Schrammie: McKenna and his mystery tax returns
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SEATTLE -- One candidate's 1040 is another candidate's 911.
Whether it's Turbo Tax or H&R Block, the issue of income tax returns is all of a sudden front and center in our state's gubernatorial race.
So, if Rob McKenna would just put the IRS on hold for a moment, I'd like him to come on down.
Last week, Jay Inslee, the Democrat who wants to be governor, released five years of federal income tax returns.
Oops.
Seems he took a $5,500 country club deduction he didn't deserve.
He's filing an amended return after the mistake was publicly pointed out.
We don't know if Rob McKenna, the Republican who wants to be governor, has any errors on his tax returns because Rob is keeping them in his vest pocket; says we don't need to see them and he doesn't want us to see them.
Rob says we should just check his financial disclosure forms with the Public Disclosure Commission.
Hmmm.
Will that give us a peek at his charitable donations?
Did he write a check for save the puppies or save traditional marriage?
I think people would like to know what Rob's tax returns would tell us.
Rob says this is a phony issue.
He says it's a distraction.
Well, for distracting us with some lame excuses as to why he won't release his tax returns, I think Rob McKenna should take a deductible bow, because this "Schrammie" is for him.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
Whether it's Turbo Tax or H&R Block, the issue of income tax returns is all of a sudden front and center in our state's gubernatorial race.
So, if Rob McKenna would just put the IRS on hold for a moment, I'd like him to come on down.
Last week, Jay Inslee, the Democrat who wants to be governor, released five years of federal income tax returns.
Oops.
Seems he took a $5,500 country club deduction he didn't deserve.
He's filing an amended return after the mistake was publicly pointed out.
We don't know if Rob McKenna, the Republican who wants to be governor, has any errors on his tax returns because Rob is keeping them in his vest pocket; says we don't need to see them and he doesn't want us to see them.
Rob says we should just check his financial disclosure forms with the Public Disclosure Commission.
Hmmm.
Will that give us a peek at his charitable donations?
Did he write a check for save the puppies or save traditional marriage?
I think people would like to know what Rob's tax returns would tell us.
Rob says this is a phony issue.
He says it's a distraction.
Well, for distracting us with some lame excuses as to why he won't release his tax returns, I think Rob McKenna should take a deductible bow, because this "Schrammie" is for him.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
It isn't working for Romney, it's not going to work for you.
LOL, I think all Republicans should deny the release of their tax returns.
Along with their tax returns, can I see their school transcripts, dating history, what cars they drive (if they prefer foreign or American made), blah blah blah, whats the point in caring? These politicians are human and file their taxes like all the rest of us (weather that may be taking of advantage of loop holes or not), just audit them and call it good. If there was a mistake, deal with it. 8-)
Funny that "Tax Returns" weren't an issue when Tim Geithner was being considered for Treasury Secretary. I guess it's okay for democrats not to pay taxes, but lord help ya if you are a republican and a little slow in releasing tax returns.Â
 @GeorgeG. I am a died-in-the-wool liberal and Democrat. I can't wait for Geithner to go.
- I agree with McKenna that he should not have to release his tax forms. But now he's given the Appearance that he is Hiding something.
How about a Schrammie for all the ill informed, ignorant voters in Washington who continue to vote for anyone with a "D" behind their name. Despite the state economy, underfunded schools, poor roads and unemployment. Ken, give yourself one too.
Quit trying to make something out of nothing. WHO CARES, unless they are breaking the tax laws. Someone's personal finances are exactly that! Even if they are running for public office, they are personal until they have broken the law. Mr. Inslee has held public office for quite some time and now this is important? I have the full confidence in the IRS that if the Inslee family was not paying their taxes, this would have been public information by now. In the meantime Schram, how about showing us yours?
Good for you, Ken. I agree. Mckenna's refusal to release his tax records directly contradicts his 'push' for transparency in government.Â
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If he has nothing to hide, then what is the problem?
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His sarcastic, rude repsonse to Inslee's direct question about the returns is a character 'tell' - Inslee is a colleague. Imagine how McKenna would respond to quiries by private citizens: he wants our vote and to live in the Governor's Mansion, but without personal accountability to the tax payers of this state.
Whatever happened to 'Presumed Innocent until *PROVEN* guilty?
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I guess that doesn't exist in ScramWorld.
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If there was a problem with his returns - don't you think the IRS would be all over him?
As Lolabear stated, Employers require background checks including credit reports these days.Â
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No one is crucifying McKenna, but his refusal to release the returns indicates that something may be amiss. If he misappropriated funds from the KC council, it is possible that he may have funneled a big chunk of taxpayer dollars into an offshore account. Ya never know.Â
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 As a trial lawyer, he of all people should know that his behavior is suspect.
If he files incorrect tax returns with the Federal Government, it isn't ANYONE"s right to inspect them EXCEPT for the Federal Government! If he made a mistake it is the IRS's job to audit his return and correct/notify him of his errors! This is a "DISTRACTION" issue because the Democrats at both the State and Federal level have NOTHING else to run an election on! They certainly don't have any POSITIVE Legislative actions or voting records to be proud of!
MYOB as my little girls say... You are really a nosey son of a gun aren't you... are you going to show us your tax returns too? why fall into dirty politics? Everyone hates it when the politicians just throw mud on each other.... oh yeah that's what you get paid to do... thow mud on clean politicians. Â
Gee Ken, When did they pass a law stating that gubenatorial candidates must disclose their tax returns to the public?
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Mckenna has done nothing wrong, yet you're ready to crucify him for it? I think jumping on the "tax disclosure" bandwagon is a cheap play to mirror the presidential race. It is a distraction and not worthy of Washington voters.
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If you wanna see Mckenna's personal financial information beyond the required public disclosure, pass a law. Till then, take your "Schrammie" and, ....you know!
What about the issue of personal integrity?Â
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Whether or not a law requires the release of tax records, I'm more likely to trust the candidate who volunteers the information openly.
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McKenna's not a private citizen. His evasion is a good indicator of what kind of governor he would be: Dishonest through lying by omission, strong sense of entitlement and clearly not interested in the welfare of taxpayers who put him in office. Â
@Smokin Bear The "personal integrity" you mention just may be the evident in the candidate's refusal to take part in the subterfuge of this whole tax-return disclosure non-issue. Its political sleight of hand that does nothing but distract voters from the issues.
 I disagree. I believe that it is a huge issue: He is refusing to do something that as a candidate, would put to rest any questions, particularly when tax payers foot the bill for elected positions.Â
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It's not a distraction from the issues as his conduct now is an indicator of how he would govern this state. As bad as Gregoire is, McKenna would be much worse.
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I would much rather see mr. POS president's mystery birth certificate.
 @tthunderstorme First of all, your use of "POS" is simply inappropriate when referring to a US President. It diminishes you and your argument.
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Second: if President Obama really had been born outside the US (for which there is NO evidence), that would be something that he had absolutely no control over and happened over 50 years ago. OTOH, Mr McKenna's tax returns are about the way he conducts his financial life AS AN ADULT in the last 5 years. So really, which is more important?
@strangel00p Of course if my reference was towards President Bush, you would be totally in agreement ,right?
 @tthunderstorme  @strangel00p Perhaps in your middle-school world that makes sense.
 @tthunderstorme What can't use google?
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthers/birthcertificate.asp
@alaska_dreamin Oh yea ,that proves it beyond all doubt ,thanks for setting us all straight on that one.
 @tthunderstorme  @alaska_dreamin Please, feel free to show us some evidence that he was born outside the US.
 @tthunderstorme  Wow, live in denial much? If you have such a hard time with facts and so many personalities that you have to refer to yourself as "us all" then perhaps it is time to consider some psychological and pharmaceutical intervention.Â
I really don't care what the tax returns are and it is nobody's business
McKenna is afraid of losing his  squeaky clean image. He's already under suspicion of misusing his KC Council office for campaigning  (http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-mckenna-files/Content?oid=13454703). What else has he got to hide? Reminder to Mr. McKenna: the cover-up is almost always worse than the deed.
 @strangel00p re: misuse of KC office --- three words come to mind:  (1) water (2) under (3) bridge. Â
 @JCCBlvu Is that what a prosecutor would say to a victim of a crime? Say, a prosecutor like McKenna? And we, the taxpayers and citizens of King County are the victims.Â
@JCCBlvu Thats rather too bad.
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McKenna has a mandate as Attorney General of our state to uphold the law. That he took advantage of his position with the KC Council before he became Attorney General is worrisome at best.Â
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He has a history of shady, if not out right criminal behavior. That is a problem and hopefully thinking people will not vote for him,
 @JCCBlvu Boy, that makes me feel a whole lot better.
 @Smokin Bear Did you research the story Strange is bringing up.  Many groups and individuals have said it is a non-issue.  I'm not alone in my thinking.  Sorry.Â
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@JCCBlvu - So you advocate criminal activity?
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I'm not okay with the idea that just because the statute of limitations has run out, it erases culpability.Â
 @strangel00p A prosecutor would say: There is a statute of limitations in this case and it has expired.Â
Lube that bobble head up Ken. You need to put it away.  Love how you play the ignorant to your drivel.
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How about you post how many smokes you pollute the planet with each day, your global warming gas? Â
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One thing you are good for. Reminding me why I am conservative. If the future is you, their is none.
 @pbs7mm How about some substantive criticism?
I'll admit ignorance here. I KNOW it's the law for presidential candidates to reveal tax returns. But i am unaware that state officials like governor, senator, representatives are required to do that. I'm all for transparency; but I just wondered what the law requires in this case.
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 @Alikelystorey Well, I hate to break it to you, but there is no law requiring a presidential candidate to reveal their tax returns.  It has in a sense become a tradition but it has no basis in law.  The law in Washington State requires individuals that run for political office to file a public disclosure statement which includes financial information.  The disclosure is available for public review. Â
Well, thanks for that JCC. I looked it up and apparently presidential candidates only have a public disclosure law as well. Personally, I could care less about McKenna's or Insley's tax returns.
 @JCCBlvu  @Alikelystorey Yes, a tradition started by...wait for it... Mitt Romney's father! But Republicans have no shame or sense of history.
 @JCCBlvu When in comes to being an honorable man, I certainly do all I can to.
 @strangel00p Do you do and believe in everything your father did?  How does that make one bit of difference? Â
in the case of Romney.. i would like to have his returns shown.. but with McKenna and Ensley .. geez those two havne't had a real job for decades ..who cares.. more government employees sucking off the public teet.Â
 @everyoneelse Seriously? The AG of a state isn't a real job? A US Congressperson isn't a real job? Those aren't jobs I would call "government employees sucking of the public". Wow. With people like you voting, no wonder this country is going to s*#t.
Right out of the Republican party playbook...end run #36, hut, hut...hike! Â Show us the money Mr. McKenna...Â
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I'm open to non-traditional marriage but I wouldn't be Schramming him for supporting what he believes in either Ken.  Where did that come from anyway or is there really more to the story?  Â
I'm tired hearing about the liberal media. All of the US media is controlled by very large bueinesses, ie the Republican party. Re tax returns. Candidates don't need to reveal them but the public has a right to demand them, and the decision by a candidate not to release them is an indication of his character. Don't be fooled, we are in a class war and 99% are on the losing side and 50% of those don't believe it. Wake up people. We are almost at the tipping point of losing our democracy.
It's none of my business and a non-issue.
Who here will let me see there tax return information? I bet not one!
@FZR If I were running for Governor I would show you the last 5 years of returns. Since I am a private citizen, I won't.
@FZR If I were running for office I would be happy to release them. They are clean and I would have nothing to hide.