Sanders staffs up, still no timeline on tax returns

[TexasTowelie]

It was all good news and positive projections from the Bernie 2020 camp during a press call this week.

The campaign has already raised $10 million since Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., officially entered the race in late February, 1 million people have signed up to volunteer for the campaign and a staff of 70 is already in place, with plans to announce more primary state staffers within the week.

“It’s early but we feel good where we are at,” said Faiz Shakir, the new campaign manager. “The Sanders campaign feels strong and is getting stronger.”

But the timeline for the long awaited release of Sanders’ tax returns remains an open question. Shakir said the “only thing to say is soon. We’re working on it.”

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/12/sanders-team-feeling-good-early-days-still-no-timeline-tax-returns/

[ucrdem]

1. aren't those they same figures he claimed on the first DAY?

So he hasn't raised any money or gotten any more volunteers in the last month?

[TCJ70]

25. Bernie raise $6 million in the first 24 hours after he announced

Not sure about volunteers or staff. So no...they aren’t the same numbers.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/bernie-sanders-2020-24-hour-fundraising-6-million/index.html

[Blue_true]

51. Your number is about what I remember, just over $6 million. nt

[George II]

75. That's what his campaign said, but the FEC hasn't seen the numbers yet.

[TCJ70]

82. The question was...

...whether or not those were the same numbers the campaign gave after their first 24 hours. They aren’t. The FEC has nothing to do with the question or the answer.

[George II]

83. The statement was: "Bernie raise $6 million in the first 24 hours after he announced"

[TCJ70]

87. And then I linked an article stating it was the campaigns claim.

Until data comes out otherwise, that’s the most accurate number. Do you question other candidates 24 hour claims or reserve that skepticism for only one?

EDIT: Now that I look at it...the first line of my post is pretty much the first sentence of the CNN article.

[OnDoutside]

2. He's had 3 years to sort this out, it's completely unacceptable.

[Mr Tibbs]

11. The 2016 election ended

[NurseJackie]

19. He's always known he'd run again. Ergo... three years to "find" his "missing" taxes and "fix" them.

[enid602]

99. Taxes

He’s beat his head against the shower door looking for them.

[NurseJackie]

102. Funny! Or... he fainted when Jane said "I found the tax returns!"

[George II]

21. Yes, and............?

[comradebillyboy]

38. He never stopped running...

[ehrnst]

39. And knew all that time that the taxes would indeed be requested again. (nt)

[Mr Tibbs]

100. 2016 kept going?

No, he stopped running in July 2016

[OnDoutside]

47. This has nothing to do with the 2016 election. He knows this is a major issue for the

2020 election, yet is messing the electorate around. The same goes for everyone else who tries this.

[Mr Tibbs]

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

It is a non-issue.

[LongtimeAZDem]

52. He said he would release them before the last convention; he didn't. His honesty is the issue.

[Mr Tibbs]

54. Again, you are stuck in 2016

He said on February 25th 2019 that he will be releasing 10 years worth of tax returns for the 2020 election. I'm not sure what part of that you do not understand.

The 2016 primary election ended in July of that year. Candidates have no obligation to keep campaigning once that happens. Sanders is the only candidate in history that this is demanded of.

[LongtimeAZDem]

68. So what? He has said it before, and there's no reason to be live him.

Last edited Sat Mar 16, 2019, 04:08 PM - Edit history (1)

And, the "campaign ended" song is just BS; he just stalled until he could use a new excuse.

I'm not "stuck in 2016"; you're trying to act like 2016 never happened.

[George II]

73. "Sanders is the only candidate in history that this is demanded of." No he isn't.

[MyNameGoesHere]

101. Well it actually ended in March

But that's another conversation. However if he really means it this time, we'll I'm sold. I will wait right here for those returns to come in any day now.

[Drunken Irishman]

60. Sorry but that's silly to say it's a non-issue because he says he'll release them...

It becomes a non-issue WHEN he releases them. Until then, his word is just that...his word.

[George II]

74. Same song, different year.

[dem4decades]

104. Yeah and Trump said he'd release his right after the audit was over. Saying and doing are different.

[Mr Tibbs]

53. It has everything to do with 2016

They're angry with Bernie because he stopped campaigning when he lost the primary. They have been demanding ever since that he start campaigning again for 2016. It's the most ridiculous thing ever.

[OnDoutside]

71. That was a separate issue. You can't accuse trump for not releasing his taxes and

giving a pass to Democrats.

[George II]

77. No he didn't. He stopped campaigning when he lost the nomination. Remember Jeff Weaver in Jul 2016?

[George II]

76. Yep, and we still haven't seen what he promised. We did see one 2-year old return (2014)....

....two pages at first, then reluctantly five more. Nothing more, nothing less. The 2015 return is still a mystery.

[Cha]

3. Hmmm? Where have

I heard that before?

[Blue_true]

56. Good point, same old games, different year.

Since Bernie has completely redone his senior campaign staff, who could be using virtually the same tactics from 2016? Asking for the cousin of a cousin of another cousin who is debating release of tax returns. Finding the cousin that is debating tax return releases may take a lot less time than waiting around to see Bernie's tax returns.

[Mike Nelson]

4. Working on it?

… maybe we should prepare for redactions?

[TexasTowelie]

5. Any redactions beyond Bernie's and Jane's social security numbers

and their street address will raise questions.

[Cha]

6. lol

[Mr Tibbs]

50. You should prepare to yawn

I feel sorry for the folks obsessed with this non issue conspiracy Theory

[lunamagica]

55. Honest question: If this is true, why doesn't he just get this over with and show them?

Last time, he promised he would show them before the convention, and he didn't. why the lie?

And now, he is dragging his feet again

why?

Don't you find this even a little bit strange?

[Mr Tibbs]

57. He should not react to conspiracy theories

No Democratic candidate should ever react to conspiracy theories.

[lunamagica]

61. Conspiracy theories? Seriously? All he is asked is to show his full tax retuns for the past ten

years, just like any other candidate. How is that a conspiracy?

He wants to be POTUS. this ia a question about transparency and honesty, something which he demands from others.

i find your reply quite strange

[Mr Tibbs]

62. The conspiracy theory is that he's intentionally hiding them

That there is a nefarious conspiracy of redaction! All there will be are snores and yawns.

I feel sorry for those who have invested so much in this conspiracy theory.

[lunamagica]

63. why do you think he hasn't released them yet?

[Mr Tibbs]

65. Why isn't this being demanded of Kamala Harris?

Answer: because she's not Bernie Sanders

Why is Bernie Sanders the only candidate still being asked to keep campaigning for the 2016 primaries?

Why did Bill Clinton not release any until the second year of his presidency, and only then under pressure?

[lunamagica]

66. Sanders has promised to release them for years, and he hasn't.

I expect to see full returns from Kamala and ALL the candidates, including Sanders.

This whataboutism is a poor excuse for sanders, someone who demands transparency and honesty from everyone else, but apparently think the rules don't apply to him

[FreeState]

95. Because she has a track record of releasing her taxes

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

[Mr Tibbs]

97. She released one, just like Sanders

Nice try.

[TexasTowelie]

67. He could easily resolve your so-called "conspiracy theory" by releasing his tax returns immediately.

I have every right to ask for that information if he wants my vote in exchange. There are plenty of other people that feel the same way.

Bernie or Jane needs to take out their tax returns, redact the personal information like SSN# and home address, scan the forms with the redactions, and upload the forms. I'm capable of completing all of those steps in one day. An office temp might require two or three days at most. The fact that Bernie and/or Jane can't prioritize or complete these simple tasks shows that Bernie is not an effective manager so why would I want him to manage the country? His inability to address this situation promptly also supports the perception that he is intentionally hiding the information. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.

Compounding his unwillingness to promptly release his tax returns with the fact that he refused to file the final quarterly report with the FEC the last time he ran makes people not want to trust Bernie. The problem isn't that people are inventing conspiracy theories (which is a terrible accusation to make against other DU members). The problem is that Bernie is being deliberately opaque with the people who he wants to vote for him.

We do know that Bernie and Jane filed a joint return in 2014. It will be interesting to see the returns for 2015 and 2016 to see if Jane was paid anything for working on his campaign and it will also be interesting to see if they start filing separate returns rather than a joint return.

[dalton99a]

69. Low-level clerk's dog ate them

Investigation is hampered due to staff changes

Stay tuned for an update in 2024, weather permitting

[ehrnst]

84. I can lay my hands on 7 years of returns in five minutes.

Our accountant has copies as well, if anything happens to ours.

He has MORE than enough money for an accountant. I would think that if one is planning a run for office, one gets their financials ready ahead of time.

Especially if one has run before, and knows this will be an issue.

[George II]

106. I have 15 of my last 18, found them in seconds on my computer (and I have backups, too)

Not being able to "find" them is no excuse in this day and age.

[mcar]

92. +1000!

[NurseJackie]

107. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I have ONE thing to say...

[George II]

72. "React"? He's had years to prepare for this. For perspective, Elizabeth Warren released 10 years..

...FIVE months before she even announced her candidacy.

[ehrnst]

85. Warren's really the Senate leader in advocacy of economic justice and financial transparency.

Her accomplishments speak volumes, especially in her relatively short political career - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is her lasting legacy.

[WeekiWater]

7. Working on it doesn't make sense. NT

[TexasTowelie]

9. It's been over two weeks since Bernie said it would be "soon".

Even if the returns are as boring as Bernie says they are, the fact that they were unprepared for release when he announced his candidacy and the lack of prioritizing this relatively simple task reflect negatively on his organizational and management skills. An office temp with minimal skills should be able to complete the task in 2-3 days at most.

[George II]

26. For perspective, Elizabeth Warren released tax returns for 10 years back in AUGUST....

....more than five months before she announced her candidacy. Kirsten Gillibrand has 11 years of returns on her website. Our last candidate released decades of returns.

Maybe only women are capable of doing this in a timely manner?

[Amimnoch]

8. These are not the taxes you are looking for..

Move along.. move along..

[LiberalBrooke]

10. He's playing that game again.

I have not and will not support Bernie until he releases many years of tax returns. I wonder what he is hiding. As much as I like his ideas the lack of transparency has always made me pause before actually supporting him.

[Mr Tibbs]

12. He has already said he would release ten

Which other Democratic candidates are you making this demand of?

[ehrnst]

15. What other candidates have promised them for years? Including saying "Soon" weeks ago.

Isn't that the GOP's excuse for Twittler not releasing taxes?

again:

Whataboutism (also known as whataboutery) is a variant of the tu quoque logical fallacy that attempts to discredit an opponent's position by charging them with hypocrisy without directly refuting or disproving their argument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

[Mr Tibbs]

58. So you're still stuck on 2016 primaries

Do you realize that once an election ends, the candidates are no longer obligated to keep campaigning?

[George II]

78. But promises made 3 years ago that weren't kept raises a red flag for many.

[ehrnst]

80. Yep.

He gets testy when someone asks about it, as well. Doesn't seem used to anyone disagreeing with him or asking him about things he doesn't want to talk about.

[Mr Tibbs]

88. He released one, didn't make it to the general, so it was over

His detractors kept demanding them anyway, for years afterward, even though it was long over. No other candidate is treated like this. Only Sanders.

He will release ten this time. Heads will explode. Life will go on.

[George II]

91. You've got that chronology wrong, but whatever.

[ehrnst]

79. He knew that his tax returns would be requested, for two years.

He knew he would run again, and he certainly has more than enough money to pay an accountant.

And still delays. More of the same: "Soon."

I can come up with 7 years of returns in 5 minutes, because that's basic financial responsibilty keeping them that long in case of an audit... and I never even planned to run for POTUS.

[George II]

27. See post #26. And saying isn't doing.

[JHB]

41. "Said he would" is different from "has done", and there is no good reason for delay

He's had years to prepare them for release.

[Dennis Donovan]

13. Sorry, but no rec:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/128725115

[ehrnst]

14. So why respond and kick the OP? (nt)

[Dennis Donovan]

16. Because I'm making a point...

[ehrnst]

17. And increasing the visibility of the post that you wish wasn't posted.

Just saying.

[Dennis Donovan]

18. Apparently, you failed to click the link in my post...

Whatever.

[ehrnst]

22. I did, and you have once again kicked the OP that you don't like.

Whatever

[Dennis Donovan]

24. ...and you apparently disagree with my suggestion (kick)

...which is not surprising.

[ehrnst]

28. I read it, and clearly don't agree with it.

Assuming that one who disagrees with you hasn't read or doesn't understand your statement isn't accurate.

[Dennis Donovan]

29. How is bashing other Democratic (and those who caucus with us) candidates constructive?

Ya know... never mind. Have a great day ehrnst!

[ehrnst]

30. I think you may have a different definition of 'bashing" than DU does.

Many feel that healthy respectful debate is possible, and walking lockstep isn't something that Democrats do, or should be expected to do.

Have a great day, Dennis!

[MrsCoffee]

31. So what?

You want to just go around chastising people for not following your suggestion? Boy are you going to be busy.

If you think someone is breaking the rules, there is a system for that. But nothing says anyone has to follow your suggestions.

Seems a little high horse to me, but whatever.

[TexasTowelie]

34. I respect how you feel,

but I also believe it's presumptuous to tell another member what and what not to post. If it is objectionable, then you are welcome to alert and let a jury decide.

[Dennis Donovan]

35. I certainly didn't say you can't post something...

...I just offered my opinion on your post, and recommended another approach.

[TexasTowelie]

43. I post articles about all candidates whether they are positive, negative or neutral.

The facts are that Bernie said he would release his tax returns soon and a member of his staff recently corroborated that he still hasn't. While it isn't late breaking news, there are DU members that are interested to know what his staff is saying.

If you don't want to post negative articles about any of the Democratic candidates, then I respect that decision. However, I would rather see all articles regardless of their POV in order to vet the candidates.

[Dennis Donovan]

44. Fair enough. But, Bernie did release his tax returns last cycle:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12511749845

[TexasTowelie]

45. He released one year of tax returns and initially didn't release a complete return for that year.

It did not meet the expectations of most people for full disclosure or transparency.

[NurseJackie]

20. BS is never going to release his tax returns. If BS had any intention of releasing them...

BS is never going to release his tax returns. If BS had any intention of releasing them, it would have already been done.

It's not like they're "incomplete" or anything. It's not like they're "still working on them" or anything. After all... if they were complete enough to submit to the IRS, then those tax returns are complete enough to release to the American public.

No... something tells me that someone has made a deliberate decision to NOT release them. Someone on the campaign has weighed the pros-and-cons... calculated the pluses-and-minuses... and determined that the "fallout" from not releasing the tax returns is more acceptable than the "fallout" of going ahead and releasing them.

All I'm saying is that's certainly what it appears to be and it's a logical conclusion to make... there's simply no other reason that any "serious" candidate would do something that's tarnishing their campaign, reputation, and making people question things like integrity and honesty.

In the end, it simply makes no good sense for this strategy to continue. As voters, we deserve to know where a candidate's money comes from, where the spouse's money comes from, how it's being invested, where it's being saved (domestic or offshore), what charities (if any) or other contributions (if any) have been made, and whether the taxes have been properly paid... or whether there are other potential conflicts of interest that we voters should know about BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

[ehrnst]

23. Makes sense.

A campaign manager once said on MSNBC, "It's disturbing that Trump hasn't released his taxes, because that means he's hiding something."

[NurseJackie]

32. I can't trust any candidate or politician who isn't forthcoming regarding his (or her) tax returns.

A campaign manager once said on MSNBC, "It's disturbing that Trump hasn't released his taxes, because that means he's hiding something."

I can't trust any candidate or politician who isn't forthcoming regarding his (or her) tax returns. If he (or she) behaves in such a secretive and dishonest manner, it confirms to me that he (or she) is hiding something.

[ehrnst]

33. Especially if a candidate has known for years that their returns would be expected as POTUS nominee

One would think that they would have taken action during those years to anticipate that expectation, and have been prepared.

[Hortensis]

36. In over a quarter century, Sanders has released two 1040s,

a page or two each, not the entire returns the public expects, one in the 1990s and one in 2014. These sheets that he did choose to reveal showed that he only paid taxes in the teens and donated very little to charity for a man of his means and stature.

I can't imagine what image-buster or minor "scandal" his returns might reveal, but whatever he's hiding, I agree with those who believe he will not be revealing anything that might cost him support before he's eliminated in the primary, and of course not after. 2016 redux.

I don't care about a man who wants to pay high taxes being selfish about donating his after-tax income or even using the many deductions available to "elites" like him to underpay those taxes.

But Sanders doesn't live his avowed principles, and I emphatically care about empowering people who continually give reasons to distrust their word. Especially when I don't know what is being kept unavowed. He attacks others, especially organizations, for lack of transparency, but his family's nonprofit just suspended operations due to growing ethical concerns, including a conspicuous lack of transparency.

Note, Sanders shamelessly joined the Republicans in attacking the Clinton Foundation and demanding it be divested or shut down, regardless of harm to its beneficiaries. Imo, massive failure to live up to avowed principles and claims to care about wellbeing of others, including orphans, sick babies, and refugees, for god's sake.

The Clinton's family foundation is a charitable foundation -- unlike Sanders' -- which then and now earns an A rating from charity monitors, and enormous attempts to find corruption or unethical advantage to Hlillary's campaign have failed. The Clinton Foundation continues its great, planetwide work and isn't about to stop.

[Skidmore]

42. Absolutely a hypocrite

and not transparent or trustworthy. I did not support him in 2016 because all of his finger jabbing and haranguing did not line up with his actions.

[Hortensis]

46. But zealously consistent. I don't ever expect him to

repent and apologize to Hillary and the nation for his shameful behaviors. In fact, like Kavanaugh raging about the Clintons taking him down, Sanders gives every sign of having internalized what he surely must at one point have realized were slurs manufactured by the Republicans to swiftboat and defeat her.

[NurseJackie]

64. That's all I'm seeing. I could never support someone like that.

But Sanders doesn't live his avowed principles, and I emphatically care about empowering people who continually give reasons to distrust their word.

That's all I'm seeing. I could never support someone like that.

[ehrnst]

81. +1000. (nt)

[greatauntoftriplets]

40. This is getting to be like an over-long production of "Waiting for Godot".

[OnDoutside]

48. You can imagine the ads are writing themselves. I thought it was a prerequisite to

running under the Democratic Party banner ? How can he get away with this ?

[redstatebluegirl]

59. I will not vote for any candidate in the primary who has not released their taxes.

I want to see 5 years at least. I do not think that is being unreasonable. I have been pretty clear about my problems with Senator Sanders, I don't believe him to be straightforward about a lot of things. I can't support a candidate in the primary who is not totally upfront about their finances and their stand on some of my core issues, racial equality, women's rights, income equality and defense of the constitution.

[mcar]

70. Working on what?

How long does it take to download tax returns from Turbo Tax? I could do it in 5 minutes.

[shanny]

86. How about everyone else's?

[TexasTowelie]

90. More whataboutism. nt

[shanny]

96. lol TT

your slip is showing

[TexasTowelie]

98. Is that the best you can do?

I remember that your slip was showing soon after you registered.

If only Bernie followed your example of "soon" there wouldn't have been any reason to post this thread, but Bernie didn't which is why this topic will continue to be discussed. Perhaps Jane will be able to find the box with the tax returns in their $600K lakefront home?

[VarryOn]

94. Personally, I couldnt care less...

We are putting too much priority on this.

[Mr Tibbs]

89. Could you please release Kamala Harris' return release timeline for us?

Thanks!

[TexasTowelie]

93. I'll trade you Kamala's for Bernie's.

Another whataboutism.

[forklift]

103. How many revolutionaries does it take

to copy tax returns?

(Along the lines of how many ______s take to change a light bulb?"

[forklift]

105. I'll start ...

None to actually copy but millions to stall, deflect, ignore, play down and engage in whataboutism.

[Gothmog]

108. Jennifer Rubin is going to keep on asking this question until sanders releases his tax returns

Link to tweet