Romney: 'I have paid taxes every year'

STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

Saturday, August 4, 2012

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney declared Friday that he has "paid taxes every year — and a lot of taxes" as he rejected an anonymous claim that he hadn't paid taxes for a decade on his vast personal wealth.

Democrats have tried to make Romney's personal wealth and how he's managed it a key issue in the presidential contest. The former Massachusetts governor, who would be among the richest presidents ever elected, is aggressively competing with President Barack Obama for the support of middle-class voters.

Romney has refused to release more than one year of personal tax returns, despite calls from Democrats and some Republicans to do so, saying his critics would distort the information and use it against him. He has promised to release a second year of returns.

Romney's 2010 federal tax return shows he paid 13.9 percent tax on income of $21.6 million. Most of Romney's income came from investment gains, which are taxed at a lower rate than earned income.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has said that an investor in Romney's former firm, Bain Capital, told him that Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years. Reid offered no evidence to support the claim, wouldn't identify the investor and even acknowledged that he didn't know if the claim was true. When asked about it during a radio appearance Thursday, Romney said Reid needed to "put up or shut up," an assertion he repeated Friday.

In keeping with his focus on the economy, Romney on Friday called the latest jobs report "a hammer blow" to the middle class. At the same time, he called on Obama and Congress to come together to delay looming cuts in military and domestic spending for at least one year.

The Labor Department said the economy added 163,000 jobs in July, marking the best pace of hiring in five months. The jobless rate rose slightly, however, to 8.3 percent, from 8.2 percent in June.

Congress approved $1.2 trillion in budget cuts as part of a deal to reduce the deficit. They were designed to help lawmakers come up with a better plan. But that didn't happen — so the cuts are scheduled to go into effect next year.

Romney encouraged Obama and lawmakers to work together to put "a year's runway" in place to give the next president time to reform the tax system and ensure the military's needs are met.

In response to questions from reporters, Romney declined to weigh in when asked about the owner of the restaurant chain Chick fil-A's opposition to gay marriage or Rep. Michele Bachmann's suggestion that an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton may be tied to the Muslim Brotherhood.

"Those are not a part of my campaign," he said while in the Las Vegas area for a campaign event.

Reid has told the tax story this week on the Senate floor, in interviews and in a statement.

"When it comes to answering the legitimate questions the American people have about whether he avoided paying his fair share in taxes or why he opened a Swiss bank account, Romney has shut up," Reid said in a statement Thursday night. "But as a presidential candidate, it's his obligation to put up, and release several years' worth of tax returns just like nominees of both parties have done for decades."

On Friday, Romney said, "Harry is simply wrong." He repeated an observation made earlier that Reid's source could be the White House or the Obama campaign.

"I've already learned from Harry Reid's action and others that the people on the other side of the aisle will try to go through anything we give them to distort it to turn it, to turn it into something they don't say and to try and make political fodder out of it," Romney said.

Democrats point out that Romney's father, George Romney, released 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president in 1968. Releasing several years of tax returns has become a standard in recent elections, but Romney has said he is following the example of Republican Sen. John McCain, who released two years' worth of returns in 2008.

Asked about his selection of a running mate, Romney told reporters that he would absolutely "decide and announce my running mate before the third day of the Republican Convention" — a reference to his party's national convention at the end of the month in Tampa, Fla.

"Other than that, I've got nothing for you," he said.

The senior aide leading his search, Beth Myers, accompanied Romney through campaign stops in Colorado and Nevada this week. A handful of Republican governors often mentioned as vice presidential possibilities met with Romney on Thursday in Aspen, Colo.

More like this story

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Well Mitt you need to SHOW ME! Rob

jcguy25 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Thugs? It is exactly people like yourself Graceful, who think everyone else is just wrong if they don't share your exact ideals, are hurting this country. That is obvious from your many posts here. All other presidentials candidates for decades have released at least 10 years worth of tax returns. While Romney's returns are legal, I'm sure they are hiding the fact that he paid a lower percentage than middle class americans and probably the amount that he is sheltering overseas. Even fellow Republicans are saying he needs to release them. He's hiding something or why else would he not release them?

earlsmusic 9 months, 3 weeks ago

snopes.com/politics/obama/coilofrage.asp

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Reading the actual books instead of some comments from a far-right blogger - who also hasn't read the books - might get you a whole new perspective on things. Earl gave you a quick fact check from Snopes, if you care for the truth.

jcguy25 9 months, 3 weeks ago

LOL.. Thank you, you proved my point exactly. You are very much entitled to your opinion and I respect you for having one, however, I on the other hand, unless I have definitive proof, am not going to outright say you're wrong just because our opinions differ. Political ideals, lifestyle, etc. are not like a math problem where there is a definite right and wrong. We all have our own opinion of how we should go about our lives and it doesn't make either of them wrong. They are just different. Romney's taxes are our business if he is wanting to be our President. Seriously? School grades and papers? What does that have to do with anything? You think he's been handed diploma's, law degrees, passed the bar, hired as a law professor, a US Senator because he is ignorant?

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

If the president's taxes are "our business," why then do you not insist that the POTUS release all of his tax returns for the 10 years prior to his election?

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Perhaps it's because they have already been released on his website. You could even download them and do your very own detailed review.

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

um, Grace, most governments have controlled their economies for thousands of years, it's their primary non-military job. It's when governments actually stop controlling their economy (such as allowing gambling addicts to use YOUR money for their illness with neutered financial regulations) that we get bad economies.

asb 9 months, 2 weeks ago

On the contrary Grace, I learned from the centuries of economic cycles, many hours in econ classes, and decades of study of how economies work. I learned that Governments are the primary REGULATORS of their economies' temprature (and I shouldn't have used the word "controll.") The housing loan debacle and other bad gambling by poorly regulated financial crooks was indeed caused by a failure of our governments' regulations . . . globally . . . due to the gutting of the very systems that had been put in place since modern economics became science. It is your convenient misunderstanding that blames the government, as you'd blame a beaten and overworked horse for not getting the milk delivered on time . . . as you'd blame the fireman for a lack of water or the army for a lack of ammunition. The government has been scrued as much as its citizens by greedy and destructive people who've shredded our economy, stolen our middle class's wealth, sold our job base overseas for minor profit increases, trivialized our education base, and gone largely unpunished. . . . but you go ahead and blame the sun for your burn.

Bucky 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Really? "All other presidential candidates for decades have released at least 10 years worth of tax returns." Really? I would like to see your reference for that "fact". Fact. Carter released all of this returns AFTER he was elected. Fact. The requirement is to release one year. Fact. Romney doubled that. Fact. Bob Dole released 29 years while running. No democrat has come close. And it didn't help him.

Oh, and Obama still hasn't released any of his college transcripts and Harry Reid has never released his tax returns. What do they have to hide?

dokeus6 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Well let's look at this with some logic Grace.

If Obama and his thugs know what's on Romney's tax returns Then Obama and his thug's best interest is to show the American People what Mr. Romney is hiding on those tax returns Else Obama and his Thugs don't know what's on them and they want to find out themselves so they can use whatever Mr. Romney is afraid to expose by not showing previous year's tax returns and then it is the American voters right to know about what he is hiding on those tax returns. Else Mr Romney doesn't show the American People what tax rate he pays then providing ammunition to the Obama Campaign that the statements that President Obama has said that he does have something to hide (the possibility that he does pay a lower tax rate than most American workers thus exposing Mr Romeny for taking full advantage of every loophole and tax break imaginable to hide his wealth which is his right because that is the way the tax laws work.) Any of the choices above all provide the same result We deserve to know the truth.

Mr. Romney has no idea what the Middle Class or lower classes deal with every day thus he is out of touch with us the American Voter. I'm not faulting Mr. Romney for being successful or taking full advantage of the way the tax codes are set up for the rich to keep most of their money. I'm faulting him for not stepping up to the plate and being forth coming with information.

Did I lose you Grace?

jcguy25 9 months, 2 weeks ago

"A president is hired to run the government" What exactly, in your opinion of course, should the president be concerned about then to run the government, since apparently he's supposed to do so without any concerns for the citizens. Please do tell..

dokeus6 9 months, 2 weeks ago

"It is not a president’s job to concern himself with what middle class or lower classes deal with every day. A president is hired to run the government not a charity."

I guess in your opinion Grace the POTUS is supposed to look after the very rich and make sure that they are coddled everyday.

clingingredneck 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Hey Rob, how about Obama show those documents that proved they let guns walk so they can raise a stink to cancel the second amendment? Hmm? You talk about needing to see documents, well I need to see some too. Holder is in contempt and hiding behind Obama's skirt tail.

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Bush 2 started that program! Rob

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Lucky for you there won't be a space for "George W. Bush" on the 2012 ballot. How about touting some of Obama's policy successes and how they've made the country stronger and more prosperous? Bush is a bloodied up beaten horse that most people are just disgusted by now when someone like yourself steps up to beat him some more. Move on.....

JCLifer 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Obama's successes? That is an oxymorun!

Don't think it wil be any better under Romney. We are so scrued.

eileen10 9 months, 3 weeks ago

According to what the Bible says Romney will probably end up in hell because of how much money he has.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Um . . . Eileen10, the Bible in no way indicates a person is condemned because of his/her money. . . .

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

John, you need to have a really big needle or a very small camel. The same words from Jesus are reported in three gospels. Matthew 19:24; Mark 1:6, and Luke 18:25. "It is easier for for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

PatsyDecline 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Care to provide some evidence of that statement?

I seemed to have missed that part.

eileen10 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Matthew 19:24 and I made no accusation. I simply stated what the Bible says and it doesn't mean Romney is the only one. Furthermore mormons are required to tithe 10% of their income. I know how the mormon church is because I was a mormon and as I learned more and saw what they were about I got out.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

What does his tithe (by the way, that is what tithe means, 10%) have to do with anything? And no, that Bible verse does not say a rich man will go to Hell because he is rich. Also, please note, the Mormon faith is not based upon the Holy Bible. . .

I am not sure what that has to do with this anyway. With the exception of Lyndon Johnson, every presidential candidate since John Kennedy has been wealthy. So what? Does being wealthy make a person bad? If so, then all the Kennedy clan should be arrested, the Carter family, and so on . . .

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

It's not that hard to find in Matthew 19:24, Mark 1:6. or Luke 18:25. Jesus said a lot about about people and their money.

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

You are simply wrong about that, and we've got a perfect example of this in Romney. Believing is not enough, and token acts are not enough. Substance is required. The rich man can't get into the kingdom of God because caring for his many possessions will always be in first place, ahead of doing what is required in the kingdom.

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

You are skipping the part that is relevant, when you know better. Jesus made it very plain what was the problem with the wealthy young man.

"16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?"

17And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."

18He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,

19Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

20The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?"

21Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

22When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions."

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 2 weeks ago

You speak of a clue where none exists. It is obvious that Jesus was referring to rich people in general, not just to the one example. The use of the word "perfect" was the interpreter's choice in one translation. So - here's a newer translation:

21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” 28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 2 weeks ago

This is not propaganda - this is the opinion of academic experts, based on several different translations, more than one concordance, and a biblical dictionary.

You make up trash talk about people who disagree with you. I will not respond in kind.

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Grace, I just want to know what his taxes say? His father showed his? Presidents show their taxes as far as I remember. They dont have to, they just do! You are correct taxes are private matter, but I am not running for President of the United States. I will say that Vickie Hartzler and her husband have taken more in Farm Aid, than I have made from 1972 to 2009! Google (Hartzler/Sawyer) if you read the article you will know what I have made, and then divide it by 36 and you will know (I did no work 1974). Also I give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. You are entitled to your opinion, maybe you should ask for Obamas Grades? I want to know what happended at the Texas Air National Guard with Bush 2 as well? I would also like to know about the magic bullet (JFK)? Rob

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Yep.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

As I understand it, Gov. Romney released exactly the same number of years of returns as all other condidates did. So why the big hoo hah over it? The liberals in the country love to pick on the rich just so long as the rich are not in the democrat part -- ah la John Kennedy, Clinton, Carter, etc. Near as I can figure, Romeny is rich, he and his wife have acknowledged that fact, they also readly shared with the country that they have money in other countries (did NOT lie about it nor did they hide it). POTUS will not even admit that he manipulated information on documents to allow his to access money from various loan authorities, etc.

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Ten years for Obama, one year for Romney. That's not the same at all, is it?

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Actually, it is TWO years for Romney. Notice I wrote candidates? While, I grant you that Obama can, loosely, be considered a candidate, he is generally (not always, but generally) referred to as the incumbent. Regardless, the only one you guys yelled about out of all the Republicans was the one who can do you all the most damage. All the Republicans provided 2 years of returns. . . .

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

John, you start out with an erroneous statement and attach a wide-ranging and irrelevant rant. Your rant doesn't change the fact that Romney has released one year's return to Obama's ten years.

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

You're getting pretty far out in left field when you want grade school report cards. Really, Grace, your extended lectures about what other people should do and think and read and feel have gotten out of hand. You don't get to tell me what I need to come to grips with, either.

tonto_goldberg 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Sorry - that would be "right field" in this case.

newone 9 months, 3 weeks ago

His grades in school? Really? Talking about grasping for something that isn't there! Grades in school are totally different than tax returns that a presidential candidate is trying to hide, he knows he didn't pay his fair share and he knows if that comes out he will be SOL at this election which is why he isn't releasing them. You are truly looking desperate when you start talking about grades...lol

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

I garntee he has NOT paid his fair share, or he should eat his tax lawyer. Our present tax code, even followed by a blind sunflower, gets his share way below fair. That is what he is hiding.

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

You demonstrate a great example of working like a crazed dog against you own interests. Legal and Fair are not the same thing Grace. Mitt shafts you in the money game and you think that's cool, poor sod!

asb 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Grace, check your meds! he's worth a quarter of a billion dollars and his investment income would run a small country! Of course he pays more than I do! But compared to our relative income and worth, he pays far less proportionately than I'll pay in my lifetime . . . that's what he doesn't want the public to see. And, I seem to detect in your postings a conviction that people of a progressive or liberal nature are not good people . . . or do I misunderstand you?

newone 9 months, 3 weeks ago

If they are legally legitmate, why isn't he showing them? And the only hate I see is coming from you,

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

"Legally legitmate" [sic]? What does THAT even mean?

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Actually, it wasn't a rant, it is a simple statement. Now your comment, however, definitely has all the earmarks of a rant.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

And you are correct, it is ONE year. Having written that, I hasten to add that it does not change anything. You all are looking for anything upon which you can cast aspersions based upon nothing. Yet you turn around and cry foul when people wanted to see Obama's birth certificate. Then you make up your own interpretations of Biblical passage that in no way says a rich person will go to hell because he is rich. The camel through the eye of the needle, by the way, refers to a real camel passing through a well-known and documented rock feature. The passage indicates that one should be careful to not place their faith in money but rather in God. The Holy Bible in no passage indicates money is a bad thing. . . . Complain, yell, write lies, whatever you want but, please, please, please, do not mis-interpret the Bible to back up your hatred. . . .

viktorkowski 9 months, 3 weeks ago

actually, Romney has been spinning a far fetched story of his life. while he was a "missionary" in France he was actually living the life of luxury in a palace. source: telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/8959440/US-election-2012-Mitt-Romneys-life-as-a-poor-Mormon-missionary-in-France-questioned.html

newone 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Grace stop trying to make this about being rich, you are looking desperate, it has nothing to do with him being rich, it's about him lying and trying to hide the fact that he s*rewed the government and if that is truly what you want for this country then I feel very sad for you, he is already lying and trying to hide things and he isn't even the president!!

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

So Mittens Romoney followed the law . . . and apparently the result was too embarrasing to publish. I would say that Cesaers tax code has been ravaged by the best tax lawyers money can buy, with the result that the more you have, the less you contribute proportionately to the funding of Rome. He's the only GOP candidate we care about because the extremists have fallen or foot-shot themselves; and he needs for us to see his taxes or he's going to lose an election for the dumbest reason ever, period. His refusal is symbolic of the shenanigans that can be had with our tax code and it's not good symbology for a would-be President.

newone 9 months, 3 weeks ago

If (and that's a big if) he followed the law then why hide his returns? Again the only hate monger I see is you. You are very desperate to show people how horrible Obama is and how great Romney is but it isn't working, Romney is sinking his own ship and I for one enjoy sitting back and watching him do it.

viktorkowski 9 months, 3 weeks ago

after the John McCain's extensive background check on Romney which included taxes, he chose Palin over Romney. That says magnitudes right there. There is a reason Romney won't release them and that is because what is there is more damaging to him than letting the public see. If you want to take a educated guess of what is on those taxes look back to just after 2000 and the creative accounting practices that were going on within corporations. The same practices that sent a few to jail.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Are you kidding me? Now you pretend to know why Sen. McCain chose Palin over Romney and in the process you make write an inuendo that Romney is somehow a tax cheat? ROFL LOL ROFL You guys really do take the cake. LOL ROFL

viktorkowski 9 months, 3 weeks ago

LOL ROFL? If you want a grown up response you are going to have to use grown up words.

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Simple statement I want to see Romeny's Taxes? That is as simple as it can get? It looks like the canidates for years have put their Taxes out there, in so doing Romeny needs to as well, if not I will have to assume he is HIDING SOMETHING from the WE THE PEOPLE. (my grandughter told me lol is Lots of Laughs,JOHN what is ROFL?) Rob

newone 9 months, 3 weeks ago

They proved his birth certificate a long time ago and they STILL do not believe it, and yes Graceful you most certainly did lead that charge! You want us to believe that the IRS would have caught Romney if he was cheating them but you thought that they would actually allow a person who was not an American citizen to be a president...one word! Desperate!

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Simple response: He does not have to reveal any more than he already has, and then some of that was not required by law.

Therefore, your arguement is valid against you as well. We want to see your tax returns. Please post them for all to see.

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

No, he doesn't have to, unless he wants to be President.

John 9 months, 3 weeks ago

I wasn't aware of that. Where is that ruling printed?

asb 9 months, 3 weeks ago

ROFL rolling on the floor laughing ROFLMAO rolling on the floor laughing me arse off

viktorkowski 9 months, 3 weeks ago

I know what they mean. I even tell my children if they message me and want a response get rid of the shorthand.

spelchek 9 months, 3 weeks ago

You'll just have to vote for Romney to see what's inside his tax returns...right democrats? Practice what you preach otherwise ye be hypocrites.

MO4LIFE 9 months, 3 weeks ago

@hkchas They don't care about what Obama has done they totally disrespect the POTUS across the board. Have you noticed in the media when they talk about him it is never President Obama its just obama but yet all presidents up until Obama were spoken about everywhere as President Bush, President Clinton, President Bush. We Get a black president and all of a sudden the respect went out the window. I was taught in school that if you are speaking about a president the correct way was to add President before his name.

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

1st, if you've read my posts they usually address the POTUS or Mr. Obama which is fine. Many times in the media over 8 years I read "Mr. Bush", so you really don't have a point. You bringing up Mr. Obama's skin color explains your true beef with those who disagree with this President. For you there's no way it could be his policies, lies (Obamacare tax, Guantanamo, etc...), 8.3% unemployment, weak economy, etc...it's racism. You want to talk about respect? Remember "Little Bush", "W", or "Fahrenheit 9/11"? Better thicken up that skin, elections are coming.

MO4LIFE 9 months, 2 weeks ago

i would suggest you get used to it because RomneyHood is not going to get elected there will be four more years of OBAMA. The people do not want a lying say anything to get elected tax cheat for a president!!!!

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

You really care that much about Romney's taxes after voting for a President that made a tax cheat his Treasury Secretary? Fabricate much?

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Meanwhile, the country remains at 8.3% unemployment after President Obama promised shovel ready jobs and an unemployment rate under 6% by June 2012. Some of you are G-U-L-L-I-B-L-E.

MO4LIFE 9 months, 2 weeks ago

it would of been if you didn't have obstructionist refudglicans stopping everything.""Our goal in congress is to make OBAMA a 1 term president"

spelchek 9 months, 2 weeks ago

A very disingenuous comment as Democrats have owned congress from 2006-2010, the presidency and congress between 2008-2010. Now, either Democrats are that ineffective at policy when they have a complete control on policy making or they sat on their hands all that time thus making zero policy and were riding on the policies set before 2006 (which some of you would have us believe). Please do tout all the economic successes of the past 3 1/2 years or is "refudglicans" the best you can do? Please do not answer as my last question is rhetorical.

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 2 weeks ago

I sure wish he would release his retuns and we could go forward on other items. Oh well off to the bank to get Claire and the President some more money in the mail. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 9 months, 1 week ago

Paul Ryan on his Mother "She planned her retirement based around this PROMISE that the Goverment made her because she paid her payroll taxes into this program, that she had this Promise with,. Thats a promise we have to keep" Florida Saturday 8/18/12 I expect the same not a VOUCHER. Rob

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