The modern presidency demands so much of one individual – decisions of immense complexity, consequence and difficulty – that the candidates’ character must be thoroughly examined. The exploratory process is often unpleasant for candidates, especially when it is stimulated or exploited by their opponents. But it is essential for voters. The probing and investigating is a chance to examine all the ups and downs of a career, the critical moments and life experiences that might foretell how a president will make decisions. This is why Mitt Romney’s tax returns are important. He has described himself as a successful capitalist who took risks and created wealth, a laudable credential. Voters would benefit by seeing and evaluating the details of that story, including through his tax records. It is insulting to voters for Romney to keep them under wraps and will only fuel suspicions that he has something else to conceal. – Washington Post
As the existing Bain Capital attacks show, Team Obama will twist any factoid Mitt Romney gives them into a new attack ad. I don’t know what is in Romney’s tax returns. But if the professionals who run Romney’s campaign think Obama will distort something in them, I am inclined to believe them. Team Obama also will look vindicated if Romney caves. Even if there is absolutely nothing in Romney’s returns, a big “if,” Team Obama will claim a victory for transparency. Romney will look weak for caving. Besides, the request for documents will always be endless. Romney’s dad gave 12 years of returns. If Romney did that, then that would bring us right into the middle of his tenure at Bain. Would the Obama campaign let Romney stop there? No. It would want his returns from all of Romney’s time at Bain. And then before that. The only way to shut Team Obama down on this issue is to say “no” and stick to it. – Conn Carroll, Washington Examiner
