Obama suggests Clinton show tax returns

[ursi]

Source: Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS - Democrat Barack Obama suggested Thursday that Hillary Rodham Clinton follow his lead and release her and her husband's income tax returns so the public can see where the $5 million she loaned her presidential campaign came from.

A day earlier, Clinton acknowledged that she had made the loan late last month. At the time, Obama was raising and spending more money than her heading into the round of presidential primaries and caucuses on Super Tuesday.

Asked whether he would call on the Clintons to release their tax returns, Obama stopped short of saying they should.

"I'll just say that I've released my tax returns. That's been a policy I've maintained consistently. I think the American people deserve to know where you get your income from. But I'll leave it up to you guys to chase it down," he told reporters on the flight to Omaha, Neb., for a rally. "I've disclosed my income tax returns," he said. "I think we set the bar in terms of transparency and disclosure that has been a consistent theme of my campaign and my career in politics."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080208/ap_on_el_pr/obama_taxes;_ylt=Aj2hX_3RbJpdzw0RjJSSZoqyFz4D

[peace13]

1. I thought that was standard OP. n/t

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Required, I believe, in the general election

Primaries are, legally speaking, an in-party thing. The Democratic Party can (and should) require disclosure as a condition of running as a Democrat.

--p!

[Bitwit1234]

34. Well I thought politicans were just like real Americans.

That they had till the 15th of April of each year, to have their tax returns done. Are the Clintons supposed to run over to their accountants and have them prepared so they can show them to the blowhard other candidate.

Is his ego so big that he thinks he tell the Clintons what they should do already. Are all the little ratsy picking up his ATTACK points and spreading them all over the net. Guess so....such followers--tsk tsk not one little spark of originality.

[peace13]

44. Doubt that he is talking about 2007. n/t

[papau]

40. Obama has not released "his tax return" - he only released the summary page 1040 - but none of the

various Schedules and attachments that are legally part of the tax return


So Obama has released only the 2006 Form 1040 one page summary (both sides of the page of course) from his tax return and not the attachments which provide detail about income and spending.

The campaign released a sheet of paper that it asserts reflects the data in the unreleased portions of the tax return - but Obama refuses to allow anyone to verify the data.

[JPZenger]

43. Obama's Income from Books, Wife's Salary

Obama's income sources are pretty transparent. He receives his Senate salary, the royalties from his books and his wife formerly made a nice salary as a Vice President with the University of Chicago Hospitals. She is now on an unpaid leave of absence. His main asset is a nice house, which has a huge mortgage.

Here's more details on the assets of incomes of each candidate. According to this source, Bill Clinton has made $41 million from speaking tours, including millions made in undemocratic countries.

Clinton:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0712/gallery.candidates.moneymag/index.html

Obama:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0712/gallery.candidates.moneymag/5.html

[nels25]

47. Has Hillary released even that??

With the Clinton's I am always careful when it comes to money.

To much money scandal when Bill was POTUS, (no I do not mean Monica or Whitewater).

The Clinton's have a verified track record of skating very close to the edge of what is legal when it comes to political funds.

Ethical I will let you make you own call on that one as I have.

:eyes:

[SleeplessinSoCal]

2. The Clintons shouldn't get a pass on revealing tax returns

After reading the article lined below I am finding that Obama is by far the most grown-up person in this race - on both sides.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/08/america/08clinton.php

[ginnyinWI]

4. he is.

I'm baffled by the resistence to him and his message here at DU.

[ursi]

5. some people want to relive the past

[juajen]

51. Why do you say that? Because we want to elect Hillary Clinton?

Have you read her biography? She actually is experienced enough to run for President. Why don't you compare line for line with Obama's? You might be surprised.

But, having dealt with you formerly, I doubt you will even answser this post, let alone do honest research.

[WillParkinson]

26. Dear Ginny...

Try visiting the Gay board here sometime. You may find some reasoning that some in the Gay community do not support him.

[bellasgrams]

9. Oh no, how can you say he's the most grown-up, He whines,

complains, gets mad easily. Prances around like a cheerleader, all it gets across is Change, he's to much like Bush to make much of a change. He's just so full of himself.

[CatnHat]

13. There is

definitely similarities between Obama and Bush. Bush campaigned merely on catch phases too; "compassionate" and "unity"; and look where it got our country. Obama talks in the first person consistently, Clinton talks about "we", not "I". Study their speeches, its all in there. Creepy.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WillParkinson]

23. Wow...

Because you don't believe it to be true then the poster is a troll or a freeper?

I do not support Mr. Obama. I do not support Ms. Clinton. But I accept that people have different viewpoints. Perhaps it's something that we should all try to learn.

[JTFrog]

27. self delete.

not in the mood this morning and I apologize for calling others trolls due to the lack of substance in their posts.

[Winterblues]

46. You sound like a regular in the GDP forum, maybe you should keep it there

Your harshness is very unpleasant and IMO should be moved somewhere else. It appears neither Clinton nor Obama can be mentioned at all without such juvenile attitudes showing up..

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. ...

:eyes:

[CatnHat]

49. Just keep your blindfolds on

you act just like a Bush supporter. Sad.

[JTFrog]

57. Your technique of trying to link a person, or idea, to a negative symbol (Bush) is bullshit.

I'm calling you on it.

The propagandist who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence.

You spewed crap in your post and expected people to gobble it up like caviar.

[juajen]

53. It's against the rules to call a poster, new or not, a troll.

NT

[JTFrog]

56. Yeah and it's probably against the rules to quote the rules on DU.

I just called that one as I saw it.

[JTFrog]

20. Bullshit. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Sums it up nicely.

:thumbsup:

[ursi]

41. How do you know that about Obama? Link, please? There have been articles written

about Hillary acting like that. But I have never seen any about him. Do you know if any exist?

[catgirl]

42. Are you sure you're not talking about Bill Clinton?

He's the guy losing his cool. I also recall Hillary having
a temper tantrum when some of her donators also gave
to Obama. Hm.

[nels25]

48. Gee almost sounds like you are discribing

Bill except the part of being like Bush, you discribed Bubba to a tee.

[benny05]

17. His supporters are not grown ups

And have intimidated others at caucuses. Widespread reports on that one.

[JTFrog]

21. And MORE BULLSHIT.

Link please.

[WillParkinson]

24. Because you said "please"

http://www.google.com/search?q=Obama+Caucus+Intimidation&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8

The ones one the first page are mostly accusations by Ms. Clinton. I did not go farther into the pages.

[JTFrog]

25. Oh real reliable shit there. So much for credibility. nt

[WillParkinson]

29. And apparently...

So much for intelligent discourse.

[JTFrog]

30. You point to nothing solid other than her campaign accusing him and talk of intelligent discourse?

And even admitted yourself that you didn't bother to look any further than that.

Stunning.

[WillParkinson]

37. I only gave a link for you to start your search

I was not the one cursing and calling people trolls and freeps. I gave you a link, which you asked for. If you truly cared what anyone, other than yourself, thought you could do a search on your own.

[DCKit]

6. The point wasn't the Clinton's taxes...

it was another attempt to get Obama on the record saying something that could be construed as inappropriate, tacky, vindictive and mean. He gave them exactly the answer he should have, not the one they were fishing for.

Whether you like Obama or not, you've got to give him props for this one. He IS well spoken and proves, again, that his brain works as well as, and in advance of, his mouth.

I hope McCain and Chuckleberry don't get any ideas about thinking before they start talking.

[jedgarbauer]

7. Clintons Show Tax Records?

ROTFLMAO! That might expose their $10Million acceptance of the following:<p>

<p>“Bill Clinton's presidential library raised more than 10 percent of the cost of its $165 million facility from foreign sources, with the most generous overseas donation coming from Saudi Arabia…<p>

<p>The royal family of Saudi Arabia gave the Clinton facility in Little Rock about $10 million."<p>

<p>http://www.aim.org/guest-column/hillary-clinton-and-saudi-funny-money-conflict-of-interest/<p>

[Igel]

55. Why would their personal tax returns show something given to

a non-profit?

Furthermore, seems that the acceptance by the library fund of the money isn't something that actually needs "exposing".

As for Obama's rectitude, there's no way to know until he's in the position of raising money for his library. Your argument--albeit an implicit one--relies crucially on two things: a comparison between the two candidates, with Obama's righteousness based on an argument from silence; and the assumption that a wife is complicit in and shares guilt for her husband's failings.

It also assumes that any donation--say, by an investment firm or the Sa'udis--implies that the recipient (direct or indirect) is bought. But you certainly can't be saying that, because it would entail that Obama's as bought and paid for as HRC, since they've both accepted money--in Obama's case, far more--from groups of supporters that have a "special interest's" future in mind.

[bellasgrams]

8. Now Hillary should mention to the media that BO should

disclose his special arrangements in buying his home. Then watch his followers holler not fair, not fair.

[John Q. Citizen]

10. Perhaps she should say that, but only after she lets the voters see her tax returns.

If we as voters allow our candidates to keep this kind of relevant information from us, we are idiots.

This isn't about any impropriaty on Clintons part, it's about open govenment and the peoples right to know who there candidates are.

[ursi]

11. tax returns come first, then we will look at both of their purchases

[Usrename]

12. What big secret do you think might be there?

Do you think there is something more to that story than what we already know, more than what Obama has already told?

What could it be, this secret special arrangement that you are referring to? Can you give us a hint?

[ursi]

14. if there is no secret then why are they withholding the info?

what's that old saying, "perception is 9/10s of reality" or something like that.

[Usrename]

15. Are we talking about the same person?

Do you mean this house deal?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4273576#4285139

What do you think is being withheld? Do you suspect something?

[IsItJustMe]

38. I very much doubt it. HRC, it seems, has been thinking about the presidency for a long time now.

Let me tell you, she is no fool. Bill may have been in the past, but HRC has her sh!t together.

[jedgarbauer]

16. Should Middle East Buy Clinton Library

Don't expect the Clinton's to answer this question . . . they never have before! LOL!

1996 Campaign Finance Investigation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_campaign_finance_controversy

The Clintons HAVE NEVER RELEASED their tax returns . . . they have problems with guys who's names end with Huang, Chang, Wang, etc.

BARACK IS PLAYING A KNOWN HAND - 4 ACES and the Clintons are going to LOSE here!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!

[rox63]

22. That's already been plastered across the media

How about stuff about the Clintons that we don't already know? I'm sure there's plenty.

[From The Left]

18. The Clintons Funny Money and Funny Donors

Barack also asked for a complete list of who donated to the Clinton Library in Little Rock. But alas, in true Clintonian fashion, both Bill and the Borg Queen stonewalled the request.

[MannyGoldstein]

28. The Clintons Have Been Thoroughly Vetted.

There is nothing new to be found - nothing to uncover, nothing to expose. After 16 years in the public eye, it's all out there.

:rofl:

Even funnier - some people actually believe that!

[natrat]

33. the clintons are sleazebags

[Bitwit1234]

35. No matter what they do they will have to go far and far

to top the piece of crap that is running against her.

[snooper2]

45. Hey Look, it's Dipwit1234 , guess you don't only stay in GD-P

hope you stay around for the next 5 years so you can enjoy us posting about Obama leading the U.S.A. forward!

[Alexander]

52. DipShit1234 will likely disappear after August...

When Obama becomes our nominee.

[indimuse]

36. !

Where..AGAIN!!! Are Obama's records...Who did he meet with in Chicago.while Senater...Rezko...etc..? Why will he NOT give his records..He LOST THEM?? He has already stated at the debates he is a horrible manager...He is Lying about his records!

Tim Russert asked as well.Obama ..DUH...I don't know..DUH....I wonder WHO has them and WHEN they will reveal WHAT is inside...MSM will have a field day!!!

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2007/11/sweet_web_column_obama_on_his.html
« Sweet web column: Obama's GOP anger management; tackles Clinton electability. | Main | Sweet blog extra: Crawford White House hosting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Pecan-smoked beef tenderloin for dinner. »

Sweet web column: Obama says his state papers "could have been thrown out." Where is the stuff?
JOHNSTON, IA.—White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)—whose staff has been deflecting questions about the whereabouts of his state senate papers--said Friday he was not certain whether they still exist.

Obama made the comment after I asked him, “Where is the stuff?” VIDEO LINK


The context for pressing Obama on his state papers is this: He is campaigning as a champion of government transparency and slamming chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) for not pushing the Clinton Library in Arkansas to speed up the release of papers from her tenure as First Lady.

At a press conference, I asked Obama, “Do your state senate papers still exist? If they do, just where are they? And would you ever intend to make them public to be responsive to some requests?

“Nobody has requested specific documents," Obama said.

However, the Chicago Tribune reported it has asked for documents from Obama’s Springfield years and never received a response. The Chicago Sun-Times has also been asking about Obama’s papers. Records from Obama’s office—if he kept them—would potentially show appointments with lobbyists, policy memos, meetings, etc., items the state would not have. Obama has no legal obligation to archive his state papers.

"I was in the state senate for eight years," Obama said. "I had one staff person, that was what was allocated. I don't have archivists in the state senate. I don't have the Barack Obama state senate library available to me, so we had a bunch of file cabinets. I do not have a whole bunch of records from those years. Now, if there are particular documents that you are interested in, then you should let us know.”

I said my question was not about specific records. “When the office was packed up, where is the stuff.?

“You know I’m not certain, Lynn," Obama said. "As I said, I didn’t have the resources to ensure that all this stuff was archived in some way…. it could have been thrown out.”


Posted by Lynn Sweet on November 9, 2007 05:33 PM | Permalink

[IsItJustMe]

39. People that live in glass houses should not play with rocks. He is doing himself no favors in

pressing the Clintons to release their tax returns. Of that, you can be assured of. All these politicians have things in their taxes that they don't want the light of day to be seen.

[mod mom]

50. Read this New Republic piece on Clintons' shadiest donors (Hsu, Rich, Chatwal,Huang & more):

THE NEW REPUBLIC
With Friends Like These ...
by Marin Cogan, Melanie Mason, and Barron YoungSmith
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Clintons' shadiest donors.
Post Date Monday, February 04, 2008

It's not that we expect politicians to have squeaky-clean donor lists. You try running for office without, at one point or another, taking money from someone you probably shouldn't. Even Barack Obama, Mr. Clean, has Tony Rezko. But the Frank Giustra-Kazakhstan-Uranium affair, blown open by The New York Times last week, serves as a reminder that the relationship between the Clintons and money has not always been lily-white. Here, a guide to the unsavory characters who have been associated with Bill and Hillary Clinton.


THE DONOR
Norman Hsu, Hong Kong "apparel executive."


THE GREEN
Hsu bundled more than $850,000 for Hillary's presidential campaign and $260,000 forClinton's Senate races.


THE SCANDAL
Hsu parlayed his charming, obsequious personality into a spot as one of the top twenty Democratic fund-raisers nationwide. Problem is, he turned out to be a convicted felon, on the lam since 1992 due to a grand theft conviction. Then, this December, Hsu wasindicted for running a pyramid scheme that defrauded investors out of at least $20 million and that made $25,000 a year in fraudulent political donations.


THE SLEAZE FACTOR (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 somewhat sleazy and 10 stupendously so)
8. Hsu missed his initial (September 5) court date for the 1992 grand theft charge, only to be apprehended a day later on a train in Colorado; he was "freaked out," shirtless, shoeless, and holding a suitcase packed with Tiffany jewelry and $7,000 in cash. Now in federal custody, he confessed to running "phony" companies and leaning on investors to make political donations.


THE DAMAGE TO THE CLINTONS (on a scale of 1 to 10)
7. Extensive Hsu coverage stretched out over several news cycles during Hillary's presidential campaign, and the sordid details of the affair--the pyramid schemes, the links to Asian gangs, the eccentric professional con artist himself--stirred up memories ofClinton fund-raising scandals past. Hillary blamed the fiasco on errors in the donor-screening process.




http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=076fd56f-4aca-4683-a9d1-3c55d748946e

[David Zephyr]

54. K&R.

What are the Clintons hiding?