for "Cain sexual harassment," with each page linking to 10 stories. All told, the search yielded 15 pages, though not every post was on the allegations against Cain.
AOL bought Huffington Post for $315 million back in February -- followed by HuffPo bloggers suing Huffington for not compensating them for their labors. But AOL's acquisition also kept Huffington at the site as editor-in-chief -- where she presumably dictates its coverage of the Cain flap.
(h/t, Radio Equalizer)
