Reid: 'Extremely credible source' said Romney didn't pay taxes for decade

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Politico

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is refusing to let go of his allegation that Mitt Romney paid no taxes for 10 years, despite repeated denials by the GOP nominee.

In a statement Thursday night responding to criticism, Reid said he was told by an "extremely credible source" Romney didn't pay taxes for a decade, and that the nominee is "hiding something" by refusing to release more tax returns.

Here's Reid's full statement:

"There is a controversy because the Republican presidential nominee, Governor Mitt Romney, refuses to release his tax returns. As I said before, I was told by an extremely credible source that Romney has not paid taxes for ten years. People who make as much money as Mitt Romney have many tricks at their disposal to avoid paying taxes. We already know that Romney has exploited many of these loopholes, stashing his money in secret, overseas accounts in places like Switzerland and the Cayman Islands.

“Last weekend, Governor Romney promised that he would check his tax returns and let the American people know whether he ever paid a rate lower than 13.9 percent. One day later, his campaign raced to say he had no intention of putting out any further information.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/reid-extremely-credible-source-said-romney-didnt-pay-130987.html

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Who is this man with a spine - and what has he done with the real Harry Reid?

[alp227]

1. I'd like the source to come out in person standing with Sen. Reid in a news conference.

So that the right wing conspiracy theorists who think this is "Rathergate II" can shut up for once.

[MrSlayer]

2. This is great because he probably did pay taxes.

But other things are in there that he cannot reveal so we can say anything we want. It's slimy as hell. It's weird being on this side of it.

This is slow torture.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Harry Reid Romney Tax Tipster 'Is A Credible Person,' New Source Tells CNN

Harry Reid Romney Tax Tipster 'Is A Credible Person,' New Source Tells CNN
Posted: 08/02/2012 11:06 pm Updated: 08/02/2012 11:34 pm

A second source, said to be "close to Senator [Harry] Reid," has told CNN's Dana Bash that Reid's original source for the claim that Mitt Romney "didn't pay any taxes for 10 years" exists, is a "Bain investor" and a "credible person." Dana Bash reported on this source, and the person's willingness to corroborate the allegation to which the Senate majority leader repeated on Thursday's airing of CNN's AC360.

As Bash told the show's host, Anderson Cooper:

I did speak to one source who is very close to Senator Reid who claims to also know who the Bain investor is that Reid spoke with, and insists that it is a credible person and this person if we knew the name we would understand they would have the authority and the ability to know about Romney's tax returns.

"Whether we'll find it out ever," Bash added, "who knows? They're doing it on purpose, so this is the discussion."

Indeed, in the days since the Huffington Post first reported on Reid's claim, Reid has done nothing to back down. The Romney camp on Thursday responded by insisting that Reid "put up or shut up." Reid, on the other hand, has made it clear that the burden of disproving his claim lies with Romney.

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/harry-reid-romney-tax-source-_n_1735729.html

[tanyev]

6. OK, we know it's not Sarah Palin, then.

[SkatmanRoth]

4. Didn't John McCain get a look at Romney's tax returns back in 2008?

[jinx1]

11. Palin was the better candidate!

Why on earth do Republicans support a candidate for President that is according to McCain a lesser candidate than THE SARAH...Americas most disappointing VP candidate EVER!

[msanthrope]

5. It's McCain.

I think Reid is drawing the Repubs into a circular firing squad.

[marshall]

7. Report him to the IRS and let them go after him

Many people have been exposed for dodging various taxes while being vetted for various government positions. The IRS will find that he has falsified his returns in a way to not pay taxes, and they will fine him!

[cosmicone]

13. That would be like what Nixon did

and it would backfire.

Let Romney die a death with a thousand cuts rather than any part of Federal government do it with power. It will look like Obama is using the government (IRS) for political purposes like Nixon did.

[slackmaster]

8. What does "paid no taxes" really mean?

Did he evade paying taxes that he owed?

Did he have sufficient funds withheld during the year that he didn't have to write checks to the IRS on April 15?

Did he have no net tax liability because of charitable contributions?

Are all of his investments tax-exempt?

What does it mean?

[Igel]

9. Whatever you want.

Reid says Bain investor makes claim. No ID. No substantiation. A month after the phone call. No clue if he was even a Bain in 2002 or before, when Romney was still CEO of Bain.

Reporter says another Anonymous knows who the investor is, and he could reasonably have a basis for his claim.

Perhaps a 3rd anonymous, hearsay witness will come forth.

Perhaps even to say which 10-year-period they're talking about. Didn't include 2010.

[MjolnirTime]

12. you seem upset that Harry's sticking it to Romney. too bad.

[jinx1]

10. And now he wants more tax breaks

I for one think he is a "slick Willard". His objective is to never pay taxes and as has happened in the last 10 years increase his wealth by another 300% while taxing the middle class back into poverty and he is not alone...the Koch Bros, Addelson and Wall street moguls. It is the easiest way to buy congress and the presidency...with other peoples money!