Why Won't Romney Release More Tax Returns (The New Yorker)

[magical thyme]

11. the only ways I can see that is if they 1. have a surprise candidate

in the offing.

But Jeb is still too close to the W years. Americans still understand that W caused the crash.

The crazies in the clown car can't do it.

Everybody else is a barely known. Not enough time to introduce.

It's entirely possible Rove saw this coming. It's entirely possible they're holding out for '16 and hoping to obstruct enough to sabotage any recovery and continue the looting until we're either on our knees or rioting in the streets.

2. October surprise of worst sort.

But I also think it's entirely possible that Rove got overconfident and miscalculated. Everybody does, sooner or later. Because they keep using their old playbook, assuming the other side will keep doing the same thing and hope for a different result.

Only Obama learned their playbook and isn't playing by their rules:

They expected Obama to apologize.

Instead, he baited Romney by saying he's "not satisfied" with Romney's explanations and demanded to see meeting notes from 1999-2002.

And pranked him with the release of the hysterical, 2 year old photo of Obama, with his trademark mischievous grin, holding up "No Apology" and Rove's book.

Next, they attacked Cutter for stating a fact, thinking she would be thrown under the bus.

Instead, Obama pranked Romney with a brilliant ad in which he is mocked in his own, off key voice.

And Cutter was sent into the arena with a sharp mind, very sweet smile and a finely honed, double-sided knife.