Today, The Hearst Newspapers Wrote On Questions They Posed To Senate And Gubernatorial Candidates Regarding Their Personal Wealth And Other Information

The Hearst Newspapers Wrote Requested Financial Information And "Wanted To Know The Cars They Drive, How Much They Give To Charity, Where They Vacation, What They Spend On A Haircut Or Business Attire, Where They Like To Go Out And Eat." "Hearst Connecticut Newspapers gave 11 of the gubernatorial and US. Senate candidates a questionnaire designed less to ascertain their wealth than to get some insights into bow they use it. We wanted to know the cars they drive, how much they give to charity, where they vacation, what they spend on a haircut or business attire, where they like to go out and eat." (Ken Dixon, "The Running Of The Rich," Hearst Newspapers, 3/14/10)

The Paper Reported That Linda And Vince McMahon Own A Provocatively Titled Yacht, The "Sexy Bitch"

Linda McMahon And Husband Vince Own A 47-foot Sports Yacht Called The "Sexy Bitch," Docked In Boca Raton, FL. "Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Dannel Malloy's 28-foot power boat or Republican senate hopeful Rob Simmons' J-22 sailboat. But they're humble dinghies next to the 47-foot 'Sexy Bitch,' the sports yacht that Republican Linda McMahon's husband docks in Boca Raton, Fla." (Ken Dixon, "The Running Of The Rich," Hearst Newspapers, 3/14/10)

But We Didn't Learn That From Mrs. McMahon Because She Refused To Answer The Paper's Questions

Linda McMahon Did Not Answer The Paper's Questions. "Most of the candidates gave us answers. For those who did not, we tried to provide information from publicly available records to offer some insight into the candidates' lifestyles. ... McMahon, through a spokesman, chose not to respond to the questionnaire. Her U.S. Senate candidate disclosure report was filed Oct. 15, 2009, so it covers Jan. 1, 2008 through Oct. 15, 2009." (Ken Dixon, "The Running Of The Rich," Hearst Newspapers, 3/14/10)

Even Though McMahon Is Self-Financing To The Tune Of $50 Million And Talking About Transparency On The Campaign Trail, She Refuses To Release Her Taxes Or Answer Questions About Her Wealth

McMahon Was Profiled In CNN's New Special, "The Cost Of Entry" On How She Was Willing To Spend $50 Million. "What would you do with $50 million? Would you spend it on a campaign for the U.S. Senate? That's what Republican Senate Candidate, Linda McMahon, says she's willing to do to get to Washington. She's been campaigning in Connecticut and has said she's willing to spend her own money - $50 million bucks - on her campaign if necessary." (Randi Kaye, "Cost Of Entry: 50 Million Bucks!" CNN's AC 360, ac360.blogs.cnn.com, 3/3/10)

NOTE: McMahon Refused To Be Interviewed For The Story. "We tried to interview Linda McMahon for our story on AC360° tonight, but her campaign staff repeatedly told us she was too busy." (Randi Kaye, "Cost Of Entry: 50 Million Bucks!" CNN's AC 360,ac360.blogs.cnn.com, 3/3/10)

And She Did Not Release Her Latest Tax Filing. "Several candidates -- notably mega-millionaire Linda McMahon and Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont -- opted not to participate. 'Linda submitted a very thorough and detailed personal financial disclosure form,' her spokesman, Ed Patru said, Such forms are required of all candidates running for U.S. Senate." (Daniela Altimari, "The Lives Of Others," The Hartford Courant's "Capitol Watch" Blog,blogs.courant.com, 3/11/10)

McMahon: "If You're In Government Your Responsibility Is To The People Who've Elected You Then You Have To Maintain That Transparency." "So you have to be really careful and make sure your actions are transparent, that your negotiations are straight forward. If you're in government your responsibility is to the people who've elected you then you have to maintain that transparency." ("Q&A: Linda McMahon Talks West Hartford, Politics," West Hartford News, www.linda2010.com, 11/30/09)

The Wall Street Journal: "There Is A Long Tradition Of Candidates For High Office And Their Spouses Releasing Their Tax Returns, Even Though The Law Does Not Require It. ... The Presumption Is That If A Politician Refuses, He Probably Has Something To Hide." "There is a long tradition of candidates for high office and their spouses releasing their tax returns, even though the law does not require it. The press usually plays enforcer, for instance in 1992 by beating up Dan Quayle until he gave in. The presumption is that if a politician refuses, he probably has something to hide. As a Gubernatorial and then Presidential candidate Bill Clinton withheld his 1978-79 tax records. Only later did we find out why -- they contained his wife's 10,000% profit from trading cattle futures." (Editorial, "Kerry And Disclosure," The Wall Street Journal, 7/1/04)

###