GOP Campaign: Money Problems
By: NBC News
Updated: January 18, 2012
In the race for President this morning, Mitt Romney's on top and his lead is growing. Gallup's latest poll puts him 23 points ahead of the closest republican.
But Romney has a problem: his wealth.
Opponents are trying to portray the wealthy frontrunner as disconnected from the average American, focusing on his earnings. Romney says he'll detail exactly what he's worth in April.
"Rather than sort of have multiple releases of taxes returns, why we'll wait until the tax returns for the recent year are completed and then release them," said Mitt Romney, (R) Presidential Candidate.
He figures he's paying 15 percent. "I'm pretty confident it's less than mine" said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Even the White House chimed in, saying everyone should pay their fair share. "That includes millionaires who might be paying an effective tax rate of 15 percent when folks making $50,000 or $75,000 or $100,000 a year are paying much more," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
But it's what Romney said about the $374,000 he earned making speeches that's getting attention on the campaign trail, and on television. His speaking fees alone are seven times what the average American earns.
He's still under fire, too, for heading Bain Capital - an investment group that shut down companies, prompting layoffs. "I was in Georgetown, South Carolina and let me share with you - there, they're not crazy about Bain Capital." : Rick Perry/ (R) Presidential Candidate
"I think it is exploitative. I think it's not defensible. You'll notice he doesn't try to defend it," Newt Gingrich/ (R) Presidential Candidate
But what Romney is doing, for now, is working. Gallup's daily tracking poll says he's surged 13 Points just since Iowa. And the Washington Post/ABC poll puts him two points ahead of President Obama.
But Romney has a problem: his wealth.
Opponents are trying to portray the wealthy frontrunner as disconnected from the average American, focusing on his earnings. Romney says he'll detail exactly what he's worth in April.
"Rather than sort of have multiple releases of taxes returns, why we'll wait until the tax returns for the recent year are completed and then release them," said Mitt Romney, (R) Presidential Candidate.
He figures he's paying 15 percent. "I'm pretty confident it's less than mine" said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Even the White House chimed in, saying everyone should pay their fair share. "That includes millionaires who might be paying an effective tax rate of 15 percent when folks making $50,000 or $75,000 or $100,000 a year are paying much more," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
But it's what Romney said about the $374,000 he earned making speeches that's getting attention on the campaign trail, and on television. His speaking fees alone are seven times what the average American earns.
He's still under fire, too, for heading Bain Capital - an investment group that shut down companies, prompting layoffs. "I was in Georgetown, South Carolina and let me share with you - there, they're not crazy about Bain Capital." : Rick Perry/ (R) Presidential Candidate
"I think it is exploitative. I think it's not defensible. You'll notice he doesn't try to defend it," Newt Gingrich/ (R) Presidential Candidate
But what Romney is doing, for now, is working. Gallup's daily tracking poll says he's surged 13 Points just since Iowa. And the Washington Post/ABC poll puts him two points ahead of President Obama.
