# Why won't Romney release his tax returns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085 "2012-08-01T18:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/301 "2012-08-06T18:23:29Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > One more time: The question was about what we’d know about _the candidate_. What makes you think that’s Reid? 😛 As I said, you can’t tell anything about the candidate from what his opponents say about him. I realize you would like to make this about Romney, but it isn’t (any longer). Reid has made an accusation, and will not back it up. > [@](#): > > That Romney refuses to release his returns is a _fact_. The reasons are open to speculation, since he refuses to offer that, either. Correct, just like it is a fact that Reid refuses to name his alleged informant. The reasons for that are equally open to speculation. > [@](#): > > Rebutting him would consist of being honest and open with the people he’s applying to for the job, and _releasing the returns_. You are, again, trying to shift the burden of proof. Romney does not have to rebut what Reid claims; Reid has to prove what he says. The one who needs to be honest and open is Reid. Reid chooses not to be so, and y’all think that reflects badly - on Romney. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/302 "2012-08-06T18:33:18Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The one who needs to be honest and open is Reid. Reid chooses not to be so, and y’all think that reflects badly - on Romney. > > Regards, > Shodan What you’re pretending to misunderstand----and Romney is pretending to misunderstand --is what will happen after Romney releases his returns. They will be discussed, analyzed, criticized–not necessarily by hyper-partisan Obama supporters, certainly not exclusively–which is the end that Romney and you doesn’t want to happen. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/303 "2012-08-06T18:40:28Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Reid chooses not to be so, and y’all think that reflects badly - on Romney. And the reason for that is, it fits the commonly held narrative about rich guys like Romney; people will easily believe he paid no taxes for ten years for the same reason they will believe Obama raised everyone’s taxes, even though it isn’t true; because it fits the preconceived notion about liberal Democrats. Both parties have to work against commonly held misconceptions. So, will Mitt do what it takes to overcome this misrepresentation, or is he going to stand on principle, even if it costs him the election? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/304 "2012-08-06T18:42:04Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I think a more accurate interpolation is “all but one of” between “release” and “his”. Nicely played. Though it’s soon to be “all but two”. Or we can dispense with changing out this number for that and just go with, “Romney has released 100% of the tax returns he is required to. He is in full and total compliance.” ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/305 "2012-08-06T18:45:46Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So, will Mitt do what it takes to overcome this misrepresentation,… Release two years worth of tax returns. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/306 "2012-08-06T18:46:41Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Or we can dispense with changing out this number for that and just go with, “Romney has released 100% of the tax returns he is required to. He is in full and total compliance.” This is not about being in compliance, it is about appearances. Will the voters think being in compliance is adequate, when his opponent has released 12 years of tax returns? How bad does Romney want to win? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/307 "2012-08-06T18:47:56Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Or we can dispense with changing out this number for that and just go with, “Romney has released 100% of the tax returns he is required to. He is in full and total compliance.” Swell, but this has never been a legal issue (except maybe in a few pundits’ minds, and they’re unsupported by fact as of right now), but a political issue. If you want to argue that this answer will satisfy undecided/swing voters and not affect how they vote (ditto with the lead-up to this whole mess), be my guest, but this answer as it is strikes me as dismissive without proper support. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/308 "2012-08-06T18:52:52Z")
\*\*Fear Itself \*\*poses the question: or is he going to stand on principle, even if it costs him the election? Where is there any prior evidence of “principle”? He’s demanded the release of opponent’s taxes numerous times. Someone, maybe Reid, noted that to be confirmed for a cabinet position would require more disclosure than Mitt appears willing to make. Also, unless I missed something, McCain vetted Romney as a possible running mate, presumably has some knowlege of what’s being withheld, and I haven’t heard the Senator from AZ weigh in anywhere. But I’ve been on vacation, maybe I missed it? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/309 "2012-08-06T18:55:30Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > This is not about being in compliance, it is about appearances. Will the voters think being in compliance is adequate, when his opponent has released 12 years of tax returns? How bad does Romney want to win? You assume it’s going to improve his chances of winning. His calculation is that it won’t. But not for the reasons you’ll no doubt jump to. The reason it won’t help is because the Obama/Axelrod machine will just keep nitpicking:, What’s this, and this, and this , and THIS! Oh they might all be completely fine, but we just want a full explanation. _The people_ [cue chorus of angels] deserve a full explanation." PLease. the game couldn’t be more transparent. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/310 "2012-08-06T19:00:31Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > \*\*Fear Itself \*\*Also, unless I missed something, McCain vetted Romney as a possible running mate, presumably has some knowlege of what’s being withheld, and I haven’t heard the Senator from AZ weigh in anywhere. But I’ve been on vacation, maybe I missed it? My guess is that McCain never even glanced at Romney’s tax returns. It’s quite possible that nobody did. The campaign didn’t want him, the candidate didn’t like him, he was only going through the motions of pretending to consider him. In all likelihood, they went through the shredder shortly after being received. Go ahead, Mittens. Stick to your principles (today’s principles, anyway). You’re only hurting yourself. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/311 "2012-08-06T19:07:19Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Go ahead, Mittens. Stick to your principles (today’s principles, anyway). You’re only hurting yourself. Please. If people on the left really believed this, they wouldn’t be stomping their feet for him to release them. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/312 "2012-08-06T19:07:42Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You assume it’s going to improve his chances of winning. His calculation is that it won’t. But not for the reasons you’ll no doubt jump to. If you are going carry both sides of the conversation, I’ll just wait in the bar. > [@](#): > > The reason it won’t help is because the Obama/Axelrod machine will just keep nitpicking:, What’s this, and this, and this , and THIS! Oh they might all be completely fine, but we just want a full explanation. _The people_ [cue chorus of angels] deserve a full explanation." PLease. the game couldn’t be more transparent. Does pointing that out ease Romney’s predicament even a little bit? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/313 "2012-08-06T19:12:22Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > the game couldn’t be more transparent. Presidential elections are a game? They’re a dirty game? They’re run according to unfair rules? When you’re losing, yes. And when you’ve played yourself into a impossible spot, they certainly seem that way. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/314 "2012-08-06T19:13:32Z")
Regarding Romney’s failure to release his tax returns, a few pundits have pointed to legal doctrines such as the “Missing Evidence Instruction” used for civil cases. Here’s an [example from the Illinois Circuit Court’s civil jury instructions:](http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/5.00.pdf) > [@](#): > > If a party to this case has failed [to offer evidence] [to produce a witness] within his power to produce, you may infer that the [evidence] [testimony of the witness] would be adverse to that party if you believe each of the following elements: > > 1. The [evidence] [witness] was under the control of the party and could have been produced by the exercise of reasonable diligence. > 2. The [evidence] [witness] was not equally available to an adverse party. > 3. A reasonably prudent person under the same or similar circumstances would have [offered the evidence] [produced the witness] if he believed [it to be] [the testimony would be] favorable to him. > 4. No reasonable excuse for the failure has been shown. IANAL, but from my reading all the elements seem to be in place for the jury (i.e. the voting public) to infer the contents would be unfavorable. Obviously Romney’s not on trial here, but I personally would exdpect more than his laughable “put up or shut up” defense against Reid’s cahrges. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/315 "2012-08-06T19:19:21Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Presidential elections are a game? They’re a dirty game? They’re run according to unfair rules? > > When you’re losing, yes. You think Obama is losing? Here’s hoping you’re right. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/316 "2012-08-06T19:27:24Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > You think Obama is losing? Here’s hoping you’re right. > > Regards, > Shodan I don’t know how, other than disingenuity, dishonesty and poor reading skills, you could possibly–OH! Shodan! Never mind. How is this issue anything other than a loser for Romney? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/317 "2012-08-06T19:27:48Z")
When birthers were demanding more info about Obama’s birthplace, (or grades, or whatever) what was your stance about that? My recall may be faulty, but I don’t remember you standing up for Obama’s right to stonewall the Birthers, and demanding that the Birthers ‘put up or shut up’, but again, I might disremember… ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/318 "2012-08-06T19:36:26Z")
> [@CJJ](#): > > Regarding Romney’s failure to release his tax returns, a few pundits have pointed to legal doctrines such as the “Missing Evidence Instruction” used for civil cases. Here’s an [example from the Illinois Circuit Court’s civil jury instructions:](http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/5.00.pdf) > > IANAL, but from my reading all the elements seem to be in place for the jury (i.e. the voting public) to infer the contents would be unfavorable. Obviously Romney’s not on trial here, but I personally would exdpect more than his laughable “put up or shut up” defense against Reid’s cahrges. You’re forgetting that there is some evidence available 2010’s returns and soon, 2011’s. Barring credible new information, it’s logical to assume that his other returns would be similar. And #s 3 and 4 are easily argued for either side. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/319 "2012-08-06T19:38:16Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Presidential elections are a game? They’re a dirty game? They’re run according to unfair rules? They’re often a dirty game, even if played within the rules. When Obama + Axelrod are involved, they’re always dirty. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/320 "2012-08-06T19:40:04Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > it’s logical to assume that his other returns would be similar. You make a very poor Mr. Spock. It’s far more logical to assume that other returns, further from his Presidential runs, would be crippling. Why don’t we see? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=17)