Mitt Romney refused and refused and refused to release more of his personal tax returns until today.
Will Pat McCrory do the same? Not likely. Earlier this week, as a Democratic group attacked the Republican candidate for not releasing his tax returns, I asked him whether he has ever reconsidered his decision. "No, he said firmly. "Everyone knows where my income comes from. In fact they've used my releases in attack ads toward me."
Why not just take away the issue from Democrats, and just end it -- as even some Republican consultants suggest McCrory should do? "That's not right," he said. "My job's not to make it easy for you."
He suggests the issue is a false one. Why hasn't Gov. Bev Perdue released her taxes, he asked. "If (Dalton) felt so strongly (about the issue) he would have asked Beverly Perdue a long time ago, or even today, to do it," McCrory said.
Comments
Myers Park Pat doesn't want
September 21, 2012 - 10:20pm — WilmingtonDemocratMyers Park Pat doesn't want to release his tax returns because they will show his lucrative salary from Charlotte's biggest lobbying firm. Raleigh needs reform but's it's not going to come from someone who works for a lobbying firm representing corporate interests before the General Assembly.
And how can you say you are a reformer when you do not practice transparency,
If we learn about how much Myers Park Pat really makes, the questions about whether he technically is a lobbyist will only increase. And his answer about whether he is a lobbyist or not reminds me of that famous quote "it depends what the meaning of is really is"
It being legal is not the point.
September 21, 2012 - 6:11pm — Jackson_TybeeIt is rather sad that McCrory (and some posters here) continue to miss the point -- and it says an awful lot about their mindset. No, McCrory does not have to legally release his returns. No politician does. But many do these days, including all the governors who have come to NC to campaign for McCrory and a number of GOP leaders. Why do they take this extra step? Because they respect the voters, they value transparency and they understand that, for many voters, the issue of whether or not a candidate brings conflicts of interest to an office is a very important one. especially in a post-Citizens United world where it is all too easy for corporate interests to buy an election and our elected leaders.
That McCrory either fails to grasp this or chooses to ignore does not say much about him. Or, rather, it says plenty -- none of which is very flattering to McCrory.
Dalton's income/clients over past 10 years?
September 21, 2012 - 3:38pm — concerned53It's easy for the Dome and Dalton to share tax returns when we can look up his income as Lt Gov is reported publicly. You all are hypocrites if you don't demand that Dalton release his income and clients with his law firm while he has been a legislator. He's more likely to have conflicts of interest given the history of dems in NC.
Frank & Dome showing their Dem colors
September 21, 2012 - 2:14pm — concerned53John Frank is showing this true dem colors. It's one thing to state an opinion. It's another to forget that McCrory has fulfilled his full legal obligation based on what is required by candidates in North Carolina. Why not report that as well in your editorial? Help me, but I don't think a tax return tells where income comes from, so I believe that if you reviewed it, you would learn more about where his money came, if you reviewed what McCrory has already filed.