Cindy McCain: I Will Never Release My Tax Returns

UPDATE: Howard Dean has released the following statement:

"What is John McCain trying to hide? Throughout this campaign, he has acted like his own calls for openness and accountability apply to everyone but himself. Now he thinks he can bring that same double standard to the White House. Whether he is skirting the FEC, withholding his tax returns, or stocking his campaign with the same Washington lobbyists he attacks on the campaign trail, John McCain is showing that he doesn't respect the voters enough to be honest with them. John McCain may not like it, but the American people have a right to know about the well documented links between his political career and the McCains' business ventures. John McCain's refusal to meet the standard of every other candidate seeking the office is one more reason he's the wrong choice for America's future."

Last Sunday, the New York Times editorial board knocked the McCain campaign for not releasing various records, among them Cindy McCain's tax returns:

The portrait of Mr. McCain's finances is particularly skimpy because his wife, Cindy McCain, has chosen not to make her separate tax returns available. Mrs. McCain, the daughter of a multimillionaire Anheuser-Busch distributor, is not the candidate, but the need to gain public trust and to air potential conflicts of interest is vital. Four years ago, we urged Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wealthy wife of the 2004 Democratic nominee, to release her tax returns.

There is no question that Mr. McCain benefits from his wife's money, including his low-cost use during the campaign of a corporate jet owned by a company headed by Mrs. McCain.

But this morning on NBC's Today show, Cindy McCain declared that she will never release her tax returns -- not during the presidential campaign, and not even if she becomes first lady. "I'm not the candidate," she said.

Watch it (around 2:20 mark):

Comments

[Chavez08]

What was that comment Leona Helmsley made about taxes and the rich?

[UnknownSoldier]

I loved Leona, but she did say "Only the little people pay taxes" well it was said that she said that.

[Tabasco]

Cindy McCain: I Will Never Release My Tax Returns

We all know that transparency, especially when it comes to something as important as tax a return or John's medical records and how they relate to running for the White House is FAR LESS important than how much a Democrat pays for a haircut, a 'scandal' over not wearing a flag pin or some inflammatory statement by a former pastor.

No, my friends. Double standards ONLY work if you are a Republican, especially if you believe in your cause so much that you constantly blather on and point fingers at everyone else.

Trust me on this. The GOP and its Neo-Con wing will be stripped down to bare bones within 5 years. The only ones to survive will be the ones who've shown a backbone and stood up to Georgie and Dickie.

[UnknownSoldier]

Like Chuck Hagel.............. Obama/ Hagel is unbeatable

[MsLiz]

I like Hagel, but he is still a Republican. We don't want a Republican presiding over the Senate and casting tie breaking votes; we don't want a Republican a heartbeat away from the presidency. Sorry Chuck, maybe a cabinet position instead.

[Joeblue]

Lets keep the republicans where they belong in jail not on the dem. ticket. There are plenty of good Democrats to pick from.

[artsandminds]

Come on ladies defend her, they would never ask a man to release his tax returns! Sorry, after the months of Clinton complaints it has just become a reflex.

[Leota2]

Yes, they did.
Bill Clinton had to release his returns--it took a while, but he did it.
Michelle Obama released hers--no complaints.
That's life--well, politics . . ..

[petecook5]

Yeah ladies! Step up and defend her! GO GO GIRL POWER!!!

[Joeblue]

Yeah girls defend Cindy so Johnny can get in and appoint judges to overturn Roe vs Wade. Good move.

[americanwhocares]

She won't have be worry about the First Lady part, will never happen.

[comebackid]

At least McCain is consistent, he is no hypocrite. He is against recreational drug use, right?

Oh but wait alcohol is the number one legal recreational drug.---Never mind!

[cyndeewi]

Heck, if Michelle Obama would have said that, blue collar workers would say she was un-american.

[prscnt1]

I won't grow up! I won't grow up! I am spoiled little old brat of a legal drug peddler!

[scottyboi84]

Well, she may not be a candidate but her husband is, hence fork it over bitch. Who do you think you are? Your husband and yourself spend your money separately? Like McCain doesn't benefit from her bank account? Well, then we ought to know what's in it. We like to see where the candidates come from. How can we ever believe that McCain understands the plight of the average person if we don't know that he lives like a normal person, which includes sharing expenses with one's spouse. Well, if it works when it comes time to pay the mortgage, then it should work when it comes time to ask for a presidential election.

[Mij13]

Mrs. McCain has had problems with drug addiction, I understand. I like Mrs. Mcain, but I think we need to hear her speak openly about her problem before we elect her husband president. It would be tragic if she were not able to handle her problem as First Lady.

[comebackid]

The daughter of Nancy Reagan, Judy Davis, said her mother has had an addiction to downers since the 50s. The entire time she occupied the white house telling everyone to just say no she was whacked out on Valium. She always appeared to be zombified and that's why!

[MsLiz]

Patty Davis, maybe?

[lucky54]

There is not much to talk about, just look in her eyes ..... she always looks stoned to me.

[Samnite]

Talk about an elitist!

[Mij13]

I've read a few posts here reminding us that Mrs. McCain is a drug addict. I also understand she is "recovering", or is abstinent, which is fine. I just wonder how sure we should be that she will stay that way. I know that most of these people have a lot of trouble staying "clean". The statistics are not good. It might also be useful to know how she intends make sure she maintains her abstinence. As First Lady, she'll be representing our country at many functions where alcohol will be a very present danger. Has she talked about how she would cope with that? Because, I think , like Betty Ford, she should address the issue head on. So far, I've only heard about her problem through blogs like this one. It would not bode well for her if she is afraid to talk about something this important.

[cyndeewi]

Mij13,

I really do not think her addiction should matter if she is recovering. Besides, George Bush, your President is a recovering alcoholic!!

[Mij13]

That's not very reassuring, I'm afraid. I mean, I know that most of these people have a lot of trouble staying clean. The fact is, most have "slips" at some point. I have never heard her address this issue at all. I think, as Mrs. Ford did, Mrs. McCain should talk openly about her problem and reassure us that it is something we do not need to worry about. I really could be a disaster waiting to happen.

[Joeblue]

If I had to have sex with johnny I'd be doing heroin.

[dommyluc]

Her arrogance is going to be her undoing. She makes Hillary look like Glinda, the Good With of the North. She has an attitude which suggests she considers herself better than anyone else and above the rules that anyone else has to follow. If she doesn't want to release her tax returns - fine, then divorce your husband or tell him to drop out of the race. As long as your money may fund his campaign or your bank accounts could be used to hide his campaign contributions, YOU are obligated to be as transparent as any other candidate is, BarbieGirl.

[Mij13]

I saw another interview where Mrs. McCain said she'd emulate Jakie Kennedy. She said she thought of Jackie as the "exemplary First Lady". But Mrs. McCain doesn't make me think of Jackie's spirit at all. Jackie seemed to be a very interesting person. What has Mrs. Mcain done besides marry a Senator who's last wish is to become president?

[MouseNuts]

How about earn an MBA from USC and preside over a $100 million plus enterprise. I don't much care for this latest talking-spouse either but cluelessly spewing half-assed thoughts is equally dim-witted.

[Bertha40869]

Uh, Bush has an MBA, too. She inherited a company, she didn't have to build one, like most elitists.

[Trueheart]

Why should we expect Cindy McCain to make this information public? Wealthy-beyond-belief Theresa Heinz Kerry only released a small portion of her tax information.

[cyndeewi]

They were polling on AOL and 75% of the people did not seen to find it a problem. Heck! I love the double standard. If Michele "O" said it then it would be a problem.

[Mij13]

Shame on Ann Curry for not asking about Rev. Hagee. We need to know more about his and his wife's views on things like the Catholic Church. Does McCain and Cindy think the Catholic Church is the "Great Whore"? Because it looks to me like they do. I'm not Catholic, but my dad is, and I found it very distasteful in this day and age to think a presidential candidate would be that backward and bigoted. Just saying. I hope more will be asked of them about this.