Mitt Romney Income Tax Records Challenged By Rick Perry (VIDEO)

Rick Perry on Monday joined Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich in calling for Mitt Romney to release his tax returns quickly, so that voters can find out now if they have a "flawed candidate or not."

"We need for you to release your income tax," Perry said at a GOP debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "We cannot fire our nominee in September. We need to know now."

Romney, given a chance to respond, at first didn't address the issue. When pressed later, however, he moved a step closer, saying he would "probably" do it around April if he becomes the nominee.

"I looked at what has been done in campaigns in the past with Sen. McCain and President George W. Bush and others," he said. "They have tended to release tax records in April or tax season. I hadn't planned on releasing tax records, because the law requires us to release all of our assets -- all of the things we own -- that I've already released. It's a pretty full disclosure."

"But you know, if that's been the tradition, I'm not opposed to doing that," he added. "Time will tell. But I anticipate that most likely I am going to get asked to do that around the April time period and I'll keep that open."

When asked again whether he was agreeing to release them, Romney replied, "I think I've heard enough from folks saying, 'Look, let's see your tax records.' I have nothing in them that suggests there's any problem, and I'm happy to do so. I sort of feel like we are showing a lot of exposure at this point. And if I become our nominee, and what's happened in history is people have released them in about April of the coming year and that's probably what I would do."

Romney earns much of his income from capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate than that for even the lowest military service member. He has so far refused to release his taxes.

Comments

[benjamin1943]

02:41 PM on 01/23/2012

The article at the attached URL explains a lot about how Romney gets away with paying such a low tax rate, and it has a picture that might make your blood boil.

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/01/why-mitt-romney-should-pay-higher-taxes

[benjamin1943]

12:09 AM on 01/22/2012

The fact that Romney is so reluctant to share his past income tax returns should make anyone suspicious that there is something in them that he wants to hide. It isn't a matter about how much money he made or how much taxes he paid, it is probably something about where his money is invested and other information on schedules that he wants to hide. That information can affect how he governs as President. For instance, V.P. Cheney had long time business relationships with the companies that he made rich at our expense during the wars in Iraq and Afganistan.

[bradhshickoh]

01:11 PM on 01/17/2012

The remaining candidates for the GOP have gone nuts at the same time. At one time, I was a Republican for many years. And as far as Obama is concerned, he is as bad as the Republicans are. With all the crime in this Country, have you heard Mr. Obama or any of the Gop mention what is going on in this Country. The Police reports are being witheld from the citizens of this Country. Gangs are running rampant. Illegal's are living on welfare and food stamps. Mr. Obama was gooing to CHANE that, so he said 3 years ago. None of the people above are qualified to become President of the United States Of America. And I have the right of the 1 st amendment to say this. We have to wake up and clean up all of our Government. On both sides. thank you

[foerschnerr]

12:11 PM on 01/17/2012

Good old Mr. Forthcoming didn't reveal to Texas taxpayers that he had retired in January 2011 and started collecting his state pension in addition to collecting his lucrative governor's salary for his absentee job.It's not illegal for Perry's particular state position to double dip but in light of our financial problems in Texas, this arrangement, much like Rick Perry, su_cks.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Perry-s-retirement-pay-boost-spark-charges-of-2408907.php

[foerschnerr]

11:57 AM on 01/17/2012

Perry refused to debate his Democratic opponent, Bill White, last governor's election until White released his tax returns. White never did. Too bad because we may have been treated to some "Oops Moments" by Perry then and it may have saved us the expense of this ego maniacs run for Presiden now.

[foerschnerr]

12:16 PM on 01/17/2012

Correction: Bill White did release some of his tax records just not far back enough to satisfy Perry, who evidently wanted them as far back as the 1990's.

[Silvia Marquis]

11:49 AM on 01/17/2012

Mitt Romney will NOT release his income tax returns now. Mitt Romney will NOT be the Republican party nominee if he he releases his income tax returns now. The Republican Party is being setup for a October surprise. Newt Gingrich needs to tie Mitt Romney's failure to release NOW Mitt Romney's tax returns to Mitt Romney's Electability. Speak up NOW Mr. Speaker before it is too late.

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35ob97/

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35md07/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aeD1HXjaY

[theecrankyyankee]

10:25 AM on 01/17/2012

Well as with Nixon, at least if you know he's crook theirs No Surprise,

[bobsoph]

10:18 AM on 01/17/2012

There should be a law requiring those running for federal offices to release their tax returns when they file their candidacy papers.

Anyone unwilling to do is not fit for the office they seek.

[fademan50]

10:17 AM on 01/17/2012

The issue with the tax return first off is that I don't believe Mitt expects Newt to be around until April, the end of the tax season providing no extension. If the President and Newt decides to release their tax returns this week, then they are probably looking at the 2010 tax year returns because I would doubt that a majority of people have all of their tax documents available to complete their 2011 tax returns. So with Mitt delaying the release of his tax returns until April 2012, it allows his accountants to make presentable adjustments to his 2011 tax return that will not appear out of the norm. I don't believe Mitt wants to show his 2010 tax return.

[Stanley Scott]

09:55 AM on 01/17/2012

This is all a smoke screen the tax returns will come out if he is the nominee the other guys are looking for more fodder to spread around cause they can't beat him on merit.

[bradhshickoh]

01:17 PM on 01/17/2012

I have to agree with you. In my opinion, I don't care what any of these guy's are worth. I am simply looking for an honest person from either party to run for President. The GOP has a group running who are all millionaires. What were they worth when they were new in the political circle. Some inhereted it, some earned it, and some stole it.

[cqtestk4xs]

09:52 AM on 01/17/2012

Ricky is a dummy, but has latched on to a big raw sore on Mittens campaign. He will release it around April he says...kinda like after the fact since the race will be over by that time. However, Mittens will eventually release it and it will prove to be a major problem...but by then the Republicans will be stuck with him. You gotta know his rate of tax is not that high, or else he would release it now. The fits gonna hit the shan when it is released.

[averyleigh2083]

09:52 AM on 01/17/2012

There are so many wealthy politicians on both sides of the aisle, that in itself is meaningless at this point in choosing a candidate. I think either all candidates should have to release tax records or none, there should be a way to make this a fair issue. I really have no interest in a candidate's financial details unless they have done something unethical or illegal.

[bradhshickoh]

01:18 PM on 01/17/2012

averyleigh, very good and honest post11

[kfh304]

09:44 AM on 01/17/2012

I would rather have a president that is honest instead of a crook. Maybe we should be checking more on these peoples backgrounds before they are elected. If they want to be elected they shound't mind if the people want to know something about them. Even in some regular job or security jobs a backgound check is done. and a person trying to be elected to run this country isn't subject to disclosing any information. No wonder things are screwed up.

[marcel4745]

09:56 AM on 01/17/2012

Could you please share with us what the president has been convicted of. Things are screwed up because a former president got away with crook like dealings for 8 years.

[bradhshickoh]

01:21 PM on 01/17/2012

MARCI, the man is a habitual liar. how about his birth cirtificate? the one that was produced from hawaii was proven to be false. i think both parties are looking past this election. we the people are the ones who will suffer. none of these candidates will. it is a combination of greed and $$$$$$$$

[geewilikers]

09:40 AM on 01/17/2012

Perry used that excuse to get out of having to debate his rival for the office of Governor of Texas, Bill White. BTW, White released his return but Perry still didn't debate him. After seeing Perry's miserable debating skills, the real reason becomes obvious.

[racarano]

09:35 AM on 01/17/2012

SOMEONE COMMENTED IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE ROMNEYB CAN FEEL THE PAIN OF EVERYDAY AMERICAIN'S . I AM SURE HE CARES . AS FAR AS BEING WEALTHY NO HE NOT HURTING . NOR WAS GOOD OLD TEDDY / KERRY/ EVEN OBAMA WITH NET WORTH AT A REPORTED 7.5 MILLION . HE'S LIVING LARGE TO . AND THE CLINTON'S WORTH 160 MILLION . THESE ARE ALL NOT EVERY DAY FOLKS . BUT WE NEED ROMNEY'S BUSSINSS EXSPERIANCE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE DITCH .

[bump00000]

10:49 AM on 01/17/2012

I can feel the pain of all upper case type.

[bradhshickoh]

01:23 PM on 01/17/2012

stupid post