Sharon Bialek, the first woman to publicly accuse presidential contender Herman Cain of sexual harassment during his time as president of the National Restaurant Association, said Wednesday that while she had not yet had contact with any of the other accusers, she would be open to holding a joint press conference to detail their alleged experiences.
The idea was first floated by the lawyer for Karen Kraushaar, a spokeswoman for the Treasury Department who came forward Tuesday after her identity as one of the women who received a settlement from the trade group was revealed.
"If the women would like to get together, and Gloria [Allred, Bialek's attorney] and I have yet to discuss this, I'm all for it if Gloria is," Bialek said on MSNBC.
Bialek blasted Cain for his remarks during a press conference Tuesday in which he categorically denied inappropriate behavior and said he never remembered meeting Bialek.
"I'm very disappointed but not surprised by his answer," Bialek said. "His response disrespected me … he missed a great opportunity for greatness."
She also denied media reports that she had hugged Cain at a Tea Party event earlier this year in Chicago, saying she simply grasped his arm to get his attention and leaned in to speak to him over the din of the crowd.
"There was no hugging involved," Bialek said.
But Bialek was unwilling to share the content of their discussion.
"It was simply a few statements to jar his memory," Bialek said.
Bialek and her attorney, Gloria Allred, went on to push back against Cain's claims that the accusations were politically motivated. Allred reiterated that she had defended women against Democratic politicians before, and said that if Bialek had wanted to make money, there were more profitable ways to have come forward.
Bialek also said she was encouraged that Kraushaar had chosen to come forward.
"I'm so proud that this gal came forward," Bialek said.
