[Lamplighter]

LA Times
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
6:15 p.m. PDT

Herman Cain has the spotlight, but for how long?

The candidate who has risen to the top of the GOP presidential field
is now in greater demand, and he insists he is in the race for the long haul.

Some voters and analysts remain skeptical.
With his poll numbers surging and opponents scrambling to stop him,
the underfunded and understaffed Cain is no longer just a fringe candidate
with a catchy plan for the economy.

Instead he lifted off on his debate performances and specifically his nonstop touting
of the 9-9-9 plan, which would scrap the current federal tax code and
replace it with a 9% tax on corporate and personal income and a 9% national sales tax.
(He says it would simplify a tax system that Americans abhor.
His rivals say it's a simplistic nonstarter that would put his party
on record as supporting a new tax.)

And besides all that:
The 9-9-9 plan totally eliminates Social Security and Medicare
--- completely - all of it - no more - so when you pass 65 you're on own.


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