Comments for "Cindy McCain Refuses to Release Her Tax Returns... Ever" Video at VideoSift.com

By Trancecoach

Trancecoach (http://www.videosift.com/member/Trancecoach) — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:28:34 -0700

From Crooks & Liars: I’ll tell you a little secret: at first blush, I’m not inclined to care. The McCains have more money than some countries, they haven’t been accused of any financial improprieties, and while it’s interesting when a guy like McCain opposes minimum-wage increases while flying around on his wife’s private jet, I’m not exactly itching to go through Cindy McCain’s tax returns. In fact, I’m not surprised that someone of her wealth would want to keep her returns free of scrutiny.

But this is absolutely relevant in this presidential campaign for a few reasons.

First, John McCain, for all of his talk about the importance of transparency and disclosure, has gone out of his way to ensure that all of his assets are in his wife’s name. And as Kevin recently noted, “There’s only one reason for a politician to make sure that all his assets are in his wife’s name: it’s to make sure that no one knows anything about his assets. It’s not as if McCain is the first pol to try this, after all. Is the press really going to let him get away with this?”

Which leads us to the second reason this matters: McCain has always relied on his wife’s wealth, and has always “mixed business and politics.” If the point of releasing tax returns is to offer voters a chance to get a better sense of the candidate, then it’s incumbent on the McCains to stop acting like they have something to hide.

And third, there’s just the shameless hypocrisy of it all. In 2004, the Republican National Committee spent quite a bit of time and energy demanding that the Kerry campaign release Teresa Heinz Kerry’s tax returns. The candidate’s wife resisted, but after pressure from the GOP and the media, she eventually gave in and made the materials publicly available.

The situation is exactly the same. John Kerry made less money than his wife, who inherited most of her fortune. McCain is practically broke, and relies on his wife’s millions, which were also inherited.

In other words, if we hold the McCains to the standards set by the Republican Party, they owe the public some additional information. The press hounded the Kerrys on this; we’ll see if the media chooses to give the McCains equal treatment. I’m not optimistic.

Crooks & Liars has started a McCain Tax Return Watch

And CNN has started to cover it

By Trancecoach

Trancecoach (http://www.videosift.com/member/Trancecoach) — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:38:22 -0700

Oh, and for a vid on McCain's spiritual guide sounds far worse than anything Rev. Wright ever said

By Zonbie

Zonbie (http://www.videosift.com/member/Zonbie) — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:10:52 -0700

The McCain's (Well, his wife at least) are very wealthy, how again is it, he plans on helping the "Everyman"

I thought he wasn't the worst candidate early on, but now I think its Bush wear a face mask...

http://www.king-george.biz/wst_page5.html

He's a signitory of PNAC, so does this explain the lock step approach? and opinions on this.

As far as his wife not wanting to disclose her finacials, I dont know what the rule are for US tax return and privacy but it may seem elitist or snobbish to refuse when everyone else shows. Plus there is the problem of is she hiding someting for mr. mccain?

anyways...

By gwiz665

gwiz665 (http://www.videosift.com/member/gwiz665) — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:59:04 -0700

Doesn't really matter to me as long as there is no funny business. People are entitled to privacy.

By snoozedoctor

snoozedoctor (http://www.videosift.com/member/snoozedoctor) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:34:37 -0700

^
Agree. Both parties are plenty guilty of pandering to the common man while living a life of privilege. Obama, not as much.
When you marry, you agree to pool your resources. I don't see guilt in spending money that's legally shared between you. Rich does not = morally bankrupt or greedy. Most of the time it means talent and competitive nature. Except in the case of McCain and Kerry, where it's wealth of woo, lucky bastards.