“It’s a pretty impressive plan, frankly,” said Kevin Hassett, director of economic policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. “His plan is economically efficient and he’s found a way to portray it that has some political currency.”
Cain is viewed as a long shot for the nomination because of his lack of political experience, connections and organization, and because of some early stumbles on foreign policy and Islam. But he has raised his profile by turning in a series of good-natured debate performances that highlighted his skill as an orator (before running for president, he worked as a conservative talk radio host and a motivational speaker).
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During The Washington Post-Bloomberg debate, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain talks about his tax plan.
Cain also has won positive reviews from voters who appreciate his willingness to tackle wonky details by introducing 9-9-9.
Not since publisher Steve Forbes ran for president in 1996 has the Republican electorate shown such an openness to revamping the tax code, experts say.
“There’s a real receptivity to looking at the causes and sources of our economic angst, that’s for sure, and it creates a fertile environment to talk about our tax code,” said Michael Franc, vice president of government studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation. “Sometimes there’s a willingness to think really big when things are really bad.”
Forbes was a leading advocate for the “flat tax,” which would impose a uniform income tax rate for all earners.
Lately, support has been growing in conservative circles for the “fair tax,” which would replace virtually every federal tax, including the income and corporate tax, with a national sales tax of 23 percent. Several GOP presidential candidates, including Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, have spoken approvingly of the proposal, and Cain considers 9-9-9 a stepping stone toward such a tax.
Liberals have criticized the “fair tax” and the “flat tax” as regressive.
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