Mitt Romney suggests there's a "bombshell" in Donald Trump's taxes

[groundloop]

Source: CBS News

Former Republican nominee Mitt Romney called Wednesday on the 2016 GOP hopefuls to release their tax returns, saying he suspects there's a "bombshell" in frontrunner Donald Trump's -- a comment that prompted Trump to call Romney a "fool."

"We're now, you know, in late February and we still haven't seen either Donald Trump's or Marco Rubio's or Ted Cruz's taxes," Romney said in an interview on Fox News. "Frankly, the voters have a right to see those tax returns before they decide who our nominee ought to be."

<snip>

Well, I think there's something there," Romney explained. "Either he's not anywhere near as wealthy as he says he is or he hasn't been paying the kind of taxes we would expect him to pay, or perhaps he hasn't been giving money to the vets or to the disabled like he's been telling us he's been doing."

He also blasted Trump's "weaving and delay" when asked about the release of his tax returns. "I think the last time he was asked about his taxes he said, 'Well, it's going to be a month,'" Romney said. "Look, people have a right to know if there's a problem in those taxes before they decide."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitt-romney-suggests-theres-a-bombshell-in-donald-trumps-taxes/

---

As I recall R-money certainly took his time before releasing his tax returns as well. But hey, go get 'em Mitt - this will be some great theater.

[tk2kewl]

1. Trump will do the same as Hillary does... "After everyone else releases theirs"

[MADem]

15. Nooooo....the Hillary reference is a bit of a fail.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/hillary-clinton-releases-eight-years-of-tax-returns-120882

You're welcome.

[tk2kewl]

17. Like that matters... He will say it anyway.

Clinton created the standard for how to respond when asked to reveal information you don't want to let out. I'll put money on him saying it if anyone pushes him on it

[MADem]

22. No--what you did here was a cheap shot. I'm calling you on it, too.

This is not a thread about HRC, she has released her taxes, she's not involved in this matter at all, yet you DRAGGED her into it in convoluted fashion for partisan purposes.

Pat yourself on the back tk2kewl. Way to sink the discourse.

[tk2kewl]

23. Transcripts?

[MADem]

24. Thanks for proving my point so decisively. nt

[tk2kewl]

25. It's relevant whether you want it to be or not

[LannyDeVaney]

28. Yep, it's destroying any chance she has of winning the nomination ...

See you next Tuesday!

[uhnope]

35. might makes right

[LanternWaste]

56. And bumper stickers make less than compelling arguments

And bumper stickers make less than compelling arguments. They are however, a wonderful tool for half-wits and the sub-literate.

[uhnope]

63. um...wtf

is yr problem now?

[MADem]

33. Annnnd....the derailment double down!

Just in case there was any doubt...now we know.

[The Redheaded Guy]

61. Nice to know that she released her taxes. When will she release the transcripts

to her speeches to Wall Street?

It's been nearly 3 weeks.

[itcfish]

65. Obsessed with her speeches?

Wow that is really an important issue!!! LOL

[The Redheaded Guy]

66. Yes, release the transcripts

Her 32% trustworthiness rating is extremely stunning.

When was the *LAST* time a Democrat won the nomination with such low favorable numbers?

[pandr32]

43. Good for you!

Not that it will matter. The ridiculousness will continue.

[Babel_17]

54. Secretary Clinton is asking for all transcripts, from everyone, not just Sanders

So, if using that logic, then Secretary Clinton releasing her tax forms isn't enough, she's the equivalent of Senator Sanders releasing his transcripts of speeches to investment bankers, and Wall Street. Clinton has asked for more than that. She wants all speeches to every group, from every politician, before she'll release hers.

All Democrats have to copy Clinton's admirable lead in releasing her tax returns in order for Clinton to avoid the media calling attention to the disparity of standards.

Sanders can call out Trump on not releasing his returns, Clinton will have a harder time doing so in the media. Anyone who thinks the media won't mention the transcripts in the same article that headlines Clinton asking for Trump's tax returns; raise your hand.

[itcfish]

64. Come On Now

But demanding Hillary release her "speeches" equates to Trump releasing his taxes??? Old double standard eh?

[dhol82]

2. Well, here's somebody who knows about releasing tax forms

[keithbvadu2]

3. That came from Romney who refused to turn over all of his own tax returns?

[onecaliberal]

4. Then all he has to do is what Mitt did and not release the returns.

[youceyec]

10. Mitt did release his

why are u making stuff up? He paid almost no taxes and was very generous when it came to charity.

[HubertHeaver]

14. Mitt released about three years worth of returns, if I recall correctly.

George Romney set the standard and released all his records in 1968 before he got brainwashed.

[seabeckind]

50. If memory serves

I believe he released 3 years of revised returns.

He didn't release the unrevised nor the returns that couldn't be revised.

Just more proof of dishonesty.

[drray23]

5. obviously there must be.

Once you reach these levels of wealth, it is very likely you would have some questionable things on your tax records. Not necessarely illegal but right up the line and certanly immoral. On top of it, Trump also has his image to protect. If it turns out he is not as wealthy as he claims, it would put a dent in his image of successful businessman.

[groundloop]

8. "successful businessman", whose companies have declared bankruptcy 4 times

[TexasBushwhacker]

20. Who blew through his inheritance in the 90s

with high living and bad business decisions and had to be bailed out with $25 Million from his siblings.

[skepticscott]

42. Sure they will be

But anyone that wealthy will have paid people boatloads of money to do their taxes, and to make them look at least superficially acceptable. Any "anomalies" in Trump's taxes are likely to be so convoluted and esoteric that they will be beyond most people's reckoning, especially people who are dumb and deluded enough to support him in the first place. If you're already voting for Trump, finding out that his offshore corporation took too much depreciation on capital assets in 2012 isn't going to put you off. And even if he's dodging, they'll just admire him for sticking it to The Man!

[Chemisse]

6. It's going to kill Romney

When there is a bombshell about Trump's taxes - and nobody cares.

[AzDar]

7. Lord, they've called on the ghost of Republicans Past...Probably need someone who you know,

didn't REFUSE to release his own returns to be pointing this out...IDIOTS.

[MADem]

9. I thought Mitt didn't release all his taxes, either.

Didn't Harry Reid gig him on his "tithing" within the Mormon community?

[7962]

13. But Reid lied about Romney's taxes. A few times.

And excused it just a couple months ago by saying "he didnt win, did he?"

[MADem]

18. LIED? Really? I never heard him LIE. What an odd thing for a Democrat to say.

I heard he made suggestions that some things might be amiss, and that releasing the taxes would clear those up. I remember him ASKING QUESTIONS, not ... LYING.

The point he was aiming for, IIRC, was the amount of tax Mitt was (or wasn't) paying. He was using the whole tithing canard to "smoke him outta his hole."

[7962]

30. He said Romney didnt pay any taxes for 10 years with no proof.

And he never provided ANY proof because there wasnt any. Romney's taxes showed that he did pay taxes as well as millions in charity. So it was a lie, but you can label it anyway you like. “The word's out that he [Romney] hasn't paid any taxes for 10 years.” Thats a lie.
The Wash Post gave Reid 4 Pinocchios for saying it.
It shouldnt matter WHAT party one belongs to when referring to underhanded bullshit. Thats why I also dont like Grayson.

[MADem]

32. I am going to need an exact quote, and a source citation.

I think your memory of what Senator Reid said might be compromised.

WAPO often takes issue with Reid because he's crusty and tough and doesn't always give their reporters what they want. However, I see nothing that could possibly be called a LIE in that 'quote' you provided. If WAPO was "Pinocchio-ing" him for that concise term, there was likely more to it than that--they were gigging HIM for not giving them something they wanted.

ANYTHING can follow "The word is out." Anything at all.

"The word is out that Trump has hair extensions."

"The word is out that Marco Rubio is afraid of tabby cats."

"The word is out that Ted Cruz is not a natural born citizen."

Saying "The word is out" doesn't mean "It's an indisputable fact." It indicates that people are talking about a distinct possibility. It's akin to the term "Rumor has it." It's a DC way to spread rumors without being quite so In-Yer-Face about it.

[7962]

36. Link

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/four-pinocchios-for-harry-reids-claim-about-mitt-romneys-taxes/2012/08/06/c31a1402-e007-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_blog.html

Dithering over the word "lie" is semantics. He knew when he said it that he was making it up & it wasnt true. He didnt care.
If you say "the word is out" how is that giving any option that it may be false?

[pandr32]

45. Mitt Romney brought forward one return and one "estimate"

The single full return was neat as a pin--suspiciously so. There was no mention of any of his off-shore wealth. The "estimate" is not an actual filed return, and to my knowledge he never brought forward the real one.
Harry Reid knew what he was talking about. After all Mitt Romney, and his Bain Capital, were the leaders in instruction in how to outsource and offshore for American businesses, and how to avoid paying taxes.

[brush]

48. WTH? You're defending a hypocritic repug who refused to release his own taxes . . .

and calling a dem senate leader a liar who called Romney on it.

Why?

With this crap DU is surely turning to sh_t.

[7962]

57. So its OK if OUR side does shady shit, but BAD when the OTHER side does it.

Fine, if that the way you think. I'm fair minded regardless of what letter is behind the name.
Reid made up a story & he never backed it up when pressed for proof several times. He lied. Theres no other way to describe it.
If Mitch Mcconnell said Pres Obama hadnt paid any taxes for 10 years and provided NO proof, everyone here would be calling him out on it and rightfully so. Because its a bullshit tactic & theres no call for it.
Read the linked story; there was plenty of proof that romney paid his taxes & gave plenty to charity.

[brush]

60. You must have voted for Romney. And he never released all of his taxes . . .

like all th other candidates so we really don't know if he paid all his taxes.

But defend away.

[7962]

62. You ignore the point of the issue. The lying. I'm not defending Romney.

I'm criticizing Reid's tactics. Its just like the old "When did you stop beating your wife?" joke.
Reid put out a story that he had no evidence to back up. The WaPost showed that it was a bullshit story. Its hypocrisy to blast republicans but excuse democrats for doing the same crap. ALL should be held to the same standard

[brush]

46. Exactly! It was a yuuuuuge story back then when Romney wouldn't release his taxes.

Talk about hypocrisy.

[BeyondGeography]

11. Mitt still wants the big prize

It's touching.

[shadowmayor]

12. Mr. Pot

Meet Mr. Kettle. What an asswhipe. So glad we haven't had to listen to "President" Romney.

[Coventina]

44. Beat me to it!!

[HoosierRadical]

16. Well he ought to know...

[wolfie001]

19. From one tax scofflaw to another.....

[rocktivity]

21. Candidate for this year's "You Call This NEWS?" Award

Would that be the Mitt Romney who refused to reveal all HIS returns for religous reasons? Well, I don't blame him for being outraged, especially since presidential candidates have been doing it since his own father came up with the idea...with one exception...


rocktivity

[valerief]

26. Look who's talking! He only released SOME of his taxes when he was running. nt

[houston16revival]

27. Trump is just playing with everyone

Running roughshod over everything, he's doused Republican ideology and
candidates, he'll do the same to Hillary or Bernie, and when he gets in office
he'll do the same to anything and everything to suit himself. Everything the
Federal government does will be in play.

If you've ever dealt with a narcissist, this is exactly what they do. Make a lot
of noise, rush in and tell everyone they're doing everything wrong, tell them what to do,
take what they want, and leave the victims confused, fleeced, gasping for air. Look
at how bewildered and powerless the GOP Establishment is right now. They don't know
what to do.

In the process they seem exciting, energizing, the coolest people, upbeat and fun
to be around, born leaders! Later, reality sets in.

[Myrina]

47. Bingo!

[Kalidurga]

29. Well I missed Mitt...

He can go back into his hidey hole now.

[oldandhappy]

31. This is pretty funny,

given that Mitt himself never came clean on the taxes thing. He released some, but never answered the questions which peppered his campaign.

[MADem]

34. +1. nt

[Alhena]

37. I don't think the term "bombshell" applies to Trump

the kind of "bombshells" that ruin most politicians' careers happen to him at least once a week. And he continues to win primaries- he seems to be immune to that kind of thing.

[Javaman]

38. It. won't. matter.

oh mitten's you think this is how politics used to be.

you're so funny.

you ran after your 47% of wealthy donors.

tRump is his own donor.

so him having a "bombshell" in his taxes will amount to nothing and even if it is something, his mouth breathing moron supporters won't care.

that's what you, mittens, and the rest of the repub establishment morons haven't figured out yet, the republican mouth breathing rabble hate you.

if you say anything about tRumps taxes, you will be the one that is hated and suspect, not tRump.

--------------

it's really funny watching this old dyed in the wool repuke politicians trying to pull a fast one on tRump. tRump has them figured out.

[Wibly]

39. What's more sad

I don't know what is more sad guys: Listening to the politicians talk, or how you all talk about your politics and politicians. Seems like everyone is somehow entrenched into some sort of biased position. Even when you're on the same side. It's weird.
Just sayin'.

[C Moon]

40. Mitt R$ of ALL people wants candidates to release their tax information???

At first I thought this was Onion satire.
I can't stand that bastard: a two-faced lying sack of lard.
...and I'm not upset because he's picking on Trump—or whoever—it's just ironic how he refused to show his taxes in 2012.

[TNNurse]

49. Trump "suggests" things about people

every time he speaks. Seems fair game, he loves saying "I don't know, but....."

[yourpaljoey]

51. Trump will not lose one minute of sleep over that

He OWNS the game... his attorneys are the best money can buy.
He may well turn out to be the armor-plated Trump.

[Nitram]

52. I love that Mitt, of all people, is demanding that Trump reveal his tax returns.

Mr Offshore himself.

[FourScore]

53. Oh, the irony!

It's too much!!

[nichomachus]

55. Everyone is missing the real story here

The tax issue is a red herring.

What I've noticed over the last few days is the resurrection of Mitt Romney. We've heard nothing from this douchebag for three+ years. All of a sudden, I'm seeing story after story about him.

I'm beginning to wonder if the GOP isn't trying to float some trial balloons to see whether this corporatist retread can solve their Trump problem. No one in the current GOP field has a snowball's chance.

But Mitt could come on the scene as the "sane" alternative to Trump. The corporatists may not like Mitt all that much, but even they have to knuckle under to "lesser of two evilism" at some point. He has money, experience, name recognition, etc.

He could be their ace in the hole to "save the party." Why else is he popping up day after day now?

Stay tuned.

[7962]

58. But how? After the next couple weeks, most delegates will be claimed, right?

How could he just get "put" in position if Trump cruz and rubio have 85% of the delegates already claimed by votes cast?

[olddots]

59. thousands ask

Mitt who ?

[itcfish]

67. What is more important! Did Mitt or Trump Release

the transcripts of their speeches?????