Chi Sun-Times: Cheneys report most income of candidates at top of tickets

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http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-fin-million08.html

Cheneys report most income of candidates at top of tickets

July 8, 2004


Americans have a choice in November -- they can vote for millionaires John Kerry and John Edwards, or cast their ballot for millionaires George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

Of the foursome, Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne, reported adjusted gross income of $1.3 million, according to their 2003 tax returns.

The median household income in 2002 was slightly more than $42,400, according to the Census Bureau. Only about 2 percent of homes make more than $200,000.

Bush and his wife, Laura, listed $822,126 in adjusted gross income on their 2003 returns, while Kerry's income was about $393,000. The four-term Massachusetts senator has four trusts worth between $430,000 and $2.1 million.

The Democratic candidate filed his return separately from his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, heiress to the $500 million Heinz Co. fortune. She released information showing earnings of at least $5 million in 2003.

Bush lists among his assets his beloved 1,583-acre Texas ranch, worth between $1 million and $5 million. He also has U.S. Treasury notes valued at $5 million to $8.7 million.

Cheney, who once headed the oil company Halliburton Co., has between $15 million to $75 million in tax-exempt bond funds and $2 million to $10 million in stocks being handled by a global investment management firm.

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