AP Shows Double Standard on Release of VP Candidates' Tax Returns

NewsBusters.org ^ | 10/03/2008 | Mike Bates

[Mike Bates]

The Associated Press reported today that Sarah and Todd Palin have released their 2006 and 2007 tax returns. The release concluded:

The McCain-Palin campaign had said the tax returns would be released Monday, but it suddenly put them out Friday afternoon — a time long used by government to reveal embarrassing news because few people watch TV or read newspapers Friday evening and Saturday.

Interestingly, Joe and Jill Biden also released tax returns on a Friday. In their case it was September 12. The AP began its report:

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife on Friday released a decade of their personal financial records, showing a veteran U.S. senator who earned less than many of his congressional colleagues.

Oddly, no mention was made that Friday is "a time long used by government to reveal embarrassing news."

Nor did the AP note in today's report that the more than $8,000 donated to charity by the Palins in the last two years more than doubles the charitable contributions of the Bidens for the past ten years.

[CaspersGh0sts]

The media coverage these days is utterly pathetic. If this was really that important, they could comment on it again Monday. But I guess what they’re saying is that this doesn’t fit their business model, which blatantly doesn’t seem oriented around informing people these days.

[SMCC1]

Question: Do all candidates HAVE to release their tax returns? Or is it voluntary??

[HarleyD]

Their income jump from 2006 to 2007 resulted from the salary increase when Sarah Palin became Alaska's governor.

I wonder if she got a 200% increase like Michelle?

There was a story somewhere around here talking about how Obama tripled his return on investment, making millions, on a portfolio that included municiple bonds. I didn't realize miniciple bonds paid so well.

[svcw]

Double standard and yet there are still people who do not see it.

[blueyon]

“AP Shows Double Standard on Release of VP Candidates’ Tax Returns”

I am shocked I tell you, SHOCKED...not

[Mike Bates]

[Mike Bates]

Question: Do all candidates HAVE to release their tax returns? Or is it voluntary??

Not required, but lots of pressure to do so.

[sionnsar]

Double-standard by the Lying-Stream Media? I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell ya!

So does the sun still rise in the East? (I live near Seattle -- I can't tell.)

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Question: Do all candidates HAVE to release their tax returns? Or is it voluntary??

Not required, but lots of pressure to do so.

. . . tracing back to Nixon's "Checkers speech," I believe.

Democrats smeared Nixon for campaign finance arrangements which actually were unexceptionable for the time, and managed to make Eisenhower uncertain about Nixon. So Nixon went on TV and laid his finances bare before the nation, and called on the other candidates to do likewise. Which put Eisenhower as well as the Democrats on the spot.

[Mike Bates]

I doubt seriously that LBJ ever released his tax returns. And with good reason.