Clinton, McCain Tax Returns Remain a Mystery

As Hillary Clinton and John McCain continue to sit on their tax returns—both candidates have promised to make them public next month—watchers wonder what’s hiding in their file cabinets. Clinton draws particular interest because she and Bill Clinton have seen their wealth balloon from $1.2 million to $50 million since he left office, McClatchy reports.

“Concern grows when anything is withheld,” said one government watchdog. McCain is estimated to be the ninth-richest lawmaker and Clinton the 21st, but McCain’s $44 million is not shrouded in secrecy. It comes mostly from his wife’s job at Anheuser-Busch. Clinton insists that “openness and accountability are essential elements of our democracy,” but one Obama aide wants to know “what is lurking in those documents.” (More Hillary Clinton stories.)