Herman Cain's vision to save America

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This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," May 1, 2012. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: President Obama wants you to believe that when he says something, he means it. Don't believe me? Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I just recommend that everybody take a look at people's previous statements.

I assume that people, meant what they said when they said it. That's been at least my practice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, as we just showed and have discovered over the last three years, that is not exactly true. After all, this is the president who said that his economic plan would lift the middle class here in America to new heights. And he slammed his predecessor when it was reported that the median income for the middle class fell by about $2,000 during the Bush years. But wouldn't you know it? According to Bloomberg news, that number has plummeted by over $4,000, thanks to the Obama administration.

So, in other words, the president is not exactly doing what he promised.

And joining us now to share his vision for how to save America, Herman Cain. His new book, "9-9-9: An Army of Davids," is out today. Herman, welcome back sir.

HERMAN CAIN, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you, Sean.

HANNITY: First of all, what did you think of the cheap shot he took at Mitt Romney over the issue of bin Laden?

CAIN: It was a cheap shot, just like you said. And that's unfortunate. The American people expect more of their leaders. Look, we know that politics comes into play. But when you take cheap shot after cheap shot, more of the American people wake up to the fact. The only way we are ever going to get this economy going, starts with one fundamental principle -- throw out the current tax code so that Obama and the politicians can't play favorites. This is why I wrote the book "9-9-9: An Army of Davids" because we are up against big government Goliath. That's the only way we are going to turn this around.

HANNITY: All right. Are you confident -- Mitt Romney is now going to be the nominee. Newt Gingrich is sent out the video today that he's going to suspend his campaign. So it's Romney's. Are you confident that Mitt Romney is going to be bold enough in his plan, maybe not exactly 9-9-9, that was your plan. But is he going to be bold enough in changing the tax code and doing the things that are necessary to help the bleeding in terms of the budgets and plug up the hole of the ship, so we can start bailing out some of this debt.

CAIN: Yes, I am, Sean. As a matter of fact, I met personal with Mitt Romney a week ago today, along with his chief of staff and my chief of staff. And let me tell you my impression. Number one, Mitt Romney listens. He is open to suggestions. Of course, I suggested some very bold things and he didn't immediately embrace it. But at least, he was open to it.

Secondly, he realizes that now that he's the presumptive nominee, he's got to do some healing. And there are some things that he's planning to do in order to bring about the healing. But, yes, I believe that Mitt Romney will be bold enough to do some of the things that need to be done. But more importantly, there are a number of decisions that Obama made that we know Mitt Romney would not make. And that's what I want people to stay focused on. So, they can stay focused on the mission.

HANNITY: When you say healing, I just heard these rumblings here and there. I have heard that he is reaching out to all of the other candidates and that he is calling out for a unity tour. Is that something that might happen? All of the Republican primary candidates getting together?

CAIN: Yes. He is planning to do some unity things, such as not just a unity tour and dinner. But he's also open to some of the ideas that the other Republican primary candidates put on the table.

HANNITY: Whoa, whoa. When was the unity dinner? I wasn't invited. Can I get to that? Can you get me a ticket?

CAIN: Well, we haven't formalized it yet. I will make sure that you get an invitation. That's still in the works. OK?

But no, he is very serious about reaching out, not only to the other candidates, but to all the citizen activists that are out there. We know that there is a lot of healing that needs to be done because this primary campaign was so negative, there was so much attack. He is ready now to provide the leadership necessary to try to bring the Republican Party and the conservatives together?

HANNITY: All right, the biggest message you had in your campaign was the 9-9-9 plan. You came out with this book. When you say reform the tax code, do you think there is the will in Washington to really fundamentally restructure the tax code?

I mean, half of Americans don't pay federal income tax. That's almost a voting majority. Do you really think that the politicians are willing to put their careers on the line and just do the right thing?

CAIN: Not without the will of the people with a massive activist grassroots movement from the bottoms up. This is why I wrote the book, "9-9-9: An army of Davids." If we get enough pressure on them, they will.

They're not going do it from the inside. They're not going to do it willingly. Remember, the former Senator Eric Dirksen said it best, when they feel the heat, they will see the light.

We the people have to be the heat. This is why I published "9-9-9, An Army of Davids" because we have to take on Goliath, which means putting the heat on the people that are in Washington, D.C., and those that are going to get elected in the new Congress.

HANNITY: All right, Herman Cain, always good to see you. Thank you very much.

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