Cindy McCain says she'll never release her tax returns

Friday 09th May, 05:32 AM JST

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.

Latest 15 of 61 Total Comments Show All

Nessie at 01:37 PM JST - 10th May

Good point, Sez. Whether she's paying, and whether the income is from legitimate sources.

Why isn't anyone crying about Hillary's income,

They are.
SezWho2 at 02:26 PM JST - 10th May

SuperLib,

I don't think you understand my concerns. Let me go back to my original post. I sympathize with McCain.

I don't know what I would do if my spouse were running for office. However, if she were, and and if I were under pressure to disclose my separate return, and if I had nothing to hide, and if I wanted my spouse to attain office, I think I might disclose either the returns or sufficient information to satisfy the concerns.

I don't think I would take a confrontational attitude and say that I would never release my tax returns. That only serves to exacerbate any suspicions that are already out there. You're absolutely right that it is her decision and in never said otherwise.
SezWho2 at 02:40 PM JST - 10th May

skipthesong,

What you say is quite true and if that were the only thing that people are concerned about then she would be right be concerned but not necessarily prudent to refuse to be forthcoming.

That isn't, of course, the only concern and if you had quoted more fully you would have gotten to it. People know how the Bush tax cuts have effected them. They know that John McCain wants to make them permanent. What they do not know is how these tax cuts have benefited the McCain family.

Yes, it's absolutely her decision whether to release her records or not. This is a matter of law. However, it is absurd to take the position that it is her husband who is running for office and not her and that therefore she should not, laws aside, disclose her financial positions.

If we take that attitude there, I think that we should also apply that principle to everything that she say or does, to everything Michelle says or does and to everything that Bill says or does. Now wouldn't we be in a fine pickle if we actually had to listen only to what the candidates themselves said and did and discount all the noise and innuendo? If you can tell me with even a half-straight face that this is what the she's-not-the-candidate Cindi defenders are prepared to do, I'll stop giving you grief about this but I don't think you will change my mind.
nucular at 04:04 PM JST - 10th May

"Cindy McCain is guilty of causing unnecessary concern for the American people by denying them access to her tax records."

This is some of the most hilarious commentary on US politics I have ever come across.

"...guilty of causing unnecessary concern for the American people"

Priceless!

If you are looking for an agent, I know a good one.

Give us some more of your act.
sailwind at 04:32 PM JST - 10th May

Just a quick comment becuase I view this a pretty much a non-issue though I would change my mind if the circumstances were a bit different. They have an agreement that works for their marriage.

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.

I think we should respect that fact also and not try to change their marriage that has worked for them for 28 years because Ms. McCain might have possible dirt to slam her husband with in her financial affairs. I don't think we should as an electorate should cross a line of demanding that they change what has obviously worked in their marriage to keep them together all these years. As most folks know the leading cause of divorce between couples is how they handle their finances together, the McCain's have decided along time ago how they would handle their respective finances and though I agree his running for President does change things a bit, I still don't think we should cross a line that works for a marriage just to satisfy some political point. I'm more inclined to say good on ya both for making the marriage work myself in this day of so many divorces.
Everton2 at 05:54 PM JST - 10th May

Sailwind - this is not about their marriage and how it has managed to work for 28 years. For all you know it may have been hell with a consensual pause in the interest of political ambition. Politicians are capable of anything, our history is littered with the lies and deceit perpetrated by politicians on the road to the highest office. We don't trust them or their spouses and that is why it is important for them to come clean on such a basic requirement. Cindy under these circumstances can not be separated from her husband in as much as Michelle could not be from Barack. If Cindy's husband is elected she will be the first lady, essentially speaking on behalf of America from the female perspective. We seek some assurances in the way she has conducted her life especially in the area of finances a really critical issue in a capitalist society.
sailwind at 06:12 PM JST - 10th May

If Cindy's husband is elected she will be the first lady, essentially speaking on behalf of America from the female perspective. We seek some assurances in the way she has conducted her life especially in the area of finances a really critical issue in a capitalist society.

Ummm.....I think being smart enough to have her hubby sign a pre-nup so if they ever did get a divorce he wouldn't be entitled to her fortune is a pretty smart move and a pretty good role model to speak from a female perspective. She doesn't seem like the stay in the kitchen and bake cookies type and do whatever hubby says. You do understand everton by your demanding that she come 'clean' you also demanding that they tear up a legal contract they agreed between them 28 years ago. I don't think we have any right to demand anything from them here, this is just trying to get dirt, you know that and I know that.
cleo at 07:23 PM JST - 10th May

I think being smart enough to have her hubby sign a pre-nup so if they ever did get a divorce he wouldn't be entitled to her fortune is a pretty smart move and a pretty good role model

Don't Republican 'family values' assume that when people get married the intention is to stay married, not hedge your bets against a divorce? Marrying someone without being sure you want to stay with them and without being sure they're going to want to stay with you is neither smart nor what I would expect from a role model, male or female. If you aren't willing to throw everything you have, body and soul, including your money, into a marriage, what's the point?

It's weird to be married and live in separate purses.
Sarge at 07:27 PM JST - 10th May

Howard Dean - "What is John McCain trying to hide?"

Doesn't he mean Cindy McCain?
Nessie at 08:25 PM JST - 10th May

Everton, I agree with you and disagree with Sail. It's not about marital health. It's about some other things: privacy, ethics, transparency, possible conflicts of interest and influence peddaling.

Cleo wrote - It's weird to be married and live in separate purses.

I'd say there are more than just the two purses involved, Cleo, which is why she wants to keep her/their sources of income hidden.
sailwind at 12:05 AM JST - 11th May

Carefull Cleo.... You almost sound like a conservative that believes in family values, you know a Republican.

Marrying someone without being sure you want to stay with them and without being sure they're going to want to stay with you is neither smart nor what I would expect from a role model, male or female. If you aren't willing to throw everything you have, body and soul, including your money, into a marriage, what's the point?

I think a pre-nup was a pretty good call on Ms.Cain's part a very liberal position on my part dont'cha think.
Everton2 at 08:46 AM JST - 11th May

What ever agreements Cindy may have made with regards to her marriage vows and asset retention do not mitigate the American people's right to know. It overrides any sordid, self serving arrangements that underlines their union . The moment the McCains decided to run for public office at this level their lives current and past are now an open book subject to public scrutiny . To say that you will not release your personal tax records will hurt her and her husband. It will be a point of contention and discussion for the entire campaign
Nessie at 12:06 AM JST - 12th May

Cleo, family values, pre-nups and rich Repubs? For rich Repubs, the pre-nub is equivalent to foreplay.
unscrejects at 09:01 AM JST - 12th May

Sarge: "Doesn't he mean Cindy McCain?"

Cindy too... Illegal campaign financing and other forms of dirty payments to John McCain through his wife. See the Clintons for the same suspicions.
the_sicilian at 06:28 AM JST - 14th May

Nessie at 12:06 AM JST - 12th May

Cleo, family values, pre-nups and rich Repubs? For rich Repubs, the pre-nub is equivalent to foreplay.

So, I guess while Hillary was Vice Pr..Um, I mean First Lady, speculating on futures (to the tune of a couple hundred thousand of not her money), then when the margin call came, she was not required to pay...Um, yeah, the Republicans are bad. Give me a break.

As far as family values, I would think that Mrs. McCain did the smart thing by protecting her assets from anything that could come in the future. I think she did the right thing, and the American people do NOT have a right to know what her finances are.

Now, the American people DO have the right to not vote for her husband. So this will work it self out.

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