John McCain and His Missing Records
May 5, 2008 2:37 pm posted by Jason Rosenbaum
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The New York Times laid into John McCain this Sunday for failing to release almost any relevant information about his health or his wealth:
Senator John McCain is 71 years old, a survivor of an aggressive form of skin cancer. If elected, he would be the oldest man to become president.
These factors are not disqualifying, but they impose on Mr. McCain a larger duty than usual to provide detailed, timely disclosure about his health. So far, he has failed to meet this obligation to voters.
The Times goes on to end their editorial with the line, “The extent of a candidate’s candor is a good measure of how candid he or she will be in the White House.”
They have a point.
Over the last seven years, George Bush has been less than candid with the American people on issues like torture, warrantless wiretapping, executive power, and political appointees. This culture of lawlessness and secrecy has sapped our economy, led us into a disastrous war on dubious grounds, eroded our civil liberties, and hurt our standing in the world. If John McCain refuses to release something as simple as his tax returns or medical records, how can he be trusted to be honest with the American people if he is elected?
The case for releasing the full tax returns and medical records is pretty clear:
- John McCain hopes to be the oldest person ever elected to a first term as President - his health is the nation’s concern.
- Most of the money in the McCain family is in Cindy McCain’s name. Given that John has access to the fruits of Cindy’s wealth - obtaining cut-rate rides on her corporate jet for instance - the release of only John’s tax returns is clearly deceptive.
- Other campaigns have released more of their tax records - John McCain has been the least open about his financial position of all those currently running for President.
John McCain himself proudly proclaims, “Accountability and transparency are the pillars of essential reform.” Yet, his lack of transparency surrounding these records points to clear hypocrisy.
John McCain, when will you come clean and release your full medical records and tax returns?
May 5th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
May 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I get the impression that he’s withholding his medical records because there’s something in there he doesn’t want us to see. Perhaps it has something to do with his herpetic lesion.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Nice Site layout for your blog. I am looking forward to reading more from you.
Tom Humes
May 6th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
McCain’s health makes his choice for Vice President very, very important.