Mitt Romney set off a flurry of reactions after publishing an op-ed calling for higher taxes on wealthy Americans like himself.
The former Utah senator and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, who made his fortune primarily his private equity firm Bain Capital, wrote a column published Friday by the New York Times arguing that the traditional political debate between Democrats insisting on higher taxes and Republicans insisting on lower spending was no longer sufficient to meet the nation's needs.
"I believe in free enterprise, and I believe all Americans should be able to strive for financial success," Romney wrote. "But we have reached a point where any mix of solutions to our nation’s economic problems is going to involve the wealthiest Americans contributing more."
"Yes, taxes can slow growth," he added. "But most of the measures I propose would have a relatively small impact on economic growth. If my party wants to be the one to give working- and middle-class Americans greater opportunity — to be the party that is trying to restore some sense of confidence in our capitalist system — this would be a start."
The 78-year-old retired senator was hailed by social media users who likely did not vote for him against former President Barack Obama more than a decade ago.
"I'd never expect to see Mitt Romney of all ppl on the 'tax the rich' train. But I'm glad to see it," wrote Democratic consultant Sergio Grant.
"Mitt Romney has a good oped today calling for much higher taxes on the very rich. This is the way," said economist Tony Annett.
"I remember @MittRomney meeting the @sltrib Editorial Board, saying, 'I don’t need a tax cut.' Now he’s gone further. I wish I could take credit for him coming around on raising the cap on FICA taxes," recalled George Pyle, a member of the Salt Lake City Tribune editorial board.
"Kudos to Mitt Romney for changing his mind and calling for higher taxes on the rich," posted Michael Linden, senior policy fellow at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. "I'm not going to nitpick his op/ed (though there are a few things I disagree with), because the gist of it is right: We need real tax reform to make the rich pay more."
"I’m not of a belief it is for best to hurl Mitt Romney under a bus for coming around on an issue he was objectively wrong on for many years," added X user Keyser Soze. "That’s a challenge, particularly considering here he’s advocating something that is not in his personal best interests. Credit is due."