Life after Herman Cain

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:35:00 +0000

If I had one wish, how would I use it? Would I wish I had never taken him up on his offers to fly me around the world? Would I wish I had never had a relationship with a married man? Would I simply wish I had never met Herman Cain? Seven months after the whole spectacle went down, Herman Cain has continued his career as a political eccentric -- writing books, landing speaking engagements and hosting his own Web TV network. Meanwhile, I have been called a whore, a liar and a home wrecker. No one will employ me. In the seven months since I stood in front of reporters, cameras and the American public and told them about our affair, this is the question I have most often asked myself: What do I regret the most?

It all began one evening in 1996, when I was working the information booth at a black tie function in my hometown of Louisville, Ky. I first noticed Herman as he walked through the lobby toward the escalator. He stared at me, and I couldn’t help but stare back: His look was so intense. I turned away, but when I looked back a few seconds later, he had not moved his eyes. He was riding the escalator with his body still turned toward me. He was dripping with confidence and arrogance. He had this incredible grin on his face, as if he already knew how the evening was going to turn out.

Salon.com > Ginger White

Life after Herman Cain