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Obama to Clinton: Release Your Tax Returns
February 07, 2008 5:24 PM
ABC News' David Wright Sen. Barack Obama called on his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton to release her recent income tax returns - a move the Clintons have long resisted.
Watch the VIDEO HERE.
Strapped for campaign cash, Clinton announced this week that she loaned her presidential committee $5 million of her own personal funds, but it was not immediately clear how she came by that much money.
"I've released my tax returns," Obama said today on his campaign plane, noting that Presidential candidates have a duty to be transparent and accountable.
He said, "The American people deserve to know where you get your income from."
Back when Bill Clinton was an office-holder, Hillary Clinton's business dealings were often a source of controversy. Remember the Whitewater land deal and all the scrutiny given to her client list at the Rose Law Firm?
Now that she is running for President,. Bill Clinton's finances are attracting attention.
He has cashed in since leaving the Oval Office - raking in a small fortune in speaking fees, as well as consulting for private clients and foreign governments. Fundraising for his Presidential library has also come under scrutiny.
In one recent controversy, he reportedly consulted with businessmen connected with the repressive government of Khazakstan. Some have criticized him for selling his credibility and, in the process, undercutting US foreign policy and his wife's public pronouncements.
Should Hillary Clinton use the former President's windfall to fund her own bid for the Presidency, it would inevitably become a campaign issue.
And, for her, there's another sensitivity. Given that she is making the case that she is an independent career woman, dipping into a rich husband's assets might undercut that image.
Nonetheless the Clintons have resisted frequent calls to open the library's books or release their income tax returns.
Pressed by reporters for his thoughts, Obama said "I don't have enough money to drop $5 million on a campaign."
Asked by email for reaction, Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson emailed back: "Senator Clinton discloses the sources of her income every year."
Clinton does file annual financial disclosure forms in connection with her job at the US Senate, but they are far less detailed than a joint tax return.
Wolfson added: "When will Senator Obama release the complete details of his relationship with Tony Rezko?"
Rezko, a Chicago businessman currently under indictment and facing trial later this month, was involved in a deal allowing Obama to purchase land adjacent to his house at below market value. Obama has, in retrospect, acknowledged the deal was "bone-headed."
Obama also recently returned some $150 thousand in campaign contributions from donors connected with Rezko.
February 7, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (264)
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I think if Hillary or Bill are contributing to her campaign then she should release her income tax documents!
As far as Rezko, how much has he contributed to Bill Clinton in any way shape or form?
As far as the number of debates, why not have a caucus in Michigan and in Florida and then the delegates can be seated fairly at the convention??
Posted by: paulet | Feb 7, 2008 5:37:14 PM
I think releasing your tax returns is a simple enough request to complete that could only build more credibility...if you have nothing to hide. Not to mention, you're asking for my vote for Democratic nominee for the POTUS. You're practically asking to live under a microscope..as you should when given so much power. Surely you're not offended by this request.
It sure sounds like she's a little defensive when she throws Rezko back out there...
Posted by: whatsayyou | Feb 7, 2008 5:37:17 PM
Can you media crop write something meaningful? The country is in trouble with economy plunging, european laughing at us on our $$ devaluation. Bin Laden is thinking about next move to suck up our economy and nation standing in the world to lower five notches. Do you have a head to talk about substance? How do the candidates handle the crisis? NO, NO, NO, NO. All you are talking and writing are bunch of crap. Wake up and be a real citizen care about your country, not just meaningless subject and stories.
Posted by: MediaBashOnBothSides | Feb 7, 2008 5:37:22 PM
Hello? Wolfson? Anyone home?
Do you actually think the Clintons can win a contest with Obama over who has shadier friends, or who has shadier finances?
Rezko was a scumbag. He helped raise a lot of money for Obama. Obama should have had nothing to do with him. All granted. Now, let's see Clinton's tax returns.
Posted by: Fight can't be won | Feb 7, 2008 5:38:54 PM
Why is Hillary hiding from releasing her tax returns? Something really going on in her campaign...They all come across as a bunch of crooks who will do anything and say anything to get Hillary elected. Hillary go away!!!
Posted by: Cortez | Feb 7, 2008 5:40:48 PM
GOOD!
I'd love to see transparency in campaign and politics when dealing with tax money!!!
Bravo!!!
Posted by: truth4ever | Feb 7, 2008 5:46:02 PM
Kinda reminds you of Nixon's refusal to release the Watergate tapes, doesn't it?
Re the nonrelease of her tax info: Must be a reason somewhere...and it's probably not good. The Clintons never do anything unless it's favorable to their political ambitions.
Posted by: somethings fishy | Feb 7, 2008 5:47:58 PM
Geez, obama needs to quit sniveling so much he is really showing his age he is still a child, and as for the money hey it's polotics they all cheat and scam. so go hillary take your place in history and after that obama will have had time to progress in traing to run our country.
Posted by: lisa | Feb 7, 2008 5:50:00 PM
Geez, obama needs to quit sniveling so much he is really showing his age he is still a child, and as for the money hey it's polotics they all cheat and scam. so go hillary take your place in history and after that obama will have had time to progress in traing to run our country.
Posted by: lisa | Feb 7, 2008 5:50:05 PM
America to Obama
Tell us why you are afraid to debate Hillary.
Tell us the details of your deal with Rezko.
Tell us some examples of how you have united Washington since taking office.
Tell us details instead of offering America a bunch of Hallmark greeting card stump speeches.
Posted by: Joe | Feb 7, 2008 5:51:20 PM
This is positively Nixonian/Bush-League. Clintons -- release those damn papers and records, NOW!
These are PRECISELY the kind of sleight-of-hand shenanigans that are driving Dems in ever-increasing numbers to Obama!
Posted by: Mark | Feb 7, 2008 5:52:35 PM
Clinton won't release her tax records for the same reason she asked for a extension to divulge her campaign's financial records to the FEC. She has $10 million listed on her latest divulged campaign records under "transfers." Interestingly, there is some questions about the Clinton Presidential Library funding. And her supporters say the media favor Obama. C'mon people. This IS the Clinton's we're dealing with here. Those of us who are questioning her are clearly not her supporters who, not so coincidentally, are older, less educated, needier people who believe what she says because they don't have access to information that would suggest they do otherwise. Give me a break!
Posted by: bobbie | Feb 7, 2008 5:55:44 PM
Something is very *amiss* -- as in FISHY -- with all the secrecy surrounding the Clintons and their hinky dealings. Their relentless secrecy reminds me disturbingly of Bush and Cheney.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 7, 2008 6:00:02 PM
If she cant release something as simple as a ta return she absolutely cannot be trusted. They have the ausacity to bring up Rezko? Are you serious? He's not accused by anyone of doing anything wrong in connection to Rezko and there dozens of riduculously and obviously shady dealings the Clintons have going. They are lucky Obama is pulling his punches!!!!
Posted by: James | Feb 7, 2008 6:00:37 PM
Khazakistan uranium deal is a new news, the 35 years of experience is sealed and the list of contributors to the Clinton library itself is sealed. Simple answer to a simple question from Obama: make available to the media info re taxes.
Posted by: BKMC | Feb 7, 2008 6:00:47 PM
Wow the more Obama opens his mouth the more he sounds like old school Washington politician. No wonder he is afraid to debate Hillary. His only position is to CHANGE the topic when people think they deserve answers from him.
Not seeing much change in this guy.
He should talk to his good friend John Kerry about tax returns and lending money to campaigns. The more I hear from Obama the more he is exposed as a bright but empty package.
Posted by: Bill | Feb 7, 2008 6:02:23 PM
I don't think it is unreasonable. She has not released her Campaign finance records and won't release her income taxes to show where the $5 million came from, which she did not initially release that she had loaned her campaign but when it was found out, confirmed it. Then she asks us to trust her.
Posted by: Louis | Feb 7, 2008 6:02:27 PM
Did some one see the pictuer where Rizko was standing between the Clintons?
Mr. Wolfson should ans. the question
and then raise another question.
It's very obvious and embarasing to stand against transparency when you run for the highest office in the USA to avoid TRANSPARANCY as if you are running for an office in a third world like un DEMOCRATIC Country.
Posted by: S. Mengesha | Feb 7, 2008 6:02:38 PM
It's not Senator Clinton's fault that she has more personal finances than the Senator from Illinois. Her tax returns are of no interest to me. Let's see the Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld tax returns. I'm much more interested in hearing a clear sentence come from Obama rather than his speaking in parables and trying to channel Dr. King. The fact is, the Clintons have been vetted by Republicans for years. If this is all Obama has to focus on these days, I'd say he's in for a long, and ultimately, unsuccessful bid.
Posted by: Julia | Feb 7, 2008 6:07:49 PM
OK Clintonites, enlighten the rest of us:
1) WHY won't she release all of these records and emails and assorted documents?
2) Do YOU PERSONALLY approve of her secrecy?
3) How do YOU think she'll fare when McCain NAILS HER on it at debate after debate, and in his relentless commercials?
Posted by: Mark | Feb 7, 2008 6:09:35 PM
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