FULL STORY: Cain campaign visits East County

MANATEE COUNTY — Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, of Georgia, had hoped to kick off his Common Sense Solutions Bus Tour in Florida with a stop Sept. 19, at Mixon Fruit Farms.

Instead he was stuck at home with the flu.

Despite his illness, Cain delivered a brief message to the hundreds of people gathered at Mixon through a three-minute audio his staff members recorded that morning.

“I regret that I couldn’t be there with you,” Cain said. “But I’m glad you are here because (it shows you care about our country). … This nation’s economy is on life support and we need a bold solution.”

Cain advocated for his 9-9-9 proposal, which would throw out the existing tax code as well as taxes such as the death tax, payroll tax and others. It then would establish a business flat tax, an individual flat tax and a national sales tax, all at 9%.

Cain said the proposal would result in lower taxes because it expands the existing tax base. The plan, he said, would be the first proposal he brings before Congress as president and is one he would work to implement his first 90 days in office, he said.

Cain also watched the event, organized by Tea Party Manatee and the Sarasota Republican Party, through Mixon’s web camera system, campaign staffers said.

As part of the event, supporters and campaign staff members also spoke about Cain’s character, “proven” leadership abilities, shrewd business sense, financial skills, ability to solve problems and vision for the future.

“I was impressed (by what I heard),” East County resident Ann Hartley said. “I’m more convinced I might support him.”

Tea Party Manatee Vice President Steve Vernon said his organization has not yet backed any presidential candidate but likes Cain’s core values, his financial experience and business background.

“We like the fact that he’s not a career politician,” Vernon said. “We like the fact he’s a successful businessman.”

Cain is slated to appear at events throughout the Tampa Bay region and Orlando through Sept. 23.
Mark Block, Cain’s chief of staff, said he expected Cain to be back on the road Tuesday, after the East County Observer went to press, or at least in time for the GOP Presidential Debate Sept. 22 in Tampa.

Vernon said Cain is the first and only presidential candidate, so far, to accept an invitation to speak to Tea Party Manatee. Cain, he said, has committed to speaking to the group at a future date.

For information about Cain, visit www.hermancain.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Cain Close Up

Herman Cain, a native of Atlanta, was the first in his family to graduate from college. With a degree in mathematics from Morehouse College, Herman went on to complete his master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University and worked as a civilian employee for the Department of Navy, where he developed fire control systems for ships and fighter planes.

He then worked for Coca-Cola and Pillsbury Co., before becoming president and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, a business he took from near-bankruptcy to profitability.

He also has served as the head of the National Restaurant Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.