"Because when one is running for the highest office in the land, these things have a way of coming out. "

That is of course assuming there is something to come out. False claims are false claims, and sometimes litigated with payoffs with no regard to the truth of the matters.

If Herman felt there was nothing to worry about because there was nothing of any substance he could consider, it seems prudent to not make something up as a defense.  There is no skeleton, ergo no worries.

Consider this:  You (Archie) are running for high office, and a lady goes to the news and tells your wife (or life partner, etc..) you fathered her baby.  But you have never had a tool with which to do so.  Because you will drop out to save your dignity, does that make you guilty?

Still, it is what it is and we can't change that by (inspecting split hairs) beating ea other up. I would like to point out that a protracted beat down amongst ourselves is not private. The world wide web is an interesting stage.