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Clinton on Her $109M: 'I Have Nothing Against Rich People'
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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Presidents are in demand.
I am sure that Obama will be making that kind of money when his Presidential Terms are up.
I wish the Clintons well, and can find nothing in their Taxes or the Clinton Family Foundation and the distribution of those funds to concern me.
Obama08
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 5, 2008 12:43:08 PM
There 8 year income is chicken feed compared to Obama's campaign contributions. This man is so stupid to have even ask for them to be shown. No let me tell you stupid ask them to be shown and then BOOST ABOUT RECEIVING MILLIONS in campaign funds. He should have let this dead horse die. Now people are going to start looking at his finances.....see stupid!!!!
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:43:53 PM
Deb,
You said:-Obama supporters: I asked what has Obama done to help the little man out there?...Nothing!! He will be doing the same as President---helping the Wrights, Rezkos, Ayers, i.e. donors
To answer your quetion, I woulld like you to go to Chicago to find that out when he was a community organizer.
That speeks for itself.
If he were to be somebody else he should have find his way to Wall street to get a good job for himself but rather went to community to help thise who has lost their job,
Thank you
Posted by: Kay | Apr 5, 2008 12:43:59 PM
SeattleGuy said 'Clinton took money from Dubai for the port management scandal. Arab oil is funding the Clinton's campaign.'
Sweet, does that mean George Bush and his oil buddies are financing Hillary. Because they have been screwing us for 8 years?
Posted by: DemHypocrisy | Apr 5, 2008 12:44:34 PM
Well if Arab oil is funding it they sure aren't paying good......Now she ought to tap into Obama's secrets....find out who it is that gives up the big money
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:45:43 PM
Well if Arab oil is funding it they sure aren't paying good......Now she ought to tap into Obama's secrets....find out who it is that gives up the big money
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:47:56 PM
Look people, it doesn't matter who you support right now (Obama or Clinton). The fact of the matter is that the common American family has earned a tiny fraction of the more than 100 million dollars that the Clintons have earned since 2000.If you really think that Hillary Clinton with her millions and millions of dollars has the slightest clue as to what NORMAL average American families are going through in this economy, then you're absolutely clueless. There is no way in hell that she has anything in common with the majority of Americans so you can bet that a HIllary presidency will result in 4 more years (or maybe 8) of an economy that continues to work us to death while the corporations and the uber-rich continue to sock away money like there is no tomorrow.Think about your bills, your paycheck, and your children. How will you pay for their college? How will you fund your retirement? Then decide if you REALLY want to vote for someone who is a millionaire 100 times over in only the last 8 years... do you really think she has a clue as to what you are going through in your own personal financial situation? Here's the answer: SHE DOESN'T.It's been said that people who vote Republican are either ultra-rich, or they're SUCKERS. I think it's fair to say that a vote for Hillary would be the same... so if you're rich and set for life, or if you're a sucker who will buy into her campaign "promises" then go ahead and vote for her.If you have any concern for your own personal financial situation then you should be voting based upon your pocketbook. Barack Obama, who is far from poor but nowhere near the ultra-rich elite crowd that the Clintons run with, is far closer to the common working people of America, and is our best choice for a President OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people.And no, I'm not in his campaign... and no, I'm not black... and no, I'm not ultra-liberal... and no, I'm not a young college student. I'm a college-educated family man, happily married for almost 18 years with two great kids, making a very average median-level income, and living in the midwest.
Posted by: DontBeAFool_VoteSmart | Apr 5, 2008 12:48:26 PM
Interesting to note that Clinton gave the same amount of money to charity that she made from her books. Obama on the other hand kept most of the money he made from his books and wht little he donated to charity went to his church that doesnt donate back to the community. In fact, they provide for their ministers to live rich and without paying taxes.
I dont judge Barack based on things his wife has done and said. I dont judge Hillary based on the things Bill has done and said. McCain's wife is worth 100 mill and I dont judge him based on his wife's fortune either.
Obama and Clinton both filed for extensions on 2007 taxes so the argument on that is a moot point. Bottom line? Clinton made money from her books and gave it to charity to help other people. She truly does practice what he preaches - It Takes A Village. Obama and McCain are all talk.
Posted by: mixed-american | Apr 5, 2008 12:50:14 PM
The Clintons paid MORE in taxes than the average person in that tax bracket. They gave 10 times more money to charity than Obama. Don't forget all the time Bill spent raising money for Katrina victims. Once again ACTIONS speak louder than words. Case closed. Keep fighting Hillary, you have tons of support out here!!
Posted by: Firefighter | Apr 5, 2008 12:50:49 PM
I was watching the newscast earlier today and a reporter was trying to make a big deal out of it. The other said no I don't think it will be that important. Yeah they don't want anyone to look at the Obama campaign funds...So after seeing this I know ears has to feel stupid.....that's what he gets trying to beat a dead horse...stupid!!! I just can't get over how stupid this was
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:53:33 PM
Anyone ever notice it's always women getting mad that Hillary is 'picked on'?
Want to bet they are all 55+ in age, too?
* *
As for bill having done more than any other president in recent times--hah!
He was fortunate enough to be president when the 'rebate' from the end of the Cold War came through--those were Reagan/Bush I policies. Carter had the Camp David Accords. Nixon recognized China and got us out of Vietnam.
And Clinton? Well..he got an intern...while Hillary was in Da House.
Posted by: jim | Apr 5, 2008 12:53:49 PM
I was watching the newscast earlier today and a reporter was trying to make a big deal out of it. The other said no I don't think it will be that important. Yeah they don't want anyone to look at the Obama campaign funds...So after seeing this I know ears has to feel stupid.....that's what he gets trying to beat a dead horse...stupid!!! I just can't get over how stupid this was
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 12:56:14 PM
Once you have tasted power and its benefits I would think once is enough. My only question is what did they specifically do for the working-class when in office? Ans: Passed and voted for NAFTA that took jobs out of the US and contributes today to joblessness. Voted for Iraq that used soldiers from working-class families. Can these two's motives for the Presidency be trusted other than to use it as a platform to further enrich themselves and re-fill the coffers.
Posted by: Uretha | Apr 5, 2008 12:56:14 PM
Democrata: Andrea Mitchell is married to Alan Greenspan, and she hates Hillary and loves to run Hillary bashing stories. Andrea Mitchell likes to sit and giggle while Chris Matthews gets tingles running up his leg over Obama. By the way, come time for the GE, Andrea will be bashing Obama if he is the nominee because she is all for the Republicans. Note to media advertisers: women are tired of the blatant sexism, Hillary bashing and nasty and negative comments about the Clintons in general and we are not watching CNN or MSNBC anymore, so don't waste your advertising dollars on those networks trying to reach us. Unless of course you are not interested in reaching women consumers.
Posted by: rs | Apr 5, 2008 12:56:59 PM
"Why don't people talk about Obama's $2 million mansion in Chicago that he got through the help of Tony Resko"
Because it's been established in writing by the original owner of the home and by full disclosure (a term foreign to the Clintons) by Obama that Rezko had no part in the original purchase of his home. The trial on an innocent until proven guilty Rezko has been going on for weeks. The claim by the prosecution, the opening statements and the witness list all relate to activity that had nothing to do with Obama. Levine, the star witness for the prosecution didn’t meet Rezko until sometime in 2002 and the transactions they’re talking about happened as Obama was departing the state legislature for Washington so there was little benefit for, little motive and zero connection between Levine and Obama.
Rezko is turning out like Rev. Wright will. It’s been a whole lot of fuss about something blown way out of proportion for political gain.
Posted by: Cleduc | Apr 5, 2008 12:58:55 PM
Obama has helped ordinary people by working with them on the streets of Chicago, by representing them in both the Illinois State Senate and the US Senate. By leading them through a dramatic and popular primary campaign.
Hillary has done what exactly? Failed to lead a national movement for universal health care, leaving many of them without health care, and crippling her husbands Presidency? Without wanting to demean anything Hillary has done, the Clinton campaign, at least its online presence seems to think it can just say 'What has Obama done?' as a cover for her lack of real achievement.
Posted by: markymark | Apr 5, 2008 1:02:17 PM
They're trying to help Dumbo out. HE'S the one that wanted this. How much you want to bet Michele told him to put it to bed. And if he comments on the Clinton's earnings after his $40 million campaign windfall he's stupider than he looks
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 1:02:17 PM
I am an ardent Obama supporter. But this bashing Hillary over how much money she's made, is flat out ridiculous. Because she is rich doesn't mean she can't care about the poor. Can we please focus on the issues? Is that too much to ask of Democrats? Why are we not talking about this Mark Penn Columbian meeting instead of how much money the Clintons have?
Pam, who cares who Aljazera supports? So you are telling us Americans to base our decision on who terrorists support? That's really flawed logic.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 5, 2008 1:06:34 PM
Let the Ken Starr and GOP type investigations begin. I dont know why people dont get tired of doing this to the Clintons.
Just get over this and talk about something more meaningful.
Posted by: Joan | Apr 5, 2008 1:06:38 PM
Cleduc you can't tell me about Rev Wright have known about him for years. Have had several of his sermons on tape since the 80's. Obama is a bare face lie if he tries to tell you that Wright wasn't political on the pulpit from day one. I know several pastors PERSONALLY who flew to Chicago regularly to hear Wright preach. Several of them use Wright's same jargon in their preaching today. Sweetie I'm black so you have to try that with somebody like you that may not know. The black community has known forever about Wright. I'm just not afraid to tell you.
Posted by: mgck59 | Apr 5, 2008 1:10:44 PM
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