I agree, although I think the 'trick' is even more devious. Let's presume this is fake, there are no stolen documents, and Romney's campaign wisely pays nothing. Then the blackmailers quit bluffing and silently drop out of sight. From the public's point-of-view, this result is indistinguishable from Romney paying $1M to prevent the release.
The campaign really only has two options: ignore it, or try to get the blackmailers arrested. If they ignore it, many will conclude that they must have paid to prevent incriminating documents from being released. If they pursue legal channels, they'll call more attention to the tax returns, and in the worst case may even cause the real returns to be revealed by the court.
The campaign really only has two options: ignore it, or try to get the blackmailers arrested. If they ignore it, many will conclude that they must have paid to prevent incriminating documents from being released. If they pursue legal channels, they'll call more attention to the tax returns, and in the worst case may even cause the real returns to be revealed by the court.
It's really no win for them.