Sources: Romney Wouldn't Have Run If He Had Foreseen Tax Controversy

[Bozita]

Mitt Romney Never Thought He'd Have To Release Tax Returns: Bain Sources
Posted: 07/18/2012 3:36 pm Updated: 07/18/2012 3:40 pm


WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney has been determined to resist releasing his tax returns at least since his bid for Massachusetts governor in 2002 and has been confident that he will never be forced to do so, several current and former Bain executives tell The Huffington Post. Had he thought otherwise, say the sources based on their longtime understanding of Romney, he never would have gone forward with his run for president.

Bain executives say they've been instructed to keep company and Romney-specific information completely confidential, tightening the lockdown on an already closed company.

But pressure has been building on the presumptive GOP nominee. On Tuesday, the conservative National Review added its voice to a chorus of Republicans pushing him to disclose his returns from the years before 2010.

The Obama campaign has been hammering Romney for the past few weeks over his time at Bain, which Romney claims ended in February 1999, but which documents and his own testimony show lasted much longer. The ultimate prize for the Obama campaign would be a trove of Romney's tax returns.

more...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/mitt-romney-tax-returns_n_1682539.html

[progressivebydesign]

1. Lovin' it! I truly believed all along that Romney THOUGHT he was ABOVE it...

.. and he is not. Just because he was able to skate into the Mass. Gov spot while deceiving people, it won't work this time. There IS a reason he was not chosen for McCain's running mate.

Hope this gets out to the MSM too. This is HUGH! as our freep friends would say.

[randome]

10. 'Hugh' instead of 'Huge' is no longer amusing.

Just my opinion.

[Jackpine Radical]

55. Maybe not amusing, but traditional.

Moran.



Disclaimer--I don't actually think anyone on this board is a Moran, except for old-time DUer Hugh Moran.

[klook]

67. +1!!11!1! (n/t)

[calimary]

98. Well, what else would he think? This is the life he's led.

This is his experience. His money entitles him to elite treatment and deference. His one-time status as CEO has taught him he's a prince among men, or even a king. The rules don't apply to him because as CEO his job has always been to dictate what the rules are - to others, as in - EVERYONE ELSE lower-placed than him on the great corporate zigurrat.

World's Biggest Entitlement Program: the GOP's - assured in its smug ann-romney position that IT ALONE is entitled to rule over everyone else. After all, it's THEIR Divine right to rule. The White House just simply belongs to them because it's their birthright. Just because. Because it's THEM, instead of your guy.

[flamingdem]

2. He's dropping on Intrade

Too much to hide...

[AnnieK401]

89. I love it!

Just checked and as of this post Romney is just under 40%, Obama is over 57%, heading towards 60%.

[Enrique]

3. I'm guessing their profits are obscene

i'm not sure, are their profits a matter of public record? If not, then maybe they got so much loot as a company that they fear torches and pitchforks if it ever got out.

[nichomachus]

15. Corporate Motto: "No Bain, No Gain"

[snooper2]

31. small case, say they come in and cut the pay of 300 workers by $3.00 an hour

Without including overtime, that's $144,000 a month...

[Lochloosa]

45. Bain is a private company. No public records.

[HooptieWagon]

4. Then he's too stupid to be president.

Did he really think he could tout his successful business career and not produce tax filings?

[get the red out]

12. Agree

Has he never followed a Presidential election campaign before or something? How could he think it could be avoided! I'm amazed he was able to avoid it being an issue running for Governor.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Too blinded by his arrogance

Clearly his IQ is not lacking but his judgment is. In 2008 he might have been able to get away with it, but that was before Wall Street caused the Great Recession. Romney was able to bury his weak opposition in the 2012 Republican primaries under an avalanche of money and negative ads that kept any significant focus on his taxes at bay. How he thought that could work against a personally popular and politically wily sitting President with ample money of his own to spend boggles the mind.

[mattclearing]

27. Pretty sure his IQ is lacking. n/t

[speedoo]

33. I agree. Obama is much more intelligent.

Romney's success was a result of his ability to manipulate people, accumulate power and use that power, not his IQ, which is obviously not great. But he can't use those attributes now.

[Swede Atlanta]

47. Not to mention he had lots of Daddy's start-up cash ......

[barbtries]

37. i agree.

he's lacking in pretty much anything that might recommend him for the presidency of the US.

[Jessy169]

38. Damn, I think you're right!

I've been thinking all along that no way could Romney be so arrogant to believe that he could stand on his pedestal, flipping the bird with both hands at the American electorate, and get away with it. I've been thinking that Romney is just waiting for the crescendo of calls for him to release his tax returns to reach a fevered pitch, and then he'll plunk them down for all to see and nothing will be there of significant interest. But now we see that he didn't even file a complete 2010 return -- that isn't a mistake, that is most definitely hiding something, and it is nothing but arrogance to think he could get away with it. Holy Shit -- this is looking like the most arrogant and elitist a-hole who has EVER run for president, period. Day by day it is more obvious, Romney is rotten to the core.

[renate]

56. welcome to DU!

I can't believe it was not long ago that I was telling my kids that, of all the Republican candidates, Romney wasn't all THAT bad, since he'd been a pretty middle-of-the-road Republican governor of a liberal state. Little did I know that this leopard would, without any remorse or embarrassment, change his spots to anything that was politically expedient. And very little did I realize the extent to which he was an entitled and arrogant 0.01 percenter.

[Nay]

29. Indeed -- he's an idiot. All the prez candidates are used to revealing their tax returns. nt

[lunasun]

93. The Idiot citizen's candidate for sure!!

[live love laugh]

90. Bingo. I shudder to imagine what other totally predictable events he might not expect if he were to

actually get in the White House.

[southernyankeebelle]

5. Mittens really is hiding something. He should have known if he was going to be the nominee

that tax issues would be on the table. It has been dogging him for years.

[ProSense]

6. Well, no

wonder they released this new photo: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002954694

[malaise]

18. DUzy

[Bluerthanblue]

7. geez, if he couldn't anticipate having to hand over his tax returns- imagine

how unprepared for the office the man truly is!

not a good campaign slogan. Mitt Romney shovel-ready

[bemildred]

8. And this lack of clue is the point, in a way. nt

[amandabeech]

41. It's exactly the point. n/t

[bemildred]

46. It's been a while since I saw a major party candidate beshit himself in public this way.

But I think a lot of it is "O", 2008 was not a fluke. He makes Clinton (pick one) look like an accomplished amateur.

[amandabeech]

52. I think that "O" is also getting a lot of good advice from Axelrod and Plouffe (sp), as well.

As much as I don't like Rahm, he makes a wonderful attack dog.

I don't think that Clinton's team was as ruthless as O's guys, and I think that politics in Arkansas may not be the full contact sport that it is in Chicago.

[bemildred]

61. I quite agree. nt

[amandabeech]

62. And I agree with you. n/t

[Politicalboi]

9. Oh what was the name of the guy who first gave

12 years of tax returns???????? I guess Mittens was too young then to know what his father did. His father is sealing his fate.

[JHB]

24. I beleive he was busy Frenching it up at the time, not too young...

...so to speak.

[SoCalDem]

11. WHAT A DUMBSHIT.. who would want such a dumb president anyway?

his claim to fame is how rich he is, and he seriously thought no one would want to SEE his taxes?

CEO Hubris..though and through

[GoCubsGo]

26. Sadly, there are still millions who have no problems with it.

I'm surrounded by people who worship these rich fucks, and truly believe that they earned their wealth, and came by it completely honestly. They think arrogance is a good quality. And, those who don't will still vote for someone like Romney, because he's not that evil, America-hating, Muslimcommiesocialistfascistlibrul blah guy.

[hamsterjill]

39. Boy, you got that right!

I, too, find myself surrounded by the same type of people who feel just that way. There is no changing their minds. They hate Obama more than they love America. It's that simple.

[Bluenorthwest]

58. For perspective sake, note you are in South Carolina, 2008 54% McCain, 45% Obama

So those who are surrounding you did not sway the election last time. Nothing new in the Republican domination of South Carolina.

[Baitball Blogger]

14. So CNN was right? He is stupid?

Was it CNN or ABC that deserves the credit?

[caraher]

76. CNN

I think it was actually Erin Burnett (of all people!) who had that...

[n2doc]

16. Felony Tax Evasion

Mitt's up shit creek without a paddle.

[spanone]

17. he's either a fool, a criminal or both.

[malaise]

19. I choose both for $2,000

Alex!!!

[Renew Deal]

35. Maybe a family issue?

Or maybe there's proof of a scheme?

[Skittles]

77. HE'S A FUCKING IDIOT AND A PIECE OF SHIT CON ARTIST

LET'S SAY IT LIKE IT IS, SPANONE

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

20. List of GOP bundlers hidden from voters

All documents from administration as Mass Governor destroyed and computers deleted or purchased to keep it hidden from voters

All documents from time at Bain hidden from voters

All tax returns including portions of 2010 hidden from voters

Full extent of foreign bank accounts kept hidden from voters

It Romney just isn't Presidential material.

[GarroHorus]

21. Now I'm beginning to wonder if somebody is going to go Goldwater on his Nixon ass.

Goldwater was the guy who convinced Nixon to resign.

Maybe the greybeards are about to reboot this election.

[amandabeech]

50. Well, McCain is the former candidate, just like Goldwater was to Nixon.

However, I think that there's absolutely no love lost between those two, and I doubt that McCain could convince Mitt the Robot to step down.

For Rmoney, I think that his biggest financial backers would have to do it. He's all about the $$$, and doesn't understand politics as well as Nixon did, at least in the end. Unfortunately, his backers might be as politically clueless as he.

Of course, Nixon was going to be replaced with Gerry Ford, who at least was a member of the same party. That may have given Goldwater some leverage and Nixon some feeling of comfort.

There is absolutely no guarantee that any R would be able to beat Obama this year.

P.S., it looks like the Rs have found a new Bob Dole Attack Dog in Christie. That guy can be really obnoxious.

[starroute]

66. Help us, Karl Rove, you're our only hope!

You think that would do it?

[amandabeech]

69. Actually, no.

I don't see that Rove has nearly the influence in the Rmoney camp that he did with the idiot son.

Rove may be more important to Rs generally, but I just don't see him doing it here.

[Buns_of_Fire]

22. There, there, little Mittsy, you don't have to release them if you don't want to.

...and people don't have to vote for your whiny, sleazebag, lyin' sack-o-shit ass, either.

Funny how that works out, isn't it?

[tanyev]

23. Now I'm thinking Condi would be the perfect VP choice for him.

She's real bad at anticipating stuff, too.

[LiberalEsto]

25. Can we retroactively re-do the GOP primaries?

Not that I really want to, or anything.

[SDjack]

43. Nootie is standing by the telephone, waiting for goper HQ to call. nt

[JHB]

28. It's things like this that make me wonder if we'll actually see...

...a breakup of one of the major political parties. Right now that's still wishful thinking, but if Mitt truly flames out in a way that seems possible now, if the "establishment" standard bearer has a humiliating implosion, all sorts of (normally) crazy things become possible.

[Botany]

30. I might be wrong but i think Romney is gonna drop out of the race

It is kind of fun to see a bully get pushed around and get "his."

[Renew Deal]

32. What could possibly be in those returns that he would prefer to not run than to disclose them?

That's just weird. Maybe there's some strange personal stuff in there like an illegitimate kid or something like that?

[greymattermom]

86. maybe another wife?

in Mexico

[GarroHorus]

34. LEAVE MITTENY ALONE!

YOU'RE LUCKY HE EVEN CAMPAIGNS FOR YOUR VOTES ANY MORE!!!!

BASTARDS!!!!

[SDjack]

44. Mittens is a chip-off-the-block. George daddy was born a Mexican

and ran for president of USA. The rMoneys can't shoot straight.

[amandabeech]

60. Actually, Mitt's father, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, released 12 years of tax returns when

he ran for governor of Michigan, saying that anything less would be misleading.

George Romney was an old fashioned moderate Republican who, if he were alive today, might find himself uneasy in today's R party.

G. Romney's lieutenant gov., William Milliken, who had at least two terms as gov. himself, issued an open letter to his former supporters urging them to support Kerry over the shrub in 2004. Milliken endorsed McCain in 2008, and I can understand that for an R, but he would not go for the idiot son. I suspect that G. Romney would not have been a big shrub supporter either.

I don't see the current version of Mitt to be anything like his father.

Michigan ex-pat Dem.

[greymattermom]

87. and his being born in Mexico wasn't an issue?

Why not?

[Paka]

92. Because he wasn't (gasp) 1/2 black!

These things only matter under special circumstances.

[lunasun]

101. Wasnt 1/2 black and didnt even look brown( Mexican ) so it

truly did not matter
you r correct

[barbtries]

36. boo hoo.

he didn't prepare very well did he.

[Flatpicker]

40. I can't understand it

Seeing as how his father was so forthcoming.

He had to know the process..

[NewJeffCT]

42. Too arrogant to think he'd be called on it?

maybe

[Arugula Latte]

48. I guess that's what happens when you live in a bubble.

[rhiannon55]

49. If he is forced to resign from his candidacy

will they bring in Jeb Bush to replace him? I despise Romney, but the Bushes seem to think they own the WH.

[GarroHorus]

51. Jeb would never take it.

There is nobody in the world who could take the reins and win the nomination on August 30, build the kind of campaign necessary, and win 68 days later.

It's not doable. If Mittens drops, it's a lost cause for the presidency for the GOP this year and no way would JEb accept being the sacrificial lamb.

[mnhtnbb]

57. Jeb is busy attending fancy fundraisers; he'll be in NC tomorrow

Asheville of all places (one of our few progressive towns) to raise
money for the Repuke candidate for Governor.

[vanboggie]

74. The Jeb possibility makes me uneasy, too

I've wondered all along if this was a Rovian plot to get Jebbie in the White House before old Poppy kicks the bucket. I'm not so sure he wouldn't take it. What better time to slide another Bush in the Oval Office? Rethugs never did accept Romney - more because he's Mormon than because he's a probable crook and a certain idiot. Then there are the fools on both sides who have never accepted our President, despite his accomplishments and intelligence.

Could happen.

[unc70]

96. Jeb Bush has his own problems.

Jeb has a number of problems big and little that he probably doesn't want to revisit on the national level.

[Marr]

53. It's got to be driving Republicans crazy. If he'd just release the returns, they could

come up with an excuse for whatever's in there. As it stands, they don't know what they're supposed to be scoffing at. It's kind of hard to just say, "look at how white he is-- it has to be fine" (though that was essentially the thrust of the whole "are you suggesting he's a FELON?" thing).

[Spitfire of ATJ]

54. I get the feeling he's worth a lot more than he claims

Unlike Trump who's worth a lot less.

[AsahinaKimi]

59. There must be something pretty Juicy in there ..

As closely as he is grasping it to his chest... What are you hiding Mr. Romney, inquiring minds want to know!

[WinstonSmith4740]

63. OK, just for the hell of it...

Let's say Mitt CAN'T stand the heat and gets out of the kitchen.

Who do you think the Rethugs will run? I think Obama could wipe the floor with most of them, but my biggest fear would be Gingrich, mainly because he's such a devious son of a bitch. Yes, he's got a major amount of personal baggage, but the Rethugs only care about things like adultery and dead beat fathers when they're Democrats. So they'll fall in line, sing his praises, admit they never liked Mittens in the first place, Adelson will write huge checks, and he could possibly take this thing.

[Waiting For Everyman]

64. I read that as a very significant statement. He would've chosen not to run????

That's a pretty big deal, isn't it? He has conducted now two presidential campaigns, spending a ton of money. And now to say that if he had any clue that these returns would have to released... he would have PASSED? PASS on being POTUS, which obviously he wants desperately? That tells me that something very big is in those returns. And it seems that the Obama team already knows what it is, as one insider has said we should stay tuned for more.

Here's my guess: 1) I think Mitt's business cohorts will find out some things he'd rather they didn't. I don't think it's so much the public he's worried about getting the info, but his own insiders who he has had dealings with. Some of his transactions might surprise them a bit. Say, certain things he took advantage of? Certain "plums" he threw to others and not to them? 2) The offshore accounts for "foreign investors"... I think who those investors are might be very shocking. Saudis? Chinese? Big banks? Koch brothers types? Who knows, but it could be very, very bad. What's more, it could be someone who has told him, 'you will not reveal this, or else'. I'm thinking Godfather-ish 'or else'.

He may know that he's a "dead man walking" if certain secrets get out. Look at how secretive he has been up to now, before running for POTUS. By all accounts, very secretive. That isn't for nothing. That wasn't just general business policy. There was a reason for the secrecy, only now it's a far bigger reason.

I have a hunch I'm in the right ballpark on this.

[starroute]

68. That's certainly a plausible theory

With every Republican in creation begging him to just release them and get it over with and saying they'll have his back and it'll all blow over ...

... the fact that he's stonewalling so hard means he's either unbelievably stupid and arrogant or he has something very real to be afraid of.

[INdemo]

65. So will Republicans really support this guy if he gets tangled up in this controversy?

Hell yes they will cause they are Republicans..They would support the devil if he would have an R in front of his name.
But wait..he is already tangled up.....

[brooklynite]

70. This tells me more about his campaign team than him...

Usually the "don't blame us; blame the candidate" chatter begins in October when it becomes fairly obvious who's going to lose. The fact that "sources" are discussing a colossal tactical blunder by Mittens this early (which will only reinforce the "what does he have to hide" arguments, speaks volumes.

[jonthebru]

71. Mittens Rmoney is an idiot.

A selfish idiot at that. Which makes him the perfect Repubthug candydate.

We must make certain that everyone gets out to vote in every state and city. 5% will make the difference in the swing states. They have a frickin' clown as a candidate but that will not stop them from disenfranchising and turning off a small, but substantial number of voters and carrying the Electoral college result.
Damn, this is scary.

[nolabear]

72. He's sounding more and more like the King Joffrey of the GOP all the time.

What is it about democracy that this man doesn't understand? Nobody is going to crown you anything. You have to earn it. From us. And frankly, my dear, we give a damn.

[mysticalchick]

73. I'm not politically savvy but ...

... even *I* could tell you that this wasn't going to turn out well for Mittens. Sheesh. Surely those who get paid the big bucks to advise him would know this? Did they think it wasn't going to come up much? Or that the MSM would ignore it? It's fine by me that it's blowing up in his face but who DIDN'T see this coming???

[Skittles]

75. OK I have to say

that man is dumber than fucking DIRT!!!!!!!!!!!

[MNBrewer]

78. It's not too late, he can still withdraw from the campaign.

[kestrel91316]

79. Translation: Mitt Rmoney is world's biggest moran.

[demwing]

80. I cannot believe this is honesty

this MUST be a game, either Romney is gaming us, or the GOP never intended for this doof to be the nominee. We just aren't this fucking lucky.

[mother earth]

81. Incredible lack of foresight & integrity with nat'l coverage, rMoney, a wealthy fool. nt

[bucolic_frolic]

82. Get out the printing presses, Mitt

I'm ashamed of you, Mitt. You're the sorriest excuse for a presidential
candidate this country has ever seen. Release your taxes, if you've got
something to hide, explain it, not the other way around.

We had enough Rule by Secrecy. The President is a public servant - not a private one.

And if your explanation is credible, or a strong case can be made for allowing capital to accumulate tax free while others pay their fair share, so be it. The American People will give you a fair hearing.

Does the Republican Party still want Mitt to be their nominee? Natives sound restless.

[DallasNE]

83. I Have A Different Take On This

I think Romney thought he could have his cake and eat it too. After all, up until now that has been the case. When Romney didn't like a high school classmate because of his long hair and he was perceived to be gay so Romney and his buddy's took matters into their own hands and tackled this poor, scared kid and held him while Romney took a pair of sissors and cut off his long hair. He got away with that assult then and has been getting away with things ever since so why not now as well. Perhaps if Romney would have been held accountable 50 years ago he would be a better person today.

Romney may well get to have his cake and eat it once again. Who will hold his feet to the fire. We can't count on MSM to go after him. While some Republicans have called for him to release his returns they are mainly people on the outer perimiter of Republican politicans so unless someone in leadership calls for him to release his tax returns my guess is that Romney will stiff the American people and keep hidden some of the garbage he has engaged in previously.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

84. I suspect he has a stack of W2's from the companies he pillaged

showing obscene compensation to both himself and other Bain staffers for no-show jobs.

[BootinUp]

85. Somebody call the Tax Waaambulance!

Mitt is such a fookin crybaby.

[flyguyjake]

88. Perhaps he'll get audited by the IRS!

Wouldn't that take the cake! Someone got connections in the IRS? Get his ass audited! Tax Haven looser! Go make some more children!

[polichick]

91. Unpatriotic, corrupt, entitled CREEP.

[Bolo Boffin]

94. It's not too late, boopy!

You can go ahead and drop out if you want to!

[Canuckistanian]

95. Yes, how DID he become Governor without releasing his tax returns?

Are there different standards for running for Governor?

[MADem]

97. What a hubris laden nitwit! What--he thought he could bullshit his way out of doing what everyone

else for decades has had to do?

[mzmolly]

99. Seriously?

He can't handle a tax kerfuffle but he's qualified to be President?

[magical thyme]

100. if he couldn't foresee he'd be expected to do the same things his father and every candidate since

candidate since has done, then he is not fit to be pres.

The job of pres is NOT to be a cockeyed optimist. It is to be an open-eyed realist, to foresee obvious future potholes and develop policies and strategies that will fill or avoid obvious potholes.

Present a positive future to us? Yes. But expect a paved highway to whatever your current whim is? Fat chance.