GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk today continued to make hay over Dem opponent Alexi Giannoulias' decision to delay release of his income tax returns and other financial information.
“While Congressman Kirk demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability by making his tax returns available and filing his annual financial disclosure on time, Alexi Giannoulias resorts to Blagojveich-style delay tactics to conceal his personal finances,” Kirk campaign spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski says.
The Giannoulias camp notes that the candidates finances have become increasingly complex because of the failure of Broadway Bank, owned by his family.
Giannoulias sought an extension of time to file his 2009 taxes in an effort to make sure the numbers submitted to the IRS are correct, says a campaign spokesman.
Ditto for the personal financial disclosure form that's required of U.S. Senate candidates and incumbents.
The IRS allows a six-month extension on income taxes, meaning Giannoulias could file as late as Oct. 15.
Conventional campaign wisdom says that if there's anything hinky in his finances, Giannoulias will do well do disclose it now rather than closer to the election, when it would be more likely to stick in voters' minds.
What do you think? Is the campaign delaying to make sure the numbers are right, or because it's hiding the ball?