Cindy McCain Refuses to Release Her Tax Returns... Ever
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Stumble ThisThe Obamas released tax returns for both Barack and Michelle. The Clintons released returns for both Bill and Hillary. But when John McCain released his tax returns a few weeks ago, Cindy McCain’s tax documents will remain private.
It’s not too hard to understand why. The McCains are extraordinarily wealthy — one might even be tempted to call them “elites” — and Cindy McCain’s assets are estimated to be about $100 million, including a private jet, which her husband has been borrowing at a reduced rate.
Given the other candidates’ disclosures, and McCain’s own alleged commitment to transparency, Cindy McCain was asked on NBC's “Today” show on May 8, 2008 if she will ever release her tax returns. She replied, politely, “Never.”
It’s not too hard to understand why. The McCains are extraordinarily wealthy — one might even be tempted to call them “elites” — and Cindy McCain’s assets are estimated to be about $100 million, including a private jet, which her husband has been borrowing at a reduced rate.
Given the other candidates’ disclosures, and McCain’s own alleged commitment to transparency, Cindy McCain was asked on NBC's “Today” show on May 8, 2008 if she will ever release her tax returns. She replied, politely, “Never.”
Instructables has connections to instructions on how to
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
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...
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.