7:00 PM Friday, time for Clinton news!

Remember the 90s? The Clintons would put out press releases on Friday night of embarrassing material. Then on Monday, they'd say "that's old news."

Senator Clinton released tax returns at 7PM EDT Friday the Fourth -- and this partisan hack thought "what's she hiding?"

Well, they're rich. That might be a political liability in some Democratic circles, but she and President Clinton have done well since moving out of 1600 Pennsylvania

Hillary Clinton had $10.5 million in book income over the period from her book "Living History." She donated earnings from her other book, "It Takes a Village," to charity.

Clinton's tax returns show that of the remaining presidential candidates, she is the one most able to access large amounts of personal money. She lent her campaign $5 million in late February and could contribute more if she finds herself falling far behind Obama's proficient fundraising.

McCain's wife is heiress to her father's stake in Hensley & Co. of Phoenix, one of the largest beer distributorships in the country and her worth could exceed $100 million. But the couple has a prenuptial agreement that has kept most assets in her name. In his financial disclosures, McCain lists his major sources of income as his Senate salary of $169,300 and a Navy pension of about $56,000.

I don't know that I'd have guessed her as the richest of the three. Other than President Clinton's success, "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Clinton reported $20.4 million in income for 2007 and more than $109 million since 2000" I didn't see a good reason to resuscitate the Friday night press releases. Of course, some intrepid blogger will find the dirt over the weekend and post it on Monday. But then it will be old news.

As a partisan hack, I question whether some of the huge speaking fees or book advances come awfully close to what we call "a bribe." Ten-point-five-mil for "Living History?" How many copies sold? No doubt President Clinton is beloved and a valued speaker, but it is a pretty convenient way to funnel money to a US Senator. I have no proof, it's just a little unsettling.

Dem2008 Primary Posted by jk at April 4, 2008 7:48 PM