J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Capitol Tuesday in D.C.
So Harry Reid said he heard from a Bain investor that Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes in 10 years.
The Senate Majority Leader stirred the Bain pot in a new interview with The Huffington Post by adding to speculation the presumptive Republican nominee paid zilch on his tax returns and suggesting what's inside those returns could be embarrassing both personally and professionally.
"His poor father must be so embarrassed about his son," Reid said, in reference to George Romney's standard-setting decision to turn over 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president in the late 1960s.
Saying he had "no problem with somebody being really, really wealthy," Reid sat up in his chair a bit before stirring the pot further. A month or so ago, he said, a person who had invested with Bain Capital called his office.
"Harry, he didn't pay any taxes for 10 years," Reid recounted the person as saying.
"He didn't pay taxes for 10 years! Now, do I know that that's true? Well, I'm not certain," said Reid. "But obviously he can't release those tax returns. How would it look?"
"You guys have said his wealth is $250 million," Reid went on. "Not a chance in the world. It's a lot more than that. I mean, you do pretty well if you don't pay taxes for 10 years when you're making millions and millions of dollars."
While Reid acknowledged this info could be 100 percent false, the senator and his office refused to pony up a name of the alleged Bain investor.
Andrea Saul, Romney's press secretary, previously denied rumors Romney didn't pay "any taxes at all."
Why do you think Romney has been cagey over releasing more details on his tax history? Drop me a line in the comment section or tweet me your thoughts.
Leave a Comment:
It is un-american not to divulge to the American electorate your tax returns.
If you are really one of us show us that you abide by the same rules. By paying what isk your right share, you contribute to the American believe that we are all created equal.
Romney is telling us that he will not abide by the same rules. He is not one of us.
Maria, will you share your tax return? It would be un-american not to! May we see what you make, and pay? Mr. Romney MUST give whatever is necessary to make him a candidate. How about we put both candidates up, and ask them to divulge everything EQUALLY. Let's see who abides by the same rules. Because, here, there are no "same rules". If the govt. took ALL, EVERYTHING from every American that made over 1 million, it would only fund the govt. for less than a year! So, take it all, then what? You see, Maria, there are many in third world countries, that think you are VERY WEALTHY compared to them. China, 5K a year is the average salary. India, maybe 1 thousand dollars a year. So, they want your money. Let's PLEASE spread the wealth around. Will you pay 50% of your income to do your right share?
You are so right, Maria. What's he hiding anyway? What are you hiding Mitt?
The real question is why does MSNBC stoop so low as to print hear say from Dirty Harry. Shame on you Larry, you are a hack, just like jumping all over Ann Romney for wearing a $990 shirt and saying that she is out of touch with the American people and then you, Larry the Hack, are completely silent on the first lady wearing a $6000+ jacket in public just days later.
Mitt has more class than MSNBC and all of its devotees combined.
resloveroffreedom: President Obama did give 11 years of tax returns now where are Romney's. He has failed to produce 1 complete year, since his 2010 return was missing a portion. I expect the man who wants to be President to do more than just the minimum that is required. Romney has no class if he did he would follow his father's example.
Will not produce tax returns that would cover the years people are questioning because of Bain departure, where he resided, and what happened when the finanical crisis hit; 1999, 2000, 2001, 2001, 2008 and 2009. The financial records, vendor contracts, e-mails and correspondence from his time at the Olympics supposedly have been destroyed. What employee takes it upon themself to destroy Financial Records, Contracts and Communications? Funny how that happens in the Mormon Church's stronghold - Utah. When he leaves the Governor's office all e-mails, communications are destroyed and the hard drives are replaced - Really.
chemdmd: The $990 shirt was ugly $1.25 would have been too much for that shirt - no sophistication there. How do you know what the First Lady's jacket cost - Fox News. Take that with a grain of salt. I do not care how much either one of them pay for their cloths, that is not the issue - Mrs. Romney's "you people" is an issue.
I almost feel like I'm watching a police interrogation and Romney is about at the point where he's going to ask for his lawyer. Come clean, Mr. Romney! Didn't your mother teach you to tell the truth! And if you can't reveal the information about your tax returns, or Bain Capital or any other subject about which "thou dost protest too much"--then you ARE hiding something, a whole lot of SOMETHING!
What is this about coming clean??? No one has hid more stuff than Obama. The least transparent President in our History. I voted for him and his change agenda. Little did I know. What a Mess.
Romney thinks that Americans should be comfortable with voting for someone, who we know nothing about. He's being interviewed for the most important job in the world, yet, his employers can't ask about his experience? It takes an hour to fill out an application to flip burgers, THEN you have to provide references and agree to a background investigation, including, but not limited to, disclosure of financial history and credit reports. As much as people want to look the other way, this is about President Obama being black and articulate. The GOP is doing any and everything to discredit the POTUS, his family name, legacy and place in the history books. Tell us WHY we should give you a chance, Mr. Romney. Talk too us - not at us. What ideas do you have for the country that will put America in a better place than where we are, or where we're heading. Talking points we don't need. We need solutions. Unfortunately, you appear to be a part of the problem. #CitizensUnited #YeahRight
Romney after his overseas trip: Icarus descending.
I think he got a refund, thousands of dollars in a refund and maybe he didn't pay his share to the Mormon church who knows. But he is hiding something big that is for sure.
I'm not a Mormon though I spent a (very long) year in a very Mormon town and have done extensive reading.
It is my understanding that the statement that the LDS church does not see Mr. Romney's returns is in error. "Temple recommend", the ID card that gets you into the temple as a Mormon in good standing, as opposed to the local stake (church where anyone is welcome) is issued by the Bishop (Rector) of the local stake. Generally it is not issued unless you attend regularly (including weekday activities), tithe (they do actually look at your return) and perform other requested duties.
While the Mormons would like you to believe that their version of the religion founded by Joseph Smith is just another version of Christianity, the fact is that it is not. Assumptions based on that belief can be wildly in error. Again, I'm not a Mormon or a member of the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS, another version) but among your many contributors I think you could usefully use one who was well informed. The authoritarian nature of the LDS Church can provide very useful insights into the character of its believers.
I think he doesn't release those taxes is because he showed doctored returns the LDS and he shorted them by millions. He does not want the LDS to see what a cheater he is and kick him out of the church.
I believe Harry Reid's source may be right about Romney. Mitt is known to be tight with a buck and very money oriented. It certainly would not surprise me if he paid no taxes; there are loopholes which would allow him to do so.
Only one of his two tax returns showed a 10% Church contribution.
I agree that the Mormon church is very patriarchal and has some very strange beliefs which clearly contradict what I, as a Catholic, believe to be Christian beliefs. As an Anglican convert, they disagree with what I believed then, as well. Go to the internet and check out some of their odd ideas.
I won't demean anyone's religion, but they do not hold the same beliefs as any mainstream Christian sect I am aware of, and I studied religions in college because of my interest in anthropology.
that is no surprise. this is guy is extremely shady and would not doubt border line corrupt. glad he is not gone take the white house. american people are smarter than this guy. GO OBAMA
Romney covers up so many things, even those he thinks qualify him to be President. Besides his income tax issues, he refuses to provide details on his policies, managed to delete most of his electronic records while governor of Mass, the same electronic records for the Olympics somehow got purged after he had promised transparency, and he likes to make decisions in quiet rooms as he himself has said. Much of what has gone on in Bain Capitol after 99 he has claimed he is not responsible for even though he was listed as sole owner for 2 more years, attended board meetings and was still being paid 100,000 dollars a year before he retroactively retired. Income taxes are only one part of his cover up activities.
Notice the pattern?? If he has nothing to cover up, why does he do this?
Capt. Ron...you must be kidding, right? NEVER, in the history of our presidents, that I know of, has a man spent millions to HIDE EVERYTHING about himself as the one we have now. This is what I mean about the loss of integrity, when we are held by different standards. We may have different political beliefs, but this hypocracy, and double standard is more than I can take. I really had more faith in my fellow man than this, but my faith is almost gone. This is madness.
Some of you are so ridiculous. First of all, it could be a crime for Sen. Reid to say such a thing, with absolutely no proof. Wonder how he will react if someone says something like that about him that couldn't be proved? Oh my, the heavens would fall. And the media would be screaming FOUL! Just remember folks, the day you are being falsely accused, it won't feel too good. Also, if Romney didn't file taxes, the irs would have been beating down his door. I just read an article that stated that Sen. Reid, and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi REFUSED to show their tax returns. Why? I'd love to see what is on the tax returns of all the STONE THROWERS! I'd love to see where all their millions and billions are spread around to! I'd love to see what tax write-off's they took! Also, I read that Mrs. Pelosi's wealth GREW BY 62% in just ONE YEAR, 2010-2011, while we were all losing our 401K's, home equity...jobs, savings. Yet, Mrs. Pelosi's wealth GREW BY 62%? Also, from the article I read, her husband, does the same thing that Mr. Romney did at Bain. This is all SO HYPOCRITAL! One more thing, this very station, of the web site we are on, talked about Ann Romney's expensive blouse, $900, while first lady wore a $7,000.00 jacket in London. Hollywood stars wear these expensive clothes all the time. Mr. Romney is wealthy, yes, but HE WORKED FOR IT! Why don't we ask all those wonderful young, Olympic Gold Medalists to share their gold medals with all the other kids. The ones who just hang out, playing games, goofing off. As I said, this is so ridiculous, it awes me that people think they are so smart! Some people love to spend OTHER PEOPLES MONEY. And obviously, there is extreme jealousy. But, funnily, there's no jealousy of big time sports players, hollywood stars, politicians, IF THEY ARE LIBERAL! Then it's all okay? Grow up people.
And one more thing, while I do not agree with the Mormon religion, again, I will not throw stones at one candidate, while giving another on a complete pass. We have lost our freedom, and our INTEGRITY when we hold one person to a TOTALLY DIFFERENT STANDARD than another. How would you feel if you were thrown in jail for running a stop sign, when the guy next to you did so at the same time, and the policeman just gives him a wink and a thumbs up? Well, that is what seems to be happening in our country now.
Freedom Luver claims "It could be a crime for Senator Reed to say such a thing."
No it couldn't... a) There's such a thing as the First Amendment; b) Reid "couched" in the form of "someone told him," c) Romney's a public figure, and the criteria are very different in such situations; d) If it's true, then he needs no further defense...
BTW, you are aware that Reid is also a Mormon, right? Probably not a good one, though, by Planet Utah standards since he's a Democrat...
There's no doubt politicians on both sides amass wealth because of their connections; etc. That's why a free press is so important as are checks and balances on such excesses...
The pragmatic rule is "pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered."
Great loveoffreedom! You have just spoken for me, as well. Excellent post!
Okay, which one of you is the ventriloquist, and which one of you is the...
Mitt Romney hasn't drawn a salary since retiring retroactively in 2002 from BAIN to when he left active involvement in 1999. His income comes from his investments in the form of interest, dividends, and capital gains, and are payed into a Blind Trust, which is controlled by financial managers who do draw a salary from the good investment income that they produce. Mitt Romney worked to turnaround the failing Salt Lake City Olynmpics without a salary (because he could), and he served as Governor of the State of Massachusetts without drawing a salary (because he could).
Harry Reid has been a sit on his ass do nothing head of the Democrats in the Senate for much too long (no budget in the last three years, while drawing a public salary), and a shady Nevada Lawyer who earned his millions from land deals with his inside knowledge of federal govenment projects like highways construction coming down the pike. When the story is written on that wastefull bullet train the federal government is shoveling money into from Southern Cal to Las Vegas, you will learn of his new killings in the realestate markets benefiting from such foolishness, no doubt.
I wouldn't trust Harry Reid's veracity on anything, and I heard ii from a former Nevada associate of his who knows where Harry has his skeletons burried in the dessert south of Las Vega...litterally!
If Mitt the twit did not pay any taxes, or an incredibly low contribution to the welfare of his country, so low that it might be construed as being terribly cheap of him, it would not go over well in the vast middle class, but the monied interests of this nation it actually might give him a kind of leg up with them, and his accountants might get a whole bunch of new clients come April next year! And his Bishop might be interested in that fact. I thought the Mormons gave 20% not the 10 recommended in scripture. I wonder how he has gotten this far with out being honest about his tax status before now.
Where is Charles Krauthower when you need him?
Anne, its not the percentage he paid, its the total buck he paid that counts, from very good investments that help to build our economy. And what is left over after taxes get plowed back in if they stay in his hands. Massachusetts has very high 5% with a surtax again on earned income and very high taxes on interest, dividend and capital gains and rental income which make up the bulk of Romney's annual income to his Blind Trust if you read his 2010 tax return (which I have) and also the preliminary 2011 tax return (which I have) he released last month and due this month in final signed form at the IRS..
The Romneys also give a lot to their church and charity. They own an expensive 2nd home and pay a high interest mortgage on that. All these factors, state and local taxes and charitable contributions and home and 2nd home mortgages and rental real estate holding with depreciation schedules are all tax deductions at the Federal level. Hence his Financial Advisors have him broadly diversified and aim for an equitable total tax payment in the very large number of dollars contributed to "the social welfare" as you put it, far more than any 50-100 Middle Class famlies, and"not a dollar more". He would be a poor busineeman if he did allow his Financil Advisors to structure his Blind Trust to pay maximum tax rates, would he not?
BTW, in Romneys tax reform plan that he will push for with a Republican controll of both houses of congress, Romney sees the rate deductions called for for all tax payers as spurring growth, and puts in a number of revisions of disallowing of deductions that hit the wealthier tax payers, such as restricting the total deduction for charitable deductions, dropping the 2nd home interest payment deduction, etc. And he believes the tax reforms will foster growth in the private sector, especially the capital gain rate deductions and corporate rate deductions and the income tax rate deductions for the small businessmen and women who pay their income taxes as S Corporations, raising employment opportunities and furthering the increase of total of tax revenues, just as it did under Jack Kennedy in the 60s and Ronald Reagan in the 80s.. And it achieve tax fairness, without revertin to class warfare and stipping the investor class of their invesible after tax funds.
WIN/WIN, Anna! Biigger Pie to divy up, courtesy of a successful businessman/capitalist rather than doling out smaller pieces of a perpetually shrinking pie as in the "redistribute the wealth" Government planned economy of the Nationalist Socialist Barrack Hussein Obama from Academia.
Senator
Harry Reid claims that Mitt Romney did not pay any taxes over a 10 year period.
Apparently a phone call to him from an unnamed person was sufficient for Reid to
make that claim in public. If that is a sufficient basis for claims of that
sort, here is another: Many years ago a woman called my office to claim that
Reid had an affair with the wife of an animal act owner and performer in Las
Vegas. The caller gave me the woman's name; the name of the girlfriend who went
along as the "beard" and who knew the details; and additional information
related to the woman's later divorce, which Reid handled as her attorney. Is
this claim true? I have no idea...but apparently all that is required now is to
report phone calls.
I heard the same claim from a good source in Nevada, and she told me that there was also an anxious and abused animal involved in Harry's little sexual escapade, Garthe!
Garthe,
Here's the difference between Mitt and Reid. I can't believe you've been so brainwashed that you can't see it. If what you claimed became a national issue, Reid would answer your claim publicly and say it is absolutely false. Romney is not saying that about Reid's claim. His PR shills will only say that Mitt has disclosed everything that's required of him by law. Don't you think if this was false Romney would just say that's a bunch of crap. I mean it's so damning and was suggested by such a highly ranked Democrat, that you would think because it seems like a ridiculous claim, he would deny it. He won't because he's worried that some day it will come out that he didn't pay taxes for 10 years. I'm a believer in capitalism, but making tens of millions a year, hiding millions of it offshore and not paying taxes for 10 years - I don't care if his attorneys and accountants can make it technically legal, he should not be our president!
Romeny filed taxes, in fact, and this is the stupid part, when John McCain was vetting him for VEEP in 2007, Romney handed over 23 years of tax returns. So they are there sitting in a box someplace. He keeps saying when his people can get them together, he might turn them over. Well they are sitting in McCains office. So he is simply lying . Now why do you think he would lie? Has he done something illegal? No, I doubt it. But it will probably show that he sheltered all his earnings offshore and paid no taxes at all. Is that legal? sure, but many wealthy do not do that. The average voter will find it hard to stomach a guy driving his motorcade down the road, a road he hasnt paid one penny toward the upkeep of, when some shlep digging ditches for a living has paid 25% of his income towards it but Romney wants you to vote for him. You see how that doesnt go over too well? In fact, romney said a long time ago, if he had to show his returns he probably wouldnt run. Now why would someone say that? Those of you who want to scream he earned it and dont hate because he has money ought to open your eyes a bit to what goes on out there. Are Republicans at fault only? no of course not. most people in public office benefit from insider trading. That is a reason they try to get into office in the first place. But Romney is intentionally deceptive.
In the Veep vetting process confidentiality reigns supreme, and the copies of medical records and affidavids and tax returns and the like are returned to the person whose staff of accountants and lawyers provided the information. I doubt that Romney has them in his personal possession, he pays people for that. I doubt seriously that McCain ever saw them, he paid people to look them over. Wise up fool!
mitt and mrs mitt can't be bothered to explain ANYTHING to the 99%. More proof that only the "little guys" (the 99%) pay taxes.
gizmoA51, Under Romney's plan, the "little guys"will see their taxes raised by about $2000.00 a year in order for the BIG guys like Romney to pay even less!
That sounds like a reason to vote for Obama!
Why anyone wants this freak to be president is beyond my ability to grasp. It's pretty clear to me that a vote for Romney will insure only Romney's success!
Why should I vote to raise my taxes to enrich a man making $57,000.00 a DAY!
A DAY. And he's already worth about $250 million.
who is it that gave dingey harry this info? "an unnamed source" really, come on lefties, any body can say anything but that dousn't make it so!! if harry had the info he says he has he would divulge the source to somebody. and who at Bain would have this info in the 1st place. a little common sense could go a long way in this crap.
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC
Dear Senator Reid:
First, I applaud your service to your constituency and the honorable way in which you conduct yourself at all times. You are, in my opinion, a model statesman and a person of character.
I am particularly impressed recently by your willingness to take a stand on the issue of GOP candidate Mitt Romney's transparency related to his investments and tax returns. I, like you and many others, believe that ANY person running for the office of President of the United States has an obligation to be honest and straightforward with the American people. Mitt Romney appears to be anything but an honest man.
I respect your privacy. But I wonder if it might further bolster your argument about Mitt coming clean were you to release your own tax returns -- not publicly necessarily, but to whatever body might provide a credible review that could return this stupid volley to Mr. Romney? In fact, were some of both Democratic and Republican political leaders and pundits to offer up the last ten years of their own tax returns as an example, how could Mr. Romney afford not to capitulate with his own?*
For what it's worth, even though I am nobody of import, I am a 57-year-old married man with two homes (both underwater unfortunately) and make an above-average income (with $0 capital gains) that may, in fact, require me to pay somewhat higher taxes under President Obama's tax plan. I have no problem paying higher taxes. I would be perfectly willing to share my lifetime of tax returns for the past 39 years with you or anyone else if it would help expose Mitt Romney for what he is and help President Obama and Vice President Biden get reelected. It's simply the right thing to do -- a concept that appears to elude Mr. Romney.
-Bill Ender
Phoenix, AZ
* I, for one, am very interested to learn how Mr. Romney managed to accumulate $100 million in his IRA, given the $5,000 annual contribution cap. Even if he's been contributing for 40+ years, by my calculations, he would have to have made a consistent 22.25% ROI in order to accumulate $100 million -- how is that possible?
Reid is Right as Rain ...and Willard is all Wet.
‘Cause Americans have a RIGHT to see the tax returns
of someone who wants to be their President!
NO ifs, ...No ands, ....and NO big fat butts about it!
Confession is good for the soul Mitt. Asuming you have one.
So Relax, Repent, and Release your Returns, Mr. Romney …OR…
just go back to playing with your pet dancing ponies.
No problem. We’ll understand.
Unless …perhaps ….just perhaps …you’re HIDING something, dear Willard? Just asking.
P.S. By the way, Mr. Mitt: just how DID you manage to stuff all those millions into your
tax-loophole IRA account?… while the REST of us poor smucks have strict limits?
Inquiring minds want to know.
And you want even MORE tax cuts for you and your rich buddies, Mitt?
WHAT GALL! These fat cats aren’t satisfied - they want it ALL ...EVERYTHING!!
But tell me Mitt, just how many cars and houses can you hog?
And how MANY silver spoons can you really stuff into your smirking mouth?
Mitt baby, you can fool some of the people some of the time,
but -please- take my advice: if you want to run for dog-catcher
THEN keep your precious tax returns, and just clean off your car roof.
OTHERWISE, if you wanna be our President, THEN put up,
…or shut up and go away ….preferably BEFORE the convention.
The super-rich think that they have the God-given right to do anything
they want in this great country -while the REST of us get screwed!
ENOUGH!!! The divine right of kings ended a long long time ago Mitt.
And so should your sorry excuse for a candidacy.
Nothing personal guy. Really.
Rich, arrogant, power-hungry Republicans are people too!
It's just their "culture" I guess...as you are so fond of saying.