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PrintCindy McCain says she'll never release her tax returns
Thu May 8, 2008 1:02 PM EDT
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WASHINGTON — Cindy McCain says she will never make her tax returns public even if her husband wins the White House and she becomes the first lady.
"You know, my husband and I have been married 28 years and we have filed separate tax returns for 28 years. This is a privacy issue. My husband is the candidate," Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain, said in an interview aired on NBC's "Today" on Thursday.
Asked if she would release her tax returns if she was first lady, Cindy McCain said: "No."
The Arizona senator released his tax return last month, reporting he had a total income of $405,409 in 2007 and paid $84,460 in federal income taxes. He files his return separately from his wife, an heiress to a Phoenix-based beer distributing company whose fortune is in the $100 million range.
Sen. McCain is routinely is ranked among the richest lawmakers in Congress, but he and his wife have kept their finances separate throughout their marriage. A prenuptial agreement left much of the family's assets in Cindy McCain's name.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Cindy McCain's refusal to release her tax returns gives the appearance of a double standard on the part of her husband.
"What is John McCain trying to hide?" Dean said in a statement. "Throughout this campaign, he has acted like his own calls for openness and accountability apply to everyone but himself. Now he thinks he can bring that same double standard to the White House."
In response, Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz said, "Howard Dean continues to lower the bar in this election."
Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton filed joint tax returns with their spouses and publicly released those returns.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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 | Cindy McCain will 'never' release her tax returns | Raw Story | Thu May 8 | 17 |
 | Today on the presidential campaign trail | Associated Press | Fri May 2 | 3 |
| John McCain's Wife | New Urban Legends | Wed May 7 | 2 |
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{"commentId":1780028,"authorDomain":"jdl-28"}
Why should she release her tax return, after all she is not running for President. I am not a fan of McCain and would not vote for him, but feel even he should not show his tax return it has nothing to do with weather a person can do the job or not.
{"commentId":1780028,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"jdl-28"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Thu May 8, 2008 2:47 PM EDT{"commentId":1780251,"authorDomain":"anthopos"}
I agree about Cindy McCain, but the reason candidates are required to show tax returns is to expose potential conflicts of interest.
{"commentId":1780251,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"anthopos"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1780425,"authorDomain":"gwenny"}
I disagree. The potential for abuse is so great it's not even funny. She may not be President but she is part of the Presidency and she would represent this country. If she wants to be First Lady, she needs to be open.
{"commentId":1780425,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"gwenny"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":1780311,"authorDomain":"geejay"}
It looks like she is hiding something. How do we know that there are no potential conflicts of interest for John McCain there? I'm not willing to take her word for it, or his.
More underhanded, double-standards from the Right.
{"commentId":1780311,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"geejay"}
- 5 votes
#2 - Thu May 8, 2008 4:03 PM EDT{"commentId":1780470,"authorDomain":"cncfnbamilwaukee"}
Isn't this the American, person that was so quick to talk about "patriotism" a month or so back?
It is American to file taxes.
It is American to show tax returns when involved with a public office.
At the very least, it is candor.
We see she's fine putting on the American flag when the gale is in the other person's face.
Come on Mrs. McCain, you can not have it both ways - $100 million, heirs, family fortune or not. This is a double standard. This is what we see too much of already.
Also, considering the lobbying avenues attached to your husband. We definitely can not go by your word. How do we know some of the fortune is based on efforts of your husband - past and present?
This is an issue to be pursued big time.
Mary Glass - Milwaukeean
{"commentId":1780470,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"cncfnbamilwaukee"}
- 4 votes
#3 - Thu May 8, 2008 4:50 PM EDT{"commentId":1780579,"authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
I'm curious how John McCain thought this would ever go over well with the American public. Presidential candidates have released they and their spouses' tax returns for quite a while now.
{"commentId":1780579,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
- 4 votes
#4 - Thu May 8, 2008 5:25 PM EDT{"commentId":1780764,"authorDomain":"Strath3303"}
Nothing by law says she has to do that, but her husband is running for president. If the McCain camp is going to make claims about Obama being elitist, don't the American people deserve to see where the non-elite $109 million dollars is coming from.
{"commentId":1780764,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"Strath3303"}
- 4 votes
#5 - Thu May 8, 2008 6:16 PM EDT{"commentId":1780880,"authorDomain":"thecivicvoice"}
Yeah, I am sure this will become an issue. Hopefully it's something McCain is pressed on. It's a valid issue IMO.
{"commentId":1780880,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"thecivicvoice"}
- 5 votes
#6 - Thu May 8, 2008 7:06 PM EDT{"commentId":1782969,"authorDomain":"gaddfly73"}
Unfortunately non of our friends in the Media truly understand the Federal Tax Code, well here is goes. The McCains are residents of Arizona. Arizona is one of the South Wests Community Property States, a provision of European Law that the US government generally does not recognize. Persons who file MFS US Individual tax returns from these states are required by a little enforced law to attach an information statement to their returns.
This statement can be found in IRS Tax Law Publication 555. It does require that persons living in theses states to Jointly Report their income and split it equally between the two of them on the Federal Return. The most notable spilt is always "wages, salaries, tips, pensions," earned during the year of marriage. The IRS applies this standard in two different categories regarding capital asset attained prior to establishment of marriage under a rule called the California Rule or the Texas Rule.
It is very difficult to meet the test from this publication of "Certain community income not treated as community income by one spouse," as the other spouse would have to show NO knowledge or ability to touch the money.
I am not sure if the Right Honourable Senator from Arizona has released his returns or not. But a quick review of them would show if the Allocation Worksheet was with them or not.
Have the McCains like 80% of all other MFS persons in the Community Property States been Breaking the law? This type of informational penalty usually has the effect of $50 per person fine. The current computer system has the ability to compare the returns once filed and determine any financial penalty.
Just food for thought
{"commentId":1782969,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"gaddfly73"}
- 2 votes
#7 - Fri May 9, 2008 12:01 PM EDT{"commentId":1783122,"authorDomain":"anthopos"}
Does the fact that they have a pre-nuptial agreement affect this law?
{"commentId":1783122,"threadId":"261678","contentId":"1476494","authorDomain":"anthopos"}
- 1 vote
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