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AP, Cafferty noted Clinton has yet to release tax returns, but did not mention McCain's failure to do so

February 29, 2008 12:33 pm ET

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SUMMARY: In reports on the fact that Sen. Hillary Clinton has yet to release her tax returns and White House records, the Associated Press and CNN's Jack Cafferty did not mention that Sen. John McCain has yet to release his filings and has reportedly made no pledge to do so.

37 Comments

In a February 27 article, the Associated Press reported that "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says she won't release her tax returns until she has the Democratic presidential nomination in hand, and not before tax filing time comes in mid-April," but did not note that Sen. John McCain has yet to release his tax returns and has reportedly made no pledge to do so. Indeed, in a February 27 editorial, noting that Clinton has not released her income tax returns, The Washington Post wrote that McCain has also "so far refused to do so. Most troubling, Mr. McCain isn't even pledging to release his returns once he becomes the nominee."

On the February 28 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, commentator Jack Cafferty similarly did not mention McCain's failure to release his filings, stating: "There's a lot of information that voters still don't have about Hillary Clinton, including the White House records from when she was first lady and her tax returns." Moments later, Cafferty added: "As for the tax returns, Hillary Clinton also said at the debate that she would release them once she becomes the nominee or, quote, 'even earlier,' unquote, but her campaign seems to be backing away from that statement now, suggesting that Clinton won't release the financial information until tax time in April." Cafferty later asked viewers to respond to the question: "How important is it for Hillary Clinton to release her tax returns and White House records now?"

Cafferty's question about Clinton's tax returns also appeared in a February 28 post on his CNN blog, with no mention of McCain.

From the February 28 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:

CAFFERTY: There's a lot of information that voters still don't have about Hillary Clinton, including the White House records from when she was first lady and her tax returns. When asked at this week's debate, a couple of days ago, about those White House records, Clinton said she would absolutely release the documents to show the public what she did and who she met with over the course of those eight years. She said she's, quote, "urged the process be as quick as possible," unquote.

Well, the Bush administration now says it's actually the Clintons who are holding up the release of these records. They say the former President Bill Clinton's representative has not made any move yet to release over 11,000 pages of records. The Clinton campaign says it made two -- may take two more weeks for that representative to decide what to release and then to request the actual release of the documents from the White House. That's convenient. That would be after next Tuesday's primaries in both Texas and Ohio.

As for the tax returns, Hillary Clinton also said at the debate that she would release them once she becomes the nominee or, quote, "even earlier," unquote, but her campaign seems to be backing away from that statement now, suggesting that Clinton won't release the financial information until tax time in April. When Clinton loaned her own campaign $5 million, Barack Obama suggested she should follow his lead, release her tax returns, so the public could see where the money came from.

Here's the question: How important is it for Hillary Clinton to release her tax returns and White House records now? Go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile, you can post a comment there on my blog.

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    • Author by mr. l (February 29, 2008 12:38 pm ET)
         
      I'm giving 10:1 odds that MSM and Fox *news* will try to insinuate that Clinton's money has come from nefarious places like Al Quada and (*gasp*) China.  Let the smearing begin!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by captfoster2 (February 29, 2008 4:46 pm ET)
           

        MR L,

        "and (*gasp*) China."

        That's a great question but since it seems that most of our money comes from China and Saudi Arabia these last decades..... I guess we're all terrorists and/or un-American?

        Report Abuse
    • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 12:41 pm ET)
         

      What's good for the goose is good for the gander, let them both release their tax returns as there should be equal scrutiny on all candidates.

      Good job MMFA. 

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Clevenative (February 29, 2008 4:13 pm ET)
           
        I wondered about this when the issue was raised in the last debate. No wonder you haven't heard McCain parrot this "talking point".
        Report Abuse
    • Author by donaldmaddog5642 (February 29, 2008 12:54 pm ET)
         
      I have a bit of a problem with this, MMFA. Seems to me that Cafferty was doing a commentary about Clinton, NOT McCain. If he had mentioned McCain at all in the show, he should have asked the same question. Are we dumping on Cafferty, or what?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 12:59 pm ET)
           
        The report was about Clinton's tax returns and was in the context of her presidential candidacy.  Clearly, the other candidates should factor into the report.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (February 29, 2008 1:04 pm ET)
         
      Who should she release her tax returns? Why should McCain? Why should anyone running for public office?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (February 29, 2008 1:06 pm ET)
           
        I meant "Why" should she release her tax returns...
        Report Abuse
        • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 1:11 pm ET)
             

          "official whine alert"

          Now if I had said what you just said Mag, I would be immediately called on it with something like "This isn't about whether or not candidates should release their tax returns, this is about the media's unfairness in calling for Clintons and not McCains" .....blah, blah, blah

          Report Abuse
          • Author by magnolialover (February 29, 2008 1:25 pm ET)
               
            Yes, you're probably right. In framing it that way then, yes, if they are asking for one to release their tax returns, they should ask for ALL and not just single out Hillary for income tax information release. That should include Huckabee, Paul, McCain, Obama, Nader, and whoever else is still in this thing.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by deeznuts (February 29, 2008 1:46 pm ET)
               

            I think the difference, dear Tommy, is that you have a LONG and tiresome history of saying such things when it is wholly inaccurate and inappropriate to do so.

            So, no, you haven't earned a pass. In fact, much like Bush, you long ago squandered the benefit of the doubt.

            Quit'cher belly-achin'... 

            Report Abuse
            • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 1:57 pm ET)
                 
              (blushing)....Coming from you, a poster who I have nothing but disrespect for, that means a lot.  Thank you.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by achrispage6992 (February 29, 2008 3:32 pm ET)
                   

                Tommy,

                You gotta love the blind acceptance of a double standard from some. I must say I am thoroughly amused with the "it's o.k. for others to do it, but not you because you do it more".

                One wonders if that is the approach such people use in teaching their children. I sure hate to think so. I can see it now..."son, it is o.k. to call others on things that you let some get by with...just make sure the ones you give a pass to agree with you on everything"

                Report Abuse
                • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 3:47 pm ET)
                     
                  Great analogy Chris, you hit it.  But it doesn't bother me or I wouldn't be here, I just point it out from time to time and to some, they just don't like it.  Oh well.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 4:04 pm ET)
                       
                    When did "from time to time" become interchangeable with "ad nauseam"?
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 4:29 pm ET)
                         

                      Governor, Can you provide "ad nauseum" examples of mine where I point out this particular double standard, or is this just more blustering silliness from you? 

                      I'll wait. 

                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 4:39 pm ET)
                           
                        http://mediamatters.org/
                        Report Abuse
                        • Author by dbeden4153 (February 29, 2008 4:43 pm ET)
                             
                          Ouch, sorry Tommy, I gotta admit that was pretty funny.
                          Report Abuse
                          • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 4:48 pm ET)
                               

                            Not bad, I agree, but the Governor often resorts to deflection tactics when he can't provide backup for his assertions - yet he asks me for them all the time.  Funny how that is.

                            He can't even live up to his own challenges of others, but then again he is nothing more than a harmless comic strip.

                            Report Abuse
      • Author by tommy (February 29, 2008 1:07 pm ET)
           

        Mag, It is a valid point, for sure.  I don't know why it is necessarily our business at all?  But if the media highlights one candidates' non-release of such records, they should be consistent and fair and call for all.  

        As for your point, I don't disagree. 

        Report Abuse
        • Author by dbeden4153 (February 29, 2008 1:17 pm ET)
             
          Are tax records a matter of public record? or am I just making this up?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by magnolialover (February 29, 2008 1:19 pm ET)
               
            I don't think that they are, but I think that most do it voluntarily, to "show" that they're not up to no good. You and I don't have to show our tax returns to our co-workers, or people that we work for, why should candidates? Unless it's some sort of law that I don't know about, and if it is, then I stand corrected. I was curious as to why anyone would have to release their tax returns. Does anyone know the answer for sure?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 1:23 pm ET)
                 
              It's been done as 'tradition' but not law.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by magnolialover (February 29, 2008 1:24 pm ET)
                   
                And it looks like that a bunch of candidates didn't do it last year either.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 1:28 pm ET)
                     
                  Bill Clinton's the only major-party presidential candidate to not do so since 1984.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Governor (February 29, 2008 1:36 pm ET)
                       
                    (that's discounting those who drop out well before election day)
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by mr. l (February 29, 2008 1:40 pm ET)
                         
                      I remember seeing Cheney's taxes in the paper a couple of years ago- he had made MILLIONS of dollars.  Politics pays, and the people pay...
                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by Clevenative (February 29, 2008 4:19 pm ET)
                           
                        And that was just the stuff he had to claim - no the stash that is shielded or deferred. This is why, whether it is tradition or law, the whole "show me your tax form" thing is a farce.
                        Report Abuse
    • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (February 29, 2008 1:22 pm ET)
         

      Cafferty is simply a lazy, crotchety, old corporate...

      hack. 

      He can't be bothered with actual journalism--he's working on his little curmidgeon act.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by dazedandconfused26 (February 29, 2008 1:48 pm ET)
         
      I dont even like looking at my own taxes. Why would I want to hear all about their taxes on the news?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by lostlogic (February 29, 2008 1:57 pm ET)
         

      I don't know what the rational is for not releasing them but regarding the importance of it...I don't know that it makes a difference since they all have to disclose financial information as a Senator...so isn't this stuff already out there for the media to look at if they want?  Having said that I think Clinton should just release it and shut them up already about this stupid stuff.  Although no doubt when she does they will sensationalize it in some form or another even if there is no there there...it hasn't stopped them before.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by anotheramerican (February 29, 2008 2:10 pm ET)
         

      I would like to see how each candidate earned his income.  If I remember correctly, a few years back before the impeachment, where Clinton took write-offs for donating used underwear to charity.

       

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Brabantio (February 29, 2008 3:36 pm ET)
           
        So that's how he "earned his money"?  Is there something inappropriate about taking a deduction for charity?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (March 01, 2008 2:28 am ET)
             

          I think there's something inappropriate about Republicans who are still thinking about Bill's underwear. Creepy, at least. Dick Morris creepy. ;0)

          BTW, AnotherAmerican, what do you think about McCain's hearty acceptance of the endorsement of loony bigot religious extremist Hagee? After your spirited questioning of Obama's manhood for not denouncing the Farakkan endorsement forcefully enough for your tastes, I was expecting to see you really lay into McCain for his madness.

          It's almost as if there's some sort of hypocritical double-standard in play here, but from all of your lecturing others for their partisan blindness, I  know that can't be the case. You're probably just a lot busier today. heh.

           

          Report Abuse
    • Author by Angellight (March 01, 2008 3:12 pm ET)
         
      NBC's Lisa Myers and Jim Popkin report that Hillary Clinton has declined to return $170,000 in campaign contributions from individuals at a company accused of widespread sexual harassment, and whose CEO is a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record, federal campaign records show.  The federal government has accused the Illinois management consulting firm, International Profit Associates, or IPA, of a brazen pattern of sexual harassment including "sexual assaults," "degrading anti-female language" and "obscene suggestions."   Sen. Clinton's spokesman, Howard Wolfson, told NBC News in a statement that the senator decided to keep the funds because the lawsuit is "ongoing" and because none of the sexual harassment allegations has been proven in court."  This is the usual Camp Clinton Hypocrisy Spin.   

      Hillary and Camp Clinton is the core of what is Wrong with Washington politics, the do and say anything to win no matter what is done to the country and the country's morale.   Jim Hightower, Texas columnist states, "Senator Obama represents the bright future that is possible in America when ordinary people begin to take charge. Clinton and McCain certainly have a wealth of Washington experience, but Obama has tapped into our country’s enormous democratic potential, and that’s not merely exciting, it is invaluable to our future.”   The reason so many Senators are endorsing Obama is because they know with him, they have a chance of getting unity and not division, truth and not spin.  Obama has released his tax forms.  She should disclose hers and John McCain also.  Let's see where the Money comes from.Hillary Clinton Was for Nafta before she was a little bit against it.  Hillary Clinton will run the Country like she has run her Campaign, a disaster.  Hillary Clinton takes words from her husband and Edwards, but that is not Plagiarism.  Hillary will never apologize, she does not believe in that. 
      Report Abuse

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