10 things you didn’t know about Herman Cain

10 things you didn’t know about Herman Cain

Rogue-ier than Sarah Palin and darker-skinned than Barack Obama, Herman Cain seems an unlikely choice for the GOP presidential nomination.

The businessman, columnist and radio talk show host is best known for turning around the ailing Godfather’s Pizza chain and injecting his memorable 9-9-9 economic mini-plan into public consciousness. He has never held public office.

Yet, the pizza exec is gaining an ever-increasing slice of public attention. He’s consistently a straw poll favorite among Republicans, outpacing Mitt Romney by as much as 15 points in recent polls. Even if you disagree with his conservative outlook, one has to admire Herman Cain’s chutzpah.

So what’s the Big Deal with Herman Cain?

1. He’s a Baptist minister from Georgia.

Cain grew up in modest circumstances and now lives in the Atlanta suburbs, where he serves as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church North.

2. He’s a gospel music recording artist.

Cain recorded a 13-track gospel record titled “Sunday Morning” that was released in 1996 by GLC Music, Selah Sound Production and Melodic Praise Records. Listen here:

3. The 9-9-9 Plan may have come from a video game.

Huffington Post reporter Amanda Terkel speculates Cain’s vision to overhaul the tax system with a 9% rate on corporate and personal income tax rates as well as institute a national sales tax rate of 9% on consumer purchases was inspired by Sim City 4.

4. The 9-9-9 Plan hurts lower income families.

A national sales tax is an altogether new concept for Americans — good luck using mom-and-pop businesses to act as tax collection agencies, Brother Cain. Don’t forget, we still have state and local sales taxes to contend with. State sales tax varies from zero (Alaska, Montana) to 7.25% (California). Most consumers pay an additional couple percentage points for local sales taxes. Under the Cain 9-9-9 plan here in Ohio, a consumer would pay about $16 in tax per $100. Who’s ready to pay $3.48 for a $3 loaf of bread?

5. He’s got a Fox News connection.

With no foreign policy experience, Cain can only tout his foreign business travel and “rusty” French. In August, he took part in former Fox host Glenn Beck’s Restoring Courage rally in Israel.

6. He’s never held public office, but it’s not like he didn’t try.

In 2000, Cain ran for president of the United States. In 2004, he ran for a Georgia U.S. Senate seat and was defeated in the Republican primary by Johnny Isakson.

7. He’s so anti-choice, he’d let moms die to save the unborn.

Not surprisingly, Cain’s cleric roots make him unable to empathize with women’s health care needs, but his extremist “no exceptions” views on abortion and desire to overturn Roe v. Wade put him on the front lines of the Republican war on women.

8. Made a name for himself opposing health care reform.

As CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Cain challenged President Clinton’s national health care plan during a live televised town meeting saying “Mr. President, with all due respect, your calculation on what the impact would do, quite honestly, is incorrect.” In 2006, Cain was diagnosed with stage IV liver and colon cancer. He was pronounced cancer-free in 2007 and claims Obamacare would have killed him.

9. Will deliver Italian stereotypes.

Not everyone is impressed with Cain’s business acumen. Critics say the 620-location Omaha-based pizza chain’s return to profitability was due more to the current CEO’s efforts than to Cain’s. In any event, Godfather Pizza’s ‘da Boss’ is available for personal appearances.

10. It’s a win-win for Herman Cain.

Like Palin, Cain is in the business of book selling. Cresting on his wave of right-wing popularity, backorders pile up nationally for “This is Herman Cain!” Republicans will flirt with the idea of businessman-with-no-political-experience for the presidency, but ultimately marry Mitt Romney. For now, Herman Cain is the baritone, amiable candidate du jour with the sound-bite economic plan.

— Liz Putnam is a retired automotive trade magazine editor from Columbus, Ohio.



Madmikesamerica thanks TPM, HuffPo, Omaha.com, Politico, ABC, Yahoo and others for their background contributions to this article.