this is a very serious matter. and it should be taken seriously. this woman s charges are particularly disturbing and they re serious. obviously they are very troubling, but these are things, you know, they re allegations. herman has his opportunity to tell his side of the story and the american public can make a decision. and then there were newt gingrich s words of wisdom learned through hard and bitter experience. he has to have an answer and it better be accurate, because if it s not accurate, they won t survive 24 hours. and finally, there s the huntsman angle which smartly recognizes that hopeless candidates like herman cain need not observe any of the rules that govern candidates who are actually trying to win. it s a distraction and herman cain can deal with it however herman cain chooses to deal with it. joining me now, msnbc analyst richard wolffe. thanks for joining me tonight, richard. my pleasure, lawrence. richard, it feels to me like