(CNN) – The editorial page of the New Hampshire Union Leader – which endorsed Newt Gingrich ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation primary in January – called on Mitt Romney to release more of his personal income tax returns Thursday.
Romney has released his returns from 2010, and an estimate of his 2011 information. He vowed to release the full return when it's finalized by his accountant. The presumptive GOP nominee has consistently said that amount of disclosure is beyond what is legally required for presidential candidates, and plenty of information for voters.
CNN's Piers Morgan sits down with Mitt and Ann Romney Thursday in London. Watch "Piers Morgan Tonight" at 9 p.m. ET for their interview.
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The Union Leader wrote Thursday the refusal to release anything beyond the two years amounted to secrecy.
"Maintaining the secrecy creates the impression, justly or not, that there is something there to hide," the newspaper editorial read. "No escaping that reality. The impression is there. And it will cost Romney votes he cannot afford to lose. Those voters might not cast their ballots for Obama, but not voting can be just as damaging. And yes, for using the tax dodges and loopholes legally available to him, he might lose votes as well."
The Union Leader is not the first conservative publication to call on Romney for more tax disclosure. The National Review used a similar argument as the New Hampshire paper in making their case last week.
"Romney may feel impatience with requirements that the political culture imposes on a presidential candidate that he feels are pointless (and inconvenient)," the National Review wrote. "But he's a politician running for the highest office in the land, and his current posture is probably unsustainable. In all likelihood, he won't be able to maintain a position that looks secretive and is a departure from campaign conventions. The only question is whether he releases more returns now, or later – after playing more defense on the issue and sustaining more hits."
In the Union Leader editorial, the writers question why Romney had not prepared to disclose more tax information in the lead up to his presidential campaign, saying the candidate's "presidential aspirations predate the tax returns in question."
"What could he possibly have been thinking when he failed to ensure that everything contained in those documents was above reproach?" the Union Leader asked. "Or was he simply not thinking at all? Surely he could not have arrogantly believed that he could withstand any storm that developed by bluffing his way through it? If so, it hasn't worked."
The Union Leader is New Hampshire's largest paper, and a leading conservative voice in the state. New Hampshire is labeled a toss up on CNN's Electoral Map and carries four electoral votes.
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He will not release the taxes because of what is in them – they would most likely show he has cheated and/or made $ in devious way.
-1Joyce
rrd – Yes, I'd like to see more discussion on what really matters. But this article was about Romney's tax returns. Not too many articles on CNN about the important issues.
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Let me guess....you're a birther?
Seriously, his investments ARE an issue because he has pinned his entire campaign on his business experience. That is is his whole reason for running: God knows he can't run on his record in MA, which he has run from to get the nomination in the first place. A failed, one-term governor does not really give people much to work with, especially one with a record of tax increases on working families.
1Joyce
rrd – Yes, I'd like to see more discussion on what really matters. But this article was about Romney's tax returns. Not too many articles on CNN about the important issues.
July 26, 2012 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
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Come on, every report on CNN about Romney no matter what the topic is, results in bashing him about his tax return
tell that conservative newspaper to STOP attacking Romney's success! The nerve of you people!
The Real Tom Paine
-1Joyce
rrd – Yes, I'd like to see more discussion on what really matters. But this article was about Romney's tax returns. Not too many articles on CNN about the important issues.
********************************************
Let me guess....you're a birther?
Seriously, his investments ARE an issue because he has pinned his entire campaign on his business experience. That is is his whole reason for running: God knows he can't run on his record in MA, which he has run from to get the nomination in the first place. A failed, one-term governor does not really give people much to work with, especially one with a record of tax increases on working families.
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" God knows he can't run on his record in MA....."
You should know all about not being able to run on a previous record.
If Mitt Romney ,VP candidate can show 23 years of returns, but Mitt Romney, Republican nominee cannot show 2 than logic went out the window. He is making a calculated decision. The problem is he keeps opening the door. He needs conservatives to win. How long will they listen to the call for his taxes? Not long at all. For this election to be close, he needs people to vote and not stay at home. After the summer it is only going to get worse.
Again, he can't continue to run on the attack line of anything is better than Obama. Substance is needed. Obama will continue to hammer him and the Congress. The 99% make up a lot of people.
The tax returns are the donald trump hair (monkey) on mitt robme's back!!! – this idiot used tax havens like Bermuda, the Caymen Island and Swiss Bank accounts and dodged paying taxes....same way he dodged the draft and went to France on a mormon vacation, yet he claims he loves America soo much!!
gimme a balorney sandwich!!!
This issue of Romney's Tax Returns is quite an embarrassment to GOP. They had very good contenders during primaries who had no baggage at all. I do not think they want to lose even a single vote because of someone who didn't let them know the truth right from the beginning.
"Surely he could not have arrogantly believed that he could withstand any storm that developed by bluffing his way through it? If so, it hasn't worked."
Well, yes, that is exactly what he has been thinking. Surely even Mitt Romney is aware that he is running for the highest public office in America and ought to be above board in all his transactions, publically AND privately. Just a thought, mind you. Perception can be damaging, and Mitt is going whole hog wild in damaging himself.
Then again, who really knows Mitt Romney at all? Or what he thinks from one minute to the next. Apparently, thinking is something Mitt isn't very good at.
Hence his constant and never ending gaffes.
"we have given you people all we have" – ann robme speaking on tax returns
"it's our turn now" ann robme on being first lady
OUT OF TOUCH...OR YOU CAN EAT CAKE? TAKE YOU PICK...............
To Not backward. Nope – Romney's associates don't bother me. And no one tells me what to think. I hear a lot of opinions and I do the research. Takes time. Now I'll move on so you can tell people what YOUR thoughts are, instead of insulting other people because they don't agree with you.
@ Lynda/Minnesota
LOL!!
And you're right you haven't missed a thing just more self-creatd melodrama to keep the party going until November.
Meanwhile back in London, Robmey has been very busy removing any lingering international doubt, if there were any, as to how unfit he really is to assume the presidency of our country...or any country. lol!
As you said,you haven't missed much!
I almost feel sorry for Robmey. Almost.
The American People want to see this fool's tax returns for the last 20 years. He's hiding something.