Bernie stumbles

[ehrnst]

93. Goalpost moved... Well, let's take that question, shall we?

Only Booker and Warren have ever considered a run for POTUS before. One would expect that when one has done that, one knows what's expected the next time around. Booker and Warren have released years of taxes with no hesitation or defensive reactions.

What other candidate has been promising this specific financial transparency for years, and still yet to do so?

What other candidate gets defensive when asked about their personal financial transparency?

As I have said - Bernie certainly has the money for an accountant, and certainly he understands the importance of financial transparency, as a candidate that makes that his brand.

"Mechanical issues" or "not living with an accountant" doesn't prevent me from submitting my taxes on time every April. I know that it's going to be due, and I get the records organized and to the accountant. If I took two years to do that,

I also keep my final tax documents for the recommended three years in case of an audit - however, if I needed copies going further back, I would contact my accountant - and I'm not in public office where my finances could be relevant in the case of possible conflict of interest. I think it's not unreasonable to expect the at least that same basic, responsible financial recordkeeping from someone who wants the job of the Executive of the United States of America - especially after the discussion that the current POTUS's lack of transparency has created in terms of his conflict of interest questions.

Don't you?

I hope that clarifies things for you.

But look - a quick Google shows the following:

Gillibrand has released her taxes going back to 2008 - https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/tax-returns

Booker released 15 years tax returns before - so there's no reason to think he doesn't keep them on hand and ready to go: https://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/cory-booker-tax-returns-096388

Kamala Harris released her tax returns when running for Senate, when asked to do so - and has done so without stalling or getting defensive:

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

And of course, Elizabeth Warren who walks the walk concerning her signature issue of financial transparency - 10 years of returns released:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/23/us-sen-warren-posts-10-years-of-her-tax-returns-online.html

No "mechanical issues are preventing me from releasing taxes" or years of stating, "My spouse does them and he/she's been busy."

They just produced the documents without any excuses. That was awesome!