Rivals focus on Romney in N.H. debate

Governor Rick Perry of Texas, whose candidacy has been drawn into question over a trio of shaky debate performances, did little to reassure supporters last night.

Herman Cain, who has been a virtual unknown but has surged in recent national polls, was granted a spot in the middle of the debate stage and used it to focus relentlessly on his so-called 9-9-9 plan, which would replace the current tax system with a 9 percent federal flat tax on corporations, personal income, and sales.

“9-9-9 is bold, and we need a bold solution!’’ Cain said, while also criticizing Romney for his extensive plan that has little of the branding flare of Cain’s plan.

“Can you name all 59 points in your 160-page plan?’’ Cain asked Romney.

“Herman, I have had the experience in my life of taking on some tough problems,’’ Romney responded. “And I must admit that simple answers are always very helpful, but oftentimes inadequate.’’

Cain, the former chief executive of Godfather’s Pizza, has used a mixture of bravado, humor, and a lively manner to take advantage of some of the dissatisfaction with the most recent front-runners, Romney and Perry.

But if previous debates were like a boxing match, with candidates throwing haymakers at one another, the debate last night was more like a late-night poker game, with candidates sitting around a table and giving each other a light ribbing.

“I think it’s a catchy phrase,’’ former Utah governor Jon Huntsman said of Cain’s 9-9-9 plan. “In fact I thought it was the price of a pizza when I heard about it.’’

“When you take the 9-9-9 plan and you turn it upside-down, I think the devil’s in the details,’’ Representative Michele Bachmann said.