Arianna Huffington: On Clinton's Tax Returns

[DerekJ]

On Clinton's Tax Returns, a "Frankly Disturbing" Lack of Transparency, and Surrogate-ancholy

Link

And she's exactly right. There are 20 years worth of returns that have been released. What's missing are the last 8 years -- years in which Bill Clinton has been making money hand over fist, and involving himself in all kinds of interesting financial deals (see Ron Burkle, Yucaipa, and the ruler of Dubai).

Hillary Clinton has repeatedly paired herself with John McCain as of late, making the case that they are candidates with a "lifetime of experience," so it seems appropriate that her refusal to release her tax returns is another thing they have in common.
While Clinton has been tossing verbal bouquets to McCain and attacking Obama for not being "vetted," Obama has been living up to his promises about making government more transparent. Not only did he release his latest tax returns in April 2007, he also just made public his list of earmarks, and sat down at the end of last week with the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times to answer all their questions about Tony Rezko. The conclusion of the Tribune?

"When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him. Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict... Barack Obama now has spoken about his ties to Tony Rezko in uncommon detail. That's a standard for candor by which other presidential candidates facing serious inquiries now can be judged."

It's a standard not being met by either McCain or Clinton.

Or as John Aravosis summed it up: "People with nothing to hide don't usually hide."

As Andrew Sullivan notes, "Did they file an extension for the past few years? If they didn't, the forms are available now."

This is the issue that seems like it is not going away anytime soon.

Edited to fix link

[Kittycat]

1. Link?

[DerekJ]

2. It's in the post, right under the title :)

[Coexist]

3. your link is broken - here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/on-clintons-tax-returns_b_91882.html

[tabasco]

4. What are the Clintons hiding from Democratic voters?

All we need is to be Spitzered in the middle of the general election.

SHOW US NOW, HILLARY.

- Tax returns
- Senate earmarks
- Library contributor list
- White House records

If Hillary becomes the nominee, the republicans will rake her over the coals, and rightly so, for hiding her records.

[polichick]

5. Why so secretive - are there any good reasons??

[roguevalley]

24. we decry bush secrecy. we can't have this. its hypocracy otherwise.

[Holly_Hobby]

25. They took Marc Rich as a dependent n/t

[cooolandrew]

6. It's only right and transparent Barack released his returns.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. Good read.

[Cha]

8. Thanks for this Derek and

glad you're on board DU helpin' us out.

[catgirl]

9. If we don't deserve this info., then she doesn't deserve any votes

People keep demanding this info. and she just ignores it. Where's the outrage?

[uponit7771]

10. This is Hillary's achillies heal and Obama isn't kicking it. I wish he'd hammer her on it but maybe

...he's thinking he doesn't want to damage her too much

[juajen]

11. It was my understanding that this was not required until a candidate

is selected. If someone has a link to the rules and info I don't know, I wish they would post it.

[suston96]

12. Individual tax returns not as good as Senate Financial statements.....

The Senate statements were linked on DU and they list all the monies received from such things as speaking fees and more.

Demanding the tax returns is stupid when those Senate financials are more useful and already accessible.

[NobleCynic]

16. If you're correct, then it is illogical for her to refuse to release them

Unless she's making some sort of statement by withholding them. But I struggle to see what that statement might be

[suston96]

17. Has nothing to do with "logic". Has to do with tax laws.

For one thing, tax numbers for one year can change previous years numbers. Their last two returns may simply not be ready.

[NobleCynic]

28. A plausible excuse. Still, it looks bad

And the longer the delay, the more she's going to get slammed on this.

[Window]

13. K/R.

:kick:

[Voice for Peace]

14. K & R I think this is a fair request of her,

and her ignoring it reminds me too much of what we've been seeing in the Bush admin.

We can request from the media that they give this more attention.

[ExtraGriz]

15. oh dont have a fit

obama hasnt come forward with his rezko billing records either. they both are withholding stuff and will release it when they are ready.

[bunnies]

18. newest addition to the "dead to me list": Adrianna Huffington.

:rofl:

[DerekJ]

19. This list is getting reaaallllllyy loooooonnnggg

[Coexist]

20. add McClatchy - TOP STORY: Why won't Clinton, McCain make tax returns public?

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/30678.html

WASHINGTON — During Hillary's Clinton's New York race for the Senate in 2000, a man in an Uncle Sam suit calling himself "Tax Man" followed Republican candidate Rick Lazio around, demanding to know why Lazio was so slow in making his income tax returns public.

"The people of New York have a right to know what he's hiding," said Howard Wolfson, then a top Clinton aide who often trailed behind "Tax Man" feeding reporters campaign spin. "Rick Lazio's 15 minutes are up — he should stop making excuses and come clean with New Yorkers."

<SNIP>
The delays by Clinton and McCain perplex some government watchdog groups, which note that past presidential candidates had no trouble producing their tax returns in a timely fashion. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, released his tax information in December 2003, for example.

"This is a part of the public record that voters have come to expect. Concern grows when anything is withheld," said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit organization that examines money and politics.
<SNIP>
"They (tax returns) are a window for the American people into their financial matters, which we consider an important disclosure — sort of part of the job interview," Boyle said. "Does it tell you everything? No, but it can give you some clues."

[Scurrilous]

21. K & R

:thumbsup:

[quantass]

22. k

[Oilwellian]

23. Transparency should be a huge issue in this election

"As a former president, Bill Clinton has been making millions annually giving speeches and traveling the globe. What is publicly known about his business dealings is sketchy, and clearer disclosure of them is required to reassure voters that Mrs. Clinton's candidacy is unencumbered by hidden entanglements."

Do you suppose the super delegates will be taking this into account when they cast their vote? Would they be willing to cast a vote for a candidacy that may have hidden entanglements? I highly doubt it. That would be the epitome of stupid.

[ozone_man]

26. Kicked and recommended.

Let's see those returns Clintons. That seems like a pretty basic requirement to run for office of presidency.

[elixir]

27. I don't see this on the MSM, just pastorgate.

[IsItJustMe]

29. K&R