Nathan Gray/AP Photo
Newt Gingrich speaking in Easley, South Carolina on Wednesday.
Further piling the pressure on Republican rival Willard M. Romney, the former speaker of the House decided to release his most recent tax returns. Newt Gingrich claims he paid a 31 percent tax rate in 2010 and plans to release the documents Thursday, two days before the South Carolina primary.
The issue of tax returns has become a sore spot for Romney in recent days. The former Massachusetts governor has courted deep scrutiny following his hesitation to release them, and then hinting yesterday he paid somewhere around 15 percent, a strikingly low amount given his perceived wealth.
The revelation of his tax rate has released a string of criticism from the left, who see the former Bain employee as another example of wealthy America appropriating the tax and legal system in order to avoid paying their fair share. Republicans, including supporter Chris Christie, called on Romney to release his records, a tradition followed by many past presidential candidates, including Mitt's own father, George Romney.
Gingrich, already criticized by the Republican establishment for his attacks on Bain Capital, which have been interpreted as anti-capitalist and thus against the party line, tried to avoid similar fate today.
He told reporters, "My goal is not to raise Mitt Romney's taxes. It's to let everybody pay Mitt Romney's rate. And so I'm not going to criticize Mitt Romney. I'm going to say, shouldn't we all have the option of a flat tax at the same rate he was paying."
— By David Seconi
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Gingrich should have given up already and judge the people just shallow. There is no reason to vote for the Mitt. But Gingrich is already maligned by his own party.
Romney is not good for the country, or for other humans. He has caused pain, and poverty already. If the GOP want poverty in a larger scale than we have now, then the GOP base is dumber than I thought
I love this show. I love all the MSNBC shows from 3 pm on we do not leave the couch. We start with Martin and stay with it until 11pm when Lawrence is done. Not always have comments but boy do we learn a lot. We really appreciate the accuracy of the info you bring your audiences.
Did anyone else notice that your Last Word report tonight (Thurs Jan 19) re: Gingrich's tax return stated what he "OWED" rather than what he "PAID" ? Big difference ! (And we'd like to know what that was............)
Did anyone else notice that your Last Word report tonight (Thurs Jan 19) re: Gingrich's tax return stated what he "OWED" rather than what he "PAID" ? Big difference ! (And we'd like to know what that was............)
Why is the lame stream media giving Dr. Ron Paul a pass on his tax returns? Are we just to accept his word about what his taxes may say and call it a day?
Paul is being ignored because he has zeo chance of winning. I agree with you on principle but he is also getting a pass on his racism that's in writing. Only the drones that are Paul's minions even care about that kooky old man.
Let us hope tha Rumney or Gingrich is the nominated for the Republican Party. Obama can easily beat them. The best chance that the Republican have is Santurm because he is Italian. He will get the evangelical votes, the catholic vote and the Mormon vote because the Mormans will not vote for Obama and have only Santurm. Richardo is the only one who has a chance against Obama.