"She was a big beneficiary of the reductions in tax rates on dividends and capital gains that have been enacted under President Bush. She collected more than $2.2 million in dividends, all of which qualified for the new 15 percent tax rate, saving her $440,000, compared with the 35 percent rate that previously applied to dividends for those with million dollar-plus incomes."

That quote comes from an Oct.16, 2004, story in the New York Times about Teresa Heinz Kerry (left), the wife of Sen. John Kerry. The day before the article ran, Heinz finally relented and released what The Times called a "small part of her 2003 income tax return."

The two-page summary showed the heir to the ketchup fortune made a "total income of $5,073,554 last year." She had initially fought demands to release her tax returns, but pressure grew — in part through newspaper editorials — and she eventually gave in.

This campaign cycle, another wealthy spouse finds herself in the same pickle — Cindy Hensley McCain. The daughter of a multimillionaire Anheuser-Busch distributor, who inherited tens of millions of dollars, McCain has steadfastly refused to release her returns. Some news publications said Heinz had set a precedent by not releasing hers (she technically didn't, but she released enough to determine whether she benefited from the Bush tax cuts). At the time, her husband was proposed raising income taxes and dividends taxes on Americans who made over $200,000.

The Democratic National Committee today sent out an e-mail arguing that the McCain tax flap is reaching the same critical mass.

"EDITORIAL PAGES AGREE: TIME TO RELEASE MCCAIN TAX RETURN," the header yelled.

"Editorial pages around the country are weighing on the McCain campaign's hypocrisy on tax returns and transparency. Despite his efforts to craft an image as a champion of transparency in government, Senator McCain refuses to apply those standards of accountability and openness to himself. In addition to releasing just two years of his own tax returns — far less than any party nominee since Ronald Reagan in 1980 — the McCain campaign is refusing to release Mrs. McCain's tax returns, even if she becomes First Lady."

(It must also be noted that in a rare accord, both The Washington Times and The Washington Post call on the Republican candidate's wife to release her tax returns.)

Ketchup vs. beer, indeed.

Check it all out here.

— Joseph Curl, senior White House correspondent, The Washington Times