Sugar Mommy: Why won't Teresa Heinz Kerry release her tax returns?

The Weekly Standard ^ | May 3, 2004 | Matthew Continetti

[quidnunc]

The Democrat candidate's spouse refuses to disclose tax returns. Republicans seize the issue, asking what the spouse is hiding. The New York Times calls for full disclosure. Distracted by the controversy, the candidate is on the defensive. The spouse eventually relents and agrees to release five years' worth of tax returns, but only after the candidate's campaign has been damaged.

Sound familiar? Yes, John Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has refused to make her tax returns public, and her decision has caused some controversy. But she's not the spouse in the example above. That would be John A. Zaccaro, husband of then-New York congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1984. And if the Kerry campaign doesn't learn from the historical record, it risks its own John Zaccaro problem.

Twenty years ago Ferraro was bedeviled by her inconsistency. In July '84, she said she would release both her and her husband's tax returns. Yet a month later she backtracked and said she would release only her returns. Then she backtracked again, saying her husband would release "a financial--a tax statement" on August 20. But she must not have consulted her husband, because Zaccaro initially refused. Finally he agreed to make public his tax returns from 1979 to 1984, after Republican attacks detracted from his wife's campaign.

When John Kerry talks about his wife's returns, he isn't inconsistent. He's inaccurate. …

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Quote:

One Republican lawyer says Heinz's returns would be a "treasure trove of opposition research." One thing the returns would show, this lawyer says, is the extent to which Kerry is a "kept man."

-snip-

Making Heinz's tax returns public would confirm that she's Kerry's sugar daddy (sugar mommy?). It would also strike a blow against Kerry's populist rhetoric by detailing the lavish lifestyle he and his wife enjoy: … And the tax returns could embarrass the Kerry campaign further if it's revealed that Heinz has contributed to independent organizations working to unseat President Bush.

Just what we need, a POTUS who is pCENSORED>y-whipped by an activist left-wing virago.

[NonValueAdded]

The SUV flap might be the best indicator of why Te-ray-zuh's return is important. Kerry said the SUV is hers, not his, yet in at least one photo it appears to have a "purple heart" vanity plate. That would mean it is registered in JFK's name. This cavalier mixing of their assets is the surface indicator that a deeper probe would show lots of comingling, far beyond what has been reported before. The other killer fact would be the paltry sum of taxes the missus probably paid.

BTW, when the Ferraro disclosures were finally made, didn't it reveal financial improprieties of the hubby on a criminal scale?

[demlosers]

Republicans seize the issue, asking what the spouse is hiding.

Johnny's allowance?

[MHGinTN]

Quidy, wouldn't 'Condiment Mommy' be more apropos?

[NonValueAdded]

Upon further review of the earlier thread, enlargements of the tag show that it is not a "purple heart" vanity tag. Nonetheless, it would be enlightening to see how the vehicles in the H-K household are registered.

[wagglebee]

All of the income "ranges" are on Kerry's financial disclosure statements. Teresa's reluctance to even file taxes until August means two things: 1. They lied on the disclosures; or 2. She somehow cheats on her taxes.

[Voltage]

Or she could be a little touchy about how stingy she is with her 'houseboy'.

[wagglebee]

No, the "houseboy" gets to buy new jock straps whenever he needs them.

[Uncle Hal]

I speculate that the reason Kerry's wife does not want to release her returns is that, inspite of her great wealth, she paid little or no income taxes. This would be very embarrassing to Kerry and make him all the more a hypocrite he really is.

[GailA]

They probably paid more in property taxes than in Income Taxes.

Meek one GOP's handi work

[Mamzelle]

Sugar MOMMY?

LOL!! I love it! That's a tag our side could have all kinds of fun with

[Trust but Verify]

I heard speculation that despite her wealth, Teresa might be collecting Social Security. I didn't think she was old enough. Does anyone know what her age is?

[Trust but Verify]

Just answered my own question. Teresa was born in 1938. She could be collecting SS.

[longtermmemmory]

Which makes Mrs. Bush all the more valuable example as a woman. How can a woman go from Sen. Heinz to Sen Kerry?

Does anyone else remember the reports that mz. Heinz did not want to change her name until recently? Does anyone else remember that she did not want to spend HER money for her husband?

Perhaps the problem is not what IS there but what is NOT there, her lack of financial support (belief) in her poodle gigolo.

[J. L. Chamberlain]

Yes! Attack the candidate's wife, who has no responsibility to disclose one darn thing. Another brilliant tactic brought to you from the dim bulb NeoCons at the Weekly Fishwrap!

J

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, Gail ! ;^)

Ann Coulter had some remarks about his 'Sugar Mommy' too ! ...

Just a gigolo

[MeekOneGOP]

This is probably the 'Purple Hearts' you were thinking about (in the door) ...

[AndyJackson]

Why won't Teresa Heinz Kerry release her tax returns?

Frankly, I am sick to death of our leading politicians trotting their personal matters out in public, and even more sick of Freepers who think that this is even a good idea. In the first place, if they don't have a presumption of a right to privacy, then none of us do. Tax or medical records ought to be private and it should be unlawful for any newspaper or anyone in government to publish anyone else's personal information. And I don't care if the indivual signs all the waivers in the world. They ought to be, whether your name is John F Kerry or John Doe. In the second place, I don't know how we can expect to improve the quality of folks who are willing to engage in public service if we cannot protect their privacy.

[nwrep]

Tax or medical records ought to be private

What if Tereyza is shorting the US dollar? Would such a move by a potential first lady trouble you?

[bornintexas]

Or.....what if she was/is illegially giving skerry's campaign moolah....