Discussing Clinton's tax returns, MSNBC's Buchanan did not note that McCain has not released his returns

Written by Matthew Biedlingmaier

Published

On MSNBC, while saying that Sen. Hillary Clinton should release her tax returns, Pat Buchanan asserted, "[L]ook, there's an awful lot of money that those two made, and they want to see where the money came from, especially where Bill's income came from if they filed a joint return," adding, “And I think Republicans will demand it.” However, Buchanan did not note that Sen. John McCain also has not released his tax returns.

On the March 7 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, while saying that Sen. Hillary Clinton should release her tax returns, MSNBC contributor and guest host Pat Buchanan asserted, "[L]ook, there's an awful lot of money that those two made, and they want to see where the money came from, especially where Bill's income came from if they filed a joint return," adding, “And I think Republicans will demand it.” However, Buchanan did not note, as several in the media have reported, that Sen. John McCain so far has not released his tax returns. For example, The Wall Street Journal reported on February 23: “The presumptive Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, hasn't released his tax returns either. His campaign has said it won't decide whether to release the returns until after he is officially the nominee.” Primary victories March 4 gave McCain “a total of 1,205 delegates, 14 more than the 1,191 required to secure the Republican nomination.”

From the March 7 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:

MIKA BRZEZINSKI (co-host): OK, Pat Buchanan, I guess my question to you is, I feel -- I don't know if I'm the only one who feels this way, but I feel like the real difference between these candidates is Hillary Clinton's legacy in the White House with her husband, and all these other potential mysteries and questions that could be dredged up, like, Ken Starr-related, and whether voters want to go back there or not. And Barack Obama's newness, freshness, but perhaps a big question mark. Why would he do that?

BUCHANAN: Well, that is -- I mean -- I don't know why [Clinton spokesman Howard] Wolfson did that. I mean, as I understand it, all Barack did, said, “Why doesn't Hillary release her tax returns?” And if -- you're getting a little bit sensitive when you start comparing that to a Ken Starr attack. But Mika, you are really --

BRZEZINSKI: Yeah. I mean, is there something wrong with those returns?

BUCHANAN: If there -- I don't know. My guess is they -- look, there's an awful lot of money that those two made, and they want to see where the money came from, especially where Bill's income came from if they filed a joint return.

BRZEZINSKI: Right.

BUCHANAN: And I think the Republicans will demand it.

But Mika, you're exactly right. Look, this is Hillary's problem. What problems you mentioned are exactly her problem.