Ex-Pizza Chain Exec (Herman Cain!!) Joins Senate Race

WXIA-TV/DT Atlanta ^ | 9.10.03 | Denis O'Hayer

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A former pizza chain executive joined the already crowded list of candidates vying to replace retiring Georgia Sen. Zell Miller.

Herman Cain, a millionaire African-American conservative, announced his candidacy at the Georgian Terrace hotel in Atlanta Wednesday.

Cain can call on his personal fortune and network of famous friends for support in the campaign. Former Republican presidential candidates Jack Kemp and Steve Forbes are honorary co-chairs of Cain's campaign.

Cain, a sharecropper's son-turned-millionaire businessman, bought the Godfather's Pizza chain from Pillsbury. He wants to replace the income tax with a national sales tax.

Cain said his plan would actually cut the percentage of income most people pay in taxes and change the basic tax structure, easing the burden on low- and middle-income taxpayers.

"People will pay taxes based upon what they spend, and not on what they earn. That's why the middle class is going bankrupt more often, because if you're paying taxes on what you earn, if both spouses are working, you're being penalized by working hard. The national sales tax does not penalize people for working hard," Cain told 11Alive's Denis O'Hayer.

Cain said his other top priorities are health care reform and setting up private investment accounts as an alternative to Social Security.

Supporters say that as an African-American conservative, Cain is a voice much needed in the GOP. He will face two well-funded and well-known Republican congressmen in his race for the Senate -- Mac Collins and Johnny Isakson.

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Black conservative ping

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[Texas_Dawg]

Excellent.

[Texas_Dawg]

What do you think his chances are, Michael? You going to work with the campaign at all? (As a UGA graduate currently living outside Georgia, this is one I'll be sending some money to for sure.)

[TheBigB]

Go Herman!!

[BillF]

He wants to replace the income tax with a national sales tax.

Thought you might be interested in this.

[xrp]

This good man has MY vote in the Ga Repub primary.

[Texas_Dawg]

"Mr. President, on behalf of all the small-business owners, what will I tell those people whose jobs would be eliminated under your health care plan?... Mr. President, with all due respect, your calculations are incorrect." -- Herman Cain, speaking directly to Bill Clinton, 1994

[litany_of_lies]

I remember this guy from the Clinton health-care plan debate. He was cited on Rush. But who else is running on the GOP side (hopefully no one really good)?

A black conservative GOP businessman as senator? The minders of the plantation in the mainstream press would have six years of never-ending fits.

[Texas_Dawg]

A black conservative GOP businessman as senator? The minders of the plantation in the mainstream press would have six years of never-ending fits.

Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition chairman, is now the head of the Georgia RNC (or was the last time I checked). I hope he gets behind Cain. Reed is a great tactician and helped pull off the historic upsets for the GOP in Georgia in 2002.

[xrp]

Classic...This man is a MUCH better choice than either Isakson or Collins.

[RLK]

This guy is supposed to be sharp as a razor. However, blacks hate him.

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[xrp]

I think Ralph Reed resigned from the Ga GoP to work on Bush 2004.

[xrp]

Wouldn't that make them racist?

[Kuksool]

The GA Senate race is going to be very interesting especially if Herman Cain wins the GOP primary. Because we could be looking at a black vs. black Senate matchup. The RATS are trying to encourage GA Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to run for the Senate. Both are black and popular with the GA electorate. So far, the two candidates have shown no interest for the job. Legendary civil rights activist Andrew Young is touring the state to test the waters for a Senate run. He is expected to make a decision soon. I really hope Herman Cain wins the GOP primary and faces a black Democrat. Such a political contest could spark a national dialogue on race.

[Mike Darancette]

This guy is supposed to be sharp as a razor. However, blacks hate him.

As opposed to the white Conservatives they love.

Maybe they will listen for once.

[Texas_Dawg]

Big time Cain for Senate bump.

[GUIDO]

This is great news. The Republican Party should be proud of this man, the history and the Politcal Party he has chosen to be a part of.

Guido

[GUIDO]

Ralph Reed, that is a blast from the past. Haven't heard his name lately but truly he is a great one to have on your side. Charming, articulate, very smart, very street smart with a innocent facade, a God Fearing family man. I was and have been always impressed with this guy. I hope he emerges out from where he has been.