The DNC should not allow any candidate on debate stage that hasn't released their tax returns

[scheming daemons]

We're insisting on Donald Trump's being released.... we should be consistent and say that any candidate that has NOT released their tax returns to the public will not be permitted to participate in the debates.


3 weeks ago, Bernie said his tax returns would be made public "very soon". And he hasn't done so.

As far as I know, only Elizabeth Warren has made hers available. If there are others, I haven't heard about them.



Tom Perez should come out and state simply.... "to appear on our debate stage, a candidate must have released to the public their tax returns for the past 10 years".

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

1. I don't think it should be a requirement.

I do think it should be highlighted and questioned. Sanders and his tax preparer(who he often refers to as his closest adviser) are being treated with kid gloves on this issue.

[scheming daemons]

2. If we are going to be calling for Trump's, we have to make it a requirement

Let's be consistent.

*ALL* candidates have to make their tax returns for the past 10 years publicly available. Otherwise, they cannot appear on the debate stage.


Let's make it THAT simple.

[WeekiWater]

3. I don't think you are being consistent.

"If we are going to be calling for Trump's"

"we have to make it a requirement"

[Trumpocalypse]

13. Sounds very consistent to me nt

[WeekiWater]

18. I don't see where the request is...

That Trump must produce them to be included in debates. Asking and making requirements to take part in debates aren’t even close to the same thing.

[happybird]

34. This is about the D primary debates

No R's involved. Requiring it in our own party is the first step to disclosure becoming mandatory for all candidates of all parties one day. That is a very good thing.

Why are you looking backward when this is about the future?

[Andy823]

4. Exactly!

I am all for it. Every single person who wants to get into the debates has to show 10 years of tax returns. If they don't want to, then no debate.

[trueblue2007]

8. *ALL* candidates have to make their tax returns for the past 10 years publicly available.

[Eliot Rosewater]

54. Common sense really, someone else around here said this a while ago...me

[forklift]

21. You are right

No special treatment for Bernie

[True Blue American]

26. On this one I agree

Requirement needed! You want to run for President you need a background check!

[Cha]

19. It most certainly should

be a requirement for the Dem candidates to show 10 years of their tax returns. It's called "Transparency".

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

23. I disagree that it should be a requirement.

And as far as finances go, it will not provide the transparency many think. A lot of Trumps own tax returns would not include a lot of what is being discussed about his finances.

In 2016 how many of our primary candidates released tax returns? I think it was one out of four. How many of our current candidates have released tax returns? Very few. I believe with Harris you can go to her office in California to review one years worth. No copies. No pictures. Some, like Harris, who has filed jointly, might prove problematic for other reasons.

If someone running for the Presidency refuses to release their taxes it will give me serious pause. With Sanders it would be a non-starter for me because of how he handles the situation. I believe it should be up to the candidate.

How many of our current candidates have released 10 years of full returns?

[MrsCoffee]

32. Good thing it's not up to you.

The Democratic Party has made it a requirement. Anyone who doesn’t want to fulfill that requirement can go pound sand.

Advocating for less transparency is a foolish game.

[WeekiWater]

38. I missed where the party has made it a requirement.

Can you point me to where Harris has released ten years?

Can you point me to where the party has made it a requirement?

I’m not arguing for less transparency. Tax returns aren’t currently a requirement. I’m not going to run around wondering what Harris is hiding.

[Cha]

51. Ikr! "... less transparency.."..!

Unbelievable!

[Maru Kitteh]

102. That's what you get with cults of personality. The person is all that matters. Math, evidence, facts

None of those things will get in the way of reverence for the personality.

We see it all across our culture, unfortunately.

[Bradshaw3]

104. When did the Democratic Party do that?

Do you have a link?

[Cha]

50. Elizabeth Warren disagrees with you.

[WeekiWater]

52. That is not a great concern of mine. NT

[Cha]

57. Don't care.. I appreciate

those who believe in Transparency for all.

[WeekiWater]

58. You aren't arguing for complete transparency.

You are arguing for tax returns to be a requirement. That leaves a lot out in the world of transparency. Stating you want their tax returns does not mean you believe in "transparency for all". It means that you want to see tax returns in order for someone to run. I want to as well. I just don't think it should be an impediment to running.

How many years of returns have you reviewed from your preferred candidate? How can you prefer them without seeing their tax returns? They mean so much.

[Cha]

61. Show the Transparency of 10 Years Of Tax Returns!

Link to tweet

[True Blue American]

63. I am with Elizbeth

If you are clean you have nothing to hide!

[Cha]

67. It only makes logical sense.. why

have a Dem candidate who hasn't shown their 10 years of Tax Returns when the Dem House is trying to get trump's Tax Returns.

And, States are making Laws about the need to show them!

Transparency 101.. if you have nothing to hide show your tax returns.

[WeekiWater]

68. Sorry, I thought Harris was your preferred candidate.

I know my candidate and Gillibrandtake transparency seriously.

How about Harris? “Transparency 101.. if you have nothing to hide show your tax returns.”

[Cha]

69. What are you going on about?.. This is about

showing Tax Returns for 10 years.

[WeekiWater]

70. My comments have pertained to just that and nothing more. NT

[Cha]

73. "We shouldn't have to beg elected officials to disclose their financial interests"

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

75. I just don't think it's as big of an issue to you as you say.

Your top pick at this point has been about as transparent with their taxes as Bernie Sanders, yet they are your number one choice.

If memory serves me correctly you can see one year of her returns, in person, by appointment, at her office in California.

I do love Elizabeth Warren and Gillibrand transparency.

Harris is currently second on my list. If she doesn’t show ten years worth that alone wouldn’t remove her from my second spot. I do take it into consideration.

[Cha]

77. Elizabeth: "that's why I've released my tax returns from the past 10 years"

[WeekiWater]

79. I've posted links to them on DU multiple times.

[Cha]

80. So?

[True Blue American]

27. Elizabeth is

Dead right!

[Cha]

53. Of course, Elizabeth is right on More Transparency!

surprised the poster sporting her as their choice disagrees with her.

[Tipperary]

42. +1.

Completely agree.

[comradebillyboy]

5. Somebody has something to hide. I wonder what it is.

[Cha]

10. New Jersey has made it a freaking Law!

Link to tweet

[comradebillyboy]

15. Good idea.

[Eliot Rosewater]

55. There is NO question that something is to hide and yes, what can it be?

I dont know what reason someone has to give any candidate a break on this one, what possible reason?

[Mr Tibbs]

59. Either that or 2016 ended

And with it, the obligations to keep campaigning.

[Cha]

111. Yes, what possible reason would

you not want Transparency?!

[Mr Tibbs]

140. How many years has your candidate released?

How many years has your candidate promised to release?

[Cha]

146. Haha.. your Deflection isn't working, tibbs.

[Cha]

151. Look in the mirror, tibbs.. before you accuse anyone

of "hypocrisy".

[Firestorm49]

6. We were all screaming bloody murder about Trump's returns.

Let’s put our money where our mouths are and demand the same from our candidates as well. Leadership by example, over and over, on every issue, is what the party needs to become a stronger force.

[Gothmog]

7. I strongly agree with this

[Cha]

11. New Jersey!

Link to tweet

[Cha]

9. Booom! Transparency for ALL.. not just for

some candidates!

Retweeted!

[NastyRiffraff]

12. Yes, this

There's a reason a presidential candidate needs to release tax returns; their financial health and probity are important for national security reasons, if nothing else. Voters have a right to know if a U.S. president is vulnerable to blackmail and/or bribery. We should have learned our lesson from the thing that's in the White House right now.

[Cha]

14. Yes, Transparency is important, Riff.. for all kinds of

reasons.

Link to tweet

[NastyRiffraff]

44. When is "soon"

in Bernie's mind? It's a meaningless word without parameters. He and Jane had promised tax returns in 2016; so far, nada.

[Cha]

56. BS needs to know that Transparency

is as important for him as it is for others

Link to tweet

[R B Garr]

16. Yes, show us the taxes or go home.

Amen. No more double standards.

[NurseJackie]

30. The candidates who *have* released their full tax returns show INTEGRITY and HONESTY.

No more double standards.

The candidates who have released their full tax returns show INTEGRITY and HONESTY.

[Gothmog]

17. Democrats can not use tax returns as an issue against trump unless nominee produces their returns

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Eric J in MN]

20. Past ten years? One recent year?

Bernie Sanders already released 2014 returns.

[forklift]

22. Bernie only released the 1040 - 2 pages

He did not release any of the schedules .. schedule B for investment income, schedule A for itemized deductions, schedule E for rental properties schedule F for farm income for 4562 for depreciation and depletion - nada

He promised but did not release the 2015 returns.

He knew this issue will come up and he should have been prepared for it this time. He had FOUR YEARS.

At this point, if he releases returns they won't be credible at all.

What. Is. He. Hiding?

[Gothmog]

37. Jake Tapper fact checked the claim that sanders released returns

[True Blue American]

64. Last time

The excuse was,” My wife does them, they are not finished yet.

I just had mine done. They have to be ready by April 15th.

[NurseJackie]

31. Ha!

Bernie Sanders already released 2014 returns.

[Gothmog]

36. That claim was fact checked and earned four Pinocchios

Link to tweet

[Cha]

78. No BS did NOT.. you're Misinformed.

[Eric J in MN]

83. April 2016: Sanders' tax return: As 'boring' as promised

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/bernie-sanders-tax-return-222041

[Cha]

84. Bernie Sanders's false claim that he has released his full federal tax returns

There is one entry from 2014 available for Sanders on the Tax History Project website: a Form 1040 (a summary of his federal income tax return) and a one-page Vermont state income tax return. The campaign referred to this entry when we inquired about Sanders’s claim.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/04/05/bernie-sanderss-false-claim-that-he-has-released-his-full-federal-tax-returns/?utm_term=.081643846af7

Link to tweet

[Eric J in MN]

85. What tax info has Kamala Harris released?

Is it enough?

[Cha]

86. Your "Whataboutism" is Not Working.

BS said he would release the and he hasn't.

[Mr Tibbs]

115. She released one

And not a peep about it

[George II]

133. Yes she did, and that was when she last ran for office more than two years ago.....

.....she'll be releasing more, dare I say "soon"? She released that return in the course of a Senate election campaign, you don't see that very often. If you're going to compare her to Sanders, for her to equal Sanders' record on releasing taxes she'll have to wait two more years to release hers. I doubt we'll have to wait that long.

But isn't it funny how every time the subject of Sanders' tax returns come up people start in with "what about xxxx, what about yyyy, what about zzzz?"

[Cha]

134. Where's BS' Full Tax Returns? 10 years?

[Mr Tibbs]

139. Where's KH's Full Tax Returns? 10 years?

[Cha]

142. BS said "soon".. where's BS' Full Tax Returns?

[Mr Tibbs]

144. Hypocrisy

[Cha]

148. BS, where's your Full Tax Returns?

[Mr Tibbs]

150. Where are Kamala's?

Will she be releasing more, or is she hiding something?

[Cha]

152. Sanders says he will release 10 years of tax returns 'soon'

Published February 26 2019, 11:33am EST

https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/bernie-sanders-says-he-will-release-10-years-of-tax-returns-soon

[Mr Tibbs]

154. How many did Kamala say she would release again?

What was that number?

[Cha]

155. Give it up, tibbs.. your act is Not helping

BS.

Instead of worrying about other candidates, who haven't been saying they'll release their Tax Returns for years now.. why don't you contact BS and tell him to release his?

Oh and.. Kamala and her husband released a Full year for 2015.. she has no problem with it..

Kamala Harris, husband release 2015 tax returns; Loretta Sanchez declines

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article108767562.html

ETA.

Harris reported an estimated minimum net worth of $391,100 in 2017, the first year she held federal office and had to submit the disclosures every member of Congress files.

Harris is thought to be considering a presidential bid in 2020, and the disclosure was among the first glimpses of the former California attorney general’s finances. Harris released tax returns during the 2016 campaign that showed she and her husband made $1.17 million in 2015 and paid $450,000 in state and federal income taxes.

According to the 2017 disclosure, Harris had $2 million in assets, including at least $250,000 in savings and a San Francisco Employees Retirement account worth at least $250,000 from her time as a city and county district attorney. The Democrat's husband, intellectual property and entertainment lawyer Doug Emhoff, held the bulk of their wealth. He has more than $900,000 in investments and retirement accounts. Emhoff also held their biggest liability, a mortgage worth at least $1 million.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-here-s-another-glimpse-of-kamala-harris-1520551387-htmlstory.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=36078

[ehrnst]

177. More whataboutery....

You don't sound very confident that this isn't a problem for Bernie.

Kamala released her most recent taxes when she ran.

If you don't think that Bernie releasing a previous year's return only after being told that releasing a 1040 wasn't the same isn't really a problem, why are you frantically whatabouting trying to make Kamala in particular look "bad" or "worse?"

What is your issue with Kamala? That she's got more supporters in the DU poll than Bernie?

[George II]

179. Since you've told us several times already, you know the number. But she's been a candidate....

....for only a few weeks. When she last ran (for Senate) in 2016 she released her tax return for the previous year, 2015. Unlike presidential candidates, that's not expected of Senate candidates.

Promises are one thing, actions are another.

[ehrnst]

178. Nearly a month ago. (nt)

[ehrnst]

182. Did she say that she would release them "soon" a month ago?

The last time she said she would release them, she actually did.

[ehrnst]

183. Actually no, it's accurate. (nt)

[ehrnst]

184. Whataboutery.

Increasingly frantic whataboutery.

[ehrnst]

120. Interesting how fast the whataboutism shows when there isn't a

logical response that flatters someone?

LOOK!! OVER THERE!!!

[Mr Tibbs]

121. It isn't "Whataboutism"

When someone does the exact same thing.

[ehrnst]

123. You seem unclear on the definition

Here's one that more closely shows what you are doing:

Noun. whataboutery (countable and uncountable, plural whatabouteries) (informal, derogatory) Protesting at hypocrisy; responding to criticism by accusing one's opponent of similar or worse faults.

This is familiar to anyone who has a child who when asked why they haven't finished their chores long after they said that they would, points to a sibling and says, "Why aren't you asking them why they aren't done with theirs?!! thinking that's some sort of justification, even when the sibling got a later start.

That's just "silly," as you are fond of saying.

[Mr Tibbs]

141. Rank hypocrisy

[ehrnst]

181. Hit the nail on the head, didn't I?

[Cha]

135. It's called DEFLECTION!

[Mr Tibbs]

143. So pointing out that your declared candidate has only released one....

Is a deflection?

lol

[Cha]

147. BS needs to show his Full Tax Returns.

[ehrnst]

180. Yes, Kamala has more declared supporters on DU than Bernie.

Is that why you are so obsessed with whatabouting her?

[Gothmog]

107. That claim earned four Pinocchios

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

108. Jake Tapper fact checked this claim and proved that it was false

[ehrnst]

136. And he could end all the annoying speculation very, very simply.

Why do you think he doesn't?

[WeekiWater]

24. Don't forget Gillibrand.

She has released ten years along with other financial documents.

[NurseJackie]

25. They will NEVER release their tax returns. They have NO INTENTION of ever releasing them.

If they were intending to release the full tax returns, they would have done so by now. After all... if the tax returns were complete enough and thorough enough to release to the IRS, then they're complete enough to release to the American voters.

I feel like they're hiding something... and I think it may have something to do with his current wife Jane. It's all very suspicious, and the longer this goes on, the more fishy it smells.

Nobody begrudges the fact that they are RICH and part of the 1% themselves. But what people need to know is where the money is coming from... what's the SOURCE of their income? Also, where is it being invested? Is it being saved domestically, or "off-shore"? Are all the taxes being paid? Are the write-offs kosher?

All I'm saying is that these are LEGITIMATE questions that we deserve HONEST answers to.

Personally, I'm looking for a candidate who is HONEST and FORTHRIGHT. I am looking for a candidate who keeps promises and who has INTEGRITY.

[True Blue American]

28. Amen on that post!

You want to run you be prepared to show your tax returns!

[jcgoldie]

29. Yeah but Bernie says "we still have to do a few little things"

... Like take them out of the envelope, scan them and upload them I guess I mean WTF else is there "to do"?

[happybird]

39. +1

Isn't there a contingent of hardcore Bernie supporters who still believe the schtick about how he's a "regular guy, just like you and me," and not super wealthy? I always figured the issue was his supporters seeing the proof of his wealth in black and white. Kinda ruins that Everyman image he's worked so hard to cultivate.

[NurseJackie]

41. Oh, he's absolutely rich. Definitely 1%. And that doesn't bother me AT ALL.

Oh, he's absolutely rich. Definitely 1%. And that doesn't bother me AT ALL.

What I'm most interested in, however, is where it comes from... where it's being invested... how it's being saved (offshore or domestically) and whether the taxes have been properly paid.

Based on what we do know... looking at the historical and publicly-available record... the reticence to release the jointly-filed tax returns may be in the interest of protecting his current wife, Jane. There are still lingering questions about her retirement and other financial arrangements with Burlington College as well as other associations with Old Towne Media. These have been ongoing questions that mainstream investigative reporters have been unable to get forthcoming and satisfactory responses about... and the full and complete tax returns would provide answers to many of those questions.

All I'm saying is... people who make flimsy excuses... or who delay-delay-delay... or who fail to deliver of promises of "soon"... well, they're only making things worse for themselves. It only causes heightened suspicions because that's just the way people (and the press) are. It's only natural.

But, in the end, it serves no good purpose to delay and it causes more personal harm to a candidates reputation. People are looking for a candidate with honor, honesty and integrity... no matter who he or she may be.

[True Blue American]

66. Watching Bernie lick his lips

When contradicted said it all.

[ehrnst]

137. Are you implying that Sanders is deliberately witholding his taxes

to create more buzz so that he can claim that he's been unfairly doubted about them when he does release them?

Do you have any evidence of that?

[True Blue American]

165. No!

I think Bernie has plenty to hide, that is why he is not releasing his taxes.

[ehrnst]

166. Got it.

[True Blue American]

168. For his own sake

I wish he would release his taxes.i am not a supporter but so far his flimsy excuses are not holding water.

In 2016 it was the weak,” Jane does our taxes!” I am no where close to Bernie and Jane but I darn well know enough to have my taxes done in time, and just so you know the Trump tax cut, or something killed me this year!,(.

[ehrnst]

170. +1000.

[True Blue American]

65. She does

Their taxes, Bernie said. After the College foreclosure I would not trust that book keeper.

[LongtimeAZDem]

33. At this point, no matter what he does, Sanders will look bad

It's really no longer about the taxes themselves, it's about competence, integrity, and honesty.

If he just hasn't gotten around to it, or can't find the paperwork, it's simply incompetence.

But the returns themselves are a side issue at this point; it doesn't matter if there's nothing damaging in them. He said he would release them, over and over, and has missed every deadline that he and his campaign set. This demonstrates a fundamental lack of integrity.

And finally, if it isn't incompetence or deceit, then it's likely that, as others have suggested, he simply has no intention of doing so, and has been dishonest about it from the start.

[True Blue American]

169. Agree

[Gothmog]

35. Where are the tax returns

Link to tweet

[Mr Tibbs]

116. He said he will release ten years worth of tax returns

Where are Kamala's returns?

[ehrnst]

122. Whaboutery..

Look over there!!!! AT THAT PERSON!!!!

whataboutery
NOUN
mass noun
British
The technique or practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counter-accusation or raising a different issue.

[Mr Tibbs]

124. So Kamala only releasing one year of taxes

Is different than Sanders only releasing one year of taxes?

[ehrnst]

126. Moving the goalposts, are we? OK, I'lll play - where are Bernie's 2017 taxes?

When he released the 2014 returns, it was only after he was fact checked after he claimed that he already had.

And those weren't the most recent returns at the time he released them.

Kamala's 2017 returns were the most recent when she released them. So, they aren't really quite the same, are they?

Your response. or lack of response will be interesting. I have a prediction.

[Mr Tibbs]

145. She didn't release her 2017 returns

She released her 2015 returns in 2017

[ehrnst]

173. OK, so I take "where are Bernie's 2017 returns" back. Where are Bernie's 2015 taxes?

She seemed to be able to release the most recent tax returns (2015) for an election that year (2016).

Why do you think Bernie was not?

[George II]

132. Yes, considering the time frames involved, that is VERY different.

[Cha]

156. Update.. BS released

2014 now he needs to release 10 years worth.

[True Blue American]

171. :)

[ehrnst]

125. If you want to go there: We got Kamalas 2015 financials in 2016. Where are Bernie's 2015 returns?

Did Kamala run for POTUS in 2016, and kept promising tax returns by a certain date, then not deliver?

Then two years later, knowing that she was going to run for POTUS again, and still didn't get her taxes ready, even though she knew that it would again be an issue because they were not delivered the last time?

I would think that would have been the very first thing she - or anyone in that situation - would do.

Kirsten Gillibrand releases hers every year. Oh...I guess you don't want to point to her as an example.

I can put my hands on seven years of taxes in 5 minutes, because basic financial responsibility as a tax paying adult is that one keeps copies going back 7 years in case one is audited

And I'm not even planning to run for office.

But Kamala must really seem like a threat if people defending Bernie on the issue with personal financial transparency keep pointing the finger at her... but we know as much about Kamalas taxes as we do Bernie's, in fact her disclosure is more recent - 2015.

I guess one could just as well ask, "Where is Bernie's 2015 return" if Kamala supporters wanted to play the whataboutism game.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-here-s-another-glimpse-of-kamala-harris-1520551387-htmlstory.html

Harris reported an estimated minimum net worth of $391,100 in 2017, the first year she held federal office and had to submit the disclosures every member of Congress files.

Harris is thought to be considering a presidential bid in 2020, and the disclosure was among the first glimpses of the former California attorney general’s finances. Harris released tax returns during the 2016 campaign that showed she and her husband made $1.17 million in 2015 and paid $450,000 in state and federal income taxes.

According to the 2017 disclosure, Harris had $2 million in assets, including at least $250,000 in savings and a San Francisco Employees Retirement account worth at least $250,000 from her time as a city and county district attorney. The Democrat's husband, intellectual property and entertainment lawyer Doug Emhoff, held the bulk of their wealth. He has more than $900,000 in investments and retirement accounts. Emhoff also held their biggest liability, a mortgage worth at least $1 million.

[Cha]

157. Mahalo, ehrnst.. here's some more on Kamala's

tax returns.

Kamala Harris, husband release 2015 tax returns; Loretta Sanchez declines

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article108767562.html

[True Blue American]

172. All put together in brown Paper envelopes!

Little old school here. I just cleaned out boxes of papers going back 50 years.

Passed the age of collecting. Am now unloading. The Boy Scouts filled a van in 2017, another last year. The have a Parking Lot sale. The Church got boxes for their Bazaar sale.


Sun Deck builders, two truck loads to Charity. A good deal of it ended on their farm.

Oh, what a relief it is!

[sfwriter]

40. That's daft

Requesting presidential candidates do something is different than requesting primary candidates to do something.

Additionally “requesting” and “requiring” are different standards.

Requiring all democratic primary candidates to do the thing we have requested the president do isn’t parity, it is an unequal burden on our primary candidates.

Much better to get laws passed requiring tax returns from all candidates in both parties in exchange for ballot access. That is parity and shows a lack of hypocrisy.

[Mr Tibbs]

43. If and when the DNC starts making special rules targeting one candidate...

The exodus will begin

[BannonsLiver]

45. It wouldn't target one candidate

The only reason it would impact Bernie at all is because he refuses to release them.

[Mr Tibbs]

60. Only one candidate is being demanded to release them

So there's that...

Sanders has never "Refused to release them".

And when he releases them, those who spent three years obsessed with same will be mightily disappointed at wasting so many years for naught.

[True Blue American]

72. Yes he has.

He promised to release them in 2016! This is 2019.

[BannonsLiver]

82. It's been a tradition for a long time.

What makes Bernie so special when others have released theirs?

[forklift]

88. Trump didn't refuse to release them either

he just came up with a clever, albeit lame excuse.

[ehrnst]

129. What rule has the DNC passed that targets only Bernie? Are you afraid that he won't be able

to release his, and the other candidates will?

To be sure, other Democratic candidates have been far more transparent concerning their taxes, and none of them have run for POTUS before, and knew for two years that they would be expected to.

You seem to think that the DNC has it in for Bernie.

If they wanted to target him, they could have made a rule that you need to have been a democrat while running for the last election you ran. but they didn't, did they?

The idea that they would target Bernie is just silly.

[Cha]

160. smh.. there always has

to be some victimhood involved.

[namahage]

174. And of course, when the DNC makes a rule

that just so happens to benefit a particular candidate--indeed, was done at the behest of that candidate and his supporters--that is totally different and something to brag about:

Link to tweet

[ehrnst]

131. But Bernie said very recently that he didn't get criticism for not releasing taxes.

So there's that.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=7221

[Cha]

158. Semantics. So far BS has said he's going

to release them but hasn't and he's had plenty of time.

[namahage]

46. Like reducing the role of superdelegates? n/t

[NurseJackie]

47. Sure!

[Cha]

110. Oh BULLONEY! Your threat

is EMPTY.

It's called "TRANSPERENCY" and we Expect of ALL our Candidates.. not just the one you're defensive about

[ehrnst]

127. So requiring the same thing of all Democratic candidates is targeting one?

Why is that?

[Cha]

159. Oh Please, tibbs.. enough of your threats.

You're the one making BS a victim. All he has to do is release his tax returns.

Should be really easy.. we're waiting.

[Blue_Tires]

48. Agreed... St. Bern has stalled long enough

and the Berners would have had a lot less ammo to attack Hillary with in 2016 if they hadn't had her returns to pore through...

[Gothmog]

49. every interviewer should be asking why he hasn't released his taxes

Link to tweet

[lunamagica]

62. He said in '16 he would release them before the convention, and he didn't. He LIED

Three weeks ago he said he would release them SOON. It looks like another LIE.

He is being DISHONEST.

What is Sanders hiding?

[True Blue American]

71. And this is 3 years later!

[trueblue2007]

74. Good question. I want an answer and i want the truth. BERNIE, please show your taxes.

[jberryhill]

76. Agree

[getagrip_already]

81. Absolutely! Plus can't appear on primary ballots.......

Unless the returns are public.

[Lancero]

87. Amusing that, despite calls for transparency, so many candiates are getting a pass in this topic...

It's pretty, shall we say, transparent that some people are only here because they want to lash out against one candidate in particular, not because they actually believe in transparency.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

89. Ten years or see you later!

[forklift]

90. Came here looking for an update

It has been nearly a month since Bernie said he will "soon" release them.

At this point, whatever he releases will not be credible. People will think he has created brand new benign returns while he was stalling. No one can verify the authenticity of whatever he releases except the IRS and the IRS is bound by the privacy act.

The longer it takes, the more the suspicion will be that what he released was something to fool the American people.

After the organized theft of Hillary's data from the DNC servers by Sanders' Chakrabarti anything is possible.

[Kentonio]

91. Total and utter bullshit.

[forklift]

92. How so?

The longer it takes him to produce the tax returns, the more suspect they will be.

[Kentonio]

93. Just because you clearly hate Bernie

Doesn’t mean everyone else does.

[forklift]

95. I don't hate him

He is just too divisive to be a good POTUS.

The tax return issue won't go away and it will come up in every debate. His smug deflections and lame excuses will not be accepted this time.

[Kentonio]

97. Sure, no hate here. No sirree..

[Mr Tibbs]

117. So you are saying it's a conspiracy

[ehrnst]

118. Strawman...

straw man
/ˌstrô ˈman/
noun
1.
an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

[Gothmog]

94. Is it soon yet?

Link to tweet

[forklift]

96. aaaaaaahahahahahahahaha

[OhZone]

98. Waiting -

[forklift]

99. WOW - That is cool!

[Maru Kitteh]

100. K & R

[Mike Nelson]

101. There will come a time when...

… we can assume releasing them is worse than not releasing them. That says a lot. The time is now.

[highplainsdem]

103. K&R

[R B Garr]

105. Kick! Tax returns will be a requirement .

No exceptions.

No excuses.

[Andy823]

106. Kick. nt

[Gothmog]

109. Jennifer Rubin will keep on asking this question

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

112. Washington State is adopting a ballot access law

This is great news https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/434412-washington-senate-passes-bill-that-would-keep-trump-off-2020-ballot

Washington's state Senate passed a bill this week that would drop President Trump from the state's 2020 presidential ballot until he releases his tax returns.

The bill, which advanced Tuesday to the state's House of Representatives, according to CBS News, would require any candidate on the ballot for president in the state to release five years of tax returns before appearing in a general or primary election.

Senators voted by a 28-21 margin to approve the bill, according to CBS. The state's attorney general and solicitor told lawmakers in a letter this week that the proposal likely was constitutional, but analysts expect the law if passed to be challenged in federal court.

"The disclosure requirement you propose is likely Constitutional," the two wrote to lawmakers, according to CBS, adding that the measure "would definitely be challenged in court."

[Gothmog]

113. More states are looking at ballot access laws

Link to tweet

Trump has long insisted that he won’t release his returns because they are under audit, though that would not preclude him from doing so. The documents have become something of a liberal white whale, and Democrats at the federal level have been pursuing laws or legal maneuvers aimed at obtaining them.

In addition to Washington, several other states, including California, Hawaii and New Jersey are considering similar bills. Many, though not all, of the legislatures considering the bills are controlled by Democrats, but even in Republican-controlled states, Democrats have put forth such legislation. Measures failed earlier this year in Mississippi, New Mexico and New Hampshire.

[Gothmog]

114. Washington Post-Time for candidates to disclose their tax returns

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

119. CREW is calling on all presidential candidates to publicly release 10 years of tax returns.

Link to tweet

[stonecutter357]

128. K&R

[sfwriter]

130. "We're insisting on Donald Trump's being released.... we should be consistent "

Asking our candidates to do in the primary what we've asked Trump to do in the general isn't consistent. It is, again, demanding a higher standard from our candidates. That's not necessarily wrong. I think we should demand that as a form of vetting, but framing it as parity is wrong. It is an inconsistency.

We should demand our candidates do this in the primary because we are better than the GOP, more transparent, more authentic. Otherwise, why are we demanding our candidates to do something in the primary that has never been a requirement. Imagined consistency, again, where our primary candidates are held to a standard typically expected of nominees, is not consistent. It is a higher standard on our part. We should own that.

Then again, if your goal is just to strike at at single candidate, accuracy might get in the way of exclusively hounding that candidate in this race. If that's your goal, please ignore any high-minded reasoning and keep grinding away at 2016.

[NurseJackie]

138. Anyone not releasing their full tax returns is playing us for fools.

I'm no fool.

[R B Garr]

187. Exactly. I wish someone could analyze that body language

and those shifty eye movements when questioned on that CNN townhall...

[itsrobert]

153. Also make it a requirement to be a Democrat

Pretty simple.

[bernie59]

161. Given that Trump seems to have gotten away with

not releasing his tax forms, I imagine that if a few leading Democrats do the same, the entire "tradition" of releasing tax returns could collapse.

[Cha]

162. Baloney. trump's Not releasing

his tax returns is the reason every Dem candidate needs to do so.

Just because the Idiot trump fans don't care if he releases them or not doesn't mean Dems don't need Transparency.

In case you haven't noticed.. some states are trying to make laws that a candidate's Full Tax Returns need to be Released.

[bernie59]

163. Bernie seems to be dragging his feet

for reasons I don't understand. But if there are other candidates who would rather not release theirs either, it could become a Mexican standoff where no candidate will release theirs first.

[Cha]

164. Elizabeth Warren leads the way..

Link to tweet

[George II]

191. Warren and Gillibrand have each released 10 or more returns. Booker when he first ran...

...for the Senate in 2013 made the unprecedented move of releasing 15 years. No doubt he'll be catching up to 2017 or 2018 now that he's in the race.

[Cha]

192. BS is too busy hiring stein voters..

Link to tweet

The Hatemongering really worked.

Second, a lot of Bernie Sanders supporters weren’t big fans of Clinton. So Stein campaigning on the idea that Clinton and Trump were similar made it harder for Clinton to win over those voters — even if Sanders voters didn’t vote for Stein, they may have stayed home out of disgust.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/jill-stein-democratic-spoiler-or-scapegoat/

[SFnomad]

175. BS has said he'd be releasing them for 3+ years now ... nobody believes him at this point n/t

[bernie59]

186. Yeah, I don't believe him much either...

I'm curious what the issue is, but I'm not bothered.

[ehrnst]

189. That sounds very familiar for some reason...

Oh, right.

[ehrnst]

176. So you're saying personal financial transparency shouldn't be asked of Democratic candidates?

Why?

[bernie59]

185. My post was an observation, not a suggestion.

Publishing tax returns isn't a bad idea although I doubt they would ever have a big influence on me. They seem to be more a source of political gossip.

[ehrnst]

188. So, you would dismiss the discussion about Trump's failure to release

his returns "gossip?"

And you don't think that basic financial transparency would not have a 'big influence" on you concerning Democratic candidates?

Or just some candidates?

[aikoaiko]

167. The DNC doesnt are. Or it would be a rule.

[BlueFlorida]

190. I agree 100%

How are we ever going to challenge Trump otherwise?

[Gothmog]

193. From Jennifer Rubin

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

194. "He's had a month to release tax returns. Enough is enough." --- You know...

He's had a month to release tax returns. Enough is enough

You know... if the tax returns were complete and honest enough to submit to the IRS, then they should be complete and honest enough to release to the American voters.

By keeping them hidden (what's he hiding?) and by stonewalling.... it's so disrespectful... and it's like telling the American voters to go fuck themselves.

[Gothmog]

195. Kirsten Gillibrand released her 2018 tax returns on Wednesday

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

196. Inslee, a 2020 presidential hopeful, released his tax returns this morning.

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

197. Is sanders going to issue redacted returns?

Link to tweet

?s=20

[treestar]

198. But that would be rigging it against Bernie!

[Gothmog]

199. All candidates need to release their tax returns

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Gothmog]

200. Washington Post-Enough with the excuses. It's time for Sanders to release his tax returns.

Link to tweet

It has been more than a month since Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told a national audience during a CNN town hall that he would release 10 years of his personal taxes “soon,” adding, “We have to do just a few little more things.” Five weeks later, it seems those “little” things still aren’t done; he told CBS on Sunday that “we have it all done and it’s just a question of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”

Enough with the excuses, Senator. These sorts of shenanigans — and make no mistake, that’s exactly what they are at this point — both reduce the pressure on cowardly congressional Democrats to pursue President Trump’s personal and corporate tax returns, and endanger Democrats’ hopes of taking back the presidency in 2020. The progressive positions that Sanders champions, including Medicare-for-all, expanded Social Security and increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, are much too important to both the future of our country and our own personal finances to risk them over tax returns.

Trump broke with decades of precedent in refusing to make his tax returns public when he was running for president. The result? Not only don’t we know our president’s net worth, we also have little idea how he earned his fortune or how he makes his money now. Minus his paperwork, it’s hard to determine whether Trump is using the White House as a just-in-time moneymaking opportunity, violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution, and/or even paying his fair share of taxes at all.

[Gothmog]

201. From the Hoarse Whisperer

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Gothmog]

202. Bernie Sanders is "providing political cover" for Donald Trump not releasing his tax returns

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

203. Stephanie Ruhl-Could Bernie Sanders' tax returns drive his supporters away?

Link to tweet