Democratic presidential candidate former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that her paid Wall Street speeches aren’t an issue, but that she’ll only release the transcripts “if everybody agrees to do it” when pressed on her paid speeches to Goldman Sachs during CNN’s Democratic debate on Thursday.
Clinton was asked, “[I]f there’s nothing in those speeches that you think would change voters’ minds, why not just release the transcripts and put this whole issue to bed?”
She responded, “First of all, there isn’t an issue. When I was in public service, serving as the senator from New York, I did stand up to the banks. I did make it clear that their behavior would not be excused. I’m the only one on this stage who did not vote to deregulate swaps and derivatives, as Senator [Bernie] Sanders (I-VT) did, which led to a lot of the problems that we had with Lehman Brothers.”
After moderator Dana Bash followed up, “Secretary Clinton, the question was about the transcripts of the speeches to Goldman Sachs. Why not release them?” Clinton responded, “I have said, look, there are certain expectations when you run for president. This is a new one, and I’ve said, if everybody agrees to do it, because there are speeches for money on the other side. I know that. But I will tell you this, there is a long-standing expectation that everybody running release their tax returns, and you can go to my website and see eight years of tax returns, and I’ve released 30 years of tax returns, and I think every candidate, including Senator Sanders and Donald Trump, should do the same.”
Bash pressed, “You’re running now for the Democratic nomination. And it is your Democratic opponent and many Democratic voters who want to see those transcripts. It’s not about the Republicans at this point.”
Clinton said, “Let’s set the same standard for everybody. When everybody does it, okay, I will do it, but let’s set and expect the same standard on tax returns. Everybody does it, and then we move forward.”
Sanders responded by stating he doesn’t have any Wall Street speeches and that he would release his tax returns.
When asked what the delay in releasing his tax forms was, Sanders said that his 2014 come out tomorrow, and that his returns were “very boring tax returns.”
After being asked again why it was taking so much time to release his tax returns, Sanders answered that his wife usually does their returns, and has been busy on the campaign trail.
Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett
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