Huntsman Calls Cain Accusers "Bimbos"

What do you call a woman who claims to have been the victim of sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, and possibly even sexual assault?

If you are presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, you call her a bimbo.

Unlike the rest of the GOP field, Huntsman has been the only candidate to outright call on businessman Herman Cain to drop his presidential bid, stating that the endless streams of women claiming either long term affairs or sexual harassment charges against Cain is too much of a distraction in the race.

But in reiterating his remarks after the allegations of a decade long extramarital affair with Ginger White, Huntsman then stated, “We’ve got real issues to talk about not the latest bimbo eruption.”

Republicans defend the remark, saying it’s just a reference to the allegations of affairs that were plaguing former President Bill Clinton during his political career. But regardless, doesn’t calling all the women involved in both cases “bimbos” just continue to reek of the victim blaming and tarnishing that often accompanies the claims of a woman who said she has been harassed or assaulted?

Huntsman’s words show that despite his role as the more moderate and reasonable of the GOP contenders, like most of the Republican party he still appears to have a problem with women.

Photo credit: wikimedia commons

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James D.

9:04PM PST on Dec 5, 2011

I have trying to tell people that if they think Huntsman is reasonable they have simply not listened to him enough.

From a long time insider, here is all you need to know about any Republican candidate and the Republicans in general, as they are all essentially the same:

http://www.alternet.org/story/152305/confessions_of_a_gop_operative_who_left_%22the_cult%22%3A_3_things_everyone_must_know_about_the_lunatic-filled_republican_party?akid=7522.299286.m3NdK_&rd=1&am

send a green star

Joe C.

7:54PM PST on Dec 5, 2011

It is wonderful that this is being posted! Mr. Huntsman didn't call the ladies in question "bimbos." He used a term that was coined by Betsey Wright, an adviser for the 1992 Clinton campaign. The term he used was "bimbo eruptions," and it is now used commonly and globally to indicate allegations of sexual misconduct in politics. I personally don't like the term and feel that it shouldn't be used, so I understand why you are upset. However, this blog post (and headline) is an inaccurate spin on what was said, the meaning behind what was said, and the term itself. It should not be used as an indication of Mr. Huntsman's views on women and it is unfortunate that his use of this term is being twisted in the way that it is. Should a dialogue begin on the appropriateness of the term? Yes, and it has amongst his supporters, who all agree that it was inappropriate term and should not have been used. However, you must look at its actual use in political discourse.

Brian F.

7:35PM PST on Dec 5, 2011

Huntsman is a moron and a liar like Cain. The fact that anybody would degrade the accusers, when they do not know if the accusers are telling the truth or not, shows a high level of ignorance.

Lilithe M.

9:48AM PST on Dec 5, 2011

Based on Marianne's fabulous post, we can say for certain that Huntsman is the real bimbo here.

Sir Walk F.

9:07AM PST on Dec 4, 2011

yes, marc, they probably went back in time 20 years and filed sexual harassment cases against him. Those wily libs!

marc r.

10:26PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

I wonder how much money the Cain haters paid these "bimbos" to get rid of Cain?

Chad A.

9:51PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

This is supposed to be the moderate in the race? Don't the Republicans have anything to offer women?

9:29PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

Huntsman only looks moderate in comparison to people like Cain. He needs him in the race.

Penny C.

9:09PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

Unbelievable really.

Marianne C.

7:38PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

It's funny how language works, isn't it? It;s almost as if words that are negative somehow come to be applied to women, while words that are positive come to be applied to males.

The word "bimbo" in a masculine insult. It's a contraction of the word "bambino." It means a mama's boy, still hiding behind his mother's skirts and tied to her apron strings -- and sometime to her breast. Somewhere along the line, it has come to mean women with low morals and lower credibility.

The word "hero," on the other hand, is a feminine word. "Your Hero" is not some guy who comes in to rescue you from affliction. "Your Hero" is the strong, brave girl who's willing to swim the Peloponnese for you. Somewhere along the line, "hero" became masculine praise, while women were saddled with the unwieldy and much weaker "heroine."

The women who have spoken out against Cain for his abysmal behavior ARE Heroes -- in the real sense of the word. They are strong, brave women willing to face a rough sea for what they believe in. In their cases, it's justice, not true love, but the task is just as arduous.

Huntsman is just weak and cowardly,hoping to score points for himself by trying to blame Cain's victims. It may be time for him to suspend HIS campaign, too.