Presidential Polls 2012: Mitt Romney Tax Returns and 47 Percent Gaffe Will Doom Him in the Polls

Mitt Romney is trying to change the topic after a disastrous week when he insulted half of the American population. Polling data shows that Americans do not like being called victims dependent on the federal government. According to Gallup, 36% of people say being insulted makes them less likely to vote for Romney. Romney now wishes to change the subject and Republicans want to help him do that as quickly as possible.

In a "So how 'bout them Mets" moment Romney has tried to hide from what just happened. The tax return release, which does not include what Democrats were asking for is just an attempt to change the topic. Any topic would have been better. The responses to Romney's video and now his attempt to change the topic have been quite strong.  

We'll start with the response of Alex Castellanos, Mitt Romney’s former strategist from 2008.  Initially when the tax returns came out Castellanos tweeted: "you are kidding @maggiepolitico is this a joke? Let’s revive debate on mitt's taxes! Sure this will put it to bed."

Politico covers the rest of his remarks, quoting Castellanos as saying, "At first I thought this was an April fool's Joke," said Castellanos. "But it isn't April. I can't imagine that David Axelrod will now say, I'm glad Mitt put this issue behind him. This will drag Mitt's taxes back into the debate. And there's not many days left. I just can't imagine why they would do this. There are 40 days left and you have now made more of them about Mitt's taxes.... you don't serve a life sentence and then confess afterward. They've taken their beating on this (already) ... I just don't understand how a (being) 'little pregnant' strategy (works)."

My take on the taxes issue, probably an okay attempt at a dodge. However, since the last time the issue came up, I learned that Romney had a major problem when running for Governor regarding his taxes. During his time turning around the Olympics by receiving money from the federal government to cover all shortfalls Romney lived out of state and filed taxes in Utah. (The federal government built that turnaround.) Thus, his eligibility for governor was in question.  Romney essentially said, "Trust me, I filed in both places." Several years later Romney filed amended returns to pay taxes in Massachusetts. Does he deserve our trust again? Thank you for bringing all this up Mitt Romney! So how about Mitt Romney?  Here's the video he hopes you forget yesterday: 

So how about them Mets! This chart shows that most of those not paying taxes are in Republican led states, which brings up a solution to the problem. If Romney really wants to solve this he doesn't need to be president. He can become leader of the Republican National Committee and get Republican leaders working on the fact that most people who don't pay taxes are in their states, the most people on food stamps are in red states, the most people who don't have health insurance, and the most people with the worst health problems. View the data on this. Take a look at the chart of nonpayers by state:

Thank you, Mitt Romney. We don't need you as president. We don't need you to change the topic. The problems that you talk about exist. Please go solve the fact that Republican trickle down economics are not working in Red States and all the problems you cite occur most heavily in those states. Please, become a leader of the RNC and go solve those problems! Democrats have their own solutions to those problems and judging by the fact that ... they work and more people in Democrat led states pay taxes, fewer are on food stamps, and more are insured, you can take your solutions elsewhere. Democrats have the credibility on this issue, Republicans do not. Here is President Obama's response on Letterman to Mitt Romney's 47% remarks:

Obama states that Republicans are, "hard-working, family people who care about this country," and that even though 47% of the people voted McCain, he the president must represent everyone.    

So, how about dem Mets? The Romney campaign's attempts to divert attention from the 47% issue, which seems to be nailing him may work, but I suppose there are plenty of angry people out there who will help remind everyone. From former Romney campaign team member Alex Castellanos' response, to President Obama's there are plenty of people who will still be talking about this. With 40 days left until the election, I'll be happy to talk about both Romney's 47% remarks and his taxes.

The summary of Romney's returns does not answer the question, "What is Mitt Romney hiding in those returns?" More Swiss bank accounts? More tax havens in the Cayman Islands? Yeah .... so how about them Mets? And how about them Yankees? For anyone who thinks Democrats concerns were answered by the release of summaries of Romney's tax returns, here is Rachel Maddow detailing the specific concerns:

I'm not a giant baseball fan, but Romney seems to have gotten people talking about his 47% remarks and his taxes at the same time. Maybe if he angers a few more allies in Europe we'll think this guy has been vetted enough to become the most powerful man in the world.