Missouri Republicans: Mitt Romney Right On Bain & Tax Returns
A Patch panel of party insiders from the local and state level believes the presumptive Presidential nominee will carry Missouri in November.
Photos
If the presidential election were held today, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney would carry the state of Missouri. That's according to a recent survey of GOP party insiders assembled as part of Patch's ongoing "Red Arch" project.
Previous Red Arch Survey Coverage:
Of those surveyed, 57.1 percent said they strongly agreed with the statement, while 38.1 percent somewhat agreed. One respondent somewhat disagreed (2.4 percent) while another was neutral on the question.
The survey reflects the general evolution of Missouri Republicans as it pertains to the likely nominee. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum won Missouri's non-binding primary, and Romney had to work until June to cement a majority of the state's convention delegates.
As the campaign has gone through the month of July, Democrats have tried to make an issue of Romney's involvement with Bain Capital, the private equity firm he founded. Critics point to SEC filings which indicate his role continued even after he left to lead the U.S. Olympic effort in Salt Lake City.
An overwhelming number of Missouri Republicans (71.4 percent) polled in the Red Arch survey said they felt the Romney campaign has done an effective job handling questions about Bain. Nineteen percent said no and 9.5 percent said they had no opinion.
A majority of respondents (54.8 percent) also said Governor Romney should not release more tax return information, despite calls from critics to do so, while 35.7 percent said the campaign should. Nearly 10 percent (9.5) had no opinion.
Tell us what you think of the results in the comments section below
The Red Arch/Blue Arch Survey
Patch political surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders and elected officials in Missouri. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in the surveys, although not all responded to this week's questions. Interviews for this poll were conducted between July 23 and July 27. More than 60 individuals were polled using an automated survey tool. 42 people responded.
Patch will be conducting Red Arch and Blue Arch surveys throughout 2012 in hopes of determining the true sentiment of conservatives, liberals and moderates on the ground in Missouri.
If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a bi-weekly survey that lasts just a few minutes, please email Gregg.Palermo@patch.com.
Red Arch Roster
Ruth Springer (former Olivette Mayor), Frederic Steinbach (former Chesterfield Mayor), Randy Jotte (Candidate for Congress), Katy Forand (Gravois Township Committeewoman) Scott Rupp (State Senator/Secretary of State Candidate), Rick Stokes (Wentzville Alderman/State Rep. Candidate), Charlie Hinderliter (State Legislative campaign manager), Mark Parkinson (State Rep.), Chrissy Sommer (State Rep.), Jon Bennett (St. Charles Township Committeeman), Eugene Dokes (Chairman of St. Charles County Republican Central Committee), Chuck Gross (former State Senator), Cheryl Bates (St. Charles Young Republicans President), Penny Henke (St. Charles County Republican Central Committeewoman), Joe Cronin (St. Charles County Council), Terry Hollander (St. Charles County Council), Mike Nunnery (Republican voter), Jim Pepper (O'Fallon City Council), David Blanke (Lewis & Clark Republican Township Committeeman), Robyn Hamlin (Candidate for Congress), Don Bickowski (Jefferson County Council member), Linda Van De Riet (Jefferson County Republican Central Committee member), Renee Reuter (Jefferson County Council Member), D.J. Cully (Jefferson County Council candidate), Roy W. Sims (High Ridge Township Republican committeeman candidate), Celeste Witzel (GOP Committeewoman for the Oakville Township), Alan Leaderbrand (GOP Committeeman for the Lemay Township), Kourtney Lamb (President of the Brentwood Young Republicans), Dennis Broadbooks , (Wild Horse Township), Eileen Tyrrell (Meramec Township Member), Judy Hon (Chesterfield Township Committeewoman), Anne Gassel (Wild Horse Township Committeewoman), Chris Howard (Lafayette Township Committeeman/Convention Delegate), Kevin Rejent (Election Attorney), Richard C. Rowe (Republican voter), Rekha Sharma (State Rep. Candidate), Darin Morley (Reboot Congress blogger), Mark Zinn (GOP Consultant), Cynthia Davis (candidate for Lt. Governor), Sue Allen (State Rep.), Claire Chosid (Republican voter), John Diehl (State Rep.), Lee Presser (blogger/tv host), Ed Martin (Attorney General candidate), Carl Bearden (Former State Rep/Exec. Dir. United for Missouri), Michael Morton (Regional Political Director/Ann Wagner campaign), Christopher Brooks (Candidate For County Central Committee), Marsha Haefner (State Rep.), Cloria Brown (State Rep.), Philip Scherry (Rock Hill Alderman), Derek Michael Spencer (Regional Political Director/Brad Lager For Lt. Gov.), Brian Spencer (State Rep. candidate), Catherine Dreher (Candidate for Committeewoman candidate), Annette Read (Candidate, Missouri River Township GOP Committeewoman), Chris Gard (State Rep. candidate), Anthony Pousosa (St. Louis County Council candidate), Kit Crancer (Chief of Staff, State Senator Jane Cunningham), Cole McNary (Candidate for State Treasurer), Michael Burr (Creve Coeur Township Committee Candidate), Maria Burr (Creve Coeur Township Committee Candidate), Bill Stouffer (Candidate for Secretary of State), Tyler Holyfield (State Rep. Candidate), David Wissler (Gravois Township Committee candidate), Pat Walker (Maryland Heights Township Committee candidate), Maggie Walker (Maryland Heights Township Committee candidate), Scott Pinkham (Boone Township Committee candidate), Teresa Douglas (Lemay Township committee candidate).
Rockwood 25
2:33 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Not releasing more tax info is significant; it is way outside the norm, a norm began by Romney Sr. decades earlier. It does beg the question, if he's willing to take so much flak by not releasing more info, then there must be something in them that would be much worse politically.
Kevin Lane
10:52 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
You mean like birth certificates, school records, & documents concerning the sale of illegal guns to Mexican cartels?
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"Given the precedent set by past seven Presidents and Presidential candidates of releasing multi-year tax returns why is Romney making an exception?" Because he has a lot to hide, apparently.
He's the only one that knows what's in there, and apparently he's made the judgement that he's better off having us suspect the worst, rather than us knowing whats in there, which apparently in his mind is worse than anything we're likely to imagine.
Possibilities include:
(1) He ended up with 120 million in his 401K by the trick of agreeing with Bain to grossly undervalue the market value of his stock, then a few years later have the stock get unvalued to the stratosphere.
(2) He participated in the tax avoidance amnesty program of a few years back, avoiding major tax penalties or prosecution.
(3) Any one or more of the other borderline legal but very bad smelling tax dodges-- "in-kind" trades, "no-risk" trades, no-risk write-offs, the list is almost endless.
And BTW he HASNT even released all of his 2010 return, he very conveniently left off the foreign investments and deposits form. Very convenient.
And his argument that it would be "bothersome" to collect the tax data is a crock too-- he supposedly collected 23 years of the stuff to show to McCain in 2008.
Sonny Pondrom
9:28 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
On the 2011 return, I understand that he is going to wait until the last day (Oct 31) in order to give opponents only a week to review the foreign investments and deposits forms. It may not be as he thinks. He is taking a chance of being "Swift Boated" where using tax shelters in the Cayman Island (estimated at $33 Million) and other off shore hiding places may influence the undecided voters in a negative direction.
PaulRevere
4:18 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Sonny:
Really, You understand everything about what the Republican Romney wants to do and how deceitful he might be.
BUT, you don't understand what the Democratic Party wants to do to fix this country problems.
Question!-- What could possibly be in Romney 2011 tax return that will MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER?
I doubt YOU would really know the terms, Passive income, Alternative minimum taxes, Capital gain exclusions, Pass-Thru entities, Minority interest values-- on and on.
ALL Legitimate income tax considerations.
This President wants to keep you focused on Romney- Rather than his record of ZERO accomplishments as he struggles with being the only president ever having over 8% unemployment for over 3 years. With Zero program to CUT spending.
He offers only MORE SPENDING by Stealing money from the Rich
He says that , but you should know TAXING 100% of every Rich Person in America would only pay for 8 days to run this government.
Stop reading the lies. Start using your Brain. Question them , like you question whatever a Republican says..
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Republicans betrayed their own conscience when they went against established Republican principles like the MANDATE over healthcare which was a Heritage foundation issue popularized by Gingrich.
Obama did more than his share to UNITE but the Republicans were out to oppose for opposing sake and not following any policy or principles. In the famous words of Minority Senate Leader Mitch McConnell the Republicans were out to defeat the Obama agenda even if it went against established Republican policies set by past precedent.
Mitch McConnell was out to make sure that President Obama remains a one term President and see where it has brought the Congress and its public esteem.
Gingrich out of his own admission was out to defeat Obama from the day he was sworn in as President.
You can not justify the Republicans as the "loyal" opposition as is the case in most mature democracies. They have been out to get President Obama by hook or by crook. A leader can meet the opposition half way but can not fold completely to their whims and fantasies like that of the current Tea Party affiliates.
Republicans will loose in 2012 just like they did in 2008 but with a smaller margin because of the dark money of Billionaires due to Citizens United verdict of the right wing Supreme Court.
Sonny Pondrom
9:46 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I'm not so sure that Romney will loose. Negative campaigning is very effective on those not paying attention. For example, a majority of Republicans are convinced that the Affordable Healthcare Law is a Democratic idea. By giving it the name, "ObamaCare" they are trying to convince Medicare users that benefits are going to be cut and the program will run out of funds sooner that the Republican plan. Unless the truth is known, the Medicare will take a hit.
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
" ... Mitt Romney senior adviser Ed Gillespie said Sunday on CNN’s "State of the Union" the GOP candidate “retroactively” retired from Bain Capital after the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics began. ... "
No body who has been drawing at LEAST $100,000.00 per year from 1999 to 2002 from Bain Capital “retroactively” retires from Bain Capital AFTER the 2002!!! Then why draw the salary of at LEAST $100,000.00 per year from 1999 to 2002 from Bain Capital if Romney retired from Bain “retroactively” !!!
" ... Gillespie continued, "He took a leave of absence and, in fact, Candy, he ended up not going back at all and retired retroactively to February of 1999 as a result." ... "
However SEC documents show Mitt Romney as sole owner of all shares of Bain Capital. Romney is also shown as CEO, President and Chairman of Board of Bain Capital in 2001 and 2002 then LEGALLY speaking Mitt Romney has been responsible to all that goes on under the banner of Bain Capital. Then to run for Governor of MA Romney sought residency of MA by lieu of his Bain positions. Now either Romney was at the Olympics OR he was at BAIN.
Only one can be true not BOTH at the same time simultaneously!!! Will the true Willard Mitt Romney stand up and accept ONE thing? Does Romney want to accept untrue SEC filings and be called a Felon or agree that he represented Bain from 1999 to 2002?
Sonny Pondrom
9:56 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I believe the Federal income tax returns for years 1999 to 2002 would show the answer. Also it should be noted to he has played games (not Olympic) with his previous tax returns. When he ran for gov. of Mass., he had to "retroactively" change his principle home from where he lived in Denver in order to qualify for the Mass. governor race. So he does have a lot of experience with Federal tax returns.
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
SEC documents show Mitt Romney as sole owner of all shares of Bain Capital. Romney is shown as CEO, President and Chairman of Board of Bain Capital in 2001 and 2002 then LEGALLY speaking Mitt Romney has been responsible to all that goes on under the banner of Bain Capital.
Mitt Romney can not just share the good like job creation from 1999 to 2002 and leave the ugly like Bankruptcies and layoffs behind as if he had nothing to do about them from 1999 to 2002.
If he really wanted to disassociate himself from Bain Capital he could have resigned and sold all his shares in Bain Capital in February 1999 then it would have been a different matter but to share in the glory of Bain's job creation accept a salary of $100,000 or MORE (where are the Tax Returns?) for three years and only to refuse to take the responsibility of Bankruptcies and layoffs on his WATCH (1999-2002) is trying to have it both ways and then complaining of playing politics having been caught with his hand in the proverbial Cookie Jar that is the very essence of an ACTIVE LEGAL ROLE in Bain Capital till 2002!! Was Romney getting $100,000.00 or more to do NOTHING for BAIN Capital???
Mitt Romney will have to face the consequences of this leaving Bain "lie" that Mitt Romney has brought on upon himself.
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Two-Faced Willard
"I was not responsible for what happened at Bain Capital" - Mitt Romney
"I was the Sole shareholder, Sole director, Chief executive officer and President of Bain" - Mitt Romney
"The Arizona immigration policy is a good model" – Mitt Romney
"I didn't really support the Arizona immigration policy" – Mitt Romney
“The Massachusetts healthcare plan should be a model for the nation” – Mitt Romney
“Healthcare reform should be left to the states” – Mitt Romney
"Let Detroit go bankrupt" -Mitt Romney
"I'll take a lot of credit for saving the auto industry" -Mitt Romney
“I believe Roe v Wade has gone too far.” – Mitt Romney
“Roe v Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.” – Mitt Romney
“I respect and will protect a woman’s right to choose.” – Mitt Romney
“I never really called myself pro-choice.” – Mitt Romney
“It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam.” – Mitt Romney
“I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam and represent our country there.” – Mitt Romney
“I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.” – Mitt Romney
“Ronald Reagan is… my hero.” – Mitt Romney
“I think the minimum wage ought to keep pace with inflation.” – Mitt Romney
"There’s no question raising the minimum wage excessively causes a loss of jobs.” – Mitt Romney
neil reed
8:26 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Sounds if Romney get elected president, it'll be "business as usual" in Washington DC!
The Republican hierarchy lost the 2008 election with McCain and it seems putting up another good ol boy in 2012, that lessons have not been learned.
Thank goodness for Tea Party pollies...
Kevin Lane
4:30 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
It was the highest corporate tax-rate in the world & 10 new regulations & mandates per day that was responsible.
Is that Arizona's Immigration policy or what the Fed did to it? Those are 2 different actions.
Massachussetts is a state, one that came up with it's own healthcare plan, apart from the Fed.
One is a statement about bailouts, if 100 year old companies can't figure out how to manage money, why should we give them any. The other is about bringing the Unions in line with Management, and a look toward the future.
Roe v Wade protects rights, we are about protecting the rights of those individuals, but when it goes as far as making others pay for it, or takes away religious rights, it goes too far & is no longer protecting, but now attacking rights.
If somone has a right, I will protect it as a right, whether I believe in it or not.
I'm willing to fight for my country, even though no one wants to go to war.
Even if you have a hero, it doesn't mean you always want to do everything the exact same way.
Raising the minimum wage causes inflation, it doesn't repair wage-ratios or a wages relationship to inflation. Businesses have to adjust with price increases, usually meaning few customers & the need for fewer employees, AND/OR wage increases that also means payroll & other tax increases for businesses, also resulting in fewer employees.
Things change when taken out of context.
With endless examples foot-in-mouth from the White House, these are the ones you know?
Sonny Pondrom
10:01 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
This reminds me of the talking heads that they use to have in arcades. You can may them say anything if you put in enough money. :-)
Ajay Jain
8:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
“I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.” – Mitt Romney
“I did not see it with my own eyes.” – Mitt Romney
“I would like to have campaign spending limits.” – Mitt Romney
“The American people should be free to advocate for their candidates without burdensome limitations.” – Mitt Romney
“I supported the assault weapon ban.” – Mitt Romney
"I don’t support any gun control legislation.” – Mitt Romney
JHS63366
8:21 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
This election is not about Barac Obama, and it is not about Mitt Romney. Americans must unite and punish the Repulicans and Tea party for stopping our country from operating. Those indepedants that have "buyers remorse" are misguided, this adminstration has not been allowed to govern. They have been blocked and obstructed from day one for the sole purpose of currupt politics. Both of those parties have made lies and mistruths the norm and convinced good people that both parties are the same, and all politians are corrupt. Both are false. We need two function party's in order to have a balance in our goverment, that is good for the democracy. But any party that is willing to destroy the government in order to get their way does not deserve a seat at the table. vote them out, vote them all out.
Kevin Lane
1:36 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
You are lost. Not allowed to govern?
Right now it's Congress that is not allowed to govern.
This administration has increased taxes to the tune of the highest corporate tax-rate in the world, they have added 10 new regs/day on business, raised unemployment from 5% - almost 9%, and is passing the largest tax-increase in US history by telling you you'll get something for free, the Senate has 200+ bills just sitting there that they won't even touch that have already passed through the "do-nothing" Congress, the Senate has not passed a budget in over 4 years, they have taken over student loans... That's not being hamstrung, that's doing whatever you want & making excuses when the policies they've forced on us all have FAILED.
This administration has governed more than ANY administration in HISTORY.
Whoever made you think those rediculous things is lying to you, media maybe?
Anyone who thinks the government can or even should provide for you is the one who is lost. No one is trying to destroy the government, our forefathers warned us against it getting too big. Right now it's bigger & has more control & power than it's ever had.
Any party that puts the government before the people, economy, rights, and accountabiliy & responsibility, (especially when managing OUR money) doesn't deserve a seat at the table.
I DO agree with your last statement though, vote them all out, trash both parties & start over. It's the PEOPLE's government not the lobbyists, media, or politicians.
Scott Simon
3:02 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Gee Joe, what's your opinion about Dems who had complete dominance from 2008-2010 including the U.S. Senate which hasn't passed a budget in 3 years?
Sonny Pondrom
10:11 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Scott, I thought that the Senate had to agree with a budget proposed by the House of Representatives. The Tea Party has dominated the House from 2010-2012. The Tea Party members should be representing all of America, not just 1%.
neil reed
8:33 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Between 2008-10 is when the Democrats re-initiated all of of Bush's mistakes over eight years.
Get used to paying more and more tax as Washington DC chews like a piranha!
Sonny Pondrom
10:19 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Over these past 10 years, we did pay a high tax rate. I wish I could compare it to Mitt Romney's 13% ( supposedly). I would tell you mine, if I wanted your trust to run our country for the next 4 years.
Sonny Pondrom
11:39 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
In July, a majority of respondents said Governor Romney should not release more tax return information. I wonder why, after years of request, so many citizens are not curious about why Mitt does not want to put all these questions to rest by taking up the Democratic request to release 5 (half as many as his father) years 2004-2009.
After all, the upper classes should be honored, not as heros, but as dedicated Americans that support democracy in one of the best countries in the world. However, this tribute to the upper class should not include those who choose to use tax shelters to avoid the current tax laws. Tax laws (almost 3/4 million pages) that is burdened with loop-holes designed to reduce taxes on certain types of income.
How much does Mitt pay his tax preparer(s)? Can he save money using an online tax preparer (like TurboTax)? Any reasonable tax law should not take tax returns that take dozen and dozen of pages. Simpler tax laws are better.