Shock : Herman Cain wins GOP Florida straw poll

The Washington Times ^ | SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 | Seth McLaughlin

[RobinMasters]

ORLANDO — Former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain won the Presidency 5 straw poll here Saturday, delivering a blow to Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s frontrunner status and a victory for a candidate who has struggled to transform his grassroots popularity into strong showings in national polls.

“Tonight’s winner is Herman Cain,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced. “It shows you something, the road to the White House come through Florida, and it pays to spend time here.”

He received 37 percent of the more than 2,600 votes cast.

“Thank you to the Republican voters for this incredible honor of being named the winner of the Presidency 5 straw poll in Florida today,” Mr. Cain said. “This is a sign of our growing momentum and my candidacy that cannot be ignored. I will continue to share my message of ‘common-sense solutions’ across this country and look forward to spending more time in Florida, a critical state for both the nomination and the general election.”

The two national frontrunners — Mr. Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — placed second and third. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, meanwhile, landed in fourth place; Rep. Ron Paul of Texas landed in fifth place; and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, sixth. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann finished last. (See the poll results here.)

[justsaynomore]

That 9% minus charitable contributions (don’t like giving to the gov, give to your church or favorite charity!)

And no tax on any used goods.

[andyk]

The Tax Code is abolished. 9 percent of a drug dealers take sounds better than 0 percent.

The 16th amendment remains, as does a personal income tax at 9%, which is immoral. Then it will be 11%, and then 13%, and then there will be two tiers, and then three.

[therightliveswithus]

Herman Cain, being awesome as usual

[Tribune7]

So they didn't have it in 2000 & 2008?

[Repeal 16-17]

Now I understand from where you are coming. You aren't objecting to Cain's plan per se; your problem with it is that you don't trust the federal government. I appreciate that, but then how do you reform the tax code without overthrowing the federal government?

[SteelTrap]

If this 999 thing is introduced contingent on the repeal of the 16th amendment then I'm on board the Cain Train. Until then, I call BS. I like Herman but I'll keep an eye on the Fed background. Very insider position for a guy playing the outsider tune. In all serialness, 999 turned upside down is the mark of manbearpig.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I live in SC. I really hope Mr. Cain will be back for another rally so I can be there!

[andyk]

Basically your argument is akin to saying "because we might get cancer later, we should not stop abusing alcohol now."

It is clearly worse to have an income tax in addition to a sales tax, and I cannot believe I have to make this argument on the FR.

[eyedigress]

A 9 percent sales tax gets everything paid for.

[KansasGirl]

[Three years ago it was a point of faith around here that the presidency isn’t an entry level position]

Hermann Cain does have executive experience!! Zero had zero executive experience.

[SteelTrap]

Dang it - I left out the link to where I saw the pic...

[eyedigress]

Do you oppose this flat-line of the tax code............

[eyedigress]

I understand. No other candidate gets a dime from me.

[eyedigress]

BTW for all you liberal jugheads.......... “NOT ONE DIME” Hussein Obama

[andyk]

You aren't objecting to Cain's plan per se; your problem with it is that you don't trust the federal government. I appreciate that, but then how do you reform the tax code without overthrowing the federal government?

Ah yes, that is essentially correct. If someone could somehow guarantee that the 9-9-9 would only move in the direction of personal liberty, then it sounds like a great plan. Sadly, it will not happen. We have 200 years of history as our guide.

I don't think it's possible to fully reform the tax code and restore a federalist system without repealing the 16th and 17th amendments.

[TChad]

They are probably in their newsrooms right now going: “How come all those racist Tea Party Republicans are voting for a black man”.

I doubt it. That would require self-examination. Far easier for them to try to undermine the significance of Cain's popularity by saying that he is "not a real black man," the same characterization they use for Clarence Thomas and Thomas Sowell. Similarly, Margaret Thatcher was "not a real woman."

When leftist theories are discredited by objective reality, leftists don't change their beliefs, they just try harder to ignore reality.

[eyedigress]

It’s called skin in the game. How does the Fed tax a drug dealer now........

Personally, All combined taxes should never broach 15% but the code is defunct and traps the honest. What is your plan

[andyk]

Do you oppose this flat-line of the tax code............

A flat tax with zero exemptions and deductions that applies equally to all forms of income (although I think wages should be shielded more than true income is now) beats what we have now.

[filbert]

In order to make 9-9-9 safe for Americans, you’d have to enact it via a Constitutional amendment which replaces the 16th Amendment—either hard-coding the 9% into the Constitution and leaving it there, or making it damn near impossible for Congress to change it—something like a 3/4 majority of both Houses AND 50% of the state legislatures’ approval as well in order to enact the increase (and, maybe, allowing them to change it only for a limited period of time, and only if they declare war).

[andyk]

If this 999 thing is introduced contingent on the repeal of the 16th amendment then I'm on board the Cain Train.

Sounds good, but two of the three '9's are income taxes that rely upon the 16th. Otherwise I agree with what you're saying.