Obama Suggests Clinton Show Tax Returns

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."

There was no immediate comment from Clinton's campaign.

Obama noted that Clinton is wealthier than he is. Asked whether he would rule out tapping his personal funds to pay for his presidential campaign, he said, "I don't have enough money to drop $5 million into a campaign."

Clinton's financial disclosures, which reveal only broad ranges of assets, place her and former President Clinton's wealth between $10 million to $50 million.

Obama released tax documents last year showing income of more than $991,000 for him and his wife, Michelle. The figure included his Senate salary as well as her income as an administrator of the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Comments

[kash79]

Tax returns may throw a light at all the shady deals by the Clintons.

BTW-- It's not the matter of party but principle any person who is voting for OBAMA on a matter of princple cannot vote for Hillary in the General.

Frankly, I don't care if it's McCain or Clintons. They will not end the war- the only difference: McCain is a lesser scum bag than Clintons.

[scandals&skeletons]

yup

[CurrerBell]

You are right.

People keep saying that there's not much difference between her and Obama. If she wins the nomination, watch her move way to the right (where she was a couple years ago) for the general. Nothing will change.

[scottarino]

Obama will have to move to the left if he wants my vote. Fascism is spreading all over this country, Obama and Hillary are fully on board.

[lexicoscott]

I'm game with an equal investigation into both.

Criticize both. Let's not following one candidate so blindly that if in power, we don't see behind the veil.

[ZinZen]

Currer- I agree. The Hillary folks are just in denial about this. Nothing. Will. Change.
Division and partison rancor will rule. I guess that is what Hillary supporters really want afterall.

[MyThought]

This the best Obama can come up with? He's going to do things differently? I'm now changing my mind about him - he's toast for me. Done.

Hey Obama - let's get back to the Rezko issue - that's much more interesting.

[NoRepresentation]

Yes please let's do. It seems to me that Ms. Clinton also knew of the guy. She also knows of a thousand more people that line her pockets so that the modern day Bonnie and Clyde and steal this country into bankruptcy.

[naturesway]

Did you know Rezko funds a foundation who's purpose is to spread Islam. Nothing wrong with that, except Obama never mentioned his 17 year friendship with rezko until forced by the media.
Is Obama ashamed of his friendship with Rezko?
Why?

[Jacee]

MyThought-

You do know that we can read your posts. Doesn't look like you were ever for Obama, were you.

Looks like you are a big ole liar and manipulator. I guess you are going to have to vote for some one other than Obama. Looks like you will need to vote for the liar and manipulator you can relate to. That isn't Obama.

People: Feel free to go read My's other posts about Obama, all negative.

Since you do not have any credibility it might be time to change your screen name.

Obama 2008

[joja]

my --

"Changing my mind about him?"

In the first place, your profile proves that you're a typical Clintonista, so when did you ever support Obama?

Secondly, you don't seem to have a mind to change.

Also, typical of Clinton supporters.

[lexicoscott]

one uses the word credibility, the other uses slander to state the other doesn't have a mind of their own... one cordially challenging, the other crude and rude.. lol... just pointing this out..

yesterday a poster called another one a "traitor" for not jumping on their bandwagon. Is that what those who disagree are?

If you are not with me you are against me and therefor my enemy? That's a Bushie kids, and do you want to be that? Scares me..

[OptimusPrime]

MyThought:

More interesting than the $75,000 from Rezco, is the $131 million from Giustra.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/us/politics/31donor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=clinton+uranium&st=nyt&oref=slogin

[scandals&skeletons]

mythought, how dumb are you? all anyone has to do is click on your profile to see you have always been against obama.
once again proof that the under educated are for clinton.

[CurrerBell]

How could anyone run for president without disclosing his/her tax returns? That just seems like a no-brainer. Now Clinton is "loaning" money to her own campaign and she doesn't expect to have to disclose her financial documents?? I am SO sick of this.

[NoRepresentation]

This is what America has to look forward to if the Clintons are re-elected to the White House. America deserves better.

[LegalWeed]

Didn't they write off a charitable deduction for underwear (presumably dry cleaned)at one point???

[KarenZipdrive]

I wish BO would give it a fucking rest.
Every time he carps about Hillary, I feel like adding another dollar to her campaign fund.
ALL presidential candidates have to be millionaires to get that far.
For BO to be whining because he's not millionaire enough is just plain pissy.

[CurrerBell]

He was asked the question and he answered it a lot more politely than I would have.

Show me one clip of him "whining." I have never seen it. It's just this term that immature people use when they can't express themselves intelligently.

[lexicoscott]

I will point this out CurrelBell:

All I have seen since the California debate and just prior on all media outlets is Obama attacks Clinton. Hillary attacks McCain, Hillary attacks the Bush administration. Clinton has completely withdrawn from the attacks. Yet, IMO, with sincerity Obama has seemed to pick up the attacks moreso, and those who complained about the Clinton attack dog Bill, are not complaining about Obama's attacks. The spin is, that it's ok for him now. It seems that, please correct me wtih links if my media sources are only covering Obama's attacks and not the Clintons ones..

here are where I read and view news:
channels 2-13, huffpo, cnn.com, dailykos, talkleft, openleft, mydd, msnbc. and please read my post twice before attempting to cast a stone.

[scandals&skeletons]

karen her campaign needs every dollar they can get. please feel free.

[walkman666]

What do you want from Obama? They asked him about her loan and he told them what he does, and that was it. He even said that if they (media) want to go further, they'd have to chase the Clintons down themselves. I don't know what else you want from him in this instance. Seemed to be an appropriate reply.

[kash79]

Go on, the way she spends you may have to give more than another dollar. BTW, she is paying six times more on Penn than Obama on Axelrod. Mark Penn, Black Water, Country Wide...rings any bell?

[lexicoscott]

ah, thats it then I'm voting for OBama because Clinton paid more for an advisor.. I'm just trying to point out how that does not hold water. Vote for Obama, Hillary paid more for her advisors then he paid for his... ;) teasing, just teasing..

[Independent voter]

Perhaps you need a rest - take the opportunity to wipe the spit off your keyboard.

Obama simply answered a question and said that he had disclosed his records.

If clintons want to continue to hide, that's up to them - but Obama did not suggest what the clintons should do.

[3443649]

Think about it! Bill and Hillery have been in the political "Buisness as usual" for quit some time. they have been in on a terrific amount of insider hustles of your tax payer dollars. Do you really think these leopards will loose thier spots? These two are totally self serving, and you as a citizen mean s--t to them, other than your vote, and your taxes. Obama, for now! Is clean it seems. It is time for our young people and Obama to show the world that this country is more than what has been dipicted over the last seven years.

[jimb51]

look at the map obama wins in states that the democrats rarely win in a general election same as mccain winning in states the right will never win in november!

[NoRepresentation]

Obama captured 48% of the vote in the theoretical match-up against McCain's 41%, the TIME poll reported, while Clinton and McCain would deadlock at 46% of the vote each. Put another way, McCain looks at the moment to have a narrowly better chance of beating the New York Senator than he does the relative newcomer from Illinois.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1711123,00.html

[cambio]

The Clintons have gotten a free ride from the media on this for way too long. Bill has been raking in money since he left the White House, and it is time to bring all of that out in the open. I want to see who has given him money in hopes for favors when he is back in the White House. Somehow I think a lot of people aren't going to be happy if he isn't able to get back in power and fulfill his side of those deals, hehe.

[NoRepresentation]

Obama captured 48% of the vote in the theoretical match-up against McCain's 41%, the TIME poll reported, while Clinton and McCain would deadlock at 46% of the vote each. Put another way, McCain looks at the moment to have a narrowly better chance of beating the New York Senator than he does the relative newcomer from Illinois.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1711123,00.html

[mrJJ]

If Hillary filed seprately I doubt that there will be any problems or red flags. However; if she filed jointly with Bill that may pose a problem for them. Too bad.. Sen Clinton is probably a straight arrow. But good ole Bill will drag her down.

For instance The $1 million dollar donation from Norman Hsu & "associates" to Hillary's Presidential campaign most likely came out of Bill's little black book of ready, willing and able donors... Hillary doesnt have the history to directly approach such donors... But good ole Dollar Bill does. I believe he did his wife a personal disservice by going that route.

Yeah I know... BS, Lies, Fairytale... OK keep in mind that Norman Hsu as a yongster was an underling of an individual named Eddie Chan...

Remember these are Bill's problems NOT Hillary'...so the History link first

Charlie Trie

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/op080397.htm

Now Norman's Boss

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2D6173AF931A3575AC0A966958260

Full Circle to Norman Hsu

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5643329

Like I said... Hillary didnt have the connection...

[NoRepresentation]

Yes but it is the name that is electing her, so let the name also damn her.

[mrJJ]

No.. The real problem is what else will Bill do if his wife gains the White House. She has no control over him. To be frank he has no control over himself. If Sen Clinton wins the general election this would be a Billary White House.

[Dorian]

Poor Hillary, always the victim. Bill is pulling her down, boo hoo.

[Roose]

Clintons won't release their tax returns until after the primaries.

WHAT?! There's something fishy in Denmark!!!

Why won't they release those documents? Those are the questions the media should be asking. Come November, when the Clintons disclose their tax returns and we find surprises, we'll lose the election.

[NoRepresentation]

Why won't they do it, because they, Billary, are hoping you are dumb enough to elect them.

[NoRepresentation]

By the way that isn't fish.

[lexicoscott]

yesterday the talk was why Obama won't do the debates. Now the talk from the Obama supporters is about Hillary and her taxes.

Whats the contrast here? (someones taxes versus debating the policies). They both have skeletons in the closet.

anyone for honest cordial discussions or just more spewing.. remember, lots of people read this, so your response could speak (read) volumes? I'm open to hearing your responses.. sincerely.. or you can continue to tell me to fuck off other Obama supporters say..

And yes, I know Obama has agreed to 2 more debates before someone goes mouthing off.. that is not the point of my post... I hope the more collected Obama supporters read this, and don't try to inflame.

[InformedMisery]

Maybe Obama should release all his records on the meetings he had with lobbyists and special interest groups from his time in the state senate and his first run for congress.

[kappa08]

You don't want to open that can of worms...Because if Hillary did the same...Lights out!
They need to focus on killing the bigger beast. The Republican hate and fear machine is already gunning. Meanwhile we are jacking around talking about money that has NOTHING to do with the issues at hand.
I don't care if they got the money off a dead man. It's all about chopping down that tree on the other side. They have their man and they have begun the game. While we try to settle petty disputes over here.

[Roose]

Maybe Obama has "skeletons in his closet", but I am sure they're baby-sized, as opposed to the grown-up skeletons in the Clintons'.

[Dorian]

Wait until the Republicans drag out all those film clicks from the 90s to accompany everything they have on the Clintons from the 2000s. Oh, my gosh, it's going to be horrible. Please folks, they had their two terms. Let's move on.

[Graywolf48]

The amount hate and vitriol I see growing between the Clinton and Obama supporters will make the election of either candidate difficult if not impossible. I think we've become not just a irreconcilably divided nation, but I fear a viciously divided party as well. Prepare for President McCain and perhaps a VP Huckabee, with Romney waiting in the wings to run again in 4 or perhaps 8 years.

Obama has postulated that if he wins the nomination, he will get all or most of the Clinton supporters, whereas he doesn't think the same will hold true for Clinton should she be the nominee. I'm beginning to think no matter who wins, the animosity between the two candidate's supporters is so deep, neither will be capable of uniting the party. Division is the despot's most successful tool.

[WigWamWag]

"will make the election of either candidate difficult if not impossible."
Right neither candidate is as good as Edwards, Biden, Dodd, Clark, and none of those are as good as NADER.

[TxWonderWoman]

You're right Graywolf. Most of what you read here are comments from Obama supporters saying they will not vote for Clinton. But there are many Clinton supporters who can not in good conscience go out and support Obama because of the way he and his surrogates have treated Clinton and her supporters. Without some kind of reconciliation between the two of them, Hillary and Barack, there will be NO victory in November for Dems. Our success or failure in November rests solely with them and not with Super Delegates. Hopefully they will come to their sences sooner than later and realize that.

[walkman666]

I'm an Obama supporter and I would vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination. However, I would rather have Obama (for various reasons all stated here, there everywhere, as are the reasons for choosing Hillary over Obama). I think what separates these candidates now is more personal choice in terms of leadership potential, vision and confidence in their abilities to govern, given the current political landscape and climate in Washington and the world. Dem voters should get nasty towards each of these candidates. They are more similar than different in terms of policies and drive, and they are both smart, knowledgeable people who represent generally strong candidates to the party. Either one should defeat McCain, but the Dems will only help the republicans elect another leader more similar than different to Bush if we cannot disagree constructively about the merits of our two strong candidates.

[Pjsandiego]

Oh lighten up. He was asked if they should realize their tax returns. He said nothing than the obvious, he had released his and he will leave it up to the press to take this issue on. If you think that is a divisive statement you are extremely naive. And now lets get to the point, why won't the Clinton's release their records?
Your point?

[Independent voter]

I completely agree with you. The hillary people really have their Depends in a knot today.

[HowietheScreamer]

He's right. Hillary has the highest negatives of any candidate in the race, even McStain. She is the ONLY hope for the Repubes in November.

Think about it this way. If the Repubes can nominate McStain, the only thing Hillary will do is bring conservatives to the polls, otherwise the conservatives stay home. They HATE McStain almost as much or MORE than they hate Billary. She's their only shot.

[PT]

note that division runs deep on both sides of the aisle. Obama -- with tendency to bite off more than he can chew -- is now part of the political game.

[ValuesVoter]

As a principled Democrat, it's simple to me..if you have nothing to hide then release the returns! If there is shady dealings on there then Democrats deserve to know this before choosing our nominee!!

[AZDemocrat500]

How about OBama releasing all documents pertaining to the sweet deal he received on his house. Just another attack from Obama and his supporters but when anything negative is mentioned about him, it is racism or the dirty Clintons. Give me a break.

[scandals&skeletons]

actually you are the only post in here that has eluded to racism

[PhyloSeFiser]

It's all out there already. He has nothing to hide. No one has turned up any evidence of any wrongdoing.

The Clintons, on the other hand, have all kinds of things to hide. There dealing with that dictator in Kasahkstan and the mining financier. The Peter Paul deal. Mr. Hsu.

Don't you want any dirt to come out before we decide our nominee, rather than afterward? We need to put up our strongest candidate, and the one with the least to hide.

Please tell me you're for transparency of politicians finances. Please tell me you want Clinton to release her tax records.

[Pjsandiego]

There you guys go again. He already has released everything. So your point is that he should maybe find some missing billing records or what?

[HowietheScreamer]

You REALLY want to start digging into Whitewater again? There's nothing to the Obama thing. Give it a rest.

[ched]

He already did so, along with his taxes. Next question?

[Dragon5616]

Makes too much sense.

[westreal]

Yeah, I want to know if she got the $5 million from her NY account, her Dubai account, her Saudi account or her Lieberman account.

Most of all I want to know if they are truly pulling in $50-100 million dollars from their "friends".

[Mahavishnu]

No More Hawks said: The Clintons HAVE NEVER RELEASED their tax returns................."...Every morning I read this posts- why I don't know why- perhaps it is about interjecting fairness into these mad rantings. The above post is just another example of the lies that people spout off. You are aware that, by law, the President of the United Staes has to make his income tax records public every year. Right? During the 8 years in the White House BIll Clinton, and by extension his wife, because they filed jointly, released their income tax records each and every year. So, the claim "They have never released their "tax returns" is yet just a nother lie to be piled on the Mt. Everest of lies from the right-wing.

[finally]

Exactly - so what is so strange that we ask that they do it now, too?! Bill's trip to Kazakhstan, as well as previous events (remember Mark Rich) does make this a legitimate issue BEFORE we decide whom to nominate...

[sjl106]

Factcheck.org and MediaMatters.com. Your insinuations of legitamacy are bogus.

[PhyloSeFiser]

The issue is where have they gotten their money since they left office. The fact is, the Clintons have been shameless in trading their influence for money.

Here's a few reasons why we should want to see more recent tax returns:

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

Trust me people, you don't want another president who tries to hide everything from us. Transparency is a HUGE issue for anyone who cares about integrity in government. Clinton supporters seem to be waaay to eager to over look that.

Go Obama!

[PT]

The Clintons released their tax returns. Furthermore the Clinton Foundation is separate from any funding granted Hillary during this presidential campaign. Read up and return to the blog with better ammunition; that is, is you have any that don't shoot blanks. ;-)

[scandals&skeletons]

uranium mining deal is still blood money, and will be brought up over and over in a general election campaign. all is fair game. back up the dump trucks.