Posted on 08/03/2012 2:49:07 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Love the bit at the end here about how this smear exposes Obama's above-the-fray shtick as the cynical Hopenchange branding nonsense that it is. I also like the added emphasis on "a lot of taxes," although Think Progress or TPM or whoever is no doubt working up a post right now explaining why the millions he's paid over the years don't really qualify as "a lot."
Serious question: Should HuffPo have published Reid's initial accusation about the mysterious Bain investor who allegedly called him about Romney? WaPo wonders:
In this case, the dissemination of Reid’s words is responsible, compulsory. It would be a shame, after all, if Reid’s constituents passed ignorant of the evidentiary standards to which he subjects his mudslinging...
In a world rigged by the Erik Wemple Blog, the legal system would be prejudiced in the opposite direction: Publications that failed to publish any and all false and defamatory charges made by public officials would be subject to criminal and civil liability. Professor Clay Calvert, the director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida, says, “The real story is the fact that Reid made the allegation in the first place. The second story is whether the allegation is true.”
Yeah, I agree, albeit with misgivings. Reid’s being clever here in using his political stature to push this smear out: "Some anonymous guy told me Romney doesn't pay his taxes" isn't a newsworthy story, but "some anonymous guy told me Romney doesn't pay his taxes, says Senate majority leader" assuredly is. If one of the most powerful Democrats in the country is being this much of a cretin, I want to know about it — even though publicizing his cretinism inadvertently spreads the allegation of Romney’s tax evasion. I think HuffPo had to run with it, even if spreading the allegation was their goal.
Senator Reid must certainly come forth with the identity of “some anonymous guy” who obviously works for the IRS and is feloniously releasing Romney’s tax information.
Romney has been on a plan to run for president since 2006....when he first started organizing for the 2007/2008 primary season.
Does any sane person think he did anything improper on his taxes since then?
What we need is a simple agreement.
If Romney has paid taxes in any one of the past ten years then Reid agrees to resign from the senate and name his source.
Then Romney should agree to prove that he has paid taxes in at least one of the past ten years.
This strikes me as fair. And, of course, if Reid’s source is the IRS, then Reid needs to go to prison as well as resign.
No one gave him this info, it is made up from whole cloth. Even if they trot someone out as a fall guy, I won't believe it.
The charge to me seems silly and bush league for a U.S. Senator.
Is the Senator a victim of dementia?
W fell into this trap and was down to showing dental records from his National Guard posting in AL. Screw the Dems and the hrses they rode in on.
The latest that Romney would have cheated on his taxes would have been 2001, after that he entered the political arena and would have been under scrutiny.
No, I honestly believe Romney probably didn’t cheat on his taxes. He’s probably played it straight.
How would someone at Bain know if Romney didn’t pay his taxes?
If Romney didn’t pay the the taxes he owed the IRS would be on his ass. If he paid more than the taxes he owed I don’t want his ignorant ass as President
GUARANTEED!
F U H R!
How desperate must they be to lead with a lie so easily disproved
In all serious I believe the Democrat party has helped us more in this election then we have helped ourselves.
Bain, “You didn’t build that, Chick-Fil-A and now this.
See ya at the polls liberals!!
It’s not unknown for an accountant at a company like Bain to confer with Romney’s tax guy. The degree of intricacy for senior level compensation almost requires it. It is possible that a high level employee or officer in the compensation, finance or tax section of Bain might be privy to details about Romney’s filing.
See ya at the polls liberals!!
You won’t see them as they won’t turnout...hope and change had it’s 15 minutes of fame. Now Obama will go down as the worst president in modern history.
All history
No, I honestly believe Romney probably didn’t cheat on his taxes. He’s probably played it straight."
Mitt Romney's entrance into politics dates way back to 1994 when he ran for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts against Ted Kennedy, who we all know would have used any hint of financial scandal against Mitt, but none existed.
Your conclusion is correct. The fact is Gov. Romney is squeaky clean in his personal life and finances concerning income taxes.
Harry Reid is baiting Romney to release his tax records so that Obama's jackals can pore through them and find some obscure, albeit legal, tax shelter Romney applied to preserve wealth and security for his family. An uninformed public, especially Obama voters, can be easily bamboozled into believing intricate tax law is somehow shady or illegal. It makes no difference to Obama or Reid that the tax filings are legal and proper, only the spin is important for their sordid purposes.
Do I think Romney is a tax cheat? No. Do I think he is getting killed on the issue. Yes! Look, let’s turn it around if Obama was withholding his tax returns this place would be In full meltdown. The fact is the longer the story festers the more infected it gets. Reid is a douche but he kept the story going. Romney is getting murdered for this.
I was looking at spending in election. Some here think WI, MI, and PN are in play. Romney is spending in FL, OH, VA, CO, NV, NH ,iA and NC and that is it. We are less than 100 days out. Hell early voting starts in 70. If this is where you expect election to be won then you are committing political malpractice besides not releasing returns and ending this stuff. Why?
If you run the election in those states only you admit the score is 247-191 Obama. This means 23 more and Obama wins. Polling shows Obama with solid to close leads in above states except NC.
What is my point? This is the worst run campaign I have ever seen! Everyday Romney or his staff look
Like they are flailing and caught off guard, when a lot of this same stuff came up in primary. Obviously I am not optimistic. I just hope he doesn’t destroy down party elections too. I am not real smart but follow the money is easy. If you do not try to
Expand the field Mr. Romney you have put Obama back
In WH for another term. Get the taxes out and go on offense. Playing defense at the goal line is never good strategy.
Look where 0bama and cabal are going. There’s your key state.
according to his 2010 return he has paid taxes.
Reid can step down now.
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