Mitt Romney has so far flatly refused to release either his tax returns or his list of fundraising bundlers, and that's "a striking and disturbing departure from the past practice of presidential candidates of both parties," the Washington Post says in an editorial today. Yes, demanding candidates' tax returns is an invasion of privacy, but one that "has become routine, if at times grudging," and should be "especially revealing in the case of Mr. Romney."
Romney, after all, has extensive investment income, which is taxed at a favorable rate—and that might be why he's reluctant to share. He didn't release returns in past races either, but "such secrecy will not stand for a presidential nominee." Identifying bundlers is even more important—"Knowing to whom and for how much candidates are indebted is essential information." In his 1994 Senate race, Romney urged Ted Kennedy to release his taxes, to prove he had "nothing to hide." Now, it's finally his turn. (More Mitt Romney stories.)