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Clinton on Her $109M: 'I Have Nothing Against Rich People'

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April 05, 2008 11:39 AM

ABC's Eloise Harper reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke about her family's $109 million fortune for the first time since her tax returns were made public. 

in  Grand Forks, N.D., last night, Clinton said, "Don't get me wrong. I have absolutely nothing against rich people. As a matter of fact my husband, much to my surprise, has made a lot of money since he left the White House doing what he loves doing most –- talking to people. But we didn't ask for George Bush's tax cuts. We didn't want them. We didn't need them."

The tax returns from 2000 to 2006, released Friday, show that they paid $33.7 million in taxes at a rate of 31 percent -- a rate that is much higher than the average rate of 20.8 percent for that tax bracket.

They have filed an extension on their 2007 taxes.

Some of the most significant sources of Clinton income are $10.4 million off her books, $29.5 million off his books, and a whopping $51.8 million for speeches given by Bill Clinton.

Clinton didn't dwell on the bonanza that she and her husband have amassed since Bill Clinton left the White House in 2000. She spoke for about an hour to North Dakota Democrats asking for their support. Clinton lost the state, but as she told the crowd there is no such thing as a pledged delegate.

Clinton, hoping for a change of heart from Democrats in this state, said, "I am here tonight because I am seeking your support to be that president."

The New York senator made the point that she never gives up saying, "I know what it's like to stumble. I know what it means to get knocked down. But I've never stayed down. I never will  and neither will America if we get ready to win this election in November."

Clinton then used a local North Dakota ice hockey analogy that the crowd seemed to enjoy, comparing herself to a local team.

"Can you imagine if the Fighting Sioux [University of North Dakota hockey team] had played the Gophers [University of Minnesota hockey team] for a tie on Sunday and then given up? Well they kept fighting and that's why they are going to the 'Frozen Four' in Denver next week."

April 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (205)

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And this woman wants to be President???

Posted by: M | Apr 5, 2008 11:55:44 AM

I can only imagine this is what all the other "recipients" of this tax break said.

With remarks like this, Hillary makes even unsavory characters like George Bush look "not so bad".

Posted by: M | Apr 5, 2008 12:05:12 PM

Here we go again no such thing as a pledge delegate. No such thing as pride, no such thing as honesty

Posted by: Thinking | Apr 5, 2008 12:06:19 PM

It must be so hard on the rotten media that there wasn't anything in the TAX RETURNS to jump the Clintons about. For gods sake don't show your ignorance by making remarks about their income. Check back, duh, being an ex-president is very luctrative.John Kennedy was filthy rich. In my book that just proves Hillary isn't in it for the money. Unlike Obama who is funneling money into his campaign in everyway known to man.

Posted by: Barb | Apr 5, 2008 12:16:04 PM

Hillary said, "But we didn't ask for George Bush's tax cuts. We didn't want them. We didn't need them."

Yet, the Clintons take full advantage of them. The Clintons donate to charity. What Charity? The Clinton museum. Their charity does not go to salvation army or homeless shelter like yours and mine would go. Their charity conveniently goes to themselves.

On the other hand, when people donote to Hillary's campaign with their $10, $20, $50, Hillary LOANED her campaign money with interest. You have to understand this. She will not earn such an interest if she put it in the savings. So she is making money out of her campaign while pleading for your $50 to be given to her for free. Watch out!

Posted by: Tim | Apr 5, 2008 12:19:06 PM

That was then Barb this is now and we have a lair who is trying to become president>>>Not a word out of her mouth is the truth.Kennedy cared this ass don't all she wants is POWER...Big difference here>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Posted by: h | Apr 5, 2008 12:19:40 PM

So she has money. Name me a president that did not have money. As long as they made it honest, it is none or your business or mine. She gave to charity and paid their share of taxes. I can't think of any president that didn't have money. I bet Obama has plenty hid back that he is not telling anyone about or paying taxes on. Probably come from Islamic countries. That guy is the big crook to me. He has a lot more negatives than the Clinton's. None of them should be teaching sunday school.

Posted by: barefootboy9 | Apr 5, 2008 12:24:04 PM

I laugh at all the Hillary haters who come out when these stories are aired. I doubt that any one of you would not have made as much or more if you and your husband had occupied the White House for 8 years. Every president who leaves office makes millions, but why is it that the Clintons income is the only one that has ever been plastered all over the media, all over the world? The Clintons did more for this country than 2 Bushes and Ronald Reagan combined. They balanced the budget so our grandchildren don't pay for our mistakes, something that NO Republican President has been able to do for the past 30 years.

Posted by: Jim | Apr 5, 2008 12:24:36 PM

Filthy rich and yet she is for the lower income, working class people. Right.

No such thing as a pledged delegate. Caucuses are less important. Snipers. Paulette Revere. NAFTA. Campaign officials working with Colombians over deals that she is against. Allowing her campaign to call people Judas. Should I keep going?

Posted by: Seriously | Apr 5, 2008 12:26:23 PM

If you look at the picture you will see her laughting all the way to the bank.Sickennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Posted by: h | Apr 5, 2008 12:26:37 PM

Honestly, have there ever been two less likable people in the history of the U.S. When she didn't have money, she could stand rich people. Now that she has some, the shoe is on the other foot. What a total hypocrit! But that's to be expected from the Wicked Witch at this point, since this has long been the Clinton M.O.

Best of luck in the next election. Because this time around, no matter what else you bring up the rest of the way, you're going to fall a little short. Maybe you'll get your wish and Obama won't actually win the General Election. Then you'll be able to run again in four years.

In the meantime, you and Bill should take a break and enjoy your money.

Posted by: J. T. Bigglesworth | Apr 5, 2008 12:26:49 PM

Why don't people talk about Obama's $2 million mansion in Chicago that he got through the help of Tony Resko, who is on trial for corruption in Chicago. Obama is only 47 years old (the Clinton's are in their 60's) and Obama is already a multi-millionaire. Obama's wife makes more money than Hillary Clinton does as a Senator. Quit trashing Hillary and start being fair with the public about Obama's egregious lies, and his association with corruption in Chicago.

Posted by: Doreen | Apr 5, 2008 12:27:44 PM

Hypothetical:
How hard would it be to launder money through individuals, by giving them money to donate online? Isn't that what Rezko was good at? Wouldn't an experience group of manipulators do small amounts to keep it off target? Albet CNN would never talk about that? Since they LOVE Obama

Posted by: DemHypocrisy | Apr 5, 2008 12:28:01 PM

Clinton's $109 million gross income Obama $40 million dollars in campaign contirubtions just last month alone....WOW!!! Wonder what his will look like at the end of this year

Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:29:45 PM

Jim, the balanced budget is the qrk of the Republican Congress and not a good will or bright idea from Bill. Let us not minimize the fact that the Congress was leading that process and has put Bill under pressure to achieve that balanced budget which he has no other choice but follow the movement and please Newt et al. Hill has abandoned North dakota and now is coming back because she want to create confusion about rules and regulations re pledge delegates. North Dakota does not need a Bosnian sniper at all. The Bosnian General of Brigade Hillary Clinton has to do the noble thing, drop out and help Obama to beat McCain as a drum in November 2008. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | Apr 5, 2008 12:34:16 PM

Hasn't the campaign contributions been in the MILLIONS since January..... WOW his campaign contributions have surpased the Clinton's total income in less than 3 months WOW!!!!!

Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:36:44 PM

Some of you people act like they should be paupers, why? they don't have a right to make money, people pay him to go speak , and we the people pay to go hear them speak, they write books and we buy them, so what, your hate is showing,

Posted by: backoffnewscensors | Apr 5, 2008 12:36:54 PM

You Hillary haters and Clinton haters out there ..

You all behave like a bunch of losers

You all need to sit down and do some introspection ... What is it in your OWN lives that you are not happy about ..
Usually, the reason for such blind hate, is a disappointment with onself.

Posted by: ExamineYourself | Apr 5, 2008 12:38:27 PM

obama now wants 50% of the Mich vote +++++++++++++He does not deserve 50% why should she have to pay for his lack of judgment he is a cry baby,,,,,,,,,,,,

Posted by: backoffnewscensors | Apr 5, 2008 12:39:30 PM

Clinton took money from Dubai for the port management scandal. Arab oil is funding the Clinton's campaign.

Posted by: SeattleGuy | Apr 5, 2008 12:41:34 PM

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