Double down and RAISE ... Harry Reid

[MindMover]

Reid doubles down on tax claims

We noted yesterday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Huffington Post that what he claimed was a Bain Capital investor had called him to say Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for ten years - without saying who told him this, or what basis there was for the claim.

Earlier today, he doubled down on the unsubstantiated claim with reporters in Nevada:

"I am not basing this on some figment of my imagination," Reid said in a telephone call with Nevada reporters. "I have had a number of people tell me that."

Asked to elaborate on his sources, Reid declined. "No, that's the best you're going to get from me."

"I don't think the burden should be on me," Reid said. "The burden should be on him. He's the one I've alleged has not paid any taxes. Why didn't he release his tax returns?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/08/reid-doubles-down-on-tax-claims-130846.html

[longship]

1. OMFG! He IS doing the rope-a-dope!

Just a supposition here.

What if Harry had knowledge of damaging shit in those returns? He puts out the straw man of no taxes. Romney is going to have to respond, "I paid taxes and I can prove it."

Harry again says, "Prove it!"

When Romney releases the forms, the truly ugly truth comes out. Harry smiles.

It's the rope-a-dope.

[demwing]

6. That's not what "rope a dope" means

Last edited Thu Aug 2, 2012, 06:58 AM - Edit history (1)

You lean against the ropes, resting and taking all the punches your opponent (the dope) can throw, till he is exhausted. Then you beat the hope out of the dope.

[cleduc]

2. That's actually the third time Harry has raised it

The first time was July 12th on the Senate floor

&feature=youtu.be

Couple that with Rachel Maddow's report on that subject tonight:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#48454163

and the heat rises on Romney because coupled with the tax policy Romney is promoting where he personally stands to make considerably more money with his "blind" Cayman Islands-Bermuda-Swiss trust, the concerns are justified.

[BanTheGOP]

3. Optimally, the Justic Department and Eric Holder will start building a case against him

They need to investigate his returns using subpoena powers. Then they should develop the case until they have rock solid evidence. The evidence exists now, but they need to consolidate so even a high priced attorney can't refute it.

Finally, the best time to arrest and indict him is the second week of October. Even if he is out on bail, WHILE the grand jury investigation is pending, Romney would be DISQUALIFIED from pursuing ANY campaign activity and, technically, can't even access any money the campaign raises. Doing it in October also ensures the rethugs don't have a candidate ready to whip up in time.

In fact, I've had signals that this is actually happening. I will be following up on this on a daily basis until I come up with the entire plan the DNC is going to execute.

[cliffordu]

4. LOL...The Democrats would find herding cats

easier than find the collective discipline it would take to achieve your scenario......

[caseymoz]

7. During an election campaign?

No way. Maybe they're preparing for after the campaign, but not during. They'll force the case between November and January if they have to. And they'll probably drop "subtle" hints (like Reid's) that Romney might face impeachment an hour after he's sworn in.

Romney has to be about the worst candidate I've ever seen a major party put up for President. The really funny and sad thing is, I don't think Repubs had anybody better. Sane people would re-examine their ideology when it consistently produces leaders who are ignorant, lying, corrupt, crazy or two or more of the the proceeding.

[BanTheGOP]

16. No. It has to be done before the election.

Keep in mind that Romney will probably bring in a teabagger VP, and that would be a complete disaster if he would win, because at THAT point, it would be in our best interest NOT to impeach him.

But the reality is that Obama CAN, and SHOULD, use the executive powers to enable Eric Holder to jump start and accelerate an investigation into Romney's criminal past involving his taxes and investments. Remember, all we need to do is to initiate the investigation BEFORE the election, preferably within a 14 to 21 day window, to maximize the effectiveness of depressing the GOP vote, or optimally, disqualifying Romney from even being allowed a vote. Also, the Rethugs would NOT have the ability to field a replacement within a short period of time. Finally, this will greatly enhance Obama's effective stature as America's greatest president since FDR, and even perhaps of all time.

Once Obama is reelected, we can complete the transformation of the US away from a republicanist capitalist society to a more just, socialist leaning democracy and join the world with harmonious politics.

[caseymoz]

17. I'm not saying they shouldn't move before . . .

. . . I'm saying they won't. They absolutely will not bring a GOP presidential candidate under indictment during an election season. I don't think they have the balls for the armed insurgency and conspiracy theories that might ignite. It won't happen.

I'm sorry if that might spoil your estimation of Obama as the best president since FDR, but you just watch. It will not happen.

No, I'm afraid it will be up to the voters to turn down Romney, as I'm certain they will. If it makes you feel any better, I know Repubs wish they had somebody else. If Romney's troubles keep up, the Repub convention might deliver a surprise.

[Scuba]

12. You forgot the satire thingy.

[Amonester]

5. "I have had a number of people tell me that."

umm... Senator McCain?

(It would be the first time I'd call him 'Senator' and 'McCain' instead of just mc$ame. LOL)

[caseymoz]

8. That's right. McCain did see Romney's tax returns.

And he'd be in a better position than most people to know how qualified Romney is. The answer is, not very. He chose Palin for VP ahead of the guy.

[marlakay]

15. We haven't heard from mccains people

Saying we saw these things and he paid taxes....even a general statement with no specifics.

[pitohui]

9. mormon vs. mormon, go harry!

even my hubby who i don't think is much of a politics guy is following this

hilarious!

romney belongs in the big house for tax evasions...not the white house...any questions?

[PBass]

10. This could be a Rove-style dirty trick, to embarrass Reid and make hay for Mitt.

"Hey everybody, I got a top-secret anonymous phone call!"

I don't know if this passes the smell test.

[Avalux]

14. I don't think Reid is that stupid.

He wouldn't have opened his mouth unless he KNOWS it's true. And why give up his sources when he doesn't have to? As he said, the burden is on Romney to prove him wrong. Not going to happen.

[MjolnirTime]

18. Nope, because the only way for that to be the case is for Romney to release the returns. He can't.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. At this point I'm wondering if Romney even got a refund.

[DCKit]

13. When you're worth more than $250 million, you can afford to play the tax code like a fiddle.

He paid 13.9% in 2010, is there a doubt he paid any more in any of the other years?

The 2009 returns will likely sink his campaign. Well, that, and the fact that Willard is running for pResident.