Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Weighs in on Mitt Romney's Tax Returns and Newt Gingrich's Leadership

During a CNN "Starting Point" interview on January 24, 2012, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) discussed Mitt Romney's recently released tax returns, Newt Gingrich's leadership ability, and trade relations with Cuba. As a key figure in the Republican Party, Hutchison's opinions on these topics carry significant weight.

Senator Hutchison believes that Mitt Romney's release of his tax returns is a positive move, stating that it helps to distract from the issue and allows voters to focus on the candidates' policies. She also praises Romney's self-made success and wealth, indicating that she sees him as a strong candidate. However, she has not yet endorsed Romney, noting that she wants to see how the voters respond to the candidates' records.

When asked about Newt Gingrich's leadership ability, Hutchison acknowledges that Gingrich has shown creativity and originality in his ideas. However, she suggests that voters should focus on the candidates' records and leadership abilities, rather than rewriting history about Gingrich's past. She also notes that Gingrich's resignation from the House in 1998 was a result of ethics charges, rather than a simple matter of quitting.

In a reversal of Republican Party policy, Hutchison expresses her support for opening trade relations with Cuba, citing the failure of the current approach to improve the lives of the Cuban people. She believes that trade and increased communication with the Cuban people would be beneficial for both countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison believes that Mitt Romney's release of his tax returns is a positive move, allowing voters to focus on policy rather than distractions.
• Hutchison praises Romney's self-made success and wealth, indicating that she sees him as a strong candidate, but has not yet endorsed him.
• Senator Hutchison acknowledges Newt Gingrich's creativity and originality in policy ideas, but notes that voters should focus on leadership abilities and records, rather than rewriting history about his past.
• Hutchison suggests that Gingrich's resignation from the House in 1998 was a result of ethics charges, rather than a simple matter of quitting.
• She supports opening trade relations with Cuba, citing the failure of the current approach to improve the lives of the Cuban people.
• Hutchison believes that trade and increased communication with the Cuban people would be beneficial for both countries.
• The interview highlights the intricacies of the Republican Party's stance on important issues, such as tax returns, leadership ability, and trade policy.

Statistics:

• Mitt Romney's 2010 tax return showed an adjusted gross income of more than $21 million and a total tax of roughly $3 million.
• The effective tax rate for Romney's 2010 tax return was 13.9 percent.
• The United States has a 100 percent debt to gross domestic product, which is almost comparable to Greece.
• The country has a $15 trillion debt, which is a significant concern for many Americans.

Sources:

• CNN "Starting Point" Interview with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on January 24, 2012
• Federal News Service, Inc., Ste. 500, 1000 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 USA.