The problem is that the evidence of individual women is fallible, and can be brushed off. The comments he made in the mailing list are in the public record and

The problem is that the evidence of individual women is fallible, and can be brushed off. The comments he made in the mailing list are in the public record and are therefore undeniable evidence, which serves to reinforce previous claims of abuse. It may be a straw, but it's a very heavy straw, placed at just the right location