Romney and specifics far apart

The fuzzy positions are consistent with Romney’s pattern of embracing politically popular choices — tax cuts and smaller government, for example — while ignoring the realities he would face as president, such as how to pay for those tax cuts or regulate business to prevent another economic meltdown. His campaign refuses to say whether he will offer specifics in some cases even before the November election.

That’s from The Associated Press yesterday.

The article continues:

Perhaps the most glaring example is on taxes.

Romney has released a plan to cut personal income tax rates by 20 percent across the board, dropping the top rate from 35 percent to 28 percent and the bottom rate from 10 percent to 8 percent. He also wants to cut the corporate rate from 35 to 25 percent.

The proposal, of course, is likely to win broad support among voters. Few people enjoy paying higher taxes.

But Romney has refused to say how he would pay for the plan, which would cost roughly $3.4 trillion over the next 10 years, according to the Tax Policy Center. He promises to find savings through broadening the tax base, including reducing some tax deductions. But so far, he has only hinted in closed settings as to where that money might come from.

It’s true. When Romney feels lying is too blatant (see below, he retreats into vague generalities with no specifics which might offer his opponents room to attack him. Kudos to the AP for calling him on it.