Obama says Americans expect more tax returns from Romney

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday it was not "out of bounds" for his re-election campaign to push Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney to release more tax returns, saying such transparency is what the American people would rightly expect.

Obama made the comments in the White House press briefing room. He said the precedent for candidates to release years of tax returns was set decades ago and should not change.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-obama-taxesbre87j0mj-20120820,0,5348375.story

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Obama: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Being Mean’ By Asking For Romney’s Taxes

IGOR BOBIC 1:53 PM EDT, MONDAY AUGUST 20, 2012

¬snip¬

"I think the idea that is somehow exceptional, that there should be a rationale or justification for doing more than the very bare minimum, has it backwards," Obama said of his request for more tax information. "The assumption should be, you do what previous presidential candidates have been doing for decades."

"This isnt sort of overly personal here guys, this is standard stuff," Obama added. "I don't think we're being mean by asking you to do what every other presidential candidate has done."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-i-dont-think-were-being-mean-by

[The Wielding Truth]

1. This has been a masterful use of communication through a press conference. Thank you, Mr. President.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. That sure makes Romney sound whiny.

Romney, "The big mean Democrats are picking on me!"

Obama, ""This isnt sort of overly personal here guys, this is standard stuff, I don't think we're being mean by asking you to do what every other presidential candidate has done."

[Life Long Dem]

3. Akin's seems to be in the media

I feel the back draft of a media distraction. Fake as fake can be. But hey... rape is rape. No shit.

[speedoo]

4. I like the apparent strategy:

Do just enough to keep Romney's taxes percolating in the news.... Drip, drip, drip.

[rocktivity]

5. Roughly two voters out of three expect more tax returns from Romney

rocktivity

[hughee99]

6. While I'm glad they're not letting this issue drop

I'd prefer it was someone other than the president talking about it. He doesn't need to be getting into this at all, Romney is putting his own foot in his mouth just fine. IMHO, it would be better if Romney spent the next few weeks talking about abortion comments and tax returns while the president talked about the issues.

[bushisanidiot]

7. Yep! We DO!

put up or shut up, Mitt!