The Rain in Bain

I don't think any of us can know how "smart" Mitt's refusal to share his past tax returns is without knowing what's in them. For instance, people would have wanted OJ to turn over the knife, but I'd have to say that he was probably smart to get rid of it (assuming OJ, in fact, killed his wife and Ron Goldman). If there's stuff in there that would take him out of the race, Mitt's being very smart indeed and it's worth the cost.

The thing I notice is that even Richard Nixon claimed "executive privilege". He had some "principle" he was trying to protect by refusing to turn over his tapes. Mitt's not claiming any kind of principle other than his insistence that it would be bad strategy. (a difference between business leadership and political leadership. Whenever the guy really left Bain, his mindset never did leave)

That's not smart. His people should have helped him make some claim that he wants to make a stand about "privacy" even for Presidential candidates and the limits of what the debate should be about, "issues" rather than pecadillos. He should also then make a point of refusing to call for information about the President's past and how "gotcha" politics is crippling the process and the real debate we need to have.

Romney's gone the other way instead and it's made it look like he's covering something up. He's playing it more like Darth Vader than say uh Batman. iirc Batman has dark stuff about himself and certainly has secrets, but he also has a strong sense of principle and honor. It's the latter that makes Batman a "hero", albeit a complex one. Mitt had a chance to act like Batman and he chose to play the Joker instead.