DNC targets Cindy McCain's tax returns

Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:06 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, 2008, McCain

From NBC's Mark Murray
In her interview with TODAY's Ann Curry, Cindy McCain stated that she would not release her tax returns -- even if she becomes first lady.

The Democratic National Committee has decided to jump on this, noting how Cindy McCain's wealth has benefited her husband's political career. For example, John McCain -- when his campaign was struggling with money -- was able to use a corporate jet (at a lower cost) owned by a private company headed by Cindy.

"John McCain may not like it, but the American people have a right to know about the well documented links between his political career and the McCains' business ventures," DNC chairman Howard Dean said in a statement. "John McCain's refusal to meet the standard of every other candidate seeking the office is one more reason he's the wrong choice for America's future."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Let the games begin!

WE are gonna Barack your world (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:11 PM)

"... even if she becomes first lady"

Not to worry. She won't!

Michael R, Anderson, IN (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:13 PM)

Democrats didn't have a hissy fit when Kerry's wife did the same the same thing. Typical hypocrites.

Junior Samples (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:16 PM)

Straight Talk Express?? So, its really a Gulfstream?

Hmmm, NYC (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:17 PM)

At least when McCain wins, we'll have a First Lady that loves her country.

Josie Wales, Cramton MA (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:17 PM)

she reminds me of Frau Blucher (neigh . . .) from Mel Brook's classic 'Young Frankenstein"

or a hideous caricature of a ancient, wizened Stepford Wife

the public has a right to see those numbers

Independent in TN (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:17 PM)

why don't they do this for bill clinton as well? hillary is getting money from him since she's spending all of hers.

eb, boston (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:18 PM)

Where did Obama get the money from, to buy that $1.65 million dollar house in Kentwood?

REZKO BROKERED THE DEAL WITH AN IRAQI CRIMINAL (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:19 PM)

I only wish I HAD Cindy McCain's tax returns.

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:19 PM)

I'm glad MSNBC isn't making a huge deal out of Hillary playing the race card on her own supporters. She's already done for. Let's focus on McCain!

Ron, TX (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:20 PM)

Well? McCain has gone there by criticizing Obama if he opts out of public funding, (to use the public funds he has raised). So Missy Cindy, and her beer plantation perks, are fair game.

The more I learn about McCain, the less honorable I find he is.

west jeff., pa. (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:20 PM)

What?!? Weren't there a bunch of rightwingnut talking heads who support mcshame who were calling for full disclosure of the clintons tax returns?

How do we know barbie hasn't taken money from foreign governments or cheated on her taxes..

more of the same from the mcshames

rick, nc (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:21 PM)

ELITE?????

Leslie, Aliso Viejo, Ca. (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:22 PM)

People may not like to hear it, but it is different for her. The Clintons and the Obamas make their money off book deals and speaking fees and several other noncompetitive endeavors, but when you're the head of a major business with several important ties, your tax information is a valuable resource that competitors can capitalize on or that future investors / partners can use as a guage to take business elsewhere. And her being in charge means other peoples' general well being is on her shoulders.

McCain released his, and though we might like to see his wife's there is a VERY good reason why she reserves the right to keep hers out of the public eye. Michelle Obama has a day job -- that's different. Clinton has running his mouth all over the country -- that's different.

People accuse the Republicans of being underhanded and swiftboating, but this is a sleazy trick, to back her into a corner like this. CIRCUMSTANCE MATTERS.

The DNC only does it because they KNOW that Americans don't take the time to think it through.

Tim, Mobile (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:22 PM)

Finally, a REAL elitist!

Steve L. (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:22 PM)

How do you spell KEATING 5!

Another crook for the GOP (Greater Outlaw Population).

BudInTexas (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:22 PM)

It's typical. Now is the time for change. I know she's proud of her country. Where else can you be such a cheat without having you head chopped off within 100 yrs?

Beverly, Chicago (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:22 PM)

Now thats what you call a Trophy Wife!

Anne/Ohio (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:23 PM)

It's typical. Now is the time for change. I know she's proud of her country. Where else can you be such a cheat without having you head chopped off within 100 yrs?

Beverly, Chicago (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:24 PM)

Where are Bill's Donaters from the Clinton Library? What happened to that list?
Cindy needs to show her returns also Kerry's wife did and she is a Heinz

Ohio (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:26 PM)

Howard Dean has no leg to stand on here. Kerry set the precedent with "Mrs. Ketchup" and her money. All McCain has to do is play the double-standard card.

blah-blah-blah (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:27 PM)

Actually, Junior, Kerry's wife released some of her returns, though not all.

However, if McCain would like to have the same election result as Kerry, I'm completely fine with that. Bring on President Obama!

Jayne, Midlothian, VA (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:27 PM)

Tim from Mobile wrote "People may not like to hear it, but it is different for her. The Clintons and the Obamas make their money off book deals and speaking fees and several other noncompetitive endeavors, but when you're the head of a major business with several important ties, your tax information is a valuable resource that competitors can capitalize on or that future investors / partners can use as a guage to take business elsewhere. And her being in charge means other peoples' general well being is on her shoulders.

McCain released his, and though we might like to see his wife's there is a VERY good reason why she reserves the right to keep hers out of the public eye. Michelle Obama has a day job -- that's different. Clinton has running his mouth all over the country -- that's different.

People accuse the Republicans of being underhanded and swiftboating, but this is a sleazy trick, to back her into a corner like this. CIRCUMSTANCE MATTERS.

The DNC only does it because they KNOW that Americans don't take the time to think it through. "

I'm an Obama supporter and I have to agree with you on that point. However Cindy must have known that when you are your spouse is running for the highest office in the land..then expect your life to become an open book

Harold Smith, Mississippi (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:27 PM)

When Senator McCain disclosed his tax records I recall seeing comments on this blog about McCain as a humble man. Cindy McCain, however, filed a separate tax return and tried to hide behind some lame excuse of protecting their children for not disclosing her returns.

"Barbie" is worth more than the Clintons and the Obamas combined as the heiress to a major Anheuser-Busch distributor.

"For example, John McCain -- when his campaign was struggling with money -- was able to use a corporate jet (at a lower cost) owned by a private company headed by Cindy."

Gee, you don't think McSame might have written a loophole in McCain-Feingold to allow him to use his Sugar Mama's private jet?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:27 PM)

My 32 year marriage is past the time of the kind of relating we once knew due to my husband's prostate surgery. It was glorious to see Barack clucthing his beautiful wife's tiny waist, as he was careful to flank her, ever so slightly from the back, and to the side. I find the Obama's a unique couple, the like of which I have not had the privilege to support in politics before. Their family is precious, and a breath of fresh air.

dem (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:28 PM)

I don't understand why she wouldn't release her returns. Is there something to hide? What could be in there that would be a problem for her? All I can say is that I wouldn't ask about corporate returns, but personal returns. Is there something wrong with this woman? I am beginning to think that she isn't first lady material; not that I really want to see her husband as the president either.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:29 PM)

Both the Clintons and Obamas have fully disclosed their tax returns, and contrary to Tim's assertion, Bill Clinton has made a considerable amount of money in business deals since he left office.

Brian, Brooklyn (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:29 PM)

McCain has committed to using public financing in the election, in which case her personal assets are irrelevant. But leave it to the DNC to never waste an opportunity to kick and scream about nothing.

Joe (NJ) (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:30 PM)

McCain's entire political career has been funded by Cindy McCain's money and he hides his expenses on her books.

C'mon Mr. Campaign Reform, don't be a hypocrite. Show us where the money comes from!

Ed, Watertown MA (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:34 PM)

Howard and his DNC cronies need to get some "testicular fortitude" and kick the pants suit diva to the curb. She is ruining not helping the party.

mary waters, Louisville, KY (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:36 PM)

the attacks upon candidates spouses are entirely unncessary. I am a supporter of Obama, yet will never sink to such depths as to slander Mccain's wife. We should act with the dignity and grace we admire in our candidates.

b (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:36 PM)

Dean needs to sit down and discuss with Obama what Obama wishes for his strategy in the general election. I believe Obama can win this election by incting people and staying above the fray of low politics. That means that no matter what Cindy McCain's income tax returns show and how the money was used by John McCain, Obama can win this election simply by offerring the Amercian people change regarding the Iraq mess, the economy, health care, middle class tax cuts, an improved environment, etc. On every issue above Obama can take this election and does not need to worry about what Cindy McCain's tax returns. Let the Republicans play dirty and when they do respond immediately and effectively, but always and only initiate a strategy above this kind of politics and stay on the issues, hammer them with these issues, and you Obama will win this race.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:37 PM)

Cindy McCain= Classy Lady

Michelle Obama= Angry Black Woman

McCain 08

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:37 PM)

Now it begains all the hate you were giving Clinton is now being turned to McCain, that is all the Obama cult can do is hate.

william (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:38 PM)

Mccain = bush. Definitely the wrong choice for America. Self righteous fraud.

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:39 PM)

The Dems should start calling Cindy MCain what she REALLY is---a drug dealer.
Alcohol is a drug which destroys more lives every year than heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine combined. It's legality is the result of good lobbying, not sound public policy.
How many lives have you helped to destroy, Cindy? And how much money have you made off of feeding this addiction? C'mon, Cindy. Give us the "straight talk."

Kimo K, Honolulu, HI (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:40 PM)

Well isn't this special, all screamed Hillary was only where she is b/c of Bill and Money.

Now we have the screams for John b/c his wife is bank roiling him though life! How lucky can ya get!!
There is no LAW that requires the world to snoop in your tax returns.
Let them scream, they will tire of it.

MYOB (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:40 PM)

Why have I not seen anywhere the fact that 25% of Republicans refused to vote for McCain in the primaries that just passed. They didn't just stay home, they actually came to the polls knowing McCain is their candidate and VOTED FOR SOMEONE ELSE!!!!

A Democrat will win the White House (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:40 PM)

spare candidate's spouses your vitriol. You are disgracing yourselves, acting like children. Both Mccain and Obama seem sincerely committed to conducting a dignified if vigorous campaign, and we should be inspired by their example.

b (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:40 PM)

Democrats didn't have a hissy fit when Kerry's wife did the same the same thing. Typical hypocrites.

**************************************
and the repub's equally attacked Kerry & the Dem's for that....typical republican hypocritical selective memory...

sean, atl, ga (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:43 PM)

Look and see how the straight talk express is out of touch!!

Obama For President (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:44 PM)

normally this is not important to me, but so much has come out about the senator's wife getting him perks with her companies. I think the public has a right to know who he is affiliated with through her.

Sharon McMorris, Antioch, TN (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:46 PM)

Sounds like another Bush family member! What everyone else must do doent apply to them. I wish us Americans would get rid of all these losers. The Bushes, the Clintons, the Cheneys, the Rumsfields, the Mccains, War hero or not look at Duke Cunningham. These people are just lousy no good pieces of trash that have an ego to fill at the expense or our great country and world.

Kurt/Ohio (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:48 PM)

Unless the DNC has some evidence that CM has engaged in some kind of shady or illegal business deals they should leave this alone. Stick to the issues. Bush's war, Bush's debt, Republican corruption, the current economy, our sinking education system, restoring our standing in the world after admitting we have used torture. There is certainly and endless list. This a peripheral fight and only gives the RNC ammunition to hound Obama about denouncing the DNC tactics, since we know this is not the type of issue he wants to run on.
ARJ

ARJ, New Holland, OH (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:48 PM)

I'm a firm Obama supporter,but Howard Dean is misguided here. Howard,you want a project? How about getting Clinton to go home?

ariel (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:48 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Too little, too late.

twocanpete (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:49 PM)

If Cindy McCain had not used her own money to help her husband's campaign for President, this would not be fair game. BUT, Mrs. McCain did use her own money at the very least by loaning a corporate jet so now full disclosure is required. If you mingle money with a campaign, you cannot tell the public you have disclosed, when you haven't told the public where that mingled money came from -- this is not transparency.

You mingled, you should disclose, CA (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:50 PM)

Tim from Mobile ,that sounds nice and all but thats a lie.If you said she did not want to release tax info for her business then what you said would be true. Her personal tax records have nothing to do with her corporations taxes. As far as her looks it is kind of that Stepford wife with a touch of the Crypt Keeper from Tales of the Crypt, which is kind of funny when you think how old McBush is. What ever you do dont leave any medication laying around her it may come up missing.

NotThatAngryOldGuyFromAZ (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:50 PM)

Chuck:

Thought you indicated as other Network Pros have that Hillary was going to ligthen up a bit while staying in the race and limit her atacks against Obama in order not to damage him or the party. Now I see that she is stumping that whites will not vote for Obama in the general election. One of the most divisive and blunt statements that has come from her mouth yet. It is time that the Supers step in and end this before Hillary does anymore damage which she apparently intends to do.

CA, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:50 PM)

Don't you mean First-Grandlady?

Jeff, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:51 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=996178