PUBLIC OPINION > Liberals Want to See Romney's Tax Returns, Conservatives Think It's Just a Distraction
SodaHead News
2012/08/07 22:00:00
No presidential election is complete without its share of drama. Each candidate will be faced with the ghosts of their past -- some real, and some imagined. Right now, Mitt Romney's tax returns are holding the public's attention. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claims he heard from a "reputable source" that Romney didn't pay taxes for a decade. Romney has already released some of his returns, but there's still a gap in the record. We asked the public if Romney should release more records.
We were hoping for some consensus, but no such luck. Responses were split down the middle, and can you guess what the determining factor was? But first, we wanted to call attention to an interesting argument mentioned in the Top Opinion: "We have it from a very reliable source that Harry Reid is a pedophile." This is a very popular response calling attention to the similarities between Reid's "reputable source" and tabloid rumors. Now, let's get to the stats.
All Politics
Naturally, the biggest difference between people who think Romney should release his tax returns and those who think it's a distraction is their political alignment. Most liberals want to see them, and most conservatives don't. That suggests the shoe would be on the other foot if the parties were reversed.
Big Money, Blind Eye
There was also a correlation between income and response, but there are a couple of issues with that. First of all, income typically correlates with political alignment, meaning the relation between income and response could be directly caused by politics. But it should also come as no surprise that well-off respondents are more likely to call it a distraction.
Young and Suspicious
Another factor that could have affected the income correlation is the age breakdown. Younger respondents were much more likely to want to see Romney's returns. Again, age and politics often line up, so all three of these demographics are probably somewhat linked. Young, left-leaning people with smaller incomes want to make sure Romney is playing fair.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll on Mitt Romney's tax returns. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
-
PAUL F 2012/08/07 22:37:51
+17I like the idea that Obama needs to show his High School and collage transcripts! As well as his bar exam test scores! This man is suppose to be a scholar! Producing his applications and documentation on the subjects Obama has hear say about is fair game! So, I say to all you communist out there! If you want to see 10 years of tax returns then we want to see proof of his education! Not just a diploma but TRANSCRIPTS!!!! If not, this is a dead issue!
Besides the prodigal son wasted his money and became destitute and came crawling home in rags!
Last I heard Romney is very, very rich, more power to him...he earned it the hard way, he worked! Nothing to apologize for there
You are really funny! The prodigal son..indeed!
Romney made his money the American way. He has complied with the tax release standards for a Presidential Candidate. He risked his own money and prospered. Obama risked taxpayer's money and failed, failed and failed, miserably. Obama has not been transparent, one time. I am tired of the "poor me" groups, looking for some crap to cover up the single greatest American mistake; OBAMA. No one could be so inept, to make so many crippling decisions, unless it is the main plan. A vote for Obama is a death sentence for America. Obama is one pre-existing condition that must be voted out, in November. Wake up, people!
Green-eyed envy and coveting others success is not the way to be happy.
I won't even try to explain it to you...because you appear close-minded to the truth!
Have a nice day!
Hypocrite!
Romney cares for the middle class and his providing jobs for them could not be more evident.
Obama hasn't a clue...he just hands out more food stamps!
I'm sure you've heard the adage that a handup, not a handout is what people with dignity want! Romney will see that they get it, ....a job!
Mormons do not abuse women, chop hands off for thievery, stone women for adultery, and murder those who choose to deny Islam.
Ryan, a Catholic does not condone abortion or contraceptives, as his religion decrees.
He does not approve of TAX PAYERS subsidizing/paying for abortion or contraceptives.(PLANNED PARENTHOOD). Nor do most Christians.
There is NOTHING stopping ANY woman from PAYING for her OWN abortion or birth control pills.
Nothing is being OUTLAWED..It's called, PAY YOUR OWN WAY!
Sex is a private matter and every male and female in the nation should not have to pay for anyone's bedroom activities or the disposal of anyone's PERCEIVED "accident".
Obama, Reid & Pelosi only showed two years yet Pelosi is pushing it.
Reason I know is cuz I'm French. I strongly suspect Obama of trying to distance himself from us, French Socialists. He is really a centrist.
Also, his joke about the famous "57 states" only shows that he wanted to remind the Great American People that the US includes, or used to include, DC, Puerto Rico, the former Danish Virgin Islands (not the Cayman Islands, though) the Federated States of Micronesia, the Panama Canal Zone, Iran (when its nominal chief was the Sheik, sorry, the Shah), "America's backyard" etc.
Actually, wealthy Americans are not trying to distance themselves from France. On the contrary, they are buying extremely expensive apartments here in Paris. I wonder why.
Learn to think for Keeeeerist Sake.
Imagine an individual who does what he says he is going to do!
Gotta love it...a man of his word!
Today, 49% of SodaHeads want Romney to show his tax returns. He is in BIG trouble.