Herman Cain's S.C. Headquarters Opens in West Columbia

Herman Cain is planting roots in South Carolina. 

A small group of supporters and campaign staff gathered on Friday for the opening of the businessman's South Carolina campaign headquarters in West Columbia. 

Cain moved up in the polls this week. A CBS poll shows that Cain is tied with Mitt Romney for the top spot at 17 percent support among Republican primary voters. 

He couldn't make it to the grand opening, but staff members played taped remarks. 

The new office is located at 443 Meeting St. in West Columbia in the same building where Gov. Nikki Haley's primary campaign was headquartered, said Carroll McGee, whose real estate company owns the property.

McGee, who was there for the grand opening, said he hasn't decided who he's voting for but is leaning toward Cain.

"We all know what the problems are," McGee said. "He's got the solutions."

One of the main plans of Cain's campaign is the 9-9-9 Plan, which would create a 9 percent business tax, a 9 percent personal tax, and a 9 percent national sales tax.

Ted McGee, who also owns the property where the new headquarters will be located, said Cain's approach to taxes makes sense. 

"He is the one who understands mathematics," Ted McGee said. "He understands that people should be paying their fair share."  

Rep. Ralph Norman, a Republican from York County, and Lexington GOP Chair Rich Bolen also spoke briefly at the grand opening.

The office will initially hold office hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to William Head, Cain's South Carolina campaign director.