Presidential candidate Herman Cain's "9-9-9 Plan" continued to drive debate discussion at CNN's October 18th Western Republican Presidential Debate hosted by CNN moderator Anderson Cooper. Responding to questions about his economic plan from fellow candidates, Cain explained, "We simply remove the hidden taxes that are in goods and services with our plan and replace it with a single rate, nine percent," he said. "I invite every family to do your own calculations with that arithmetic."
Cain continued, "(the 9-9-9 Plan) is a jobs plan, it is revenue neutral, it does not raise taxes on those that are making the least. Let's throw out the 10 million word mess and put in our plan which will liberate the American workers and liberate American businesses."
Responding to questions from CNN's Anderson Cooper after the debate, Cain clarified information about the size of his campaign staff: "Let me correct a few misperceptions. We already have staff in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida and several other states. We are hiring people now. We're hiring people for our corporate office, in all of the states, we're ramping up. There are plenty of good people out there and we're adding them rapidly. "
During the debate, several candidates supported Cain's initiative in proposing a new tax code. Fellow candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said, "Herman Cain deserves a lot of credit for proposing a very big idea on tax reform."
Cain used the broad themes of the debate to discuss several other elements of his platform. On health care, Cain said, "Obamacare is a disaster." Cain explained that he would start by re-examining House Resolution 3400, "Instead of government being imposed on the system, it passes market-driven, patient-centered reform to allow association health plans and insurance products to be sold across state lines. It allows the patient and the doctors to make the decisions, not a bureaucrat."
Responding to a question about US border security, Cain stressed "I don't apologize at all for wanting to protect the American citizens and protect our agents on the border." Cain explained his three-pronged plan: First, protect the physical border with fencing, technology and manpower; Second, promote the existing path to citizenship by cleaning up the bureaucracy in Washington DC; and Third, embrace the immigration laws on the books and empower the states to do what the federal government is not doing as far as enforcing those laws."
Cain reiterated, however, that strong national security starts with fundamental economic reform: "We must first start with significantly boosting this economy which is on life support...If we have this economy growing people will be able to take care of their families." Cain contrasted himself to other candidates who have spent time in Washington or on Wall Street, saying, "My experience is Main Street."
