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Poll Shows Majority Want Romney To Release More Tax Returns

While Republican presidential candidate has been resistant to releasing more than two years' worth of tax returns, the results of USA Today/Gallup poll released Thursday show that stance puts him at odds with a majority of Americans.

The poll showed that 54 percent of Americans want Romney to release additional tax returns compared to 37 percent that said he should not release more returns.

The respondents that want Romney to release additional returns include 75 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Independents, and a notable 30 percent of Republicans.

At the same time, 47 percent of those surveyed said the tax returns were "largely irrelevant" in terms of deciding who they would vote for. Another 44 percent said the returns provide "legitimate information that helps voters make better decisions."

Democrats and even some Republicans have been pushing for Romney to release more tax returns, with the Obama campaign suggesting that the returns may shed light additional light on Romney's time at Bain Capital as well as his possible use of offshore tax havens.

The USA Today/Gallup poll found that 44 percent of Americans think the returns could contain information that is damaging to Romney's campaign, while 42 percent said the returns are not likely to reveal anything politically harmful.

Fifteen percent, mostly Democrats, predicted that additional tax returns from Romney would include revelations that are serious enough to show that he is "unfit to be president."

In an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" earlier in the day, Anne Romney backed up her husband's decision to release only two years of tax returns, suggesting that enough information has been provided.

"There are so many things that will be open again for more attack, and you just give more material for more attack, and that's the answer," Anne Romney said. "We've given all you people need to know and understand about our financial situation and about how we live our life."

Nonetheless, in light of the poll results, the Obama campaign is likely to keep focusing on the issue of Romney's tax returns.

"When it comes to candidates for the highest office in the land, Americans expect the opportunity to look under the hood and kick the tires," Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt told USA Today.

He added, "It's no surprise that they believe Gov. Romney should hold himself to the same standard as nominees of both parties have for decades."

The national survey of 539 adults was taken on Wednesday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

by RTTNews Staff Writer

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

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