Republican front-runner Herman Cain came under sharp attack from his rivals at the GOP debate on Tuesday.
They criticised his tax reform plan, which is to reduce personal income and corporate taxes to 9 percent and create a 9 percent national sales tax.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR, MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:
"I like your chutzpah on this, Herman, but I have to tell you, the analysis that I did, person by person, return by return, middle income people see higher taxes under your plan."
But instead of explaining how his plan would bring in more revenue than the current tax system and why middle Americans would not pay higher taxes, Cain simply said his rivals were wrong and that they should read through his plan on his campaign website.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER CEO OF GODFATHER'S PIZZA, HERMAN CAIN SAYING:
"Once again, unfortunately, none of my distinguished colleagues who have attacked me here tonight understand the plan."
A national sales tax does not exist in the United States, and Republicans are wary of any effort to craft a European-style value-added tax.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.