Jon Huntsman Sr.: 'I Feel Very Badly That Mitt Won't Release His Taxes'

The Washington Post:

The internet is alive with speculation that the secret source Harry Reid claims to have on Mitt Romney's tax returns is major Utah industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr.

Read the whole story at The Washington Post

Loading Slideshow

• Ron Paul

  "Politically, I think that would help him," Paul said in a interview with <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78599.html#ixzz20w7ycTBE" target="_hplink">Politico</a>. "In the scheme of things politically, you know, it looks like releasing tax returns is what the people want."

• Richard Lugar

  "I have no idea on why he has restricted the number to this point," <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57474352/pressure-mounts-on-mitt-romney-to-release-more-tax-returns/?tag=socsh" target="_hplink">Lugar said</a>.

• George Will

  "I don't know why... he didn't get all of this out and tidy up some of his offshore accounts and all the rest," Will said on ABC's "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/15/george-will-mitt-romney-bain_n_1674513.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FPolitics+(Politics+on+The+Huffington+Post)" target="_hplink">This Week</a>." "He's done nothing illegal, nothing unseemly, nothing improper, but lots that's impolitic."

• Bill Kristol

  "He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy," Kristol said on "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/15/mitt-romney-tax-returns_n_1674325.html" target="_hplink">Fox News Sunday</a>." "You gotta release six, eight, 10 years of back tax returns. Take the hit for a day or two."

• Robert Bentley

  "I just believe in total transparency," Bentley told <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/gop-governor-calls-on-mitt-romney-to-release-additional-tax-returns-and-show-he-has-nothing-to-hide/" target="_hplink">ABC News</a>. "In fact, I was asked today that question -- do you think that Governor Romney should release his tax returns? And I said I do. I said, I release my tax returns. I may be the only public official in Alabama that does, but I release mine every year and I just believe that people should release their tax returns. And if you get them out and just get past that, it just makes it so much easier."

• Haley Barbour

  When asked on "<a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/barbour-romney-should-release-more-tax-returns-20120710" target="_hplink">The Situation Room</a>" if Romney should release more returns, Barbour said, "I would. But should it be an issue in the campaign? I don't think it amounts to diddly."

• Michael Steele

  "If there's nothing there, there's no 'there' there, don't create a there,'" Steele said on MSNBC.

• David Frum

  "Tax returns the next problem. Releasing returns under pressure: more weakness, more pain," Frum <a href="https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/224509505973661696" target="_hplink">tweeted</a>.

Comments

[crookedvine]

09:56 AM on 08/11/2012

I feel really bad that Obama won't release his college records.

[DeanWormer]

11:39 AM on 08/11/2012

Word is thats because he claimed to be born in Africa in order to get into Columbia.

[Oldmanalex]

12:05 PM on 08/14/2012

And what makes you think that would have gotten him in, whereas Hawaii, and a very exotic childhood would not? As you may have noticed, he could check any minority box without being Kenyan-born. But if you want to fantasize your birther racism, please go ahead and do so.

[meanjoker]

12:19 AM on 08/11/2012

Mittens..... do you REALLY think this will go away???

[Oahu Bill]

09:47 PM on 08/10/2012

From the Reuters website a few minutes ago comes this reminder:

(Reuters) - Barack Obama often gets slammed for his stewardship of the U.S. economy, but for stock investors, he's been one of the best presidents since World War Two.

At 1,400, the S&P 500 on Friday was closing in on a four-year high and was up 74 percent since January 20, 2009, the day Obama took office. Not since Dwight Eisenhower's first term has a president had such a strong run for their first term.

[StealthSeesAll]

09:40 PM on 08/10/2012

Every person in America should not pay their taxes and end the IRS.

[meanjoker]

12:21 AM on 08/11/2012

yes, but as long as we have to, he better pay his friggn share.

[sharmoore]

01:36 AM on 08/11/2012

then get off my roads and highways and bridges and stop drinking my water.

[JenniferEccles]

04:05 PM on 08/12/2012

let the government raise its budget through a national lottery and get off our backs.

[StealthSeesAll]

06:30 PM on 08/13/2012

Actually, i am not oppose to paying some kind of tax for things like you mention above..that serve all of us.
However im opposed to the way it is set up. I feel it should just be a flat tax or possible put a sales tax on what we are actually using. 
Im not for using my money to fund things like schools when i have no kids using them.  and other welfare programs.
 

[Bebesc]

08:48 PM on 08/10/2012

Jon Huntsman Sr. has no credibility - Igtnore him Mitt

[meanjoker]

12:22 AM on 08/11/2012

I don't see Huntsaman hiding in tax shelters

[Bebesc]

05:03 AM on 08/11/2012

Look around - who else do you see? :)

[sdanca4]

07:38 PM on 08/10/2012

Now the World Know Willard is a "SHYSTER". Release those old Tax Returns, Willard. You're applying for a job. This isn't a new requirement. You had all these years to prepare knowing you got one term as governor, which you thought qualified you to become president.

[Dem Slow]

07:05 PM on 08/10/2012

How do we know Harry Reid is full of it about Romeny's Taxes and Reid's insider is bogus?

1) Harry Reid knew the only way he could keep from being held libel for his false accusations was to make the statements as a Senator, inside the Senate Chambers, during a Senate session.

2) Harry Reid has been challenged to make the same statements outside the Senate, when he is not acting as Senator, but Harry won't because he knows he would be sued into bankruptcy for slander. Spineless.

3) The insider is bogus, because the insider would not know or have access to Romney's tax records and Romney was gone from Bain in the time frame claimed by Dirty Harry.

4) Harry Reid's office has contradicted itself and been forced to retract prior remarks, meaning they can't get the story straight. Which is what happens why you fabricate events (aka LIE).

5) If Harry Reid had actual legal proof to back his claims, Reid would have already released the proof. [crickets chirping] [crickets chirping] [crickets chirping] [crickets chirping]

6) If Romney's Taxes had anything illegal or crooked; the IRS would have long ago hauled him in for an Audit. Nothing there.

7) Finally, because I got a call from a source I won't name that says Harry Reid is full of it. What you don't believe me, yet you believe Harry. Hypocrites.

[vivian777]

07:53 PM on 08/10/2012

Nice try but who the heck cares about Harry Reid. He's on his way out anyway.

But, we TAXPAYERS are growing more and more INCENSED with Romney's arrogant REFUSAL to release his tax returns.

He's obviously hiding something really damaging.

No Returns, No Votes.

[Seattle Mark]

12:09 PM on 08/11/2012

Why would the Huntsman family (that expects a presumption of honor, integrity and loyalty) pursue the nomination of a political party, then turn and seek to secretly destroy the eventual nominee? I hope to do everything possible against the Jon Huntmans organizations (Jr & Sr). Internal enemies (Judas') cause far more damage than external ones.

[Dem Slow]

12:18 PM on 08/19/2012

Translation:
Obamabots are frustrated that Romney won't play their Distraction Games.
Obama's Sheep are frustrated their Messiah can't talk about his record, since it is an Epic Failure.

Obama destroying Success and promoting Failure, the pinkO Socialist way.

[macksdaughter]

07:59 PM on 08/10/2012

You could have safe yourself some time and call Romney and tell him to do theright thing.
Harry is not crazy.

[lionzion]

06:58 PM on 08/10/2012

Never!

-mittens-

[George McAulay]

06:47 PM on 08/10/2012

I'm from Australia and this is the first year ever where we have had extensive coverage of a presidential election (it certainly is different).

Can the GOP cancel Romney's candidacy and replace him or not? If so can he challenge that decision in the courts?

[rlradski]

07:01 PM on 08/10/2012

Some delegates are bound, others are not. It depends on the State. The delegates are free on the third ballot.

[vivian777]

08:08 PM on 08/10/2012

Now that's a thought!

I believe Romney still needs the formal nomination by the delegates from each state at the RNC Convention at the end of this month. Conceivably these delegates COULD change their minds and vote for someone else. But that is highly unlikely considering the hundreds of millions $$ the Republicans have already spent on Romney.

But it sure would be fun to watch!!
Libertarians are ready!!

(And...If Mitt does release his tax returns, the delegates might very well change their votes)

[George McAulay]

10:32 PM on 08/10/2012

I don't quite understand the delegates thing. Does a delegate vote for a group of people or are they just connected with the party.

Do delegates vote in the big election?

[Outtolunchnotcomingback]

05:56 PM on 08/10/2012

If Mitt's defeat was a slam dunk this mass hysteria exhibited by the Democrats being akin to a pack of rabid dogs going after Mitt at every opportunity, only signals to me that they see the writing on the wall and have an overall sense of defeat.
It's so obvious.

[thestarfish6393]

01:42 PM on 08/11/2012

that's not it at all--every other U.S. presidential candidate in history since the 1960s has released their tax returns. it's completely reasonable to ask that mitt do the same.

the rabid dogs you speak of are the backwoods hillbilly birthers who keep pulling out the "obama ain't born in america" schtick. obama provided a birth certificate yet romney still has not released his tax returns and the election is in less than 3 months!

[DontJustFollow]

05:54 PM on 08/10/2012

Good luck kids - republicans are not afraid backing Romney. Lots and lots of indies are not either. I think you will be surprised how many dems will be saying one thing and voting another as well -

Keep listening to the liberal reporters that tell you the right is worried and have a nice day --- Just remember why yall got beat on 2010 and ask yourselves "what is different this time?"

[twinter14]

05:55 PM on 08/10/2012

I think you might find a more receptive audience at Fox News

[DontJustFollow]

05:57 PM on 08/10/2012

Fox News and MSNBC are a total waste of time. TV is for people that are only comfortable when they are being told what to think - - -

You want the real news? go out on the street and ask people how it is going - - -

[isee61]

06:01 PM on 08/10/2012

booyow!

[begabug]

05:57 PM on 08/10/2012

well, mitt's very different fer one.

[Outtolunchnotcomingback]

05:45 PM on 08/10/2012

Nit-pickers and tax return voyeurs won't be enough to stop Mitt.
Try another tact, like running on your record, if you can find one.

[Dem girl2012]

05:46 PM on 08/10/2012

Why doesn't Mitt run on his record ?

Oh yeah it's been destroyed now.

[Lefty08]

05:48 PM on 08/10/2012

Tax cheats never win general elections.

[Dem girl2012]

05:40 PM on 08/10/2012

Mitt is pleading for Mercy and we have barely started.

Stick around Mitt. The RYAN/MITT show is coming up.

You'll remember your taxes as the laz/y days of summer.

[stacib]

05:44 PM on 08/10/2012

Funny - come debate time, he will be remembering the summer of 2012 fondly. I cannot wait to see his get squished like a bug on the national stage. He thought he was so witty during the Republican debates. Debating Obama will be like nothing he's ever experienced before. Remember the kid whose hair Romney cut. My guess is Romney will be feeling that same sense of helplessness once Obama gets to him.

[DontJustFollow]

05:48 PM on 08/10/2012

Can't wait to hear Obama's version of the economy and his stim programs and failed bailouts one after the other - - - how to do convince 300 million people that what they see around themselves every day is really not real ....

I see a new campaign phrase coming soon - ObamaLand - where dreams really do come true... until after the election

[vivian777]

08:13 PM on 08/10/2012

Naw, Obama wouldn't be THAT cruel.

[Adjuster]

05:38 PM on 08/10/2012

Doesn't it worry you cons that he had 6 years to prepare for this and he still looks like a deer caught in headlamps day after day, week after week...

Buyer's remorse cons? Better do something drastic at the convention...

[DontJustFollow]

05:45 PM on 08/10/2012

He has an awfully long record of successes - he doesn't too worried to me. Somehome he managed to get elected Governor of Teddy Kennedy's state.... I would think there are a lot more democrats than republicans in Massachusetts...

Maybe that is why all the far left dems are so worked up? Somehow Mitt is able to convince a bunch of democrats to vote for him..... I don't know Massachusetts politics - but I bet he ran against someone that didn't have to defend their record like Obama does.

Somehow yall have to figure out a way to get any kind of spotlight off of President Obama's total and complete failure as leader of this nation the past four years... Somehow yall have to hide the employment numbers and national debt, and the stim debacle and hide ObamaCare better than yall did in 2010 ---

THAT is what would scare me . . . . how do you hide the truth from 300 million people living in the middle of it ?

[Lefty08]

05:51 PM on 08/10/2012

The truth is....he's a tax cheat. No one likes a tax cheat.

The "successes" of his you state are debatable....but not until Mitt releases those returns. Returns first....debate after.

[marinemomof3]

05:51 PM on 08/10/2012

67% of Americans want him to release his tax returns, even Senators, Congressmen, Primary candidates, George Will, Erick Erickson...........

The election is over according to Red State.

Obama 2012

Romney 1040

[DontJustFollow]

05:48 PM on 08/10/2012

does it worry you that Obama has to answer for the debacle he has presided over that past four years ?

[Adjuster]

06:15 PM on 08/10/2012

Saying that doesn't make it true...ask bin ladin

[vivian777]

08:23 PM on 08/10/2012

Does it worry you that the stock market is up 70% since Obama took office?

[begabug]

05:38 PM on 08/10/2012

i'm old enough to know my turn comes before mitt's.