Harry Reid manages to turn Romney’s tax returns into a good story for Romney
While we were focused on T-SPLOST, the presidential campaign marched on. Which is not to say it moved forward, in any normal sense of the word.
The latest moment in the summer silly season comes courtesy of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, employing the “when did you stop beating your wife?” technique toward Mitt Romney’s tax returns. From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Sen. Harry Reid caused a stir this week when he told an interviewer that Mitt Romney hasn’t released more of his tax returns because “he didn’t pay taxes for 10 years.” On Wednesday, Reid doubled down on the charge. …
“I am not basing this on some figment of my imagination,” Reid said in a telephone call with Nevada reporters. “I have had a number of people tell me that.”
Asked to elaborate on his sources, Reid declined. “No, that’s the best you’re going to get from me.”
“I don’t think the burden should be on me,” Reid said. “The burden should be on him. He’s the one I’ve alleged has not paid any taxes. Why didn’t he release his tax returns?”
This is, not to put too fine a point on it, un-American.
You see, in this country, the burden of proof is on the accuser. That is the standard in criminal cases, and it informs our sense of propriety in the court of public opinion.
This is why neither 9/11 “truthers” nor Obama “birthers” have gotten any traction with the broader public: Their respective “cases” — to use another word loosely — rely on accusations they can’t prove and an implication the accused should prove they’ve done nothing wrong. That’s not how it works in this country.
For good measure, Reid also suggested Romney’s own deceased father would be disappointed in his son. I’m glad to know Reid’s tastelessness knows no bounds.
The good news is that the senator’s claim is likely to shift the focus from Romney to those jumping the shark while badgering him to release his past tax returns. After all, when you’ve lost Jon Stewart …
(Note: If you click that Jon Stewart link, you should expect to hear some language we don’t allow on AJC blogs. And no, I’m not going to defend the claims on the Fox & Friends clips he shows at the end.)
– By Kyle Wingfield
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988 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
“Can anyone give us a summary of Mitt’s 59 point plan for the economy.
In fewer than 150 words.”
“I don’t read comments with more words than that.”
First of all, why am I not surprised.
To your original point: It’s better than Obama’s term- Part Deux.
But really, Piedmont, if you’re not willing to have a serious discussion about the issues, why should anyone participate with you?
Piedmont South from North Georgia
August 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
Neither has the 270 needed to win on that map…………’
____
This one does:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
Never been banned, have you
August 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
Tiberius
You can thump your bird chest all you like, You do not run this blog nor should be saying who should be blogging
Next topic
md
August 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
“Well…would you rather have Romney’s numbers or Obama’s?”
At what given point in time?
They currently mean nothing…..zip, zilch, nada…….
That’s like one saying they wish they sold their house before it went underwater……
Everything is worth nothing until the day it is sold……….
kayaker 71
August 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
Time to head for Chick-fil-a for a chicken sandwich, some waffle fries and a tall lemonade. As far as Bookman is concerned, maybe be can stay a couple of weeks more. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit.
Piedmont South from North Georgia
August 3rd, 2012
10:49 am
Tiberius
___
So what’s the 59 point plan?
Lord Help Us
August 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
‘Lord Help Us, you might wish to review Kyle’s rules about trying to ascertain other identities, discussing behavior on other blogs, and sticking to the actual topic.’
Tiberius, thanks for the reminder. I do try to abide by the rules at any blog I visit. Do you share my equal respect for all blogs or have you had issues elsehwere?
Never been banned, have you
August 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
“As far as Bookman is concerned, maybe be can stay a couple of weeks more. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit.”
That’s why you were crying several times last week and asking about him
hahahahah
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
Banned, is there a reason why you’re so attracted to me?
Because I’ve gotta tell you; I’m just not into you at all.
Now, I suggest something of substance, rather than your weird, creepy internet-stalker fixation on me with you using multiple blog names.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
10:54 am
Apparently, the reminder didn’t take with Lord Help Us.
Some people just don’t get it.
Steve
August 3rd, 2012
10:55 am
If Mr. Romney is going to run on his business record of “job-creator”, then the voters might want to see his tax records from the period he worked at (and by worked, I mean the time he was getting paid by) Bain.
I am personally curious to know how he was compensated for running the Salt Lake Olympics, a government boondoggle if there ever was one.
He provided 20+ years to the mccain campaign, he can provide some from the 1984-2002 timeframe.
Lord Help Us
August 3rd, 2012
10:56 am
‘Some people just don’t get it.’
Some people can be blatantly hypocritical…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
10:58 am
“So what’s the 59 point plan?”
Piedmont, I’m not here to reduce an infinitely detailed economic plan with 59 distinct points into an American Idol sound bite.
I suggest, rather than asking someone to dumb it down for you, that you up your game somewhat and go to Romney’s site and read it yourself.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
10:59 am
Steve, I don’t think your vote is going to change no matter what Mitt Romney does, so why should he listen to your advice on how to run his campaign?
Piedmont South from North Georgia
August 3rd, 2012
11:00 am
Tiberius -
_____
My point is that a plan to complicated to descibe in a few words is a no-go in a presidential election.
Romney’s dad made the same mistake. He had a six-point plan for Viet Nam. People were asleep by point four.
Never been banned, have you
August 3rd, 2012
11:04 am
Everyone have a great day.
Follow the rules and try not to do what others have done and get banned.
later
md
August 3rd, 2012
11:05 am
“This one does:”
Too funny…..that my friend is called “speculation”………no one has a clue as to what any state is going to do until they actually do it…..especially the swing states.
Going strictly by the numbers, one would have thought that Walker would have gotten clobbered in WI……didn’t happen.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 3rd, 2012
11:07 am
There is no GOP proposal or bill to raise taxes on the poor or middle class.
You’re lying.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
11:09 am
“My point is that a plan to complicated to descibe in a few words is a no-go in a presidential election.”
Yet somehow, Piedmont, I don’t think you’re interested in a successful Romney campaign.
So what’s it to you?
Never been banned, have you
August 3rd, 2012
11:12 am
md
Again, where do you get your information? Polls showed Walker leading and he won. Jsut because some article, tv or talk show told you different doesn’t make it so.
Scott Walker leads by 7 in latest Wisconsin recall poll
Posted by Rachel Weiner at 01:55 PM ET, 05/30/2012 TheWashingtonPost
Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker has widened his lead over Milwaukee Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett heading into next Tuesday’s recall election, according to a new Marquette University poll.
Among likely voters, Walker leads 52 to 45 percent in the June 5 race sparked by his collective bargaining reforms. In Marquette’s last survey, taken in mid-May, Walker led by six points.
Overall, 51 percent of voters approve of the job Walker is doing while 45 percent disapprove. Barrett’s unfavorable rating (46 percent) is higher than his favorable rating (41 percent). Walker is viewed more favorably (51 percent) than unfavorably (46 percent).
Piedmont South from North Georgia
August 3rd, 2012
11:18 am
Tiberius -
______
I thought you wanted a serious discussions of the issues.
Mostly what you have given me is personal attacks.
Not once have you seriously discussed Mitt’s economic plan.
Once again, what’s his plan?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 3rd, 2012
11:30 am
Some people like Piedmont just don’t get it.
No matter how many times you tell them.
md
August 3rd, 2012
11:34 am
“Again, where do you get your information? Polls showed Walker leading and he won. Jsut because some article, tv or talk show told you different doesn’t make it so. ”
The numbers are out there, look for them.
When one says going strictly by the numbers in relation to the previous conversation, registered voters are 31/26 in favor of D in WI. And it meant absolutely nothing………..
LtCol Razorback,
August 3rd, 2012
11:35 am
So what if Romney paid no taxes for ten years? The top 20% of Americans who have the highest incomes pay 67.2% of the total income taxes paid, according to the Tax Policy Center of the Brookings Institution. As long as Romney legally paid no income taxes, what’s the big deal? If I could pay no income tax, you better bet your sweet a** I would do so in a New York minute!!!!
LtCol Razorback,
August 3rd, 2012
11:43 am
Tiberious,
We are not your lackeys doing for you what you should do for yourself. If you want his Economic plan in 150 wors, or less, go read and then boil it down yourself!
Piedmont South from North Georgia
August 3rd, 2012
12:00 pm
Tiberius
___
Mitt’s plan is the same old trickle down economics that has never worked.
You responses show you don’t discuss issues. If you did, you would have discussed his plan as I suggested.
Jackson
August 3rd, 2012
12:02 pm
What difference does it make? If the taxes were filed, according to the tax code, then anyone has any right to complain. They wrote this stupid tax code. A better idea. Every member of congress should release their tax return from the time they took office until the present and explain to people who elected them how their financial wealth grew.
Thulsa Doom
August 3rd, 2012
12:22 pm
“Every member of congress should release their tax return from the time they took office until the present and explain to people who elected them how their financial wealth grew.”
Seems that would be something I think we can all agree on- cons and libs alike. I’ve seen some 60 minutes pieces where many of them become millionaires while in office by trading in stocks that are about to be affected by pending legislation, by being given preference and access to hot IPOs from brokerage houses, and shady real estate deals. They’re a filthy lot the majority of them regardless of political affiliation.
Hillbilly D
August 3rd, 2012
12:27 pm
Every member of congress should release their tax return from the time they took office until the present and explain to people who elected them how their financial wealth grew.
I’d be all for it but it will never happen. It’s always amazed me how “public servants” who supposedly sacrifice to serve, often times leave office with a higher net worth than they went in with. Jefferson, Monroe and others died nearly penniless. When’s the last time you heard of that happening to a politician? (Not saying they need to die penniless but it’s obvious Jefferson, Monroe, etc. didn’t get rich at the public trough).
Falling out of the Sky
August 3rd, 2012
1:26 pm
Thulsa Doom
Agreed. Rats on all sides would be running for the hills
dagnabit
August 3rd, 2012
1:46 pm
If Romney has nothing to hide; then stop hiding it.
Mike
August 3rd, 2012
2:02 pm
Have to disagree with you on this one Kyle, the burden of proof is on Mr. Romney as he is asking for the chance to be President for the next 4 years. If there are questions on if the man that plans to tax me has paid no taxes in ten years, I want to know. Legally, yes he has done all he is required to do but I think we all can agree that we like to know a bit more about our presidential candidates than what the law requires. Don’t want to tell us, fine. But you also lose the chance to define the narrative. In a recent ad Romney claimed he knows what it’s like to make ends meet. Politics aside, that’s hogwash. If you’re well off, you’re well off. Don’t lie to us thinking the general public won’t do their own research. So already, he’s proven to me he’s not always truthful. Show us the taxes Governor. Put this story to bed.
md
August 3rd, 2012
2:33 pm
” In a recent ad Romney claimed he knows what it’s like to make ends meet. ”
Mike….then you didn’t do your homework. When he and his partners started Bain, they pretty much used their savings and most all of them were still paying on the college loans. It’s out there, look it up.
Susan McMahon
August 3rd, 2012
2:39 pm
I think the real reason the issue of Romney’s refusal to release his tax returns won’t go away is because Romney himself has said that he will pay for his proposed massive tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans by eliminating tax loopholes.
But which loopholes will Romney eliminate? HE REFUSES TO SAY. Which raises the obvious question: will he close the loopholes that HE uses to hide millions in foreign accounts and offshore tax shelters? Or does he only intend to eliminate deductions and credits that OTHER people use., e.g., the ones that middle-class families rely on?
This is why Romney’s secrecy is so maddening: We have no idea if his tax plan is a shamefully self-serving one that keeps the loopholes used by millionaires like him while cutting the ones used by middle-class families, since he refuses to release his returns (even his 2010 one is incomplete) and since he refuses to say anything SPECIFIC about his tax plan.
This seems to be his strategy: Just don’t say anything, don’t admit to anything, don’t divulge any specifics about anything–and hope that people just dislike the President enough to vote for anyone else.
Christopher London
August 3rd, 2012
7:29 pm
Eric Fehnrstrom’s labeling as a ‘Witch Hunt” an honest inquiry into the financial affairs of a candidate for the Presidency is so completely barren and fradulent in and of itself. It is tradition in America that a candidate for the Presidency release his tax returns, for many years in fact. But then again Fehnrstrom’s posture is the same way leaders in the Mormon Church seek to diminish the standing of Ex-Mormons who leave the LDS Cult. Fehrnstrom is more akin to a gangster’s bodyguard than a human being. Google this guy’s name on YouTube and you will see that he bully’s journalists who dare ask the Mormon Madoff any questions that do not follow a script. Fehnrstrom is the front man for a Republican Presidential candidate who has been called one of the most fundamentally dishonest, hollow, fraudulent, political chameleon’s to ever seek high political office, and that was by his friends in the GOP.
The average American worker has to undergo a credit check, a criminal background check, a personal integirty investigation, a drug test and being subjected to assorted other inquiries and provide a host of personal references, copies of transcripts in order to simply get a temporary job with no benefits. It is disgusting that the guy who applies for a Barista position at Starbucks has to be more forthcoming and disclose more information than a candidate for the highest offices in the land.
Darien Cairns
August 4th, 2012
1:47 am
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to search out any person with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the net, someone with just a little originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
md
August 4th, 2012
9:17 am
” It is tradition in America that a candidate for the Presidency release his tax returns, for many years in fact. ”
Wonder about your definition of “fact”…….the real facts show McCain released 2 years and the guy that won in a landslide (Ronnie) only released 1 year………….do try to do better on your fact finding missions……
Dennis D
August 5th, 2012
7:18 pm
I have read numerous charges today claiming Harry Reid is a pedophile. I think Harry needs to answer these charges.