Now that we have turned to something like an investigation of McCain's finances, I wonder if anyone here has information on McCain's book proceeds. The campaign's response to Obama yesterday, remember, included a dismissal of Obama on the basis of his having made "$4 million dollars last year." What we need to know -- what is no doubt already in the public record, but I cannot find it -- is the amount that McCain has made from his "authored" books. If the McCain campaign is going to toss around the $4 million figure, then we should have a figure ready to hand as well.
I believe it is difficult if not impossible to obtain this kind of information from publishers, but the royalties should be listed on his tax returns. Does anyone have links to these returns? A quick search didn't turn anything up for me. All I am able to find is official campaign info:
Senator McCain donates his royalties from his books to charitable organizations. This sum has totaled over $1,800,000 since 1998 when he signed his first book deal. Senator McCain's book income of $256,898 for 2006 and 2007 is comprised of earnings for Faith of My Fathers, Worth the Fighting For, Why Courage Matters, Character is Destiny, and Hard Call.
Now, of course this kind of income would be excess for the campaign -- I suppose they have successfully managed to define McCain's book proceeds as "charity" since they do not need it. But I would still like to see some firm figures from a neutral source. I also wonder if we are going to start seeing the MSM point out that the $4million figure is earned income.