The New York Times reported yesterday that Herman Cain is often rude to staffers, even circulating a memo instructing them not to speak until spoken to. Today at a campaign stop in Alabama, Cain attempted to clarify the reason behind the rudeness, Politico reports.
“If I’m trying to prepare for a speech, I do tell people to shut up. Yeah. But see, you didn’t say that the first time. You made it seem as if I was on the way to Dairy Queen and I was gonna tell everyone to shut up. If I’m preparing for a speech or preparing for a debate, they know be quiet because I’m trying to get my thoughts together. Whoever said that, that’s the truth.
This is how I prepare, because you want to be mentally prepared. Whoever said it, I really don’t care. The point is, yes they give me quiet time when I’m trying to prepare.”