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Biden Releases Tax Returns

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September 12, 2008 1:42 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe: Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., Friday released ten years of tax returns in a stated effort to emphasize transparency in government and an unstated effort to prod his Republican counterpart Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to follow suit.

"The last eight years have brought Americans' faith in their government to its lowest point in over thirty years," Biden spokesman David Wade said in a statement. "The only answer is to change the way we do business in Washington. That starts with something as simple as transparency. That's why Sen. Biden is releasing his tax returns for the last ten years."

On the campaign trail in the past two weeks, Biden has noted that he is the one of the less wealthy members of the Senate and his tax returns appear to back up that claim.

According to the filings, he and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, reported a combined income of $248,754 in 2007, stemming mostly from his Senate pay and the salaries the couple earn from their teaching jobs. Sen. Biden teaches a Saturday morning class at Widener University Law School's Wilmington campus, while Dr. Biden is an English professor at Delaware Technical & Community College.

The couple's tax returns can be viewed by clicking HERE.

The Republican presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his running mate Palin, who has not released her tax returns, promised to release her filings at an unspecified date.

"We will of course release them but on our timetable," said a McCain staffer.

The GOP campaign urged Biden to show more transparency by releasing his Senate earmarks.

"If the Obama campaign is interested in posing standards of transparency then maybe Biden should release his earmarks during his time in the US Senate," the McCain staffer suggested.

Earlier this year, Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., released his personal income tax returns dating back to 2000. His running mate Biden's returns were posted on the campaign website on a day when the Delaware lawmaker was originally scheduled to be fundraising in Texas but cancelled his trip at the last minute due to Hurricane Ike.

September 12, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (47)

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And Palin will be following suit?

Lemmie guess McCain Campaign... 'We'll get back to you?'

Posted by: Deep Release | Sep 12, 2008 1:52:18 PM

You need to give the REAL info.

BIDEN wants to get rid of AMT for people earning his wage level - probably because he had to pay AMT.

BIDEN pays little taxes as a % of his salary.

What a disgrace and hypocrite. Wants AMT gone so he can pay less in taxes.

Posted by: JA | Sep 12, 2008 1:52:47 PM

New Poll is coming soon

Washington/Oregon will become a swing state. Lord Obama has to fight there too.

Posted by: adam | Sep 12, 2008 1:57:45 PM

We are still waiting for the McCains and Palins to release theirs.
None of the Democrats had to be asked including Hillary Clinton.
We understand that some interesting property has been discovered that the Palins have been hiding in their chum's company.

Posted by: susan | Sep 12, 2008 2:02:16 PM

JA - and what do you pay? Did Biden and his wife pay the amount they were required to pay under our tax laws?

Posted by: sunny in tulsa | Sep 12, 2008 2:04:37 PM

Bush appointed Republican Minerals Management Service employees frequently consumed alcohol at industry functions, had used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and natural gas company representatives.

The MMS scandal gives new Meaning to the GOP mantra “Drill Baby Drill.”

Posted by: God Particle | Sep 12, 2008 2:10:17 PM

if she was a throughly vetted as claimed, releasing her taxes would not be an issue. If they want all the earmarks released, then lets get hers as well. those are already part of the public record so not so much a release as look them up.

Posted by: Danny | Sep 12, 2008 2:21:50 PM

I don't need to see anybody's tax returns. I trust they are legit or they'd be in trouble with the IRS. This seems to be a distraction tactic of the Obama people to stray from the real issues--such as, how is America going to be SAFE with Obama unloading our defense weapons in a dangerous world?

Posted by: Who cares about their taxable income-Keep America safe with McCain | Sep 12, 2008 2:23:07 PM

It appears that Palin is in way over her head with Troopergate, Affairs, Corruption
Taking money from Big Oil and on and on

It will all come out soon

Posted by: God Particle | Sep 12, 2008 2:25:52 PM

I'm deeply concerned about Palin's desire to ban books and then trying to fire the librarian who disagreed with her. The President should get to tell me what I can read and what I can't. Will she be outlawing the Koran?

Posted by: Louis | Sep 12, 2008 2:31:45 PM

ETHICAL QUESTIONS: Bloomberg: “Palin's office approved a state job for a friend and campaign aide with whom she shared a land investment, financial records and interviews over the past two weeks show. She hired a former lobbyist for a pipeline company to help oversee a multibillion-dollar deal with that same company. She named a police chief accused of harassment to head the state police. And she sent campaign e-mails on her city hall account while serving as mayor of Wasilla -- conduct for which she later turned in an oil commissioner on ethics charges.
“These incidents raise ‘some serious questions about her judgment and serious questions about her standards of ethics in public service,'’ said James Thurber, director of American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in Washington. Suggesting a real estate investment partner for a job ‘may be acceptable in Alaska; it would not be acceptable in Washington, D.C., a place whose norms she wants to

Posted by: truth | Sep 12, 2008 2:34:53 PM

Under $1000 to charity...0.0031% of his AGI!

Not even any Katrina-related donations in 2005!

Probably didn't even shell out $5 after The Messiah sent out his Gustav text message.

Posted by: Steve | Sep 12, 2008 2:43:51 PM

Of course the Mavericks, "The Mavericks for Change" will release theirs. Can't understand why Johnny hasn't released his yet. And what is this, on their time table. This ain't about them, it's about the people of America and when we want something they should be willing and wanting to oblige. It they don't we can see what they will do in the "White House", that's why it can't never come to that!

Posted by: SD | Sep 12, 2008 2:48:58 PM

McSame voted with Bush 91% of the Time... NO CHANGE THERE!

McSame employs 134 Lobyests on his campaing.... NO CHANGE THERE!

McSame has the soon to be indicted Carl Rove working for him .... NO CHANGE THERE!

Posted by: God Particle | Sep 12, 2008 2:52:04 PM

"There is an epidemic of Republicans molesting children ... and they have the audacity to lie about kindergarten sex ed. Posted by: God Particle" ***** Wow, I am speechless at your comment. anyone who harms children should be punished to the max, I agree. But to make this comment is reckless and unfair. Lemme guess, b/c they're priests? Could I replace "republicans" w/"democrats" b/c most were male molesting boys? sounds silly doesn't it? I comptemplated responding back w/something so rude and gross, but your comment shouldn't be easily dismissed.

Posted by: Kim | Sep 12, 2008 2:53:53 PM

There were more Republican Officials indicted under bush than any other administration by over 10 times.... Hypocracy and corruption run wild.

McSame & Book Banning Caribou Barbie offers much of the same policies and people

Posted by: God Particle | Sep 12, 2008 2:54:06 PM

Goodness, where's all the fairness in these comments. Sarah and her social views this and that, that and this... you should do more research. Too tired to explain.

Posted by: Aurora | Sep 12, 2008 2:55:45 PM

Steve, you might want to save your cheap shot critism of donations to charity until after Ms. Palin and her husband have released their tax returns. As candidates for public office they will be required to do so. Living in the part of the country the Bidens live in has a high cost of living base and $250,000.00 is not a lot of money. They are not considered wealthy by any means in that part of the US.

Posted by: sunny in tulsa | Sep 12, 2008 2:56:48 PM

Back off God Particle. Make your points in an respectful and intelligent manner. You are quickly loosing credibality with your ranting.

Posted by: sunny in tulsa | Sep 12, 2008 3:02:04 PM

Let me guess, GOP and backers, "Leave her alone, stop pressuring her to release her tax forms. This is so sexist, the media would never ask this of Obama's cousin, wanh wanh wanh"

Republican campaign is A joke...open your eyes folks

Posted by: Dem-4-Life | Sep 12, 2008 3:02:21 PM

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