Release Those Tax Returns and Donor Lists

I don't know how to raise this unpleasant matter except to say it straight: The greatest single risk that Republicans will retain the White House is that Senator Clinton will win the nomination, only to be brought down by some financial embarrassment involving herself or her husband.

I don't write this out of spite. I will certainly vote for her if she is the nominee. Almost every Democrat I know, even those of us who now oppose her, greatly respect Senator Clinton's intellect and experience. I support most of her policy proposals, which are often similar to those advanced by Senator Obama. I admire the Clinton Foundation's AIDS work. Many in the public health world believe--I certainly do--that Bill Clinton has done more to fight AIDS as an ex-president than he was able to accomplish in his term of office.

Everyone also knows that the Clintons have made a lot of money over the same period, and that their complicated financial life is their key vulnerability. They have raised $165 million for the Clinton Library, additional monies for the Foundation, for their legal defense, and now for the campaign. Republican operatives are scrutinizing every speech President Clinton has given, every trip he has taken, every donation his library and his foundation have received. Of course, the same need for transparency applies to Senator Obama, about Mr. Rezko or whatever else might be pertinent.

If anything embarrassing is there, we need to vet it now. Senator Clinton, we've got to see those tax returns, those donor lists, and whatever else could spell trouble. This election is just too important to lose over some contribution or personal financial matter.

Comments

[Silpat]

Sounds pretty big if she is willing to sacrifice Independent votes, especially with her being this far behind in the game.


People who have nothing to hide - hide nothing.

[BUSHsurvivor]

And while we're vetting, let's vet BO too.

Media, are you hearing that?

[TurnThePageGA]

Obama has already released his.

[AnninCA]

Just my speculation.....it's all about bullying.

Obama hasn't been forthcoming. He damn sure isn't going to bully Hillary.

She has nothing to hide. She simply isn't going to let that jerk yank her around.

[Bagger]

Ann your reasoning is ridiculous. If she becomes the nominee don't we have the right to see if she is a liability to the party? Get a grip...let's do what's best for the party. She needs to show us now so she doesn't get hijacked during the general election.

[OtayPanky]

Yes, well...the Clintons are more than capable of all sorts embarrassments, not just financial ones.

Just recently, their campaign was embarrassed by Bill's shenanigans on the stump. And now it looks like blacks are too embarrassed to vote for her, even though Bill was the first black president.

I myself am embarrassed that I voted for them twice...and I sincerely hope not to be embarrassed a third time.

[divabunny]

1- take a look fo yourself. here is hrc's financial disclosure. online for all to see- assets, income for both she and bill. its all there.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/c001041/

2- barry has turned his over already bc his shady dealings arent in his tax returns. they are in regard to his house purchase which was partially funded by rezco whom he claims not to know. the truth will begin to come out later this month when rezco's trial begins.

if you cant wait. just take a look at this link that connects the dots: http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/

[Bagger]

I've read all about Rezko. You will see that Obama made a deal to buy property from Rezko but it was all LEGAL. At the time the deal was made Rezko was under federal investiagtion and everyone knew it. It was ill advised to do business with Rezko at this time but Obama did nothing illegal with him. It was a mistake and Obama has acknowledged it and returned any money associated with him. Obama may get a little heat for this but he has done nothing wrong. So keep on dreaming of a scandal but it will not be coming. What are you hiding Hillary?

[mmerose]

Just calling foul on the "claims not to know" part. I saw an interview in which Obama talked about Rezco as a friend, etc. I'll look at the link, though.

[myhomeo]

None of us know what her real motivation is for not releasing her tax returns. However, I think most of us would agree that it raises questions about what she's hiding. She ought to think about how this looks to undecided voters.

[Ides]

The Republicans are DESPERATE to find someone in the Democratic Party more corrupt than they are. It's their only hope. Remember how they all hooked on the unindicted William Jefferson when Republican after Republican was run out of the White House and kicked in their asses?


A Clinton candidacy will be just like that, except the name Clinton will come after William Jefferson.

[ATLiberal]

That seems rather self evident. Therefore, the question naturally follows: Why don't they release this stuff?? It's a fair question, and will just keep recurring with greater frequency and intensity as we move forward.

[maggieb]

She is not obligated to releasing her tax returns. She is not yet the candidate! Please check the facts on this matter before making your ill-advsied comments.

[altohone]

Hillary wasn't obligated to vote with Bush, but she did that didn't she?

If the Clinton's insist on hiding their sources of income, it's because there is damging information there.

Waiting for the general election shows contempt for Democrats... the Clinton's putting their quest for power ahead of what is best for the Party and the country isn't new, but it isn't right or good either.

Hillary wants to lead our party.
We have the right to know what we're getting.

[Cedman]

She has a history of being secretive. We know she is not obligated to release her returns but, it just adds to widespread concerns about her ability to be candid. The pressure will only mount at this point, and it stems from her $5 million loan to the campaign last month, and its in her interest to put the story behind her.

[SUNRAI]

What does she have to hide? If it's nothing then what's the problem?

She's an elected official, which I deem a public trust position....so why not tell the public where the money's coming from?

[JAJ2007]

Obama has released his tax returns. He did so voluntarily some time ago. I'm not saying that she is "obligated" to do so, but I think the difference here speaks loudly.

The policy differences between the candidates are small. Either would make an excellent President. However, trustworthiness and integrity are key. For better or for worse, many Americans already have an impression of Clinton's trustworthiness and integrity due to her being first lady during her husband's term. Unfortunately for Clinton, that impression is poor. Granted, it's not entirely her fault, and there is some truth to the fact that the Clintons were targeted by a lot of slime, and much of what they were tarred with was lies. However, the impression remains. What better way to clear that up than to release her tax returns?

[HAP]

That is exactly my view. Well stated.

[maggieb]

Stirring up trouble, thats your main objective. IF and until she becomes the candidate she is not required to do so. It would have been fair if you made mention of this in your article.

[COwoman]

I had a friend once that parked his car in a lot at a store. When he came out someone had parked a pickup next to his car with a golden retriever in the back. Now when he went to try to get into the driver's side the dog started to bark and snarl visiously. He looked at the dog and said happily,"Where's your ball? Get your ball!!" Well that darn dog stopped barking and rooted around the back of that pickup truck like crazy trying to find his ball. My friend was able to get into his car and drive away.
So it seems with the questioners last night....when Hillary was asked about her tax returns she just said, "Is there a story for you in Exelon? Huh? Can you find the story there?"
Hillary Clinton Cosponsored The Revised Bill After It Was Revised. In 2006, Hillary Clinton's name was added as a cosponsor to an amended version of S. 2348, Obama's Nuclear Release Notice Act. The bill had been introduced in March 2006 and passed the Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously on September 13, 2006. [S. 2348, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637, 9/25/06]
So no there is no significant story there. But hey maybe you could release your tax returns and for good measure how about the rest of your papers from the White House years.
It is the same old games here. She is really good at them.
So people, where's the ball?

[Countess]

I believe the Clintons refusal to be transparent and honest will cost the democrats very dearly shoild they make a mistake and choose Mrs. Clinton as the nominee.

[ebbtide]

My conclusion is that she has something to hide. Why else would she try to keep it out of the eyes of the electorate? Haven't we had enough secrecy? Bush has handed us enough of that and we don't need another president who seeks to hide anything about their life, from the people. The Clintons are not trustworthy. Also, she claims to have whole bunches of experience and the records that would let us know how much she really was a co president involved in decision making, well----guess what---all locked up and secret. If she gets the nomination I will not vote for her and Bill and the main reason is the war vote. I refuse to be jerked around by secrecy, flimsy excuses, double talk plus another dynasty taking over the White House

[AnninCA]

Then you make your Mr. Saint open up the truth about his financial contributers. Which is alot more our business than tax returns.