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
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
12:11 pm
The libs just want to see how much Romney gave to the Mormon Church
I think it’s common knowledge that he’d be expected to tithe, so that’s going to be 10% of his income.
Hardly scandalous, and I don’t know of a single left-leaner who has made any hay about that piece of the puzzle, save to acknowledge that this would be a significant, but perfectly legal, tax deduction.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
After spending days pounding on presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney for having a Swiss bank account, disclosure forms show that DNC boss Debbie Wasserman Schultz also had funds in a Swiss bank account at one time. The Weekly Standard reported Tuesday that the Florida Democrat also had investments in foreign drug companies and the state bank of India.
http://www.examiner.com/article/hypocrisy-dnc-chair-debbie-wasserman-schultz-also-had-foreign-investments
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
So why won’t he release his tax returns?
Because he is scared of the consequences.
Next.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
“So why won’t he release more tax returns? ”
Why feed the trolls?
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
Logic — Romney said their helping with the campaign was akin to serving the country as in Iraq or Afghanistan.
“Lie.”
It might be overstating a little, but it’s not a lie.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/questions-about-romneys-sons-and-military-service/
He pretty clearly equated their work for him on the campaign trail with being in the military. As a disabled veteran, I find that more than a little insulting.
PJ
August 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
“JUST EAT THE CAKE ANNA MAE, PLEASE JUST EAT THE CAKE”
That is a line from the movie “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, when Ike and Tina are in a restaurant fighting about her not eating the cake he offered to her. When it got physical one of the entourage said to Tina “Just eat the cake” to defuse the situation before it got worst. Therefore I said the line to make the point that Romney just needs to release more tax info – in other words; just eat the damn cake.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
“That’s why our show is so successful though because a lot of it we just make up” – Gretchen’s New like a Fox.”
Numbers, why do you lie so much?
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
The Mormon Church might want to know if Romney really did tithe. I’m beginning to wonder if that might be the real reason he’s not releasing those returns. Especially the Cayman Island returns. Oops. That money doesn’t get included in the basis for determining tithing, does it.
Del
August 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
“The democrats should continue to keep up the pressure as this will be a major campaign issue.”
Wishful thinking, this will not be a major campaign issue. The major campaign issue is the one that Obama and the Democrats desperately want to avoid.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:16 pm
Logic,
Perhaps you would like to point out precisely what I lied about. That’s what I thought.
md
August 2nd, 2012
12:16 pm
“The question that many should be asking is that why would McCain pick Sarah Palin if Romney had released 23 YEARS of his tax returns to the McCain campaing….what did McCain see that made Palin the pick?? THAT speaks volumes as to what Romney is trying to HIDE……..”
Geez…..did you even read the topic de jur? You just did the exact same thing………
But in response to your silliness, you think McCain may have wanted a women to appeal to the large percentage of voters that are not MEN.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Tiberius — “Because they’re none of your damned business.”
That sort of answer probably won’t help Romney gain many votes and would probably attract more negative press attention than a more diplomatically-worded response.
IMO, Romney’s been doing fairly well in politely saying ‘no,’ but he’s clearly getting irked by this.
Steve
August 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Harry Reid is the most irresponsible Senate Majority “leader” in my lifetime of 50+ years.
Nevada’s voters ought to be ashamed of themselves for the mindless cowardice this fellow exhibits on a near daily basis.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
“Perhaps you would like to point out precisely what I lied about.”
I already did. It’s not fault if you can’t read.
md
August 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Bro…..if Romney gets elected, don’t be surprised when he tells his underlings to NOT enforce the aca…….the cat is out of the bag.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm
“He pretty clearly equated their work for him on the campaign trail with being in the military. As a disabled veteran, I find that more than a little insulting.”
And like the article says, his comments were taken out of context. As a vet, you should really learn how to comprehend words instead of projecting and taking things out of context.
IRS
August 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm
News break: We have scoured Mitt Romney’s tax returns and have found no illegalities. Obama was not a happy camper. Guess we should have made something up? By the way – Romney has disclosed ALL of his tax returns to us. He has a right to privacy just like Harry Reid and we refused to disclose any info that Harry requested based on the law. Sorry Harry but we are not sticking our necks out to you to further your political career. And we don’t have to vote Obama.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm
“Debbie Wasserman Schultz also had funds in a Swiss bank account at one time. ”
Who is this and is she running for President?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm
“He pretty clearly equated their work for him on the campaign trail with being in the military.”
No he didn’t. You shouldn’t take things out of context, sir.
RC--apoi
August 2nd, 2012
12:18 pm
Well, I’m ready to say old Mitt can take his place with the Not Ready for Prime-time Players. He goes overseas and makes a big stink in London and Israel. Then he’s tighter than a rusty bolt nut about his tax returns. Before that he got on national TV and told everybody how much he likes to fire people that provide services to him. And he tells everybody about the car elevator in his house—he might as well of said “I’m too lazy to go to the garage like the rest of you.” This guy reminds me a little of Joe Bslplk, the old Al Capp character that walks around with a dark thundercloud over his head.
I guess I’m ready to have No. 1 Foxy Lady tell me to you-know-what the day after the election. The only hope now is they’ll get pictures of Obama in bed with a live sheep or a dead kid. Maybe Mitt can curb some of the damage by not saying a single word from now till the election.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
“Who is this and is she running for President?”
Your google broke? She’s the HEAD of the DNC. She tried to smear Romney and turned out to be a hypocrite.
Make sense, Peadawg?
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:20 pm
Numbers — “The Mormon Church might want to know if Romney really did tithe. I’m beginning to wonder if that might be the real reason he’s not releasing those returns.”
My wife tells me that the LDS *will* audit you if they suspect you’re holding out on them or if you’ve got a lot of investments. Her parents were threatened with a church audit, and that’s one of the major reasons they left the church.
“Especially the Cayman Island returns. Oops. That money doesn’t get included in the basis for determining tithing, does it.”
That I don’t know. My *guess* would be that the LDS doesn’t care where you make the money, they just want their piece of it.
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
You can complain and say it’s nobody’s business, but a pretty clear majority of PA, OH and FL voters appear to believe that a candidate should “publicly release several years of tax returns”.
As Kyle said in the last post–”The voters are always right.”
Oblama
August 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Yes indeed. Mitt Romney has disclosed all of his tax returns to the IRS. No violations of law have been found. Romney has not been charged with ta fraud. He’s legal. Now back to the real reason for this election: The economy and Obama’s failed programs to turn it around.
detritusUSA
August 2nd, 2012
12:22 pm
Un American? Limbaugh, Boortz and the rest rely on inuendo, half-truth, and out of context statements all the time. Why jump on Reid? This is just the usual politics, unless Romney really does have something that he doesn’t want the American people to know about. Until Romney releases the information, I will wonder what kind of skeleton he has in his closet.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:22 pm
“That sort of answer probably won’t help Romney gain many votes”
Most voters care about the horrible economy. The only folks who care about Mitts legal tax returns are those who can’t defend Obama’s horrible record.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
Logic — “And like the article says, his comments were taken out of context.”
No, the article says that *his campaign” said that his comments were taken out of context. That’s two different things.
“As a vet, you should really learn how to comprehend words instead of projecting and taking things out of context.”
As someone with the word “Logic” in his name, you should really learn to pay attention to what you read, rather than to what you might wish you were reading.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
“Until Romney releases the information, I will wonder what kind of skeleton he has in his closet.”
Keep wondering because there’s nothing there.
@@
August 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
Del:
Well he’s one of them.
You’re probably right. I started out giving him the benefit of a doubt, then looked into the tactics he used during his campaign for senate.
I think the wolves encircled him at a young age.
“Who makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolves”
Oblama
August 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
Yes indeed. Mitt Romney has disclosed all of his tax returns to the IRS. No violations of law have been found. Romney has not been charged with tax fraud. He’s legal. Now back to the real reason for this election: The economy and Obama’s failed programs to turn it around.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
Logic — “Most voters care about the horrible economy. The only folks who care about Mitts legal tax returns are those who can’t defend Obama’s horrible record.”
Whistling past the graveyard.
http://www.electoral-vote.com
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:24 pm
“She’s the HEAD of the DNC.”
Ah ok. So not running for President of the United States. Thanks.
Nubby
August 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
I say it is really more like projecting. You know:
A Liar thinks everybody else lies
Cheaters thinks everybody else cheats
Thieves thinks everybody else steals
and Tax cheats thinks…..you get my drift.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
“but a pretty clear majority of PA, OH and FL voters appear to believe that a candidate should “publicly release several years of tax returns”.”
Really, stands? 54% (for a high) is now a “pretty clear majority”?
Redefine, much?
Sick of Progs
August 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
Hard to believe that the Chicago thug hasn’t had the I.R.S. accidentally release them. Harry Reid is a tool.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
Scroll ahead to about the 5:10 minute mark and listen carefully to Gretchen, Logic, and report back.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
md: if Romney gets elected, don’t be surprised when he tells his underlings to NOT enforce the aca…
——–
Hmm…is there any recent precedent for the administration deciding to not enforce laws they don’t like?
“The cat is out of the bag”?
More like “the horse is out of the barn”.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
“because there’s nothing there.”
How do you know that since he hasn’t released them? Are you Romney’s accountant?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
Someone on this blog said to go buy a GM product.
NO THANKS
GM profits slip 41% as European struggles take their toll
America’s largest car firm made $1.5bn in the second quarter of 2012, with European division reporting operating loss of $361m
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/02/gm-profits-slip-european-struggles
SheeshLouise
August 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
If Mitt Romney want to deal a major blow to the Democratic Party right now all he has to do is RELEASE the tax returns and prove it. Only speculation on my part, but:
[Reed (Arizona Senator) + McCain (Arizona Senator) - Romney (vetted by McCain for VP)] * water cooler chatter = YOU do the math
If Mitt doesn’t take the opportunity, he’s “dirty”.
Mandingo
August 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
Anyone know how R-moneys dancing horse,Ralfaca, did in the Olympics ?
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
“Now back to the real reason for this election”
Well the real reason is that it is held every 4 yrs. You might want to take a civic course or brush up on line.
And now back to your usual partisan nothings
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
“How do you know that since he hasn’t released them? Are you Romney’s accountant?”
Uh sport, because if there was the IRS WOULD BE ALL OVER HIM.
Guess common sense isn’t a part of your thinking, huh.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
“No, the article says that *his campaign” said that his comments were taken out of context. That’s two different things.”
You like to project a lot.
“As someone with the word “Logic” in his name, you should really learn to pay attention to what you read, rather than to what you might wish you were reading.”
That’s all you got?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
“Ah ok. So not running for President of the United States. Thanks.”
My point flew right over Peadawgs head. Not surprising.
Paul
August 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Mr. Romney can very easily clear this up, and make Mr. Reid look like a fool, if he would just release his tax documents. The onus is clearly on Mr. Romney.
I distinctly remember several members of Congress calling for the release of President Obama’s birth certificate. Asking Mr. Romney to release his tax documents is not asking for too much.
Mandingo
August 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
BTW, there is nothing illegal about not paying taxes and still being the defender of middle class working folks.
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
PJ
I know where that line came from. That’s one of my favorite movies. I was just caught a bit off guard hearing that quote here.
Paul
August 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm
I’d also like to see a copy of Mitt Romney’s birth certificate.
SheeshLouise
August 2nd, 2012
12:31 pm
Mistake on Reed’s state, the rest of the equation stands. TWO senators running their mouths is my point.