Why Romney isn’t trusted [View all]

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http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/brent-budowsky/237407-why-romney-isnt-trusted

Why Romney isn’t trusted
By Brent Budowsky - 07/11/12 06:19 PM ET

The demand is growing for Mitt Romney to disclose the 23 still-secret tax returns he turned over to the McCain campaign in 2008. Don’t worry. If the unpleasant details aren’t released by Romney soon, they will almost certainly be bannered as “breaking news” by a leading newspaper or television network, sourced from “well-placed Republicans” who supported McCain in 2008.

The Romney campaign raises profound questions for voters and the media. Voters do not like or trust Mitt Romney. Political commentators should thoughtfully consider why. The presidency is the most important job in the world. Commentators should question whether Romney’s career suggests that he possesses the qualifications of political integrity, compassion for all Americans, and decisiveness of command to be president and commander in chief.

Jon Huntsman called him the well-lubricated weathervane. Rick Perry, among others, has called him a vulture. More than one senior figure in his party has accused him of lying. Several GOP primary opponents said he cheated in dirty campaign ads. A growing list of Republicans have called on him to disclose his tax returns. Primary opponents warned he could be hiding harmful truths therein. His own staff called him the Etch A Sketch candidate. These are serious charges. They come from Republicans.

The matter of Romney’s youthful bullying is important, not because of his youthful indiscretions but because of the lessons he might have learned from the episode that are reflected in his public life. What kind of bully needs a group of pals to pin down the victim while he imposes his cruelty?