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Republican Mitt Romney 'to release tax returns' | Republican Mitt Romney 'to release tax returns' |
(1 day later) | |
US Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has said he will release recent tax returns on Tuesday. | US Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has said he will release recent tax returns on Tuesday. |
Mr Romney, the early favourite in primary elections, appeared embarrassed during the South Carolina campaign by the issue of how much tax he paid. | Mr Romney, the early favourite in primary elections, appeared embarrassed during the South Carolina campaign by the issue of how much tax he paid. |
Last week he said he in effect paid 15%, less than most wealthy Americans. | |
Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina primary on Saturday by an unexpectedly wide margin, beating the former Massachusetts governor by 40% to 28%. | Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina primary on Saturday by an unexpectedly wide margin, beating the former Massachusetts governor by 40% to 28%. |
The candidate winning South Carolina has gone on to win the Republican nomination in each election since 1980. | The candidate winning South Carolina has gone on to win the Republican nomination in each election since 1980. |
Two other candidates, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, polled 18% and 13% respectively. | Two other candidates, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, polled 18% and 13% respectively. |
'Full fair taxes' | 'Full fair taxes' |
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr Romney said the question of tax had become a distraction for his campaign, and he wanted to re-focus on the main issues. | Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr Romney said the question of tax had become a distraction for his campaign, and he wanted to re-focus on the main issues. |
"I will release my tax returns for 2010, which is the last returns which were completed, on Tuesday of this week," he said. | "I will release my tax returns for 2010, which is the last returns which were completed, on Tuesday of this week," he said. |
"And I will also release at the same time an estimate for 2011 tax returns." | "And I will also release at the same time an estimate for 2011 tax returns." |
"I know people will try and find something, but we pay full fair taxes and I'm sure people will find it's a substantial amount," he added. | "I know people will try and find something, but we pay full fair taxes and I'm sure people will find it's a substantial amount," he added. |
Correspondents say Mr Romney has campaigned on the strength of his success as an entrepreneur, but as a wealthy patrician figure he is regarded negatively by some conservatives. | Correspondents say Mr Romney has campaigned on the strength of his success as an entrepreneur, but as a wealthy patrician figure he is regarded negatively by some conservatives. |
He is a multi-millionaire with three homes and lives mainly on income from his investments, for which only 15% tax is payable. | He is a multi-millionaire with three homes and lives mainly on income from his investments, for which only 15% tax is payable. |
He has been criticised for describing payments totalling $373,000 (£240,000) in a year for paid speeches as "not very much" money. | He has been criticised for describing payments totalling $373,000 (£240,000) in a year for paid speeches as "not very much" money. |
Mr Romney had led the Republican field since November and appeared to have won the first two contests of the campaign, in Iowa and New Hampshire. | Mr Romney had led the Republican field since November and appeared to have won the first two contests of the campaign, in Iowa and New Hampshire. |
But the Iowa caucus result was overturned in a recount which gave a narrow victory to Mr Santorum. | But the Iowa caucus result was overturned in a recount which gave a narrow victory to Mr Santorum. |
Battleground state | Battleground state |
And Mr Gingrich, who polled poorly in both Iowa and New Hampshire, appeared to find his stride in South Carolina, attacking Mr Romney over his business and tax records. | And Mr Gingrich, who polled poorly in both Iowa and New Hampshire, appeared to find his stride in South Carolina, attacking Mr Romney over his business and tax records. |
BBC North America editor Mark Mardell, in South Carolina, says a Gingrich win is important, because all along the story of this race has been the search by conservatives for an alternative to Mr Romney. | BBC North America editor Mark Mardell, in South Carolina, says a Gingrich win is important, because all along the story of this race has been the search by conservatives for an alternative to Mr Romney. |
It is just possible they have settled on Mr Gingrich, and at the very least such a result will puncture the sense that eventually Mr Romney will triumph, our correspondent adds. | It is just possible they have settled on Mr Gingrich, and at the very least such a result will puncture the sense that eventually Mr Romney will triumph, our correspondent adds. |
The contest for the next state, Florida, is now seen as crucial, being a major battleground state in the US general election, with a diverse electorate and where a lot of money will be spent campaigning. | The contest for the next state, Florida, is now seen as crucial, being a major battleground state in the US general election, with a diverse electorate and where a lot of money will be spent campaigning. |
Primaries and caucuses will be held in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is anointed at the party convention in August to take on Democratic President Barack Obama in November. | Primaries and caucuses will be held in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is anointed at the party convention in August to take on Democratic President Barack Obama in November. |