Mitt Romney Admits Crafting 2011 Tax Return to Show a Tax Rate of Over 13%. Can Mitt Manipulate the American Voter as Easily as He Does His Tax Returns? Mitt Sure Thinks So!

Romney only reached the 14.1 percent tax mark on his 2011 taxes by limiting deductions
taken from charitable giving. Had the Romneys taken all
of the deductions made available by their $4.02 million in 2011
donations, his effective tax rate could have been as low as 10.4
percent.

By not using all the available deductions, he paid an additional $500,000 to the federal government.

Spokeswoman Michele Davis explained it by saying, "[Romney]
has been clear that no American need pay more than he or she owes
under the law. At the same time, he was in the unique position of having
made a commitment to the public that his tax rate would be above 13
percent. He directed his preparers to ensure that he is consistent with
that statement."

That decision contradicts a pledge Romney made during an interview in
July, when he told ABC News he would not pay more in taxes "than are
legally due. And, frankly, if I had paid more than are legally due I
don't think I'd be qualified to become president. I'd think people would
want me to follow the law and pay only what the tax code requires."

Romney made a similar remark in January during a GOP primary debate,
when he said, "I pay all the taxes that are legally required and not a
dollar more. I don't think you want someone as the candidate for
president who pays more taxes than he owes."