Conservative commentator Herman Cain, who is considering a run for president, told people rallying at the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday that the U.S. has become a "nation of crises" under President Barack Obama.
Cain cited problems with the economy and illegal immigration while asserting: "We've got a long list of crises ... because we've got a president who doesn't want to lead."
He said the crises could be resolved if the government more closely followed the original words of the U.S. Constitution granting limited powers to the federal government and reserving other powers to the states. He spoke as part of a rally calling for cuts in federal tax rates, less than a week before most tax filings are due. He said cutting taxes on corporate profits, capital gains and money that companies make in other countries could help stimulate the economy more than money the government has spent on projects and job creation programs.
Cain has formed an exploratory committee to decide whether he will run for president in 2012. He said he is weeks away from a decision. Speaking to the media before addressing a crowd of more than 100 people, he said he identifies himself as a conservative, tea party candidate.
Cain, 66, of Atlanta, is best known as a Fox News contributor and a substitute host on The Neal Boortz radio show. He also is the former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and CEO of the Godfather's Pizza chain.
He has never held elected office but said he thinks his business experience will resonate more strongly with voters.
"The people in Washington D.C. care if you've held office before, but the regular folks don't," he said. "What people see in me is (that) I'm a problem-solver."
Sitting on the Capitol steps a short distance from Cain's podium, Bob Dahl, of Bunceton, agreed with Cain's argument that the federal government is responsible for many of the country's problems.
"It's unbelievable, it seems like they invent a new (crisis) every week," said Dahl, 73. "I liked that the Constitution can be used to help us overcome our adversity."
Posted at 1:43 p.m. April 12, 2011:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Conservative radio commentator Herman Cain is joining the call by Missouri tea party supporters for smaller government and less spending.
Cain - the former Godfather's Pizza CEO who's considering a run for president - spoke Tuesday at a gathering of about 100 tea party activists outside the Capitol in Jefferson City.
He says the U.S. is facing seven crises, among them the economy and what he calls a lack of leadership by President Barack Obama.
Cain says the crises could be resolved if the government more closely followed the original words of the U.S. Constitution. He also says federal tax rates should be lowered to stimulate the economy.
Cain lives in Georgia. He has formed an exploratory committee for a 2012 presidential run and says he's weeks away from a decision.