Foot in mouth and lack of transparency is a double-whammy for Romney.

[kentuck]

No doubt but that this latest episode of putting his foot in his mouth while our embassy and citizens were under attack has hurt him politically. It was a stark example that he is not ready to be President of the United States. It was writ large - in bold and flashing colors.

But that is not the only reason Romney is slipping in the polls. His overall secrecy and his refusal to make public his tax returns and his money stashes has finally hit home with the public. As long as he wishes to maintain his present position on these personal financial matters, he is a loser. The people have already made a big check by his name.

Unless he can make some big changes and be more transparent, the coming election will only be a ritual. He cannot win if he does not show his tax returns, regardless of what he does or how much money he spends. The people don't buy it.

[calimary]

1. As long as he doesn't produce his tax returns - the INEVITABLE conclusion

will be "must be hiding something."

That will be inescapable. It's laminated to him at this point. And he sure earned it!

[kentuck]

2. I think you are right.

[Egnever]

4. He IS hiding something

There is no must be.

He is stuck on this one. Not releasing them is killing him but releasing them will kill him.

Sucks to be a tax avoider trying to run for president. If he had any guts at all he would release them and then explain how he hopes to make it easy for everyone to get the tax advantages he get gets and stand confidently behind what he has done to shortchange the American people. But he is a weasel and knows what he has done with his money is taking advantage so he will try to hide it instead of trying to champion for others to be able to do what he does.

Thats what gets me the most about this guy I think. He is a skunk through and through. He knows people will see what he does to avoid taxes as wrong but it hasnt stopped him from doing it. I am sure he justifies it to himself by telling himself that it is perfectly legal and I would be willing to bet everything in his taxes is perfectly legal but its unseemly and he knows it.

Pretty hard to make the case that you want America to be strong while doing everything in your power to contribute as little as you can.

[left on green only]

3. He is not sweating it, other than his crushed ego.

"He cannot win if he does not show his tax returns, regardless of what he does or how much money he spends. The people don't buy it." After all, he is squandering other people's money, and his personal fortune will still be in tact, baring a post election investigation courtesy of the IRS/Justice Dept.