Obama: We Could Sit Here Debating First Principles, The Future of America, and Medicare, But I'm Gonna Stick To My Comfort Zone and Demand Mitt Romney's Taxes

Some rotten cynical operators will try to make an election about big questions instead about small things.

Obama told me so. 2008 version.

Barack Obama's re-election campaign kept up pressure against Republican rival Mitt Romney on two fronts Friday, launching a new ad defending the president's record on Medicare while challenging Romney to release at least five years of tax returns.

The TV advertisement, accusing Romney and running mate Paul Ryan of undermining the health care program critical to millions of seniors, came as Romney continued raise money in non-battleground states. That remains a top priority, even with the election less than 12 weeks away and Obama making extended visits to toss-up states such as Iowa and Ohio.

Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said the president's camp would seek no further disclosures if Romney would release five years of his individual tax returns. The Romney campaign, which often says there will be no end to Democrats' demands for tax records, rejected the offer.

"It is clear that President Obama wants nothing more than to talk about Gov. Romney's tax returns instead of the issues that matter to voters," said Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades.

By the way, that article goes on to complain that Romney is fundraising too much, even though (as they annoyedly note) he has more money in the bank from fundraising than Obama.

Aw. They're pretty steamed that Romney wants to win, aren't they? The media are very put out that Romney doesn't intend to let them, the media, win the messaging war.

Those wondering why Romney was in South Carolina yesterday -- he was there to fundraise, as well as campaign.

O Snap! Obama offers Romney a "deal" on taxes (release five years' worth and we promise, pinky swear we won't dog you for more).

They respond:

It is clear that President Obama wants nothing more than to talk about Governor Romney's tax returns instead of the issues that matter to voters, like putting Americans back to work, fixing the economy and reining in spending," Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades wrote in a response to Obama counterpart Jim Messina.

...

Replied Rhoades to Messina: "If Governor Romney's tax returns are the core message of your campaign, there will be ample time for President Obama to discuss them over the next 81 days."

posted by Ace at 12:16 PM

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