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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
988 comments Add your comment
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
Logic,
L
S
U!
md
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
“Not necessarily. Tax matters are private, as has already been pointed out.”
Wesley Snipes may disagree with that statement…….
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
Logic — “Serious.”
Sorry, nothing doing.
If you can’t *be* serious, then you won’t *receive* serious.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
We call his comments flippant, flippant, they live in a world full of wonder…
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
I am the oily and will take this to the sc.
Show us your papers will robme.
@@
August 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Would anybody like to see the candidates’ teeth? They’ll tell you everything you need to know about a horse.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
“Logic is now trying to evade his claim that I lied by posting Tiberius’s remark’
No not really, liar.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
md — “Wesley Snipes may disagree with that statement…….”
Did the IRS make his returns public? I hadn’t heard anything about that.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
“Sorry, nothing doing.
If you can’t *be* serious, then you won’t *receive* serious.”
Like I thought. You got nuthin.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
Joe Mama
You have dealt with the same blogger numerous times; just under other names.
Too bad you can’t see it.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
@@,
Calling wilard a horse is going too far
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
“The guy has been slapped down so many times on here it isn’t funny.”
No not really, liar.
“Zero credibility.”
Another line left wingers like to use.
larry
August 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Would anybody like to see the candidates’ teeth? They’ll tell you everything you need to know about a horse.
Including his AGI for the last ten years ?
Matz
August 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Numbers-R-US,
Right? Gretchen — the Colbert of the morning circuit — and that Fox & Friends crew are totally hilarious! There’s nothing else on TV at that hour that even comes close. They crack me up every time!
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
L
S
U!
S U C K S !!!!!!!
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
I want to see getalife’s tax returns. Oh wait, he doesn’t pay taxes.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
@@,
On second thought, his wife owns a high dollar horse and the drug cartels use them for money laundering.
You might be onto something.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
Release the tax returns, Mitt. I need to see more details about the people, “you people”, that you made your millions off of and how their jobs are doing under new management in India. Mitt claims to have experience creating jobs. I need proof given that Mitt is suffering from some serious memory lapses. He cannot even remember when he held a position of responsibility at Bain that matches with published documents. Republicans really picked a good candidate, for the Democrats.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
@@ — “Would anybody like to see the candidates’ teeth? They’ll tell you everything you need to know about a horse.”
Have they had all their shots?
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
We call his comments flippant, flippant, they live in a world full of wonder…
But I don’t think he’ll be flying here under, under the sea much longer, if his past is any guide.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
“Would anybody like to see the candidates’ teeth? They’ll tell you everything you need to know about a horse.”
As well as something about another of those medical expense write offs. Who knew horses teeth were covered as well.
larry
August 2nd, 2012
1:02 pm
To anyone saying this issue will go away is awfully naive. When he does file in October, it will recieve more press than it will now. It will play a significant role in the debates as well. I really dont understand why he doesn’t release them.
As far as Obama’s school records , i would like to see them too, but remember, you dont have to have a college degree to be president.
dpkirpy
August 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
Not to worry. Americans see Mitt as much more “like them” than they will/have seen obuma. Mitt shares similar religious beliefs (God, Jesus, Heaven, etc.) with the MAJORITY of citizens. Wait and see when the stumbler in chief is run out of DC by an 80% vote against him. Mark my words.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
Logic — “Like I thought. You got nuthin.”
Think all you like. I won’t play your game if you’re going to willfully misrepresent things and then claim you didn’t do it.
No cookie for you.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
stands
Exactly. He has already proven via suspensions from two hosts that he can’t help himself. Stupidity is ingrained into his DNA.
Harry Reid takes Romney tax accusation campaign to Senate floor – Chicago Tribune | Headline News Network
August 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
[...] Reid continues pushing allegations Mitt Romney paid no taxes for 10 yearsNew York Daily NewsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Washington Post (blog) -TPMall 145 news [...]
Jefferson
August 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
GOP logic, I won’t vote for Al Gore because President Clinton messed around…
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Joe
Problem is that you can’t help yourself either and you keep feeding him
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Eat a Peach — “You have dealt with the same blogger numerous times; just under other names.”
Thank you for that.
“Too bad you can’t see it.”
I treat everyone the same until they demonstrate that they’re not deserving of that level of politeness. Sometimes that means that I play nice too long. Shrug.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
1:05 pm
Keep fighting Majority Leader Reid.
will robme’s tax plan wants you to pay more for tax cuts for the wealthy.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
1:05 pm
Eat a Peach — “Joe Problem is that you can’t help yourself either and you keep feeding him”
Not at all. I haven’t replied to him since you advised me about him, and I don’t intend to reply to him again.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
“Think all you like. I won’t play your game if you’re going to willfully misrepresent things and then claim you didn’t do it.”
You keep diverting more and more.
By all means, lay out a reason why you support Obama and why he’s better than Mitt.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
No not really, liar.
And Logic continues to back down, as usual. I call him out for calling me a liar and he backs down and he will continue to back down.
getalife
August 2nd, 2012
1:07 pm
We must stop the gop from destroying our country again.
Country first.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
1:07 pm
Joe
I won’t name his other blogging names, but just know it is the same whiny, attention craving shtick at both blogs.
Don’t feed him. After a while he usual goes away, even if for the day or he gets suspended from the blog.
Tealiban Party
August 2nd, 2012
1:07 pm
As my grandma used to say, once a cheat, always a cheat.
Why did Mitt file taxes in Utah when he claimed to be a Massachusetts resident so he could run for governer?
http://www.businessinsider.com/mitt-romney-tax-returns-release-massachusetts-governor-election-obama-2012-7
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
about Kyle’s business here:
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 presumption of innocence until proof of guilt is presented precedes our Republic’s founding, but I really don’t see how a general election is analogous with a criminal trial. Unfounded allegations, cheap shots, and innuendo on the campaign trail are as American as apple pie, and they go back a ways…
Slander became the campaign precedent as early as 1800, when incumbent president John Adams ran against his vice-president Thomas Jefferson. The duo, who’d worked together on claiming independence for America in 1776, were now bitter rivals and traded slurs that would put today’s genteel candidates to shame.
Jefferson’s side started by calling Adams a “hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.” Adams supporters responded by labeling Jefferson “a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father.”
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
“I call him out for calling me a liar and he backs down and he will continue to back down.”
I’m not the only one who called you out as a liar.
Just saying..
August 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
“…our sense of propriety in the court of public opinion…”
I’d suggest both Parties left that standard behind long ago, Kyle.
tiredofIT
August 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
Mitt will release his tax returns when Ann tells him he can.
Jefferson
August 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
Romney has a image problem, just ask Newt and Santorium — they had some really nice things to say about him.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
“I won’t name his other blogging names, but just know it is the same whiny, attention craving shtick at both blogs.”
Looks like another obsessed left winger.
PJ
August 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
“It’s none of your business, It’s none of your business, It’s none of your business,…”
I’m making it my business! I’m going to ask for his taxes every day until the election or until he shows us, which ever comes first. Also I won’t be the least bit surprised if backs out of doing some of the debates. Nobody puts Romney in the corner.
Numbers-R-US
August 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
I call out Logic for calling me a liar and he backs down, as usual. He will continue to back down.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Joe
Regardless of the blogging name, next week at Jay’s place you will see one blogger more than others crave for Jay’s attention. He will call Jay’s name 25 times a day.
That’s the one
@@
August 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Getalife:
I was gonna put horse race but there’s no tellin’ what you guys would have done with that one.
Call me a racist?
Justin Thyme
August 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
I’ve heard that Harry Reid quit beating his wife recently, but that may not be true.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Eat a Peach — “I won’t name his other blogging names, but just know it is the same whiny, attention craving shtick at both blogs.”
Fair enough. Thank you very much for the heads-up.
“Don’t feed him. After a while he usual goes away, even if for the day or he gets suspended from the blog.”
Or, as we used to say on USENET many moons ago, DNFTEC.
Do Not Feed The Energy Creature.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
“Regardless of the blogging name, next week at Jay’s place you will see one blogger more than others crave for Jay’s attention. He will call Jay’s name 25 times a day.”
I haven’t been on Jay’s blog since last year, Peach. If you can prove otherwise, go for it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
“Romney has a image problem, just ask Newt and Santorium — they had some really nice things to say about him.”
Really, Jefferson? The new standard of proof are failed candidates?
Really?