A few weeks ago Mitt Romney’s mysterious tax returns were in the news every day. Harry Reid accused Romney of not paying any taxes for years. Ann Romney said, “we’ve given all you people need to know”... When asked why not release them and end the questions? "Because there are so many things that will be open again for more attack... and that's really, that's just the answer"
The Republicans have managed to make all that go away. They have changed the subject from Romney's taxes, his off-shore bank accounts, and negatives with Bain Capital leaks and facts, to definitions of rape, conditions for abortion, whether Akin will run, birther "slips", and now to welfare to work. This is deliberate. These abortion debates, birther talk, and welfare issues are great for them. Every news program is debating these non-issues—non-issues because voters already know where they stand on them. It only serves to convince the Tea Partiers and evangelicals who did't think Romney was right wing enough, to support him. And it's all free.
Romney's birther "slip" has been discussed by every news program. It brings up all the questions about Obama. Every time a Republican apologizes, it’s a sign to the right wing that they are with them. It’s never a real apology, just something bizarre like using the wrong word, or Romney’s “We’ve got to have a little humor on the campaign trail,” after talking about never being asked for his birth certificate.
I wish the news and especially progressive news would focus on Romney instead. His refusal to show his tax returns. His total lack of experience to be president. His failures as a governor. His misuse of government money in the Olympics. Romney himself asked for a waiver on the welfare to work requirements when he was governor of Massachusetts! That as when he was pro-choice-- or "multiple choice" as Ted Kennedy called him in a debate when Romney ran unsuccessfully for the Senate.
I think the People for the Destruction of America, or whatever they call themselves, are calling the shots and enjoying the results.