Clemency suggests

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Nice work if you can get it

James Forsyth

Saturday, 5th April 2008

The Clintons have finally released their tax returns and it is clear that they have earned an absolute fortune since leaving office, pulling down around $110 million in the last eight years. At the moment, it appears that the details of their tax affairs are more titillating than scandalous—the Clintons spent a small fortune on cleaning their home office, I’ll spare you any of the obvious gags. Although, the extent to which Bill has cashed in during his post presidency is illustrated by the fact that the Clintons’ income is now 69 times larger than it was in the first year they were in the White House.

More worrying, though, for the Clintons than the reaction to the release of their tax returns is the fact that the prospects for a re-vote in Michigan now seem to be completely dead. Without Michigan voting again, it is hard to see how Hillary can catch Obama in the popular vote—which she has to do if she is it have a chance of persuading enough super delegates to back her. It is hard to justify counting the votes from Michigan’s initial vote, which the DNC refuses to recognise as it took place too early, as Clinton was the only major candidate whose name was on the ballot.

The Obama campaign, who have never been keen on a re-vote in Michigan because of the opportunity it would afford Hillary, have rushed to suggest a simple 50-50 split of delegates from Michigan. Such a deal is, understandably, unacceptable to the Clinton camp. How bitter this argument gets will probably depend on whether Hillary still appears vialble after May 6th.