August 12, 2012 8:20 PM

Romney & Ryan: The first interview

Paul Ryan: What we're saying is take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in the top tax brackets so they can't shelter as much money from taxation, should lower tax rates for everybody to make America more competitive.

Bob Schieffer: How many years of tax returns did you turn over to the campaign?

Paul Ryan: Well, it was a very exhaustive vetting process. It's a confidential vetting process, so there were several years. But I'm going to release the same amount of years that Governor Romney has. But I got to tell you, Bob--

Bob Schieffer: And how many was that?

Paul Ryan: He's-- two. He's-- I'm going to be releasing two, which is what he's releasing. What I hear from people around this country, they're not asking where the tax returns. They're asking where the jobs are. Where's the economic growth? Those are the issues that matter. I think these are more or less distractions to try and take us off the fact that the president has given us failed policies that aren't working, that are putting us deeper into debt, that are costing us jobs. And so, we're going to focus on what it takes to turn this country around and get people back to work.

Bob Schieffer: Governor, there was really a funny moment yesterday at the rally when you introduced Paul Ryan as the next president of the United States.

Mitt Romney: Yes.

Bob Schieffer: When did you realize you had done that?

Mitt Romney: You know, I couldn't believe I'd done it. I came down and stood next to my son and my wife. He said, "You just introduced him as the next president." I said, "No, I didn't." I-- he said, "Yes, you did." I said, "No, I didn't." My wife turns and says, "Yes, you did." So, I just jumped back up on the stage and corrected myself.

Bob Schieffer: Did you catch it?

Paul Ryan: I did. I didn't-- I just sort of rolled with it.

Mitt Romney: I understand President Obama did the same thing in introducing Joe Biden--

Bob Schieffer: I think that's true.

Mitt Romney: Four years before. I guess it's-- we hear the phrase so often -- "The next president of the United States" -- that those words just come tripping off your lips.



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