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
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Numbers-R-US
Sorry pal, I don’t take the Daily Show seriously. Sorry that you do.
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Really, stands? 54% (for a high) is now a “pretty clear majority”?
It’s certainly as clear as that majority we’ve been hearing about for years, now, that supposedly hates Obamacare, yep.
Lucinda
August 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
I’m voting Obama and I don’t give a ________ about Romney’s taxes. I just want to keep my check coming.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
Hey, it’s lunchtime. Check it for grins:
http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2012/08/shots-fired-colonel-sanders-goes-after-chick-fil-a
Brosephus™
August 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
md @ 12:17
I wouldn’t be surprised at all by that. I’d go a step further and say I would also not be surprised by the response of the Left that will mirror the Right’s response to Obama’s actions. Most of this stuff is predictable now, almost to the exact phrasing of the statements.
AnonyGrl
August 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
So… it’s OK when Michelle Bachmann makes unfounded allegations, but now when Harry Reid does it?
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
” IRS WOULD BE ALL OVER HIM”
Not necessarily.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
“Not necessarily.
Uh, yeah. They would.
Steve- Salt Lake City
August 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Unless Willard releases enough tax returns to satisfy he will be in trouble as this issue will not go away until he is more forthcoming.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
“Uh, yeah. They would.”
I don’t think Romney did anything illegal. I just want to see how much he paid in taxes…as do a lot of people. You know…see if he played the game.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
“Unless Willard releases enough tax returns to satisfy he will be in trouble as this issue will not go away until he is more forthcoming.”
No he won’t and the fact that Obama hasn’t gotten a bump in the polls from attacking that issue shows that it isn’t working.
Again, people care about the economy. Period.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
Logic — “Uh, yeah. They would.”
And we wouldn’t necessarily know about it.
The people with Swiss bank accounts who voluntarily came forward didn’t get outed by the IRS. And neither did the people who didn’t come forward and who UBS ratted out to the IRS.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
“Not necessarily.”
But much more likely, given his income levels and complexity through anticipated deductions.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Logic — “No he won’t and the fact that Obama hasn’t gotten a bump in the polls from attacking that issue shows that it isn’t working.”
http://www.electoral-vote.com
“Again, people care about the economy. Period.”
Whatever you say.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Logic,
You claimed that I lied about a post and I offered you evidence supporting my post and you, as usual, back down when it comes time to back up your rants.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
“I just want to see how much he paid in taxes”
It’s none of your business. Period.
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Speaking of what Americans do want to know? I think that the awakened “sleeping giant” isn’t all that interesting to ‘em after all.
the poll also found that most Americans — 54 percent — are “tired of hearing lawmakers debate the health care law and would like them to move on to other issues.” Forty-four percent still believe it’s important to debate over the future of the law.
56 percent of independents, a key demographic of voters, say they would prefer to move on while only 43 percent say they think it is important to continue with the debate.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
“You claimed that I lied”
You did and I find it funny that you take the Daily Show seriously as fact.
Jefferson
August 2nd, 2012
12:40 pm
It would be a sorry president that would bank in foreign countries, I don’t care who they are.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:41 pm
Logic — “You like to project a lot.”
Sorry, but you misrepresented the article. Not my problem.
“That’s all you got?”
Sorry, but you misrepresented the article. Not my problem.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
“And we wouldn’t necessarily know about it.”
Like I stated, if Romney did anything wrong we’d know about it.
Now, please tell me why I should vote for Obama over Romney.
Defend Obama’s horrible record.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Logic,
Back up your claim about my being a liar. Watch the Fox news clip at the end of the Jon Stewart clip that Kyle posted. Or continue to back down, as usual.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Tiberius @ 12:38
I would have to agree with you on that point. Much like birth certificates issues, is or isn’t he a Muslim bs, etc; these tax issues are not going to gain much traction, probably not at all.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
“Sorry, but you misrepresented the article.”
No I didn’t.
larry
August 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Romney’s six month extension ends in October. He can choose to release them then or never. And he hasnt released them to the IRS yet because he hasnt filed yet. And just because you file your tax return doesnt mean that the IRS automatically audits them.
So , we really dont know if the IRS has audited his returns or not. And if they did , you know he has tax attorneys out the ying-yang just waiting to defend him.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:43 pm
“Or continue to back down, as usual.”
Yawn, you’re about as predictable as getalife.
Jefferson
August 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
It has already go traction, rock dwellers.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm
“It’s none of your business. Period.”
Touchy touchy.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm
Tiberius — “But much more likely, given his income levels and complexity through anticipated deductions.”
Agreed, though it’s still not a ‘definitely would’ sort of thing.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm
It’s hilarious that libs attack Romney over nothing yet they can’t even give us examples of Obama’s accomplishments as president.
Come on libs, defend your messiah.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
He is running for President cons.
Show us your papers willard.
We will not let this go.
We are the taxers.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
And Logic continues to backdown, as usual. You called me a liar, Logic. I called you out on it and you back down. That defines you pretty well. The one that backs down when called out–”Logic was never intended for libs”
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
The Gretchen Carlson clip was obviously a cut-and-paste job without context.
To think that anyone would buy the clip at face value is laughable. She was likely speaking about a show on MSNBC, rather than her own.
Until such time as the full clip becomes available, I’m not buying the word of a liberal comedian.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
Come on libs, defend your messiah.
Come on Logic, defend your posts.
md
August 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
“the poll also found that most Americans — 54 percent — are “tired of hearing lawmakers debate the health care law and would like them to move on to other issues.”
And I suspect those numbers will change when all those taxes actually kick in and folks wake up to the reality of the bill……including the higher premiums that will have to come with it to cover the extra taxes on the providers………
larry
August 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
http://articles.cnn.com/2000-11-02/politics/bush.dui_1_arrest-from-news-reports-george-w-bush-kennebunkport-police?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS
Just wondering, If Bush’s DUI arrest in 1976 would have changed a few voters’ minds in 2000.
Jefferson
August 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
Romney will be thrown under the bus before its over, much like Arthur Anderson ended up.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
Logic — “Like I stated, if Romney did anything wrong we’d know about it.”
Not necessarily. Tax matters are private, as has already been pointed out.
“Now, please tell me why I should vote for Obama over Romney.”
You want a serious answer, or should I be as flippant as you’re being on this thread?
“Defend Obama’s horrible record.”
Again, you want serious or flippant? Because I’m not throwing you serious answers if you’re just going to jerk me around some more.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
I’m not buying the word of a liberal comedian.
Gretchen Carlson is a comedian. But liberal! That’s a bit much.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
“You want a serious answer, or should I be as flippant as you’re being on this thread?”
Serious.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
“The Gretchen Carlson clip was obviously a cut-and-paste job without context.”
And the fact that Numbers can’t even see that is why I’m laughing my @ss off right now.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:50 pm
It is not about our President cons.
It is about willard hiding his tax forms.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:50 pm
“We will not let this go.”
And the rest of us will continue mocking you for it.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
“It is about willard hiding his tax forms.”
Go contact the IRS, getalife.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
getalife reminds me of UGA fans who were all predicting that the NCAA would come down hard on Cam Newton.
DEATH PENALTY they cried.
So much for that.
Colin
August 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
I wish the IRS would have been all over him. That’s precisely the point: we’re living in an injust society here in the US. “You people have all the information you need to know.” Okay. I have more than enough information not to elect you. Thanks for making it easy.
It’s funny. You can’t write better comedy than what Mitt Romney has shown. It’s almost farcical the Republicans, or any party for that matter, would have him as a running mate. It’s almost as comical as Congress being allowed insider information. Serve a term in Congress, get set up for life.
Well, we’re pretty much finished as a society. It’s a shame; I’m a veteran, and to come back to so many people feeling entitled or that “to be right” justifies all things — I don’t know, we’ve really lost something great here. Reminds me of that Blaise Pascal quote: “Instead of making what is just, strong, we have made what is strong, just.”
Another civil war, ladies and gentlemen! Brothers and sisters killing each other. Only it will be between the “Haves” and the “Have Nots”. But when scarcity is the issue, the “Haves” have a target on their backs.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Until such time as the full clip becomes available, I’m not buying the word of a liberal comedian
Its not like them clips are available at Fox (or should you wish Media Matters)…. or that Stewart claims they were from some “investigation”.
You can do the research while you stomp your feet. 
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
What is willard hiding?
He is a felon like nixon.
Our country can’t take another nixon or another w.
Country first.
Party last.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
Logic is now trying to evade his claim that I lied by posting Tiberius’s remark. Back down, Logic, as usual. It is all you have.
Ernest T Bass
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
I wouldn’t engage Logic.
The guy has been slapped down so many times on here it isn’t funny.
Zero credibility.
Best to just ignore and stick with talking to the adults.