Interesting comment about John McCain

[Playinghardball]

[tularetom]

1. I really doubt that McCain ever personally saw Romney's tax returns

And I believe that the tax returns were not the reason that Palin was chosen over Romney.

Let's face it, McCain was not exactly a charismatic campaigner and having Romney on the ticket with him would have been a real snooze. IMO the request for Romney's returns was a courtesy that they probably extended to half a dozen possible but not likely choices.

Those returns are probably still sitting in a file cabinet in the office of somebody who worked on the McCain campaign or they have been shredded.

[Zen Democrat]

2. Maybe yes, maybe no.

Steve Schmidt said that Rick Davis reviewed all the tax returns submitted for the Veep candidates and reported on the contents to John McCain.

It was fairly well-known in 2008 that John McCain couldn't stand Mitt Romney, so I doubt he was ever seriously considered, tax problem or no tax problem. And, if he STILL can't stand him, it actually could point a finger in McCain's direction as to the source of Reid's story.

[leveymg]

3. National Journal - Rick Davis and A.B.. Culvahouse (McCain campaign) had the returns

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/which-republicans-are-calling-on-romney-to-release-his-tax-returns--20120717

On July 13, Talking Points Memo's Brian Beutler suggested Steve Schmidt, who managed John McCain's 2008 campaign, which vetted Romney and others as potential running mates and eventually picked Sarah Palin. Three days later, MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell asked Schmidt what was in the files, but alas, Schmidt didn't know. "I never saw the tax returns," Schmidt said. "They would have been seen by A.B. Culvahouse and Rick Davis, who ran the vetting operation for Sen. McCain in that campaign." Curses! What have Davis and Culvahouse said?! So far, not much.

[mazzarro]

4. He may not have seen the tax returns personally

But being the previous standard bearer for the party, he has to prepare for any questions relating to persons that were vetted for his running mate including Mittens. As such he must have been updated by the people he put in charge to vet his potential VPs. So he is probably aware of any issues with Mittens taxes is there are any.

[karynnj]

5. You think McCain was not charismatic - I bet McCain did not agree on that

McCain for decades was a media favorite and was always described with positive language - much of it undeserved. I seriously doubt that he - or those close to him thought he needed help there.

I did not even see the media calling for a sparkly VP in the time before the choice was made - a HUGE contrast to his adoration of John Edwards and their pushing for Kerry to pick him.

I suspect it was as sexist as thinking women wanting Hillary would like Palin - which actually had to be dismissed by Democrats like Kerry and Durbin on talk shows as insulting to Hillary and to women.

[Voice for Peace]

6. I think McCain would rather see Obama defeat Romney, truly

His loyalty is fluid. If he wasn't able to defeat Obama, nobody
else will, either.

[Zen Democrat]

7. I think you're reading John McCain exactly right.

McCain's ego is boundless.

[MissMarple]

8. McCain said there is "nothing disqualifying" in the returns.

But that is still sidestepping the broader issue of what actually is in the returns Romney doesn't want Dems and other voters to see.

[hifiguy]

9. McCain's crew wouldn't have seen the '08 and '09 returns

because they hadn't been filed yet. And I will bet something substantial that it is in those years' returns that the really horrifyiing and embarrassing stuff is located. Like, say, taking advantage of the amnesty for money stashed in Switzerland.