What about those tax returns?

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 3:13 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
This Friday, the Clinton and Obama campaigns have traded numerous charges -- over national security, NAFTA, expectations for March 4, and the delegate math.

The Obama camp now has added yet another topic to the discussion: Clinton's tax returns.

"Senator Clinton’s refusal to make this very basic disclosure has raised a number of eyebrows among advocates for increased transparency," the Obama campaign says in a memo. "As her top Ohio supporter Governor Ted Strickland said in his 2006 campaign, if a candidate is not releasing his or her “tax return, what is he hiding? We should question what’s going on.”

Click below for the full memo...

To:     Interested Parties
From:   Obama Campaign
RE:     Why Won’t Hillary Clinton Release Her Tax Returns?
DA:     2/29/08

During a recent MSNBC debate, Senator Clinton was asked if she would release her tax returns. She answered, “Well, I will do it as others have done it, upon becoming the nominee or even earlier.” But the very next day, her campaign backtracked, saying, “As is customary, as the Democratic nominee Sen. Clinton will release her tax information in April at tax time.”

But waiting until April is not customary. In the 2004 Democratic primary, Governor Dean, Rep. Kucinich, Senator Lieberman, and Senator Edwards released their tax returns in April of 2003 – a full year earlier in the primary process. Senator Kerry released his tax returns in December of 2003, and General Clark released his tax returns in January of 2004.

Senator Clinton’s refusal to make this very basic disclosure has raised a number of eyebrows among advocates for increased transparency. As her top Ohio supporter Governor Ted Strickland said in his 2006 campaign, if a candidate is not releasing his or her “tax return, what is he hiding? We should question what’s going on.”

Senator Clinton should explain why she believes voters in the upcoming primaries shouldn’t have access to the same information as voters in the general election.

Senator Obama has made a practice of releasing his tax returns (the summary and the schedules), because he believes that after seven years of secrecy from the Bush Administration, we need increased transparency in our government. Allowing voters to evaluate this information is good for the process, but this is particularly true when a candidate decides to use his or her own personal fortunes to fund their campaign, which Senator Clinton did when she loaned her campaign $5 million.

Senator Clinton’s refusal to release her tax returns is part of a pattern of secrecy that has imbued her campaign and raises questions about the sort of change she would be willing and able to bring to Washington.

Equally troubling is the fact that three years after Senator Clinton said all the record in the Clinton library would be available, less than 300,000 of the 78 million documents have been released.

In the debate, Senator Clinton tried to cast some of the blame on the White House for the delayed release of her records, saying, “Now, also, President Bush claims the right to look at anything that is released, and I would urge the Bush White House to move as quickly as possible.” But White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said that Clinton representatives have known since Jan. 31 that the documents – Senator Clinton's daily public schedule during her husband's presidency – have been deemed ready for public release by the National Archives. “To my knowledge, we have not been contacted by Mrs. Clinton or anyone else about moving more quickly with the review and release of Clinton material, specifically, her schedules.”

Senator Clinton’s misleading answers and refusal to release her taxes and her White House records speak to the fundamental choice facing voters in this election – more of the same Washington games or change the American people can believe in.

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Comments

The clintons taxes will show the have money and Obama doesn't. Obama don't be jealous. The clintons have money and you don't.That is all the Tax returns will show.

Patty,sd,ca (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:19 PM)

Yes, please, I'll show you my return Hillary if you show me yours.

fortuna, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:20 PM)

Why? Perhaps proof of money received from meetings the Clintons deny occurred, until photograhs inconveniently show up. If released now, Democrats would be criticizing her. If after the nomination (IF IF), then it would be Republcians criticizing her and, once again, she could cry that "the vast right wing conspriracy" is still after Bill and her. Very cold and calculated--just like a Clinton.

John B, Springfield, MO (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:23 PM)

And once this the taxes are released,then what?
It is always something...How about Obama can show his taxes because his dirty laundry is being taken
care of by his church who is under investigation

sharon,largo,fl (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:23 PM)

Slghtly off-topic, but please hear me out:

An excerpt from a speech by Barack Obama:

"So the Kennedy's decided we're going to do an airlift. We're going to go to Africa and start bringing young Africans over to this country and give them scholarships to study so they can learn what a wonderful country America is.

"This young man named Barack Obama (Sr.) got one of those tickets and came over to this country. He met this woman whose great great-great-great- grandfather had owned slaves; but she had a good idea there was some craziness going on because they looked at each other and they decided that we know that, (in) the world as it has been, it might not be possible for us to get together and have a child. There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. Was born. So don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma , Alabama. Don't tell me I'm not coming home to Selma, Alabama."

Very moving, except for two facts:

Obama was born in 1961. Selma marches didn't start until 1965.

Obama's father, then, was with Obama's mother in 1960, when a Republican was still President, before the Kennedys had any power to bring that many people over.

So, the moral of the story is, Obama is a terrific speaker, with a hell of a talent for public speaking.

But the truth is that in a speech such as this one, the facts were distorted and people emotions were terribly bent to satisfy his needs. I'm not saying other politicians don't do the same thing, but is he not supposed to be the change candidate?

Is he allowed to bend the facts to his convenience?

I'm Not Buying It (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:24 PM)

This one's a no-brainer. If the returns are clean, she'd release them. That she doesn't, despite a pattern of all candidates having done so by this point in the campaign, it says only one thing: There's a very good reason Bill and Hillary don't want democratic voters to know the source of their income or the deductions they have made. Maybe one of Bill's deals with foreign leaders and businessmen, with ample quid pro quos for contributions to his foundation or presidential library?

Jim Smith, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:25 PM)

Patty, get back to your hooked on phonics lesson and stop lurking the blogs.

Marko, Chicago (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:26 PM)

Patty you are so right. Obama doesn't have any money and thats why the Clinton camp is saying how he can't win by throwing money at the states. Works out so well doesn't it? I mean after all he isn't beating Hillary in fund raising by 20 million or anything like that huh?

Johnson, New Orleans, LA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:27 PM)

Patty you are on a roll today. Please let us know where you are getting the Clinton kool-aid from.

This country needs a uniter not a fighter. It's strange that Clinton keeps saying that she's a fighter at every opportunity.

TOLD YOU So (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:31 PM)

This is so crazy and senseless! We're interested in the real problems of this country, not someone's tax return! Don't focus on non-sense Obama camp!

LB (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:31 PM)

The problem is what the returns and the millions of documents will show that will provide fodder for the GOP during the general.

It's hard to claim that you have been vetted when you leave out so much, Also, don't think that ALL of the old issues that were "vetted" in the past will not arise anew.

Even the staunchest Hillary supporters cannot deny that she and Bill have been very secretive while always "aw-schucksing" their way through the political scene. This has kept them in good stead with the ever-faithful, but will get them killed in the general...especially if it is even partially perceived that she managed to "steal" the nomination. That is something unavaidable under any circumstance in which she earns less delgates and overall votes....a virtual certainty now.

Gary-Cicago (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:34 PM)

This is incredibly important. Bill Clinton's ties to Dubai and other non-US based interests raises a huge conflict of interest. Were this not the Clinton Royal Family running, another candidate would have been chewed up and spit out over just this one item.

Clinton can not play the Chewbacca Defense forever.

Ron Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:34 PM)

As with Bubba, on issues involving integrity, it depends on what the meaning of "is" is!

Nothing but doubletalking slimy slippery horse manure from Clinton lips.

Bob in Virginia (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:35 PM)

What is this news from a congressman saying because he is black and others or are black are being harassed to move over to Obama's side (Super Delegates) saying they are being made to feel since they are black they have to vote for Mr. Obama. . .where is there backbone? Do we not vote for the candidate we feel will do the best job, why are so many Americans so dumb at times? People come out with some of the most lame excuses as to why to vote for this one or that one.
Martha a 61 year old white female supportor of Mr. Obama (HRC plays dirty politics so white woman/black woman/red woman/gay woman/old woman/young woman. . .does not matter to me, she is a woman who is just about herself and feels the title of Chief of Staff is for her!) (I know this has nothing to do with this blog, but I did not know where else to go to vent!)

Martha, Bridgewater, New Jersey (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:35 PM)

Please hammer that point home; Hillary Clinton is too secretive to and she will be a bad commander in chief.

Bee (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:38 PM)

I'm not buying it isn't buying it because he is lacking some basic facts. He or she could find these facts if he or she did a little research, but apparently the need to post a nasty blog was to imperative to waste any time actually checking on facts.

Senator Obama's father received a scholarship originally set up by Republicans, but he and other Kenyan students in receipt of that scholarship, still couldn't afford to get to this Country to take advantage of the assistance. Senator Kennedy got word that the Kenyan students were unable to come because of their inability to pay the airfare/travel fare. Senator Kennedy used his family's foundation to pay the travelling expenses of all of the Kenyan students, including Senator Obama.

Could it be that the vitriol in the post is caused more by a desire for a different candidate, than an actual failure to "buy it?" I think so. Perhaps, as I have urged in the past, someone who supports a candidate should tell us why they feel that way rather than attempt to denigrate a different candidate. Perhaps if you took the time to research your own candidate you might actually find an argument worth using in your advocacy, rather than simply resorting to the lowest form of debate called from time in memorial ad hominem. In case you were unaware, ad hominem is believed to be the last resort of a person who has lost the argument. In other words, when you have nothing else to say, you personally attack your opponent. Certainly, with a little effort, you could do better than that.

Debating 101, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:41 PM)

What about Obama releasing his passport record regarding his empty chairmanship of Subcommittee on European Affairs?.....Here are excerpts from Joe Conason article in Salon.com dated 12/29/2008 regarding Obama chairmanship of Subcommittee on European Affairs: "Doubts about Barack Obama's presidential credentials have crystallized during the past two weeks over his stewardship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs, which has convened no policy hearings since he took over as its chairman last January. That startling fact, first uncovered by Steve Clemons, who blogs on the Washington Note, prompted acid comment in Europe about the Illinois senator's failure to visit the continent since assuming the committee post, and even speculation that he had never traveled there except for a short stopover in London."
More excerpts: "I've [Obama]traveled extensively in Europe ... I love Europe," Obama told the Iowa Independent Web site a couple of days ago. But as Clemons noted on the Washington Note, the Obama campaign has not provided much detail on his European experiences and itineraries so far"...."If Obama wants to show where he has been, he merely has to release his passport records. Then everyone would know that his boast about traveling extensively in Europe is true -- even if this year he didn't have time to convene a hearing on the momentous issues affecting our relations with that continent and the world."
here you find the rest:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2007/12/29/obama_europe/
Please Ask Obama how many times has he gone to Iraq or Afghanistan to visit the troops since he talks of lack of ammunitions for our troops and talks of caring for our troops. Hillary Clinton has made multiple trips to Afghanistan and Iraq to visit the troops.

Unillusioned (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:43 PM)

Releasing tax returns is standard and customary. All politicians know this going into any campaign. It's not about how much $$ you do or don't have. Hillary is controlling information. Of course, this begs the question, is there something that needs to be controlled? Secrecy is Hillary's middle name.

Tamara, Corpus Chrisit, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:44 PM)

To I'm not buying it, you have an awesome point there but you are forgetting that people on these blogs wont listen to you. He is their superhero and no amount of logic will change that. He plays ALL of his crowds like that, but no one seems to care.

Tim in Mobile (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:44 PM)

Mark-

Do you work for Obama? I am curious as to why you don't post more of Hillary's memos in full on your webpages. Its interesting I got to admit. It says alot about you and the profession your in.

Thanks,
Brian

Brian, Worcester, MA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:45 PM)

This is for "I'm not buying it"

The Kennedy's funded the program that allowed Barack Obama Sr. to come to the US and study before Kennedy was President. It was not a matter of Presidential power, it was a matter of funding from The Kennedy Foundation, I believe.

There is no distrotion in Obama's statement.

David, Watertown, MA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:46 PM)

I'm not buying it -
Right on. I agree that Obama has a unifying quality about him, but so do many people...Many socialists of the past have had the same unifying ability. He is a great speaker, and probably has good intentions behind his passion, but WE AS A NATION NEED TO LOOK FURTHER IN TO WHO HE IS AND WHAT HIS MOTIVATION IS.

And the tax return issue is of importance; we need to look in to the position and history of EACH candidate to reach the heart of what they will bring to the American people if given the chance!

No more lies; no more deceit - even if it sounds good and unifies the masses!

Kathryn in Bham (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:47 PM)

Debating 101, I think you're missing a simple fact:

I'm not trying to debate. The point is not how his father got here, it's that Obama was playing on the emotions of his crowd by saying, verbatim, that the marches in Selma were responsible.

EMOTIONS ARE NOT TOYS -- and the fact that events in 1965 travelled back in time FIVE YEARS to aid his conception is pretty remarkable isn't it?

But you think you're cool with the "Debating 101" thing, huh? Yeah, you sure showed me.

I'm Not Buying It (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:47 PM)

I would like you all to click on this link http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/2008/02/25/obama%e2%80%99s-real-experience-his-candidacy/
and read what Dick Morris has to say about Obama's ability to lead. Dick knows the Clintons better then most. If you like the article then pass it on to other blogs by copying the link into other posts you make.

Mike from Maine, Presque Isle, Maine (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:48 PM)

The point of my post was not HOW his father got here. It was the fact that he said Selma civil rights marches got his parents together. Did you just skip over the important part? David and Debating?

I'm Not Buying It (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:49 PM)

Where is her tax return? American people have right to know. We demand to know what business dealing they have been engaged in.

Bee, (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:53 PM)

I'm done here....too divisive AND repetitive!
Move on!

Gary-Cicago (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:54 PM)

More Washington double-talk and secrecy from the Clintons. Gov. Strickland should be pressed by the news media as to why he would support a candidate who had not shown the willingness and openness to release their tax returns. For a guy who made a big deal out of it in his 2006 gubernatorial race, you would think he would urging Hillary and Bill to be more transparent. What a joke!

AJ "Hussein", IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:59 PM)

Maybe once Hillary was an idealistic young woman, but she has become heinously corrupt. My stomach heaves at her baseness.

Bonnie (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:01 PM)

How old are you Patty? Just curious.

F Hessein J, Philadelphia PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:02 PM)

Add the unwillingness to reveal her tax return to the list below for why I can not support Hill. IS it because we will conclude she is not like us or she is not middle class or some of the income sources are too shady (like Bills many international favors in exchange for credibiility of a former US president). Other reasons:

- too much baggage. Hill on Tyra tried to portray the Lewinsky thing as her difficult moment. like it was a one off thing conveniently forgetting jones, flowers, willy... spanning several years. this conversations will onlt get revisited over next 4 years while we try to explain to our kids its ok to follow our president but not act like them.

- too much special interests, pardons tied to donations, favors nationally and internationally (china, ukraine contributors).

- too many shady circumstances. still no clear explanation for why vince foster killed himself

- i do not like monarchys. this country can surely do better than bush-clinton-clinton-bush-bush-clinton.

J. Hughes (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:02 PM)

HELLLLOOOO ... what about Obama's 2005 and 2006 earmarks....he refuses to release them. WHY? ... He preaches transparency ... what a hyprocrite. i wish people would do some homework on him.

Mar, Queens, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:03 PM)

Patty - can you even read what your typing or has your helmet fallen over your eyes?

squintz, philly, pa (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:07 PM)

If she releases her tax returns, the people will be able to see all the funny, that her has received from the dirty deals at the former Soviet republics.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:11 PM)

Everyone keeps saying "...wait until they really find out about Obama..." Trust me, if the CLINTONS and the right winged Republicans had an ounce of crap on Obama it would have been all over the place. Stop the fearmonging...you Clintonians crack me up with your bitter selves...Stop being soar loosers and continue to support and unite the party. If the voters choose her and she wins...then great...but if she doesn't "Oh Well" keep it moving......Please do me a favor, wake me when she forks over those tax returns.....Goodnight

Fork 'em over (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:14 PM)

It's really plain and simple -- if you have nothing to hide -- release your tax returns. After all -- that will shut everyone up about it for good. Unless maybe you're hiding something.....

Emily, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:14 PM)

I don't get why the Clintons are so dug in on their refusal to release their tax returns. At first, who cares? But the more they refuse to release them, it makes one wonder why they won't release them. Are they afraid that their populist message won't have any appeal once people find out how much $$ their making?

I'm more bothered by their insistence on not releasing Hillary's White House info. That BS about it being the Bush administration's fault is absurd. This has been around for years. Is there any reason to believe the Bush administration DOESN'T want her stuff released? Are they afraid the public will find out that she really didn't have all that much to do w/ her husband's success in the 90's?

chuck, richmond, tx (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:14 PM)

I watched something quite interesting yesterday on TV. CNBC's Financial Expert, Jim Cramer, was on a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Ellen asked him point blank who of the presidential candidates would be the best for the U.S. economy. Without hesitation he said Hillary Rodham Clinton. He said McCain or Obama's economic policies would be a disaster for our economy and that Hillary had the best ideas of any of them. How come we don't hear things like this on MSNBC. Very strange isn't it, well maybe not considering MSNBC's love affair with Obama.

Dominic Iacopino, Brick, NJ (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:15 PM)

Further evidence of what a couple of disgusting sleazeballs both these Clintons are. Barach Obama really isn't any better.. John McCain is our only hope!!!

Jim Bob, Jackson MS (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:16 PM)

Sen. Hillary Clinton, I think it is high time for You to stop blaming the Bush Administration for secrecy and deceiving the American people because You, YOURSELF (Sen. Hillary Clinton), is doing just what President Bush has done and is doing. So it is now a great idea for the voters of the several states to open their eye and not fall into her Ditch of deceit. TRANSPARENCY IS WHAT WE WANT.

Akintayo Fadoju, Congers NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:20 PM)

This has been typical of the Clintons over the past 20+ years; avoid, deny, avoid, deny, influence the judicial system, I did not have sexual realtions with that woman, we're working to get them out as soon as possible...

It is obvious they are hiding something, again. This is why many don't just prefer Obama, they dislike the Clintons. They just aren't trustworthy.

Steve, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:21 PM)

Patty, SD is all over the MSNBC comments section. I think it stands For Patty Dolis-Doyle

Dave, CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:22 PM)

Jim,

John McCain sleeps, eat, hangout and live with lobbyist...He is HOPE for the unethical person who lies, steal and cheat!!!! Great choice for the Right Wing Neoconservatives....

Get real (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:24 PM)

I think Hillary realizes that she must be careful about what she says concering Barrack because she knows--Hillary knows deep down in her heart--that she is probably talking to the next President of the United States for the next eight years.

So, Hillary supporters, you will soon--very soon--have get past your prejudice and hang-ups. It's not about sex, or race, or simple rhetoric. It's about the future direciton we, Americans, want to go. There's the republican direction; there's the democratic direction; and there's the American Direction. We are all in this together--which way do you really want to go. Don't even begin to think that the republicans can win--after Bush's war? Please--it's not going to happen. Not with democrats turning out in record numbers? I was an independent conservative, but once I read Barrack's ideas on Education and Economy I said, "Son of a Gun! I haven't heard a politician make this kind of good common sense since--well --ever. And who has gotten the democrates so excited--The barrack/clinton race. In the end, I believe Barrack can bring our country together, but only if we--the people--stand together behind him after he wins the nomination, and the Presidency. Hillary, who is a good person, just has too much of a past (and not all of it good), and too much fight in her persona to bring any two sides together. But there's a simple rule to follow, and it's not to vote for McCain out of spite because Hillary lost, and it's not to stay home and pout during election day. The simple rule is to vote for what you feel will be best for America. I no longer wish to see the country I've fought for, the country some of my friends have died for, the country I love, be divided against itself any longer.

It's time for special interests to end; it's time for corruption to end; and its time for a new beginning. Now, I don't think Barrack is perfect, but if we (the people) all stand behind,then maybe some perfect things can happen in our goverment that have never had a chance of happening before. Maybe we can even restore the honor, pride, and strength of America for democrats, for republicans, for independents: but most of all-- for AMERICAN!

one american (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:25 PM)

I don't trust Jim Cramer as far as I could throw him when it comes to what's best the economy. You want to vet him? Good luck with that...he's only thinking of his cronies in that top 1% of 1%. If I were Obama, and he endorsed me, I'd have to renounce and reject that one.

Ron Hussein (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:26 PM)

This would not have been an issue except that she let her campaign borrow $5 million. I still have a hard time believing that she had that much cash sitting around to do this.

Michael Richmond, VA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:27 PM)

Hillary WILL release her tax returns very soon, even if not before next tuesday, so all the people shredding her for her "secrecy" can just get a grip. That being said, my question is about Obama, having NOTHING to do with his religion, race or name, is:
Center for Responsive Politics has discovered that the candidate who gets their support tends to be the one who gave them the most money:
Total Clinton contributions to all superdelegates: $236,080
Total Obama contributions to all superdelegates: $710,926

Question: If Obama’s such a wondrous, moving, obvious choice, and all these superdelegates are defecting in swarms to him out of sheer enthrallment, is it simply nothing more than mere coincidence that Obama has “donated” MORE THAN 3 TIMES the money to said same superdelegates than Hillary Clinton (and having said that and paid that, still has received less than half of the committments from same superdelegates)?
Is it also only coincidence that many of the same superdelegates who just happen to be African American are now complaining of coercive tactics from - not the Clinton camp - but from the Obama people, using everything from threats to charges of being “Uncle Toms”?

Just asking in NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:27 PM)

im not buying it she said she was one of ous the Middleclass, well Mrs. Clinton i wont hide mine i made 55000.thousand, thats middle class as you said your one of ous lets see your taxes....No Parties are misleading and most people are gullable so its oh you dont like hillary, or obama or mcCain, no its i dont trust anyone any more. With a 29 percnet rating in congress and all the corruption going on...Lost millions in Katrina, Halabertain,pork barrel, earmarks, It says to me your taking good care of your selves and mislead the people with all your promises till whoever wins gets in...Then its politics as usual...I feel sorry for the troops who have put there life on the line for this country, and washington is disfunctional, and you will be lucky if theres anything left for them ....we now have recession which ordinary folks understand, we now worry about keeping our jobs, because washington is broke, and we have no more money to send them,we cant afford to give our family proper health care, and when the troops come home they face the same crisis,all our jobs are going over seas, we borrowed to much from the chinese that we may be working for them....No Washington we dont want hand outs, we want a washington that represents the people and not your walletts, or lobbysist, or the rich ...Let me ask how many of you wake up in the moring wondering if the house will go cold, or do i have enought money for gas for my car, can i afford another day of keeping the temp at 50 because i dont have enough to fill the tank, and i pray for spring...How many times i thank god my familys health is fine, but worry if something might happen, and i wont be able to afford the care...yes the war is important and i want to see the troops come home knowing they did what they were supose to.....But right now im worrying about my family and others who are facing the same crisis and what we are going to do if we nolonger can meet or pay for these necessitys that we so much depend on were just about surving. well enough of the concerns of most of ous but you wonder why people are fed up, were forced with canadates that the media has made out to be the greatest and the wealth they have....Have nothing against any of the canadates just that i think we could have done better, but now were stuck and most americans will tell you the same...If we dont get change its going to be politics as usual, which ever party will be supporting there parties and the american people will once again remain in the crapper...well i have to go work my second job and pray we have a solution....I want Change, including the do nothing congress....

Russ Fox Wells, Maine (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:29 PM)

Sen. Barack Obama, has demonstrated his transparency while Sen. Hillary Clinton has not. Also, Sen. John McCain has not because if he had, all these hidden and bitter secrecy will not be finding their way out as they have been during this crucial period. Lobbies, affairs, unnecessary spending and many others are finding their way to the surface because Sen. John McCain has not being transparent enough.

AKintayo Fadoju, Congers, NY (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:30 PM)

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