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Obama made $4 million last year

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 16, 2008 06:38 PM

Just hours before tonight's big Pennsylvania debate, Barack Obama kept his pledge to release his income tax return for 2007.

It shows that he and his wife Michelle earned more than in previous years -- more than $4.2 million, with about $261,000 from salaries and the rest from book royalties.

The return also shows that the couple paid nearly $1.4 million in federal taxes and gave about $240,000 to charity.

While in the upper echelon of taxpayers, the Obamas' income still pales in comparison to the estimated $20 million that Hillary and Bill Clinton reported earning last year.

The two Democratic presidential contenders have now released all their tax information for this decade. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, still has not released his returns.

The Clinton camp is still pressing Obama to disclose his returns for 1997, 1998, and 1999 -- years while Obama was serving in the Illinois state senate.

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ooooops - excuse me please - the clintons did not release their 2007 returns because they filed for an extension - they only released through 2006 - so while technically you may be accurate in your wording - you leave out the fact that Obama has indeed released more information for this decade and that he did so much sooner than the rest - just FYI

Posted by the clinton fiasco April 16, 08 07:49 PM
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$240k to charity?

what a cheapskate

Posted by mwf April 16, 08 07:49 PM
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Wow. He hasn't been president yet and he's doing okay. Wonder what his supporters will say after they were all over the Clintons for making so much money.

Posted by sarnorton April 16, 08 08:05 PM
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People often put their best energy in fields where you can find the bigest vulnerablity of their social groups. Towns with women as chief police officers are for example often the safest. What that would mean for the u.s. if obama would be the next president. Considering the vulnerability of the black society i would expect that the u.s. would will put a great part of his energy to create jobs, to help young mothers who are on their own, to bring a feeling of security to every citizen and to bring a certain equality of possibilities to all children.

Posted by maz hess April 17, 08 05:47 AM
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Wow Bo&MO have really had a rough time havent they?
The Clintons have done quite well in past years but the difference in the 2 couples is that the Clintons dont run around telling stories of how tough life is on them
MO talks as if her life is an up hill struggle every day- too funny
So whats the hold up on his taxes for 97-99?
I think he should be hounded not stop until he gets them out!!!
They already have Clintons for most of 30 yrs now lets see BOS lets see if they have truely struggled to pay student loans as MO said they were still paying on them in their 40s
So it should show they were deep in loan debts in those years right?
Clintons taxes were headline news for weeks until she got them out there why is the media not after BO for these??

Posted by Betty April 17, 08 09:08 AM
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Obama is a joke,Clinton for President.

Posted by Dexter April 17, 08 11:18 AM
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So the Clinton's can't afford an accountant to get their return in on time? Or could it be there is something in the details that they want hidden until after the primaries?

Posted by Bill April 17, 08 11:49 AM
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Only 240K to charity? !0% of GROSS income is the minimum a good Christian starts with giving. Also, Mrs. Obama said in an interview that she and Barrack are a couple years away from paying off their student loans? Umm if they made 4 million last year, how come they have any debts at all? She also intimated that they are "just like us ordinary Americans in every way and that her South Chicago roots are so humble." Obviously she and Barrack have totally forgotten their humble roots or they would go on record as being more generous and having paid their bills (have no debt). Anyone making 4 million a year has no excuse for carrying any debt of any kind.

Posted by kay April 18, 08 04:32 PM
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"the Obama's income pales in comparison..."? I should hope so. I'm no fan of either of the Clinton's but they do get some credit for having worked for their current economic status for twice as long as the Obama's. Apples & Oranges, folks!

Posted by cris April 19, 08 06:15 PM
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4.2 million - 1.4 mil taxes = 2.8 mil 240k charity is approx 9% of their income.

I think they only paid off their debt a few years ago, because this is not a typical income. Obama wrote a book and it has sold well.

Bill Clinton has made money from giving speeches in places like Colombia about how America can best ship jobs overseas.

Posted by sandy May 26, 08 01:22 AM
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I thought Obama wants to help the poor. I guess that only means with other people's money.

Posted by Nick September 23, 08 02:31 PM
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You people are a joke! The Obama's worked hard to get where they are. $240, 000 to charity. How much did any of you contribute? Good Christian!!!! I bet you claimed a lot more charitable contributions on your tax return than you did in ACTUAL PAYMENTS!!!

Posted by C Alexander October 18, 08 12:18 PM
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Mr. Obama made 4 million from books, what books ?
Come on, who is he kidding. Not me.

Oh and thank you for putting my great, great grand children (not even born yet) in debut on this lattest fiasco.

Oh and thanks for the $9.00 a week tax credit, gee I can get about 5 gallons of gas or a happy meal. I bow to you and appreciate that $9 when others get millions or is it billions. Keep your (actually mine) $9 bucks. That's absurd!

Posted by Craig Wentling February 13, 09 03:23 PM
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The 20 million wasn't what they earned in a year. It was their accumulated wealth since Bill left office. I love how you point to another article from your own publication as proof.

Posted by Darryl April 7, 09 04:08 PM
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"4.2 million - 1.4 mil taxes = 2.8 mil 240k charity is approx 9% of their income." No 10 percent of their income would be $420,000.00 a good christian tithes 10% off the top. they still made 4.2 million; tax is an expense like any other.

Posted by concerned citizen April 16, 09 04:16 PM
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