Romney's problem of his own making (Washington Post)

[Rosa Luxemburg]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-romneys-problem-of-his-own-making/2012/07/16/gJQAKjBepW_story.html?hpid=z2

Mitt Romney has every right to cloak his personal and professional finances in secrecy — and voters have every right to assume he has something embarrassing to hide. If this seems unfair, Romney has only himself to blame.

Through a series of miscalculations, Romney has managed to turn what should have been a minor hiccup into what may be a defining moment, and not in a good way. Attacks by President Obama’s campaign serve mainly to draw attention to the train wreck.

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[rocktivity]

1. I knew this was a Eugene Robinson piece even before I saw his name in the link

It's too sensible for WaPo. And there never could have been a "hiccup" to "cure" if Mitt had released his tax returns as a matter of course.


rocktivity

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. Eugene produce quality

[Waiting For Everyman]

3. One way his refusal to release might make sense.

If his returns show that he shafted his own "money people" in some way, then delaying disclosure until they have donated all he can get out of them would make sense. The later, the better, if that's true.

In addition to that, I also think there is going to be conflict between sworn statements he has made. That could ultimately be more important, but without getting all the money he can first, he wouldn't even be able to defend himself. If he continues to stonewall, I think it's likely that he has shafted some friends. It wouldn't be shocking, given his personality.

And if I were on the Obama team... I'd want to see that possible explanation of it being suggested in the media anyway. It might get some of his backers good and paranoid. Maybe paranoid enough to withhold some donations.