Kaine’s multitudinous mentions of Trump’s refusal to release his tax
returns became a joke. But there was very little Pence could say to
combat it because Pence has never seen the returns and does not know if
more returns are forthcoming.
“He actually built a business,” Pence said, stumbling to get on positive
ground. “Those tax returns that were — came out publicly this week —
showed that he [had] some pretty tough times 20 years ago.
“But like virtually every other business, including The New York Times
not too long ago, he used what’s called net operating loss. We have a
tax code, senator, that actually is designed to encourage entrepreneurship.”
To which Kaine snarkily replied, “But why won’t he actually release his
tax returns?”
“His tax returns showed he went through a very difficult time, but he
used the tax code just the way it’s supposed to be used and he used it
brilliantly,” Pence said.
*And with that, the trap snapped shut.*
“How do you know that?” Kaine said. “You haven’t seen his tax returns.”
“Because he has billions of dollars today,” Pence said.
“How do you know that?” Kaine asked, nipping away again.
“Donald Trump has created tens of thousands of jobs and he’s paid
payroll taxes, property taxes ... ” Pence stumbled on.
And here Kaine quoted Trump’s infamous line about not paying his taxes:
“That makes me smart.”
*“So it’s smart not to pay for our military?” Kaine said. “It’s smart
not to pay for veterans? It’s smart not to pay for teachers? And I guess
all of us who do pay for those things, I guess we’re stupid.”**
**Grrrr!*
The debate went back and forth. And in the end you could give it to the
Afghan Hound for his style or to *the terrier who reminded us that in
September, Pence had released 10 years of his own tax returns.*
*“Gov. Pence had to give his tax returns to show he was qualified to be
vice president,” Kaine said. “Donald Trump must give the American public
his tax returns to show that he is qualified to be president.”**
**
**Arf!*
Roger Simon is POLITICO's chief political columnist.
Read more:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/kaine-gnaws-on-pence-and-wont-let-go-229168#ixzz4MF18CuzN