McCain says 'nothing disqualifying' in Romney's tax records
(CNN) - Sen. John McCain, whose 2008 presidential campaign reviewed Mitt Romney's tax records as they considered him to be the vice presidential running mate, said Tuesday he can "personally vouch" that there was "nothing disqualifying" in the tax returns of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
Asked by CNN if he could vouch for the fact that Romney had paid taxes and didn't hide his money from taxes offshore, as some Democrats have suggested, McCain reacted strongly but didn't directly answer the question.
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"I can personally vouch for the fact that there was nothing in his tax return that would in anyway be disqualifying for him to be a candidate. Okay?" McCain said.
"We're getting into areas now that are improper for me to talk about," McCain added. "Because when people gave us all those records we agreed to confidentiality. The only reason I'm saying what I'm saying now is because of the scurrilous, scurrilous Chicago style sleaze intimations with no basis in fact that there might have been something wrong with his tax returns, which is disgraceful."
Asked again if he knew if Romney had in fact paid taxes over the years, McCain responded, "Oh please. I am not going to get into that kind of conversation. All I can tell you, and I will tell you again, there was nothing disqualifying in his tax returns. And that is a fact."
McCain didn't say how many years of tax records he reviewed.
McCain initially stopped to talk to reporters as he left the Senate floor because he wanted to clarify an earlier news report that suggested McCain picked former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because she was the better candidate than Romney.
"It wasn't a matter of who had better or worse qualities it was who we felt would help the campaign the most not that anyone who was under consideration didn't have outstanding qualities," he said.
McCain then criticized Politico for "twisting" his words.
"It's really getting a little disgraceful, twisting someone's words when clearly I said and meant she was the best fit for the campaign. Had nothing to do with the qualities of Mitt Romney or any of the other people we were considering," he said.
Of course he would say that. He is a repub. McMain, the repub party has really taken away your integrity these past few years.
Just because nothing is in the tax returns that is "disqualifying" that doesn't mean the returns lack proof of his complete lack of business ethics and honesty. It also doesn't mean the returns won't prove Romney to be an outrageous liar – again! Those things aren't legally disqualifying – but they show Romney's true character as sa spoiled, preppy, vulture capitalist. McCain is playing on words.
McCain also said Palin is a perfect choice.
McCain, do you know why the Casino donar buy into romney? with his Macau money?
McCain, why don't you release Romney 23 years of tax returns. We will let you know if they are acceptable.
Mc Cain also said Palin is qualified as President in a heart beat.
Is it true?
Asked by CNN if he could vouch for the fact that Romney had paid taxes and didn't hide his money from taxes offshore, as some Democrats have suggested, McCain reacted strongly but didn't directly answer the question.
That says it all. Poor McCain, I really do feel sorry for him.
This coming from a man that picked Palin. McCain should retire before he makes more of a fool of himself. What a bitter old man McCain has become because he could not be President.
Yeah I totally trust McCain's judgement. *cough*
Chicago style sleaze? Really? Like Chicago has a monopoly on sleazy politics? At least have the fortitude to use the presidents name when attacking him. Chicago is a wonderful town, like many places in America. Don't drag a one city into your political bantering McCain.
Well, if there's nothing to hide in his tax returns, why is Mitt hiding them?
Sounds like clean up to me. Someone got on the ringy dingy and told him what he actually said.
What? McCain doesn't know what he's saying half the time.
I submit that Romney’s obsession with money, his duplicity and secrecy about it, and his lack of trust in the American people as demonstrated by his reluctance to let his fellow citizens make their own determination about his tax returns, all disqualify him as a viable presidential candidate. As president Romney must be able to put Patriotism before Personal Profits.
A Man cannot serve two Masters
He will either love one and hate the other
Or Cling to one & Despise the other
You cannot serve both God & Mammon
I thought every Mormon schoolboy knew this?
My new playlist
-99 Problems but a Bain aint one
-"Beers Ago" (1999)
-Somebody That I Used to Know (Bain)
As an old manager once told me: "In God we trust, everyone else bring data."
As neither McCain nor Romney are God, I'll take the data, thank you very much. Barring Romney showing us his tax returns going back to 1999 (date of his retroactive retirement), then we can pretty much assume there's something unsavory in there that he's hiding.
McCain's statement that Willard's tax returns contain "nothing disqualifying" means nothing. It just means that Willard did not have income from the mafia. Besides, how would McCain understand the tax return; he is a dependent on his wife's tax return.
Then, put up or shut up.
Don't know about you, but John McCain "personally vouching" for ANYthing scares the hell of me!
I am sure that many Liberal's will find something wrong with this also, but I think that if they could dig up anything on anyone that makes money (which is a dirty word) in the world today. Why not ask Wolf how much he makes a year, I am sure he will hand over his income taxes freely, or how about yourself. Now now don't say it is because Mitt is running for President he has met all the requirements, it is just a sticking point the Obama can't get past. Maybe he didn't make enough money in the past, but hey us tax payers will be paying his way for the REST and I mean the REST of his/Obama's life, free Medical, free secrect service protection, and an great income. Plus then he goes onto the lecture circuit and makes millions. Ask Bill Clinton about his year!!! So stop picking on the petty, low beneath every human with any character and get back to reality, we have a horrible economy, bad infrustrure (roads, bridges) and may I say employement anyone listening! Or are you truly worried about tax records, pity if you are. Keep listening to the hype on the Ad's and what the non-biased news people keep telling you, that was a pun on the non-biased, haven't seen one of those since Walter.
Well, Senator McCain, NO OFFENSE, LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DECIDE whether there is nothing disqualifying in Romney's taxes. We all know Washington is tone deaf and has been for many years. It is not sufficient to just beleive their definition of an "outstanding" person. HAVE CONFIDENCE that Americans know what is qualifying and what's not. ROMNEY SHOULD RELEASE HIS TAXES. Americans have a RIGHT TO KNOW how Romney's TAX POLICIES will affect his finances.
If she was the.best... That doesn't say much for Willard.
Oh... if McCain said that it must be true. This revelation is from what's left of the mind that chose Palin.
We're in deep mitt!
There most likely isn't !
Yet , Mitt is still out of touch with most of America .
Facts are stubborn things. The only time McCain was ahead of Mr. Obama was right after McCain picked her. And he dropped after the finacial crisis.
If Romney has nothing to hide, he can put this issue to rest very quickly....release more tax returns than those for the 2 years before you decided to run for president. The old saying "thou dost protest too much" is alive and well with Romney.
What would be "disqualifying" to be president in a tax return? He turns out to be less than 35 years old?