Herman Cain Denies Sexual Harassment Claims, and Blames Democrats

Reiterating his rejection of sexual harassment allegations, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain said, "I have never acted inappropriately with anyone. Period."

Speaking at a press conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Cain addressed separate claims leveled by former National Restaurant Association workers Sharon Bialek and Karen Kraushaar.

Cain said he did not even recall Bialek when he saw her appear on television Monday with her attorney, Gloria Allred.

"I absolutely reject the charges. These events simply did not happen," Cain said in response to Bialek's account of being groped by Cain in a car in Washington, D.C., 14 years ago.

Cain said Kraushaar's claim of sexual harassment "was found to be baseless. There was no legal settlement. There was an agreement with the NRA and it was treated as a personnel matter."

Pressed by questioners, Cain recounted that, in his NRA office, he had stood next to Kraushaar one day and held his hand slightly below his chin and told her that she was the same height as his wife.

"She did not react at the time," he recalled. Kraushaar, whose claim was reportedly settled with the NRA for $45,000, now works at the Treasury Department

Regarding Bialek, Cain charged that "The Democrat machine has brought forth a troubled woman to make false accusations."

"Some people don't want Herman Cain to become president. These allegations have come out of the woodwork. There will probably be others -- not because there were incidents, but because the machine to keep a businessman out of the White House is going to be relentless," Cain said.

Cain did not substantiate his charge of Democratic involvement, though Allred is a longtime donor to the party and Kraushaar has worked for Democratic administrations.

Cain's wife of 43 years did not appear with him.