DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: What’s in the Candidates’ Wallets?

  • FinanceAndFat · 2 years ago
    Wow! That Romney dude is loaded! And he is probably the least well known of those listed (definitely the least known before the recent campaigns began).
  • fivecentnickel.com · 2 years ago
    Fred Thompson doesn't strike me as being particularly good with his money. $9.4 million income last year, but "just" $8.1 million net worth. I'm sure he's been making some pretty good coin for a number of years now (given his Hollywood background). So why such a (relatively) low net worth?
  • Flexo · 2 years ago
    The CNN Money article says he didn't start making good money until he "went Hollywood" in 2003. I don't think he's the type of actor to command $100,000 per episode, so I don't know if he'll ever get rich from television... unless he does, in fact, get elected. However, you would think there would be royalties for "Law and Order" syndication. It seems like that show is always on.
  • The Saving Freak · 2 years ago
    I have to say McCain seems to be the most noble of the group, at least when it comes to his money. His books sell very well and to give all that to charity says a lot about the man.
  • My Dollar Plan · 2 years ago
    Hillary has 85% cash/bonds? Apparently she doesn't know much about asset allocation. I guess when you have that much, it doesn't matter if it grows or not.
  • Fecundity · 2 years ago
    I imagine Hillary is trying to stay out of things that could be considered politically sensitive. For example, I bet she wants to stay away from anything that even smells like real estate. And it doesn't say what type of bonds she's in, they might be higher risk corporate ones which would yield better returns.

    Obama's pretty smart keeping some of his stuff in socially responsible funds. That'll look good to the voters, so it'll probably be worth getting a somewhat smaller return.

    McCain giving his book proceeds to charity does score well, depending on which charities he chose, though having all his money in his wife and children's names seems a bit off.

    From an outsiders perspective, I have to say this campaign should be fascinating to watch.
  • thomas · 2 years ago
    I'm not a Romney supporter, but his blurb seems a little biased.
  • Brian · 2 years ago
    Great article. Interesting to see the different assets and allocations, which are across the board for both parties.
    Obama is the one I would most like my personal economic profile to mirror, while McCain's is good as well.

    Thomas, Romney's blurb isn't biased, it is just stating what he made over $37 million from. Along those lines, Edward's would be considered "biased" too. A more biased account would be "Romney made over $37 MILLION last year through a slimy, politically-motivated sale of controversial Iran-related stocks. This directly contradicts his stance of Iran as being evil and a destabilizing force, showing that he values his own personal gain more than ethics, honesty, and morality."
  • oxymoron · 2 years ago
    what is not said is if this money is shared between the spouses. How much does Bill have laying around. Edward's wife is loaded. I agree with the royalties of Law and Order, Fred should have a constant stream of income. Funny Mit would put his dog on top of his car whilst he traveled rather than buying a doggie car carrier.