Romney: Release your tax returns

For the second time in four days, Mitt Romney--usually a smooth performer--stumbled when the subject of releasing his income tax returns came up in a debate.

The solution to this problem is simple for him--release those returns.

Yesterday National Review Online had this to say on the subject:

But if there is something troubling — or at least politically exploitable — in Romney's returns, 'twere best it be known quickly. As Perry put it when he confronted Romney on the issue, since Republicans “cannot fire our nominee in September," it is critical that Romney release his tax records now, that voters might “take a look and decide if we’ve got a flawed candidate.” We know that should Romney become the nominee, he will be criticized over the sources of his wealth and will have to effectively respond. Republican primary voters deserve to see whether he can do so before they vote.

If he is to be the nominee, a speedy release benefits Romney, as well. If he discloses tomorrow, he will have secured the time and space necessary to exhaust the present attacks on his wealth and craft a counter-narrative. If he waits until April, or beyond, he will have ensured that the attacks reach a fever pitch just in time for the Obama campaign to make them a centerpiece of its reelection class war.

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