Saturday on Up w/ Chris, we'll be discussing what is looking more and more like Mitt Romney's worst week ever in his presidential campaign. The latest national poll shows him seven points behind President Obama. His comments on the 47 percent of Americans who don't pay income taxes have become infamous. And his 2011 tax returns show that he and his wife, Ann, purposely limited their charitable deductions in order to bring their effective tax rate up to 14.1 percent. Plus, we'll move from the national political scene into the down-ballot races and discuss the latest polls suggesting a dramatic turn to Democratic congressional candidates across the country.
Joining Chris at 8am ET Saturday on MSNBC are:
John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation and associate editor of Wisconsin's Capital Times.
L. Joy Williams, (@ljoywilliams) political strategist and founder LJW Political Stategies, co-host of radio show "This Week in Blackness."
Ana Marie Cox, (@anamariecox) columnist for The Guardian and founder of the political blog Wonkette.
Kevin Williamson, deputy managing editor of The National Review.
Charlies Pierce, contributing writer for Esquire, lead writer for the magazine's politics blog.
Democratic congressional candidate for Iowa's 4th district Christie Vilsack, former teacher and First Lady of Iowa.
Correction: Kevin Williams no longer works for the Institute for Humane Studies.
:: Blogged by Katherine Guthrie (@kguth1130), production assistant for UP w/ Chris Hayes ::
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Is Chris back at the helm? We really missed him last week!
After the 47% remarks, having an actual advocate of that 47% who is also a presidential candidate would be great. Please try to get Jill Stein on the show.
Especially after watching the discussion, Cheri Honkala would have SO MUCH to contribute! By comparison, I'm grasping for reasons to care what these other 4 people think.
In Romney's "notarized summary" of 1990-2009, I see the words "owed" and "effective ... rate(s)" frequently. Why do I not see the word "paid"? David Cay Johnston mentioned this on the Ed Show tonight, but I missed the ramifications.
It is curious that Mr. Romney would admit to owing anything. My impression is that he feels the government should be paying him for being a 'job creator'.
Romney is probably a MULTI-BILLIONAIRE! Forbes just published their list of the wealthiest people in the world. A lot of CEO's of American leveraged buyout and private equity companies are MULTI-BILLIONAIRES. Carl Icahan is worth 14.8 BILLION, not counting offshore tax shelters. Why is Romney so "POOR" in comparison?
The Romney Campaign theme song Princes of the Universe by Queen.
I thought the theme song was 'Roll with the Punches" by Randy Newman.
I commend to the Romney Campaign a new theme song...Princes Of The Universe by Queen. Just the opening says Romney unmasked!
Thought the theme song was "Hip To Be Square".
I want to know if Romney and Ryan get rid of Medicare and Social Security do I get reimbursed for the money I've pd in over the last 25yrs. It's not a handout when we pay for it our entire working lives!
Mitt Romney has total 2011 income of $13,696,951. Approx. $6,000,000 is from foreign accounts/investments in Cayman Islands, Bermuda, etc. Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, lists the following tax items attributable to specified foreign financial assets:
Interest $16,374
Dividends $1,450,840
Other Income $11,612
Capital Gains $4,517,935
Total Income $5,996,761
The same form lists about half a dozen foreign partnerships with names such as Bain Capital Partners VII-E, L.P. The foreign partnerships have total value of approx. $6,500,000.
On Form 1116, he claims around $83,600 paid in foreign taxes or 1.3% of the $5,996,761. In Japan, for example, capital gains tax of 20% is withheld and in Europe the capital gains tax is much higher. Form 1116 is used to deduct foreign taxes paid from US taxes due. I'm sure what he does is legal, but maybe Germany or Japan have more to complain about regarding a low tax rate for such a large income.
When you have overseas investments or bank accounts you are required to submit form TD 90-22.1 which reports approx. amounts held at overseas financial institutions and the names and addresses of these institutions. Since this form is not included, I think we can't say he released "all" of his tax filings for any year. This form would give specificity to the "various countries" entry on form 1116.
Cutting taxes on the "job creators" won't work because the psychology is wrong. The people who can pay $50,000 for a dinner are rich due to greed. If they can get more money through tax cuts why should they risk investing in a risky business environment. But if take more of their money in higher taxes, their greed will kick-in and they will risk money so that they can keep making more money.
These elite don't create jobs.
Large corporations don't create jobs.
Small businesses don't create jobs.
Government creates a few jobs (teacher, military, police, firemen, et al.).
You and I create jobs. If there is no demand, no businessman will hire people. We are the 'job creators.'
Women's reproductive rights severely restricted.
Medicare 'replaced' with vouchers.
An extra $2,000 in taxes for the middle class 'redistributed' to the rich.
Food stamps reduced.
Protection from financial predators undone.
Environmental regulations repealed.
The Affordable Care Act repealed.
Wars in Iran, Iraq, Syria and anywhere else Mr. Romney wants to bully.
Our vote taken away through voter suppression laws.
Mr. Romney's worst week ever pales in comparison to the weeks, months and years he has in store for American citizens.
You spelled it out perfectly. I wish every voter reads your comment
Romneys' Tax guy says he paid an AVERAGE of 20.20% the last 20 years. Example: If he paid 30% in the 10 years that he made $1,000,000 and 10% in the 10 years that he made $20,000,000 he would have paid a total of $23,000,000 in total taxes on $210,000,000 in total income. This equals an ACTUAL tax rate of 10.9%. The way he stated it, he can add 10% plus 30% and say he paid an "average" of 20%. It's amazing how you can lie with statistics if you want.
Chris, You have got me watching TV on Saturday mornings. How unbelieveable is that!?! Why is no one discussing that Rommey is paying 14.1% taxes on DECLARED income? What about those offshore accounts?
BaltimoreCrabs
"Why is no one discussing that Rommey is paying 14.1% taxes on DECLARED income? What about those offshore accounts?"
Did Romney do anything illegal? Do you have any idea what the average effective income tax rate is?
Chris and guests have had a twenty minute laugh fest recounting Mitt's taxes, when the fact is, Bill Clinton, who's net worth is about half of Mitt's, uses exactly the same tax strategy.
When will the discussion RE the pres. coverup of the situation in the middle east begin?
PLEASE remove williamson during the first panel change...the pompous ass doesn't add anything to the discussion & spends all his time peeking at the monitor to see how COOL he looks drinking his mug
I am one of the 47%, but I know that Romney wans't talking about me, I am not that stupid, since I worked for 50 years and my husband still is working as we speak for 58 years....we and our family will vote for Romney, and last week you had a great host on for a change we could understand his words...and not your rat-tat-tat-rat-ta-tat Chirs Hayes....and you say you like entitlements from the government ? then why are you drawing a paycheck from MSNBC for your hateful , embarrassing show? After the election I have a feeling you will be out anyhow, because you have low rating , on the other hand MSNBC has low rating regardless who it is
Regarding the logic of your analysis, there is no necessary connection between support of New Deal government programs and earning a living. Mitt Romney makes a similar logical error when addressing his political benefactors in private.
It would be similarly inaccurate to assume that someone who has not been employed since 1999 does not pay federal taxes.
Thank you Dorisenow for injecting some sanity into these comments. Mitt Romney has it correct and on target. After Last nights debate, I was extremely proud of the care and concern that Mr Romney has shown for those less fortunate. Chris Hayes nor any of these other yahoos "get it". When you see the massive fraud and lies that Obama has injected into this presidential race, I start to feel that I live in Chicago with all of the thuggery. Watching Chris last night kind of did it for me. He was GROSSLY disappointed along with Rachel Maddow in the president's showing at this debate. THEY would NEVER say it, though. Hayes put his scrawny hands up to the viewing screen as he was speaking to Former Mayor Juliani. They both appeared very DISGRUNTLED at their situation. Genuinly BEFUDDLED. I NEVER watch MSNBC in the first place but had to laugh at both of these NUTJOBS attempting to push Juliani into the answer that they wanted. Chris comes across as a weakkneed lilly livered creep as, by the way, does the MANLY Rachel Maddow. If they would only realize the PERCEPTION that first time viewers have of them. EVERYTHING that I have HEARD about MSNBC is TRUE. They are LEFT WING and they are SLANTED towards an OBAMA rather than taking a middle of the road approach. BUT that's OK. I do not watch them anyways. THEY don't want the TRUTH. THEY JUST want to be CREEPS with THEIR OWN SHOW ON CREEPY MSNBC. PERHAPS, they can get ahold of the woman in Cleveland who put out the video tape while working for SEIU. YOU KNOW, the "OBAMAPHONE WOMAN. That is MUCH MORE to their POINT OF VIEW. That's CREEPY LIBERALS FOR YOU!!!
Chris Hayes, your book will never make it to our bookshelves...not even for $ 4.95, because that is where it will be ending up...
what happen to the guest host from last week, very interesting...very good and you could understand what he was saying , no rat-tat-tat-rat-a-tat....you and Maddow must be siblings...
He is just a liar, no if and ends about it. Romney manipulates every single math equation to get the number he wants. If Romney is elected, it will be the end of this great country , we call the united States of America. The country will be very divided and Romney will clean out the U.S. Treasury for himself and his friends. It will be very bad for the 47% of Americans Romney thinks are losers. I supported Obama in 2008. I worked the phones calling Nevada voters to get support for Obama. I am happy to see Nevada voters this election cycle have more support for Obama than in 2008. I think Nevada voters, many who are Republican are absolutely shocked at Romney's disdain for almost half of Americans. I voted for Obama and will vote for him again and I pay taxes. I am actually paying a payroll tax for someone who fraudulently claimed to be an employee, when the person was an independent contractor. I can't appeal the tax assessment until the tax is paid. I don't have the means like Mr. Romney to retain tax attorneys to avoid tax, even when the tax assessed was based on a fraudulent claim. And every month I pay back taxes for two previous returns. Bottom line, Romney and company thinks they are superior to the rest of the people on earth and for that matter most of the 1 % are elitists F&^%Ks. Mr. Romney, Maybe all of your life you have been able to get away with your lies and your "Ken doll looks" You are just a cheat!
Don't use the term redistribution....we want to fund good government that serves all its citizens . We don't want to take from one group to give to another group.
The very mention of the term "redristribution" makes me recoil in horror. It is frightening, and most people will be aghast and in shock that anyone would utter it.
If that subject is ever broached again on MSNBC a fainting couch should be conspicuously brought onto the set.
A Sergeant gets his leg and arm blown off by an IUD in Iraq and cannot support himself. We take money from citizens and redistribute it to people like these veterans.
A hard working but minimum income family cannot pay for their child's education. We take money from more affluent citizens many of whom have no children and redistribute it to pay for the education of such children.
Decent human beings refer to these sorts of actions variously: "simply the right thing to do", "taking care of your own", or "treating people fairly".
Others feel political advantage in words that suggest that it is the avarice of lazy thieves and not compassion that we should associate with such policies. My recommendation to you is to examine specific actions not with labels but with attention to the details of what the specific actions are doing. Then apply the appropriate emotion.
Willard Romney does not care who he disenfrancises because he is not planning on winning this election. He's planning on stealing it. Bush created a template in his last two elections on how to supplant/circumvent the popular vote. I also think these polls are shewed to make people think Willard is a more viable candidate than he is. I don't put much into polls.
It should be glaring when a candidate is so arrogant and devisive, that he has a very hidden agenda for election day. When you insult women and marginalize latinos, and still speak confidently about winning; you know there is a plan already in place for the republicans to steal yet another election.
I have to believe that if I thought of this so has President Obama, who is much smarter and educated than I am. So, I hope they are prepared to offset/disrupt the republican plan to steal the election again. After all, the POTUS is a Harvard prof. of the Constitution.
Finally; I believe that, because of their paradigms, the Romney republicans thought Pres. Obama was never fully aware of his power (the way they know it) until that night at the convention when Pres. Obama said strongly and confidently "I am the President". That is when their hate was also fueled by fear. Until then they believed he was in over his head, despite his cool, clear and definitive performance and decisions in crucial situations.
Lost so far has been the discussion about the religious element in the republican "coalition". While there has been a tangential discussion, and Chris is right, it would warrant a show in and of itself, about abortion, the small but vocal minority who vote republican have painted the republicans into a theocratic corner.
Some of the guests need to consult a political dictionary. It has long been a bugaboo of mine that people, with great pomposity, claim that this is a republic, not a democracy. That shows an ignorance of both terms. There is a decent article on this at the following link -
Since links are blocked, search for the Couth Hillbilly, then on that site search for democracy or republic.
Psycho MD's link here.
(your links will post once you post a bit more. they are blocked as a spam prevention measure, which unfortunately penalizes new or infrequent posters).
Thanks. Apparently I could use a bit of orientation.
Chris I had to leave the show for today your guest williamson is truly what America is not about but it is what romney and the rich ARE about. When he just said I hope not after a comment about democracy that was it. But the problem, your panel and you just laughed. No you need to be appalled because he is serious and we are not getting it. He hates democracy he hates us schmucks. I am a Vietnam veteran who did not want to go but went. That was clearly paying MORE than my taxes. My father and my wife's father were in World War II along with many of Romney's 47%, they paid more than their taxes. The country prospered when people were willing to pay more than their taxes for the country, but williamson and his ilk have demeaned that to the point where we no longer see sharing and cooperation as patriotic. So Chris keep having your guests as you do, but call them out. If we do not call them out through more than just polite laughter them they will win and democracy will die.
Jim,
Thank you for your service because Vietnam was no joke. My father went to Vietnam and came back. Thank God. Romney and Ryan are rich and always have been and they think they are the only ones entitled to the Presidency. The only thing they are entitled to is to go home and stay there. I can't stand when Ryan brings his mother to functions and lie to the American people when they don't need Medicare or social security, again Jim thank you for your service and its not lost for all those who served and those who served and died for this country when Romney went to France out of harms way!
I watch Chris every week and am a big fan. I just heard that Steve King, the goofy Rep. from Iowa that all the Republicans who have jumped off Romney's ship are now courting him for their 2016 runs is going to be on next. I hope Chris asks him about the outrageous story that has caused a real backlash against the State Dept. How dare Hillary Clinton and President Obama authorize secret negotiations to release the Blind Sheikh? Peter King is not satisfied with Toria Nulands denial of that story. Fox News is pushing that story hard.
For all I know Kevin Williamson may be an intelligent person- at least we know he thinks he is. He believes and acts as if he is the smartest person in the room and treats the others accordingly by interrupting and remarking dismissively at their opinions.
That he is sadly mistaken is borne out by the continued demeanor of the others and their politeness at his arrogance. Am I wrong to fantasize that Chris would lunge across the table and give him a lesson in common courtesy?
it's quite obvious that kevin has needed a good slap, for quite some time