The right wing pounced to attack Hillary Clinton today for her candid comments in an interview with Diane Sawyer about family finances as the Clintons left the White House in 2000. The Clintons entered the White House without the personal wealth of most modern American presidents. At the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency, the family had to consider the budget for mortgage payments and college tuition.
Working hard, achieving success, and then giving back are profoundly American values. The Clintons embody these in all that they do.
Yet, a Republican SuperPAC founded by former senior campaign officials of Mitt Romney and George W. Bush – both multi-millionaires before entering public service – blasted Hillary Clinton for her candor. Perhaps because their candidates were born into wealth, these political operatives don’t understand that honest, hard work leading to high incomes is the American Dream. The right wing goes into attack mode when hard work met with the kind of opportunity that can only be found in this country leads to success. They are too accustomed to working for politicians born with silver spoons in their mouths.
The Clintons stayed true to themselves, stayed in touch with what is going on in America, and clung their principles, giving back to charity and using their success to support noble causes. Hillary Clinton has, on multiple occasions, raised more money for charity in one night than most people do in a lifetime.
Hillary Clinton keynoted the “Spirit Of Helen Keller Gala.” According to the organization, the event raised “more than $1.1 million to prevent blindness and malnutrition around the world.”
She spoke at an event for “Malaria No More.” The group said that “the event was our highest profile yet, raising over $1.3 million for the malaria fight.”
Hillary Clinton keynoted the “Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE)” benefit. The event raised over $1.5 million in funds to find a cure for epilepsy.
She spoke at the “Oceana Partners Award Gala.” The event raised more than $800,000 for Oceana which calls itself “the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation.”
As released by Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign, between 2000 and 2007, the Clintons donated over $10 Million to charity – 9.5% of their adjusted gross income. “The Clintons paid $33,783,507 in federal taxes – 31% of their adjusted gross income. According to the most recent data available from the IRS, in 2005 taxpayers earning $10,000,000 or more paid on average 20.8% of their adjusted gross income in taxes…. The Clintons donated $10,256,741 to charity – 9.5% of their adjusted gross income. According to the most recent data available from the IRS, in 2005 taxpayers earning $10,000,000 or more contributed 3.1% of their adjusted gross income in cash contributions to charity.” [“2000-2007 Tax Return Summary,” Clinton campaign statement, 4/4/08]
“Senator Clinton’s book income is comprised of earnings for Living History ($10,267,895), including an $8,000,000 advance, and It Takes a Village ($189,188). The earnings for It Takes a Village were donated to charity. Since the release of It Takes a Village in 1996, Senator Clinton has donated over $1,100,000 to charity.” [“2000-2007 Tax Return Summary,” Clinton campaign statement, 4/4/08]
“President Clinton’s book income is comprised of earnings for My Life ($23,280,525), including a $15,000,000 advance, and Giving ($6,300,000). The President donated $1,000,000 of his income from Giving in 2007 to charity.” [“2000-2007 Tax Return Summary,” Clinton campaign statement, 4/4/08]