During last night’s debate, when Herman Cain had the opportunity to ask another candidate one question, he said, “The 9-9-9 plan that I have proposed is simple, transparent, efficient, fair, and neutral. My question is to Governor Romney. Can you name all 59 points in your 160-page plan, and does it satisfy that criteria of being simple, transparent, efficient, fair, and neutral?”

Romney replied, “Herman, I have had the experience in my life of taking on some tough problems. And I must admit that simple answers are always very helpful, but oftentimes inadequate.” Romney then proceeded to mention various parts of his plan, including “tax policy,” “energy policy,” stopping “the regulatory creep that has occurred in Washington,” “trade policies,” “the rule of law,” “institutions that create human capital,” and the need “to have a government that does not spend more money than it takes in” — adding at the end, “Those are the seven major pillars of those 59.”