Romney declines Obama deal on tax return releases

[maddezmom]

Source: USA Today

President Obama's campaign offered Mitt Romney a deal today: Release five years of tax returns, and we'll stop demanding more.

Romney's campaign refused, calling the Obama request a political ploy designed to distract voters.

"It is clear that President Obama wants nothing more than to talk about Governor Romney's tax returns instead of the issues that matter to voters, like putting Americans back to work, fixing the economy and reining in spending," Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades wrote in a response to Obama counterpart Jim Messina.

In an earlier missive to Rhoades, Messina wrote: "Governor Romney apparently fears that the me he offers, the more our campaign will demand that he provide.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/08/obama-offers-romney-a-deal-on-tax-releases/1#.UC5CQ92PW8A

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Earth to Romney camp....it's not going to go away.

[Ed Suspicious]

1. After what Pres O put up with on his birth certificate, I think Rmoney owes him a little latitude.

[rbrnmw]

2. Hold your breath until you turn blue Williard this will not go away!!!!

[Thor_MN]

14. That raises a interesting question. Does GOP temper tantrum breath holding make them turn blue?

[rbrnmw]

18. maybe not hmm

But one could hope

[Enrique]

3. to the shock of no one n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Now, now. We're more than willing to talk about Medicare, Bain and how many jobs you've outsourced..

and just what exactly is your proposed tax plan, as well. We're not a one trick pony.

Speaking of which...you've not been forthcoming on any of those topics either.

[DavidL]

32. Excellent points!

You should be a speech writer for Obama and Biden with lines like that.

[Javaman]

48. mittens is the only candidate I have ever witnessed to run on a platform of nothing. LOL nt

[Politicalboi]

77. Oh but that's negative campaigning

According to the "lamestream media". Telling the truth about a piece of shit like Rmoney is Obama's fault.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Mitt's right. The American people don't care

if he paid zero taxes for 10 years or even if he took an amnesty to avoid felony charges for tax fraud.

[font color=gray size=1]But I have this nagging little thought--If it's such a side-issue, why's he fighting so hard?[/font]

[spooky3]

42. If he believed that, and if it were true, then he would release the tax returns.

[Jackpine Radical]

45. Did you happen to read the little gray text in my post?

[TeamPooka]

51. your grey text is not an argument for Romney to not release his tax returns.

[Jackpine Radical]

64. Subtlety is lost around here.

[tonybgood]

62. This isn't really about Mitt's taxes; it's about his residency!!!

If he releases his tax returns, they have his legal resident ADDRESS on them. He voted in the 2009 Mass. Senate special election to fill Ted Kennedy's term. He said he lived in his son's unfinished basement!!! I'm willing to wager Mitt his famous $10,000 bet that it doesn't say that on his 2009 tax return!!! What irony! The GOP suppressing the vote by claiming voter fraud and their nominee for president committed VOTER FRAUD!!! lmao

[BuelahWitch]

65. Maybe he's been lying to the Mormon Church too?

You're supposed to give 10% of gross income. What if he hasn't been on the up and up with his Church re: his tithing? If he releases the tax returns and the amounts are different than what he reported to the Church there might be problems with the Elders in Salt Lake City.
Just a thought...

[Jackpine Radical]

66. I've heard that speculation before.

Also, there's the matter of his legal address when he was voting in MA & supposedly living in a basement.

[Coyotl]

6. I hope there will still be nagging doubt in every voters mind by election day

Including in the minds of the 8% who were disenfranchised by Republican voter suppression laws.

[earthside]

7. Time for the chicken suit.

I'd like to see the Rmoney campaign followed by someone in a chicken suit with a sign asking:

"What are you afraid of?
Show American your tax returns, Mr. Rmoney."
(Or some pointed variation.)

It does seem that the chicken suit ploy almost always seems to work.

[TwilightGardener]

31. Good idea.

[rtracey]

8. wow

He had a pretty good out, there must be some really nasty stuff in those tax forms. Another thing interesting, you never hear Mitt or his wife Bitt or whoever say they have paid INCOME taxes, they only say we pay taxes...everyone pays taxes, sales tax, property tax for homeowners, etc but nerver hear INCOME tax...Saw on Lawrence O'Donnell and he is correct......

[madokie]

9. Too much to hide

[AsahinaKimi]

10. There will always be

Suspicion of wrong doing.. until he releases the income tax returns. The American people want a President they can trust, not someone who maybe hiding something. His released forms were incomplete as well... Being stubborn will not help him get votes, no one likes a tax cheater.

[Redford]

11. It does not sound like much of a deal.

I'm beginning to wonder what the October surprises are going to be on both sides.

[TomCADem]

36. Romney's Excuse Was That Democrats Would Always Ask For More...

...So, assuming Romney was not lying, then the Obama campaign's deal is incredibly generous, since they are only asking for three more years beyond the one Romney has produced and the one he has pledged to produce.

[enough]

12. Well that didn't take long. Cool. (nt)

[cleduc]

13. Lawrence O'Donnell said last night that the Obama campaign is wondering

about why Romney's partial (he failed to provide tax forms for the overseas bank accounts) tax return for 2010 show a $100 mil trust fund in 9 overseas holdings and 12 partnerships including the Swiss bank account that is not revealed on any of Romney's financial disclosures for Governor (2000-2006 or so) nor his two financial disclosures as a candidate for President (2007, 2011).

There was already a problem explaining how Romney accrued 10,000 years worth of the max IRA contribution in that $100 mil trust fund.

Now, there's a second problem for Romney to explain why it was never disclosed previously. Did he win a $100 mil lottery? Did he have to get amnesty because the IRS was allowed by the courts to subpoena Swiss banks in 2008 and he felt the heat?

Romney has a real financial disclosure problem because what he's disclosed previously doesn't add up to what he disclosed on his 2010 tax return and it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

My only concern is that it leads to a brokered convention to replace him. I'd rather the GOP blow more of their Citizens United dough beyond the convention and then force Romney to withdraw closer to the election when there's no time for them to regroup around another candidate.

[heaven05]

17. YEP

THAT WOULD WORK!!

[tomm2thumbs]

25. true, regarding brokered convention

at this point, he's a 2 legged stool to the party and I'd rather keep him that way vs. have the stool so badly damaged that it needs replacin' in time to do it

[cosmicone]

39. Repuke bench is not very deep.

There isn't anyone who can be coronated as an instant nominee without pissing off the likes of Santorum and Gingrich. It is unlikely that anyone with a real future like Christie would agree be the sacrificial lamb in this mess.

They have made their bed.

[spooky3]

43. Chris Christie would self-destruct early in any national campaign.

Aside from his hot headed tendency to get easily PO'd and unwillingness to answer questions that are part of any campaign, and to say whatever comes to the top of his head, he has significant weaknesses. His sexist remarks to women will not fly with many women and men, and his abrasive personality does not play well in many parts of the country outside of NJ.

[VWolf]

53. It doesn't play all that well here in NJ either n/t

[hifiguy]

69. The only national contest I could envision Christie winning involves

either farting or eating hot dogs. Possibly both.

[Kyad06]

73. LMAO

An evil Ralph Kramden

[Panasonic]

15. It'll be on the national news right now

and the pressure is going to get even worse... Oh boy, Romney is gonna get really burnt.

SuperPACs are going to be inefficient when their own nominees aren't going to even forthcoming. All it does is provide comedic value at their own expense.

[heaven05]

16. of course

crooks ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE

[liberallibral]

19. Mitt Obviously SHOULD Release Them, But....

..at work, I keep hearing: "Mitt should release his tax returns, only when the President releases his college transcripts and thesis..."

So I guess the birth certificate wasn't enough for the rightwing batty people, who for some reason don't care about what's on a gazillionaires tax records...

[tomm2thumbs]

26. I think his dad releasing so many for transparency undermines him forever

like a voice from the grave -- 'Mitt. Do the right thing Mitt.'

Bet that voice is gonna do some damage after he loses in November.

'Mitt. Shoulda' done the right thing Mitt.'

[oberliner]

30. Obama should call that bluff

I bet that Romney would say no deal to that as well.

[liberallibral]

49. I bet you're right!!

Mitt The Twit is DEFINITELY hiding SOMETHING....

[spooky3]

46. A thesis would already be available at public libraries.

Given that he graduated with honors, I am sure his college transcripts would reveal nothing but positives.

Neither of these things is nearly as relevant for the job he now holds, especially given that we have 3 years of job performance to judge already, as Romney's tax returns are.

What's next on the false-equivalency scale for the Republicans--a demand that we see how he looks in his underwear????

[Cha]

60. I know not to brainwashed idiots(college transcripts are a clue)

but Tax Returns are part of the vetting process for someone running for president.

The President has been vetted but mitt is hiding. What's mitt hiding? His tax returns, his hard drives when he was gov in Mass, his Olympic records, he doesn't want to talk about the Bain of his existence..What does he want to talk about? Nothing except LIE and Slander PBO.

[Flatulo]

80. Jeezus, next they'll be demanding to see the president's coloring from grade 2.

Y'know, did he stay between the lines and such.

[hifiguy]

20. Willard is one hell of a shot.

Every time he pulls the trigger he hits himself squarely in his own feet.

[mikeytherat]

56. The only time he takes his foot out of his mouth is when he's reloading.

mikey_the_rat

[randome]

21. Yes!

Romney & Ryan look even worse to their base now! Go, Obama!

[kimbutgar]

22. If Mitt loves this country so much why does he hide his money overseas

and not invest the money in America? He is not patriotic and he needs to be called out on it everyday until he releases those returns. People like Mitt are the reason this country is so F'ed up. And he has the nerve to say he should be President because of his business experience....I don't think so. One of those guys who started outsourcing our jobs so he could get rich off the backs of working class Americans....I don't think so...

[DavidL]

34. Get one of the debate moderators to ask that question!

This is the finest question one can ask that arrogant turd.

[PearliePoo2]

79. I like your post!

and I too, hope this question is asked!

[NRaleighLiberal]

23. Would rather they drip this down weekly - 9...then 8....then 7....

part of me wishes they didn't do this at all - just let them squirm. I don't think they need to crack the window even a little bit - it is working.

Show no weakness or give in this...keep on the pressure!

[tomm2thumbs]

24. this is BRILLIANT!!!!!

thanks for the posting but great on them!

[nolabear]

27. Voters can multitask, Mittens.

I know it's hard for you to understand that "we people" are actually quite clever little monkeys and can hold your nasty ass accountable for Medicare, the budget, womens' rights, gay rights, foreign policy, AND not being a lousy, cheating, sociopathic tax evader all at the same time!!!

I'm running out of expletives with this guy.

[HughBeaumont]

28. I'd up it to 10 years now.

Dubya Mitt and Boy Galt better come correct with the fact that this is no longer a corporation they're applying for. This is the highest office of the land, where you're accountable for a great deal of issues. If you can't be honest and forthcoming about something so damned simple as tax returns, then how in the hell do you expect ANYone in America to trust you on anything?

[no_hypocrisy]

29. Perhaps this was a tactical move on the part of the re-election campaign.

Make a rhetorical and gratuitous gesture that seems to imply compromise, being relatively sure it will be denied and then trumpeting that Romney won't release even five years (of his own choice of years) of his tax returns.

[Jim__]

33. Romney's tax returns are back in the news. Great move Obama campaign!

[Heather MC]

54. I think it time we start calling Rmoney by his new name

CHICKEN
:LOL:

[hifiguy]

57. The new campaign mascot

[Heather MC]

67. That Chicken has more dignity than mitt, i bet he pays his taxes

I was thinking of one of those chemically bloated chickens from a Tyson's farm with his face on it.

[hifiguy]

68. Maybe the POTUS' campaign could hire The Famous Chicken

to follow Willard around. Beaucoups laffs all around.

[Heather MC]

70. Nice! It would have to be done by a DEM super pac so President Obama can smile and brush it off

[bucolic_frolic]

35. Americans Deserve to Know

if Romney is beholden to any foreign government

or foreign corporation.

Is he more patriotic toward America, or the Cayman Islands,
or Switzerland?

If his information is not public and some foreign power has
the goods on him

he could be politically blackmailed into acting against the
best interest of the United States of America

Something to think about

It is positively flippant to scream 13% and think the matter should
be dropped

[TomCADem]

37. How Much Would Mittens Personally Benefit From the Policies He Proposes

This is a matter of disclosing and illustrating how the 1% like Romney stand to benefit from policies that are paid for with taxes and benefit reductions to the poor and middle class.

[WinstonSmith4740]

38. The more they deny there's a problem...

The bigger the problem becomes. She who would be queen pretty much admitted it in the last interview. Whining about how much they've been attacked...obviously being asked to do something you feel the proletariat has no right to do is an "attack". Then talking about how the returns would simply give "you people" more ammunition? Ammunition? We unwashed masses don't even have to read between the lines on this.

[nolabels]

40. Dude, like you can't even show us five out of twelve?

I mean really, doing the math that indicates at least of being kind of being dirty and underhanded in paying taxes for at least eight out of twelve (could be more).

[SoapBox]

41. Mittens, Mittens...you are SO hiding some

kind of shit that would make those of us in the 99% implode.

Also, please tell Ann "Let Them Eat Cake" not to make any more insulting TV appearances too.

[ejbr]

44. He won't show them??!

Sigh....then I guess we'll keep on asking!

[DinahMoeHum]

47. Hey Mittens! Psss psss psss psss psss. meow meow.

n/t

[Vox Moi]

50. One argument for demanding disclosure is a matter of a felony

As I understand it ...
In 2009 the Feds offered an amnesty program for people who had been hiding money in foreign accounts and not paying taxes on them, which is a felony. Many people took advantage of a chance to avoid prosecution, but the fact remains that they are still guilty of a felony.
We know that Romney has foreign bank accounts. We also know that in his 2010 return he did not disclose the foreign investment schedules. If Romney had been granted amnesty he would have coughed up the back taxes and so his claim that he has paid all the taxes he was required to is valid.
But he still would be a felon.
The issue then is not 'He paid no taxes' (even if true it might have been perfectly legal) but rather if he broke the law and got away with it.
The press has been on this track but have the Democrats asked Mitt directly if he took advantage of the amnesty program?

[high density]

52. Jim Messina is a very smart guy

Romney has clearly been made out to be hiding something plus he looks completely unreasonable.

[sofa king]

58. I love how the President bargains.

He offers five, knowing that only three years, 2008, 2009, and 2010, are enough to show that Mitt took the 2009 IRS amnesty offer (or even worse for Mitt, he didn't take it).

He knows that Mitt can only come back with "nope, two at most."

At which point the President gets to say, "okay, three."

Nope.

And then we'll all know that Mitt took the amnesty.

[maxsolomon]

59. If he's responding, he's losing

and he's losing this fight.

[MADem]

61. I can't wait until he's cornered the next time he claims "I pay taxes, lots of taxes."

How much in INCOME taxes are ya paying, Mittsy?

Not property taxes, not excise taxes, and stop counting charitable donations as "taxes"--but INCOME taxes?

He never says INCOME taxes--he's careful to NOT say the I word.

It's noticeable.

[lunatica]

63. The people want him to stop demanding my tax returns.

Don't you just love how they hide behind our skirts?

[Vietnameravet]

71. Taxes

Can any sane person not realize he is hiding something?
f course not. But the problem is there are a lot of crazy people in the GOP..

[wordpix]

72. now that Mittwit has raised the issue of poverty, what the hell has he ever done to alleviate it?

He certainly hasn't paid his fair share of taxes to hep fund public education or nutrition programs, has he?

[DearAbby]

74. As Saint Ronald Reagan said...

TRUST BUT VERIFY...

[penndragon69]

75. This proves 1 of 2 things.

Either he was convicted of tax evasion with the recent swiss bank sting
OR proves that he lied about his residency status when he ran
for GOV. of Mass aka VOTER FRAUD.

Either way, he's looking more and more like BARRY GOLDWATER.

[liberal N proud]

76. Romney can't even come up with 5 years worth?

WOW!

[Drunken Irishman]

78. Romney keeps saying this is a serious time...

He's absolutely right...it is a serious time and because of that, we need serious leaders. We need a president the American people can trust to make the right decisions and Romney continues to fail that test. He is running for the most important job in the land and his dishonesty and secrecy should disqualify him. If he can't be honest with the American people, he really needs to think about stepping aside and asking the Republicans to nominate someone else.

[bluedeminredstate]

81. I just read

a short interview with James Carville in Rolling Stone and I love how he describes the Romney tax problem: Carville says the campaign can't show the returns because they know the cure (showing the returns) is worse than the disease (not showing the returns and having the story continue). The cure is worse than the disease. It is so true, otherwise they would make all this endless speculation stop once and for all, and they just can't. The public outcry would be swift and deadly for his candidacy.

Sending his mommy out the other day to deliver the news to Natalie Morales was stupid. She looked bitchy and condescending - again, and Mitt still looks like he's hiding something. They haven't figured out yet that she's almost as unlikable as he is and there is just no sympathetic angle to the Romneys' "dilemma."

[spayneuter]

82. Well I am just shacked. Er, shorked...I mean schlocked...no, shucked?...schlicted? What the hell

is that damn word?