Mitt Romney today released one doctored-up tax return from last year, and a summary of some previous years tax returns. Unlike other events, where he screwed up a mere one time per event (a healthy moron ratio of 1:1), Romney managed to screw three roof-bound pooches with this one.
First, the blatantly bullshit 2011 return not only makes him look shady, but also stupid. Why stupid? Because his last comment on taxes was that anyone who paid more than the minimum in taxes isn't qualified to be president. Naturally, in 2011, he paid more than the minimum by not deducting all his charitable gifts...making him unqualified by his own words.
Second, he brought the tax issue back into the forefront. Obama will send him a case of scotch for that one. Guess what we'll be talking about all Sunday and Monday?
Third, he just gave Obama the best opening debate line idea ever. What if Obama were to propose, in the first few minutes of the first debate, a law mandating that all candidates for president release a decades' worth of tax returns?
Romney has no response. If he agrees, he has to either release his returns or look even more awful than today. If he disagrees, he has now painted himself as someone with something to hide. Think that message might resonate -- that you can't trust this guy?
Checkmate Obama. I just hope they do this.