McCain: Reid is wrong about Romney's tax returns

Republican Sen. John McCain, whose 2008 presidential campaign reviewed 23 years' worth of Mitt Romney's tax returns during the vice presidential vetting process, said unequivocally Monday that nothing in Romney's returns suggested he didn't pay taxes some years.

"Nothing in these tax returns showed that he did not pay taxes," McCain said in an interview on the Nevada program "Face to Face" with reporter Jon Ralston.

McCain said he did not review all of Romney's tax returns himself, but he said that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was wrong to suggest that Romney avoided paying taxes in years past.

About two weeks ago, Reid said in an interview that a source from Bain Capital, the private equity firm Romney founded, told him that Romney "didn't pay any taxes for 10 years." The majority leader has come under fire for fueling speculation about Romney's tax returns that he can't prove, but Reid has stood by his source, calling him "extremely credible."

In the "Face to Face" interview, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said that Reid was simply lying about the presumed GOP candidate.

"I think he's making it up, he's trying to interject himself in the presidential campaign using the floor of the Senate in a way no one else has done in the history of the Senate," he said.

Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte similarly said called Reid's charges "sad and disappointing" and said that if Reid had a credible source, he would have revealed the source by this point.

The three GOP senators were in Nevada as part of a cross-country tour to bring awareness to the significant budget cuts slated to hit the Defense Department next year.

While Reid has yet to reveal his source at Bain, Romney has yet to release any tax returns that would put the matter to rest. The presumed GOP candidate has released his 2010 tax returns and an estimate for his 2011 taxes. Romney has argued that if he released more, Democrats would use them against him in a misleading way.

[bokehbrian]

What I am about to say is 100% true, and I am only sharing it because there is no job more important then US President, and as an American we should vote, and we have a right to be informed to make the right decision. So you know I am not some random whack job I will tell you my name is Brian Murphy, I am CEO of JRM Resource Management and have worked for government IT contractors for the past 15 years (look it up)

A few nights ago I went out to dinner with some old associates. the person I am speaking about in this post was one of the people there. I have known him for 13 years. He spent 8 years working at the IRS as a senior IT person working on TIPPS, the web integration with large companies and several other projects.

After dinner we were having a few drinks and discussing the election. The topic of "would Romney release any more tax returns?" came up. My friend laughed and said "ill bet you a years pay that no matter how much heat he takes he won't release a single year more" and then laughed.

All of us there knowing he spent several years at the IRS pushed him "why? what do you know?" we asked with a joking smile.

He paused then took a drink and looked at us and said "because, if he did he would have to show everyone that he took amnesty for a crime at the very least, and I can't imagine he would have a snowballs chance in hell of being elected if that came out" then he took a drink and refused to elaborate.

I asked him several times if he was serious and he said he was. In 13 years i have NEVER known him to tell a lie, certainly not make up a story.

Although he failed to elaborate the ONLY thing he possibly could have been referring to was the amnesty the IRS offered US citizens who were hiding assets in Switzerland a few years back. He certainly worked there, certainly worked where and in the place where it would be possible for him to have access to that information.

Id bet 10k Mitt does not release any more returns

[misterjags]

Romney's obviously embarrassed about something in those tax returns or he would have released them.

[madegacbs]

Just show us the tax returns.

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Who is Paul Ryan?

A catholic who rejects the teachings of Jesus Christ for the philosophy of atheist Ayn Rand. Nice pick Mitt

[TimeToEvolve]

Well Robmee, then show us. Show us how you have paid your fair share back to America. I know you did not because you raided MILLIONS and MILLIONS from America workers. You should pay at least DOUBLE what everyone else pays to make up for it.

[John782011]

I am not Romney supporter, but I am confident that McCain is accurate. That being said, my personal opinion on Romney's taxes is that would he release them it would be tremendous cannon fodder for the middle class to demand tax reform as they see how he was able to make 100 million in his IRA and how little he legally payed over the years. I am more worried about the Ryan plan to eliminate all capital gains tax allowing the Waltons and the Mars decendents to pay no taxes on their billions in stocks as they sell them.

[TimeToEvolve]

Why would you believe yet another Republicon lying sack of ship. When someone like McCain says something it is almost certainly the opposite. That is how Republicons roll.

[tomford429]

McCain said that Romney paid taxes in every year. However, what he is not saying is how much and what %. The average middle class workers pays 13%. Romney made millions per year and shows only a 7% tax rate on his only released year, 2010. The years he is hiding are probably much lower - especially 2008 & 2009. This while he is seeking to substantially lower his tax rate by extending the tax cuts for the rich and eliminating taxes on capital gains. He needs to release all his returns. If not, he does not deserve to be President.

[Verascity]

George Will said it best on ABC: "The cost of not releasing the returns are clear," Will said. "Therefore, he must have calculated that there are higher costs in releasing them."

CBS says, "Romney has argued that if he released more, Democrats would use them against him in a misleading way." What's in those returns that "could be used against him"?

Whether of not it was "misleading" would be up to the American public to judge. THAT'S what Romney's afraid of.

[madegacbs]

Just show us the tax returns. Before November 6.

[Truth_Bee_Told]

"While Reid has yet to reveal his source at Bain, Romney has yet to release any tax returns that would put the matter to rest"...This is probably the funniest quote of the entire article and proof positive that the media will do whatever is necessary to sink Romney. The fact of the matter is Romney DID release his returns to the federal government specifically THE I.R.S.! If there was an issue with him not paying, the I.R.S. would have audited the man a decade ago.

[bois-darc]

Who says the issue is him not paying; quit trying to deflect. The questions are about what else they may reveal about how he conducts his personal business, which could be material about how he would be as a President.

[CaptainSmollett]

Why did Obama have his college records sealed? Is it because he applied to Columbia as a foreign national, as some web sources allege? Looks like something embarrassing being hidden.

[omnibus66]

If you could (or would) read the article, it is about Rob-Me's tax returns. Not a word about the presidents school records. If there is no truth to him not paying any federal taxes in the last ten years, there is a simple way to prove it. We're waiting, waiting, waiting.

[sweetcakesmaria]

No other American President released his college transcripts because it's not a requirement. Why do Repugs think that President Obama should be the exception. I think the reason is obvious so no need to answer.

[merlgrey]

George Romney on setting a precedent by releasing 12yrs of tax returns during his 68 run, "one year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show". You were so correct Mr Romney.