Under Pressure, Romney Misfires On Ethics Probe

What genius came up with this one? Romney was shaky in the last debate after being pressured in the previous one. Now his campaign looks to be feeling it, too. And this is the Beltway's dream team? It's also a smart way to remind people you haven't released your tax returns, Mitt. He's been flummoxed by that same question in two different debates, now - not a good sign of a solid campaign.

Mitt Romney, in an apparent response to demands that he release his tax returns, calls on Newt Gingrich to release the ethics probe that got him bounced from Congress, admonishing: “I wouldn’t do it piecemeal. Do it all at once.”

It’s not really clear what Romney means by “release” in this context. After all, if Gingrich does want to “release” the probe, either piecemeal or all at once, it won’t be hard: It’s already posted online right here on the ethics committee’s Website.

Most everyone I know believes the longer this goes, the weaker Romney will get. And we're supposed to rely upon that to beat Obama and Axelrod? No thanks. I'll take my chances with Newt. At least I know there's the potential to actually gain something for conservatism. Given this latest by Mitt and his other gaffes, plus a look back at 2008, everyone can mess up - but, all in all, Gingrich lands more and better punches. Mitt's a light-weight with a tendency to shoot himself in the foot when the pressure's on. No wonder he's thinking of ducking the next debate. Geesh!

Also, Chuck Norris (see here) and Big Foot (below) have now both endorsed Newt Gingrich. How can you lose when those two have your back in a knock down, drag out? heh!

Comments

[Ricky]

There must be something in those tax returns that Romney doesn't want us to find out! It is not class warfare that he is worried about.

[VaGal]

"Most everyone I know believes the longer this goes, the weaker Romney will get"

One of several reasons for the rush to accept him as a "done deal".

[Ricky]

I know he doesn't have to release them, but he gets all nervous when the subject comes up!

[sickofrinos]

When asked about it, he stares into the balcony, as if he's looking for the dancing ball with the appropriate lyrics underneath!!!

[sickofrinos]

Keep up the Mitt bashing, and relliapundit and his ilk will be all over you, Dan.
Thanks for taking the heat. And keeping us posted.

[astonerii]

He is not going to skip the debates, he will buy up all the time slots for the debate and interject between sessions. He has money to burn, in $100 bill denominations.

[Trista]

Romney didn't cheat on his taxes. He's running for office, for Pete's sake.

Also, thinking about voting for Newt makes me want to throw up.

People who applaud multiple adulterous affairs also make me sick.

I'm wondering if it's conservatives that are crazy or just the good people of South Carolina?

[sickofrinos]

Trista- All I now is Newt made me feel good. Shallow me likes when the media is bludgeoned.
If Newt can come up with ideas to get this country working again, then I don't care if he does the Cowboys Cheerleaders.

[Joyce]

And who was it that Chuck Norris endorsed in 2008???

[Ragspierre]

"People who applaud multiple adulterous affairs also make me sick."

Well, that kind of hyperbolic crap SHOULD make you sick.

C'mon.

[ELJohnson]

Every article I read on the subject indicated that the Romney team knew about the edited version online and that they are requesting the full report which is over 1000 pages.

You're either stupid or dishonest. I always say that about liberals. Its sad to see it on the conservative side during the primaries.

[richard mcenroe]

Actually the ethics complaint only got Newt bounced from the Speakership and cost him $300K; he won reelection to his Congressional district -- handily -- and then resigned it in a fit of neurotic pique.

Get ready for it early. Newt WILL quit on you when it matters.

[Ragspierre]

"You're either stupid or dishonest."

I'm going to be charitable, EL. There isn't an "edited version" online.

The report of the Congress is online. (See the period?)

What Sununu (a guy with considerable ethical questions in his own past) seems to be angling for is the raw material from which the Congressional finding derived.

Such a demand is corrupt in itself, IMNHO. The raw material contains stuff that the Committee filtered through according to various rules, and much of it is bogus.

It would be like demanding the complete police report on an alleged crime, which might contain all kinds of utter crap the police investigated and found worthless.

If that is the case, it is outrageous.

[joe]

Why is Romney weaseling out of showing the voters his tax records? Maybe this.

The Wall Street Journal reports today in its story entitled 'Romney's Unorthodox IRA' that Mitt Romney has between $20.7 million and $101.6 million parked in his IRA.

For Mitt Romney to have accumulated $20 to $100 million in his IRA suggests that somehow he had found a way around this $2,000 a year limit to contributions as there is no way contributing $2,000 a year could ever grow to $20 million in one's lifetime, much less $100 million, regardless of how good an investor one is.

But Romney was not happy paying 15% per year. By bastardizing the intent of IRA legislation meant to help working Americans save for retirement, Romney has succeeded in shielding $20 million to $100 million of his staggering personal wealth from all taxes to date, an effective tax rate of 0%.

Mitt Romney with all his tax dodging schemes has as much chance of being elected president in this tough economic climate as a draft dodger would have had during the Vietnam War.

http://tinyurl.com/83u937o

[Ragspierre]

What a load of crap, joe.

So long as avoiding taxes is kept legal, one is an idiot not to avoid taxes.

[Ragspierre]

http://www.breitbart.tv/sheila-jackson-lee-newt-using-racist-codewords/

A-mazing.

But, if Sheila hates him, I gots to love him...!!!

[Trista]

Romney hasn't done anything illegal with his taxes. If anything, he's made a whole lot of money, which we already know, but which will also add fuel to the liberal class warfare fire. I like Mitt's new response to these allegations, and so does Rush. Profit is good. We like profit. We shouldn't punish people in this country for making money.

As far as Newt's standing ovation, I'm glad that sicko and the rest of SC were distracted from the rotting moral fiber that is Newt Gingrich by the shiny bauble of Media Bashing, but I was unimpressed. He owes the country an answer. He had an opportunity to say something meaningful there, and he didn't. He BLAMED other people (the media) and glossed over the issue, and the American people APPLAUDED him for it. The truly despicable act was the blase way in which broke his marriage vows, not once, but twice. No, I am not impressed by Media Bashing. I am disgusted.

[Ragspierre]

"He owes the country an answer."

He's given several. In various forums.

You either don't hear, or don't care to be truthful on this.

[Trista]

I'm not hearing it, Rags. The answers he's given entail saying he's sought forgiveness and that he did it because he was under great pressure as Speaker. Neither of which is cutting the mustard for me. Marianne says he hasn't sought her forgiveness. True or not, he could have said something to her that night.

Either way, Newt missed the opportunity to look the American people in the eye and give a sincere, heartfelt answer. Instead he offered blustering smoke and mirrors.

Combine this character flaw with ethics violations, and you can see how I'm concerned that Newt is lacking in moral character. Character used to be lauded as a good thing - especially to conservatives.

[Ragspierre]

1. character is a good thing

2. withholding judgment in personal matters you know jack-spit about is a good thing

3. don't vote for him if he doesn't "cut your mustard"

4. a Presidential debate is not an appropriate place for "gotcha" questions intended to exploit a network slime-attack...not for asking and not for answering

5. what "ethics violationssss"?

6. see interview with Van Sustren [spelling dubious] the night of the debate

[Ragspierre]

On the issue of character, Trista, I find very little to admire in Mr. Romney's record as governor.

I frankly doubt his claim to being a "conservative", and find it outright dishonest.

[Will]

"All I now is Newt made me feel good. "

The modern Republican id, boiled down to its essence.

[Trista]

LOL, Will.

Rags, I think EFM nicely summed up my feelings about Newt's standing ovation.

http://www.nationalreview.com/home-front/288715/why-newts-answer-was-wrong/nancy-french

The GREATER evil was the infidelity, not the gotcha media. There are legitimate reasons for divorce. There are never legitimate reasons for infidelity. Divorce and the decay of the family is NOT something to be applauded.

"2. withholding judgment in personal matters you know jack-spit about is a good thing"

While I typically agree, the EFM article does point out the fact that Newt was indeed living an open marriage whether his wife knew about it or not. Newt has never disputed the facts of multiple affairs while married. These are facts, not speculation.

And I find it odd that conservatives are now advocating a new standard of withholding judgment when they clearly did not do so for Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Larry Craig, and all of the others.

I understand that some think Romney is dishonest. Fine. At least he's just a supposed liar and not a lying adulterer.

[Ragspierre]

"And I find it odd that conservatives are now advocating a new standard of withholding judgment when they clearly did not do so for Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Larry Craig, and all of the others."

Well, politely, Trista, you are full of BS. Including on the definition of "open marriage".

But you are entitled.

[Trista]

Oh, Rags.

I find it endearing that you just advocated the higher road of withholding judgment while telling me I'm full of BS.

Makes me smile.

[Ragspierre]

Oh, Trista, it makes me smile that you make a (clearly false) assertion of fact, and when the fallacy is pointed out, that is "judgmental".

I didn't say you were a bad person, dear. I even noted you were entitled to express even a wrong opinion.

See...??

I am kinda famous for withholding judgment, defending all against bogus charges, pointing out holes in early-breaking stories, etc.

Infamous, in some quarters...

I've done it for Bachmann, Perry, Mittens, Newt, Santorum, AND Weiner, to name a few. I've done it for Clinton in some of the more outrageous permutations of his scandals.

And I am a Conservative.