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
jd
August 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
The idea that the burden is on the accuser because that’s what criminal proceedings dictate is absurd. News flash. This is NOT a criminal court proceeding. The burden of proof exists to allocateto one party the risk of harm or error. Mitt Romney is running for the Presidency of the United States. If he did not pay taxes for the last ten years, it would be most un-American and possibly illegal. All he has to do is disclose. Period. His father disclosed twelve years of returns because he understand the importance of being frank with the American public. There is no burden. But, if there is one, it’s on Mitt. The media has been whipped by Repugs for being liberal that it no longer has a spine or the capacity to be critical.
Dusty
August 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Well, how the liberal bilge doth flow! Just like the old days when it was common (like Finn & AmVet) to insult George W. Bush on a daily basis. Now we have the regular roto-rooters digging for dirt to throw on Romney.
If Romney reported his tax forms for the last ten years it wouldn’t be enough. We’d then hear about Mrs. Romney’s horse. If the horse wasn’t enough, we’ d hear about Romney’s occasional menu with cheesy grits. If that isn’t enough we’d hear Romney is rich and so was his father and therefore rich people are greedy and shouldn’t have the money they made. Then there’s cranky old (guilty until proven innocent) Harry Reid thrrowing mud with the rest of the howling mob.
OH for a decent election. And honest comments. AND when is Bookman coming back to feed the fanatics he favors? And when will we see Obama’s full scholastic records when he was a “foreign” student on scholarship?? Hey, I heard it on the grapevine……….isn’t that where “facts” come from?
If Romney
If Romney
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
@@
I will not do your homework. However if you have the aptitude and ability to stay focused longer than a talk radio show segment or biased article, you can find that information.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
@@ — “Well there you go. If there’s no proof, then what’s the point?”
The point is in me recalling your behavior the first time we met. Doesn’t much matter to me if you see a point or not, or have ‘proof’ or not. That’s beside the point from my perspective.
“May as well. I have.”
Oh, good. It’s better when they don’t remember.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
” the left wing is the DEFINITION of double standards.”
Of course it is.
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Dusty
Have a tissue or two.
The tears are flowing man
stands for decibels
August 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
when Jewish voters go to cast their ballots, are they required to display The Star of David or somethin’?
Do you have the numbers on Methodist voters too?
are you, seriously, not aware of this thing called “exit polling?”
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
“If Romney reported his tax forms for the last ten years it wouldn’t be enough. ”
Of course not. As someone already pointed out, the folks who want Romney to show his tax returns are the same ones who are going to vote for Obama.
Peadawg
August 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
Demanding transparency from Obama but giving Romney a pass on his tax returns.
Hypocrisy much, GOPers?
JamVet
August 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
In the past 52 years, Americans Jews have voted OVERWHELMINGLY – around 75% – against the quasi-fascists that define the modern Republican Party.
Selah.
Own it, bigots…
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:31 pm
“are you, seriously, not aware of this thing called “exit polling?”
Exit polling does not, I repeat DOES NOT, poll ALL voters, stands. Geez, you’ve really gone off the deep end this time.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:31 pm
“Demanding transparency from Obama but giving Romney a pass on his tax returns.”
Peadawg must be living in the twilight zone.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:32 pm
“In the past 52 years, Americans Jews have voted OVERWHELMINGLY – around 75% – against the quasi-fascists that define the modern Republican Party.”
Oh, so now JamVet is an expert on Jews. I guess he’ll tell us next that he speaks for all the armed servicemen.
“Own it, bigots…”
PERSONAL ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
Peadawg
The problem with your argument is we have never gotten an iota of transparency from Obama.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
Peadawg
Tell us again how Hillary would be an awesome president!
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
“The problem with your argument is we have never gotten an iota of transparency from Obama.”
There are too many problems with his arguments.
Dusty
August 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Eat a peach, 2:29
You are a bit over ripe on the way to rotten. Better stay cool.
Hmmmmmm
August 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm
JamVet is so angry… But hey, if I were a liberal democrat, I would be angry…. Life would just SUC!
Eat a Peach
August 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm
JamVet
Facts are not @@’s friend
Best she can do is parse one quote out of an entire interview and it did nothing but demonstrate gullibility.
Hopefully on other things she does much better. On this one, She was sent back to school. Homework: INCOMPLETE
End of the day: Best she had was, well the author was offended so I was as well
boo hoo
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
August 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
I do remember the egg on the faces of the media, after exit polls were so inaccurate during the last two elections. In Wisconsin, CNN was so excited at the beginning of the night, based on exit polls, they soon switched coverage to the Queen’s bonnaroo, when the exit polls proved fictional.
jd
August 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
As I said earlier the burden of proof analogy is completely inapposite. But, even if it applied, the writer has forgotten or maybe unaware of the burden of persuasion. In law the burden of proof may rest with one party. But, the burden of persuasion can shift. And after one party makes out its prima facie (or initial) case, the burden of persausion shifts to the other party to rebut it. The prima facie case for Romney’s tax avoidance has been made. And Romney has done nothing to rebut this case, which is why I think Reid’s comments are most appropriate. If he walks back from them, he should be ashamed of himself!
Misty Fyed
August 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
Let’s see. Obama was elected in November 2008. He officially released his birth certificate April 2011. I see no problem with Romney holding his tax returns until his third year of Presidency. I mean…it’s all about being fair right?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
“Demanding transparency from Obama but giving Romney a pass on his tax returns.”
Peadawg, even YOU should realize there is a difference between transparency in how you govern, vs. transparency in your private affairs.
Colin
August 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
Liberals, Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives … these labels no longer serve Americans. Sure the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but these extreme elitists (hell, just look at our posts! I’m just an ordinary sinner, too) with all their blathering, again, just to “be right” disconnects the real issue: a government by and for the people.
Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Tax Breaks, Same Sex Marriage … wait until you have handfuls upon handfuls of families starving. It won’t be a Robin Hood-type of stealing from the rich to give to the poor — it will be a bloody massacre for all citizens and non-citizens.
Sure politics have always been competitive and a one-upmanship game of sorts. But in these contemporary times there are many more people and much fewer jobs. This will continue because we cannot control the numbers of our species (aside from war), and our laze will allow more and more machines to do the work of humans. Not a bad thing, simply arithmetic. And it adds up to all the things we thought we would be entitled to will pass us by like clouds of smoke.
Jealousy and envy. Believe it. Stock up on your guns. You don’t have to be pro-NRA or anti-hunting … but it will separate us and our families from the animals. You have a right to defend yourself and to fight back.
But none of us has the stones, anymore. Bonuses and paychecks keep our mouths shut on the real issues. “I wanted to buy this yacht, so I won’t rat out my Company CFO for cooking the books!”
Hell, with temperatures on the rise, intelligence in the US at an all-time low — Canada is looking pretty good! Pains me to say that about the country I served.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
“JamVet is so angry”
Yeah, he goes off the deep end at least 3 times a day. I’m not sure if he’s off his meds or perhaps the nurses don’t pay attention to him.
@@
August 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
Again with the talk radio? It’s my husband that listens to talk radio. I lovingly caution him not to discuss with me, what he’s heard there.
I’m just not that into it.
On the rare occasion that he drives my car, it’s on when I get in. I can’t tell the difference between Boortz and Limbaugh.
I can’t say anything against either one since I don’t know who said what.
I DO NOT LISTEN TO TALK RADIO!!!
I watch Greta Van Sustern’s “On The Record” and Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Report. John Stossel when I can catch him.
SlickRick
August 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
@@ – I’ve always wondered – when conservative women go to cast their ballots, do they have to show their b@@bs?
Schnirt
HDB
August 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Here’s an interesting analysis of why Mitt isn’t releasing his returns; his tax avoidance strategy is being called out………
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/opinion/the-mysteries-of-mitt-romneys-financial-records.html?src=recg
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
“And after one party makes out its prima facie (or initial) case, the burden of persausion shifts to the other party to rebut it.”
And when has hearsay evidence been considered “making the case”, jd?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
“I DO NOT LISTEN TO TALK RADIO!!!
I do and I love it when libs have meltdowns over what Limbaugh says. Bookman used to post blog topics about him and the libs would act giddy. They’d say things like “Rush is going off the air because his sponsors pulled out from advertising on his program.” Yep, I have him on itunes radio and he’s still there.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Misty Fyed — “Let’s see. Obama was elected in November 2008. He officially released his birth certificate April 2011. I see no problem with Romney holding his tax returns until his third year of Presidency. I mean…it’s all about being fair right?”
Considering that the Republican Governor of Hawaii verified and validated Obama’s BC before the 2008 election ever happened, let’s just have the IRS Commissioner take a look-see and let us know if he finds anything untoward in there. Afer all, it’s all about being fair, right?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
” when conservative women go to cast their ballots, do they have to show their b@@bs?”
If they do, it’ll be the first time you ever see any.
Misty Fyed
August 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Dems accusing Republicans of hypocracy…There is a laugh. I wonder who’s campaign promise was to have the most transparent government in history.
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
HDB
Why should anyone believe what that rag says? NYT sent folks to go through Palin’s trash cans and e-mails.
curious
August 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Misty Fyed
Hope Romney doesn’t release his tax returns during his third year in office.
It’s not pretty seeing a President go to jail. Plus that would make Cheney President.
@@
August 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
stands:
are you, seriously, not aware of this thing called “exit polling?”
Do they ask Jewish voters to show their papers?
Logic was never intended for libs
August 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
“Do they ask Jewish voters to show their papers?”
Check. Mate.
@@
August 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
I’m amazed at how the “schnirt” has caught on around here.
Is there anything I have, that the libs won’t steal?
Michael
August 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
The Obama camp has done an excellent job at painting Romney as a secretive businessman who will do and say anything to get to the top; and Romney has done an excellent job at proving Obama right (just by opening his mouth). America doesn’t trust Romney because everything in his past is ‘off limits.’ He only wants America to know the things about him that make him look good, and that’s not how politics works. And it’s only now that the GOP has become so whiny about it; for years, they have lived off making baseless attacks against Democratic opponents in order to gain traction in an election. Now they get a taste of their own medicine, and they hate it.
James
August 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
How does someone like Ole Harry go to the senate with nothing and come out as a millionaire. As Brother Dave Gardner used to say , why does a man spend $100,000 to campaign for a job paying $10,000. Just saying.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
“Is there anything I have, that the libs won’t steal?”
Well, you have your @@’s, @@ . . .
Darwin
August 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Anyone who can get his IRA to the $100 million mark gets my vote.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
@@ — “Is there anything I have, that the libs won’t steal?”
Don’t know. Whattaya got?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
“The Obama camp has done an excellent job at painting Romney as a secretive businessman who will do and say anything to get to the top; and Romney has done an excellent job at proving Obama right (just by opening his mouth).”
And yet, despite over 2 months of consistent attacks on this theme, the polls haven’t moved (except when pollsters salt their polls with 10% more Democrats than Republicans).
weetamoe
August 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
Since the Obama campaign unleashed the IRS dogs against Romney’s major donors and sent them into small towns to demand from small local TEA party groups papers, e-mails, donor records, and receipts from the corner coffee shop, and since in previous campaigns Obama’s retinue forced the unsealing of divorce papers ( of both republican and democrat opponents)–it is quite reasonable to assume that the IRS agents know all there is to know about Romney’s tax compliance and would have him sharing a jail cell with Jon Corzine if he (forget the Corzine comparison) has done anything illegal.
Beefcake
August 2nd, 2012
2:50 pm
The worst tyranny is a president who breaks his oath of office to
uphold the constitution by unilaterally imposing his will against the
will of the people.
Dusty
August 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
Tiberius @ 2:37
You gave a good thought so no liberal will pay attention. Your post:
“YOU should realize there’s a diffterence between transparency in how you govern vs. transparency in your private affairs.”
The actions of Obama’s presidency are about as transparent as Stone Mountain. Or maybe I should say all Chicago politicians are “tinted” as in tainted.( no reference to skin color, just politics). Is the former governor of Illinois still in jail?.
curious
August 2nd, 2012
2:53 pm
HDB
August 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Interesting article. Logic has no logical response.
It’s only going to get worse for Romney until he releases his returns. Then it’s going to really, really get worse.
Romney knows that and his defenders know that,too.
Joe Mama
August 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Tiberius — “And yet, despite over 2 months of consistent attacks on this theme, the polls haven’t moved (except when pollsters salt their polls with 10% more Democrats than Republicans).”
Are you familiar with polling and statistical survey methods, Tiberius? Oversampling one way or another is easily corrected for.
Paris Sincair
August 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Kyle Wingfield, if you think speech you don’t like is un-American, you don’t live in the same America I grew up in.