Watchdog group CREW is urging all the candidates to release their tax returns, one day after Sen. Barack Obama made public more than a 100 pages of his 2000 to 2006 filings.
"When running for president, candidates must be willing to put all their cards on the table. We encourage Sens. Clinton and McCain to do so now," CREW wrote in its release.
The group also provided this handy chart of candidates that since 1992 have made their tax returns available to the public.
2008
Released: Chris Dodd, ObamaNot released: Clinton, McCain, John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney
2004
Released:
Wesley Clark (D) (since 1999)
Howard Dean (D) (since 1998)
John Edwards (D) (since 1994)
Richard Gephardt (D) (since 1997)
John Kerry (D) (since 1999)
Dennis Kucinich (D)
Joseph Lieberman (D)
2000
Released:
George Bush (R) (since 1994)
Al Gore (D) (since 1991)
Dick Cheney (R) (only first two pages of returns from 1990)
Joseph Lieberman (D) (since 1990)
Bill Bradley (D)
1996
Released: Robert Dole (R) (since 1966)
Lamar Alexander (R) (since 1978)
Jack Kemp (R) (since 1986)
Phil Gramm (R)
Not Released: Steve Forbes (R), Patrick Buchanan (R), Richard Lugar (R)1992
Released: Bill Clinton (D) (since 1980)
Not Released: Ross Perot (I), Jerry Brown (D)
I have a story in today's paper with a basic look at the Obama tax returns.
After Sen. Barack Obama's income skyrocketed from about $207,000 in 2004 to nearly $1.7 million in 2005 thanks to book deals, he and his wife briskly increased their charitable giving.In 2005 and 2006, the couple donated $137,622 to charities, including $27,500 to the Trinity United Church of Christ, which has been in the headlines as a result of the recent furor over now-retired pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's sermons about racism in America.
Before then, the couple contributed less than 1 percent of their income to charity, which the TaxProf Blog noted was "well short of the biblical 10 percent tithe for all seven years."
After the Democratic presidential hopeful's campaign posted the 103 pages that comprise seven years of returns - including schedules - on the Internet, Obama aides said it was an exercise in transparency that his rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton should imitate.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mrs. Clinton should release full schedules of her tax returns, especially since she loaned herself $5 million during the presidential primary season. He questioned former President Bill Clinton's ties to supermarket magnate Ron Burkle and demanded the Clintons release details about their tax rate, stock dividends and income.
Read the rest here, and you can download a PDF of the Obama tax returns by clicking here.
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (7)
Both Hillary and McCain talk about transparency but only to shmooze voters....Barack obama has released everything, good and bad, He is representing to the fullest his ideas of the new transparent government that has crooked law-makers scared because he jeapardizes the "business as usual" game. Hillary had to release stuff like this before, and only when cornered and on the verge of being arrested did she release her bills for an investigation. Mr McCain and Mrs. Clinton, please, just come clean....the American People can handle it, unless you know they cant from what your taxes show...
Barack obama 08
Posted by Oregon4Obama | March 26, 2008 3:00 PM
Hill Clinton, what are you hiding?
Posted by Sally | March 26, 2008 3:29 PM
It is not as if Hillary's tax returns will be credible if and when they are released anyway. She is a liar, her husband is a liar (but was a great president anyway), they have always been liars, and they will continue to be liars. I wouldn't be surprised if the reason it's taking her so long is because she's having someone doctor the returns before their release. It's not like anyone would ever know.
Posted by Kevin | March 26, 2008 3:29 PM
Transparency in government is a far cry from knowing every personal detail about a person's private life. I see no valid reason why anyone should demand that a candidate release their tax documents or anything else that does not directly effect their ability to govern. As for Obama being "transparent" so what? Great, we know all about his taxes. Unfortunately that now means that we know far more about his personal finances than we do about how he plans to solve every ill in the world. Wonderful.
Posted by Keith | March 26, 2008 5:47 PM
From the NY Primary: Black voters are heavily represented in the 94th Election District in Harlem�s 70th Assembly District. Yet according to the unofficial results from the New York Democratic primary last week, not a single vote in the district was cast for Senator Barack Obama.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/nyregion/16vote.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Posted by Anonymous | March 26, 2008 7:18 PM
DON'T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable. And also because with a Clinton and Obama ticket you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. �Carpe diem� (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see�s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She is a woman, and a mother. And it�s time America. Do this for your-self, and your children�s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama�s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been out manned, out gunned, and out spent 2 and 3 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON�T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
I think Barack Obama has a once in a life time chance to make the ultimate historic gesture for unity, and change in America by accepting Hillary Clinton�s offer as running mate. Such an act now would for ever seal Barack Obama�s place at the top of the list of Americas all time great leaders, and unifiers for all of history.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton�s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton�s. Only the Clinton�s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
Sincerely
jacksmith...
Posted by jacksmith | March 27, 2008 1:32 AM
Before then, the couple contributed less than 1 percent of their income to charity, which the TaxProf Blog noted was "well short of the biblical 10 percent tithe for all seven years."
Wow. A charity war. Whats next a pie eating contest? And what is with this sourcing? Paul L. Caron, a conservative proffessor with his own blog? Why not any other numerous websites or sources that detail Obama's tax returns?
Posted by Penny K | March 27, 2008 4:13 PM