When Is A Tie Not A Tie?

When is a tie not a tie?  And when is a tie-breaker not a tie-breaker?  When our friends in the liberal media are reporting on Obama.

In the course of criticizing Rick Santorum, the reliable Charles Blow set me off with this aside:

Then again, charitable giving doesn’t appear to be high on Motor Mouth Santorum’s list of priorities. As The Washington Post pointed out, based on Santorum’s tax return disclosure this week, he has given the least amount to charity of the four presidential candidates who have disclosed their tax returns. (Ron Paul has not.) His charitable giving was just 1.8 percent of his adjusted gross income.

The Obamas were the highest, giving 14.2 percent, even though their income was second lowest.

Obama won with 14.2%?  That seems odd, since even the Huffers headlined the news that Romney gave 16% to charity over 2009-2010.  So what did the WaPo report?

Here we go:

Romney and Obama vie for title of most charitable; Santorum gave least to charity

Posted by Aaron Blake at 12:40 PM ET, 02/16/2012

The most charitable presidential candidate in the 2012 election is ... a tie!

A tie?  So when did the tie become a vic for the Big O?  Pressing on, we are not surprised to learn that watching journalism majors write about taxes can get ugly:

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, despite having the second-lowest income of the four candidate/spouse combos, gave the highest percentage of their $1.8 million income to charity in 2010, at 13.6 percent.

The wealthiest couple, Mitt Romney and wife Ann, finished slightly ahead, giving 13.8 percent to charity — most of it to the Mormon church. Of course, Romney also made far more than anyone else in 2010, at more than $21 million.

I know what you are thinking, even if you are a WaPo reporter - 13.8% is more than 13.6%.  But we can move Obama to the front with a simple adjustment!

But when you calculate charitable giving based on adjustable gross income, Obama actually takes a lead. He and Michelle gave 14.2 percent of their AGI, while the Romneys gave 13.8 percent.

Oh, please - do we really have to look at Obama's 2010 tax return?  In 2010 Barack and Michele reported a Gross Income of $1.795 million; their AGI was $1.728 million.  By applying their charitable deductions to the smaller base the WaPo arrived at their winning 14.2%.

But just what was that income adjustment?  Well, from page 1 of the return we see that $18,000 was their share of a self-employment tax (associated, I have no doubt, with their book royalties, and I don't want to know more) and $49,000 was due to a tax-deductible contribution to self-employed retirement plan (similar to an IRA.)

So Michelle and Barack win the "Most Charitable" title because they contributed a higher proportion of their Gross Income to a tax-advantaged retirement plan?  I understand that charity begins a home, but really? 

The Romneys win on a comparison based on Gross Income; the Romneys still win if we allow the Obama's AGI adjustment for $18,000 of taxes but disallow the voluntary, tax favored self-serving retirement savings.

And for a real tiebreak, maybe we can look at both 2009 and 2010.  The Romneys move up to 16% for the two years.  And the Obamas?  Ooops - GI was up a lot at $5.623 million, charitable giving was up a little at $329,100, and their donation rate was 5.9%.  Totaling over the two years, the Obamas averaged 7.7%.

But that is probably too complicated for the WaPo, so let's not even mention the tax and legal issues associated with Barack's Nobel Prize.

Nor do we want to delve into the propriety of an incoming President enjoying his bully pulpit to sign a book deal - as is the custom, the Obama are donating those royalties to charity. Back when he was an unknown private citizen with no eye on the White House, Barack was donating at a Santorum-like level, so let's not mention that either.

Well - twisting these numbers to come up with a win for Obama must have been harder than solving a Rubik's cube.  Good job by the WaPo and great echo chamber effort by Blow.

Comments

[Ignatz]

--Thank you Lord, Thank you Jeebus.--

Hey scott, you're welcome, but let's not go over board. I'm just a man like the rest of you guys. :)

[DrJ]

Darned hit, and here I thought that they were cybot trolls.

[scott]

heh. Just the same Ig, It takes a pretty big man to swing a Stihl 880.

[hit and run]

It's a fine line,DrJ.

Only a person of ACO's intelligence will be able to discern the difference.

Genius.

[narciso]

You see in the comment section, the den of scum, villainy, and stupidity. I think the lesson we get is the only way to avoid Alinsky's rules is to discard your principles, in terms of ethics, personal integrity, or fiscal probity,

[Jack is Back!]

Ex,

Great test. Unless you were educated by the most deviant intellecuctuall culture on earth - the Jesuits. This was a pop quiz in 10th grade and God help you if you got a C+ or B- the world to play.

Plus the questions were in Latin:)

[centralcal]

All the gals are away and the men are at play!

Wonderful, Iggy! A moving picture. Don't tell Good Ann! She will have to up her game.

I see you all bitch slapped Evil Anne! Good work fellas!

[narciso]

I was surprised at his passing, but he
sadly misunderstood the situation, that was why our own former G-man quoted him so often;

http://althouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/islamists-ideas-on-democracy-and-faith.html

[A Casual Observation]

And to think that that video clip of
Kate Upton will be the closest that
these creepy losers will ever get to
having a date on a Saturday night.

Tomorrow, its back to the drudgery
of doing their spring cleaning again,
hosing off the bird-droppings on the
rusty, on bed springs, on the old '49
Ford pickup trucks, on the old washing
machines, and, oh yeah, on the classy
pink ceramic Flamingos in their yards
out in front of their trailers. (sigh)

[Janet]

Okay, I admit that Kate Upton is sorta cute...but can she participate in erudite trash talk, bake a decent focaccia, or does she have a winning personality? These are the qualities that matter.

[A Casual Observation]

* rusty, old bed springs *

[Extraneus]

You're right, Janet. We're probably making too much of her dancing talent.

[A Casual Observation]

Silly scatterbrain @ 8:36 got a fancy, new bathroom for her trailer today ..., well, sort of, She was given a brand new G.E, refrigerator carton to replace the soggy, caved-in, old one that she uses for an outhouse behind her trailer.

[narciso]

'those words you are using, Maya';

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/02/18/the-remarkable-president-obama/#comments

[Conrad B]

See, you're wrecking The Narrative. Another right-wing crazy tearing up The Narrative.

Just keep repeating this:

Obama is The One.
He is The Greatest.
He is all-charitable, all-caring.
He is our Lord and Savior.
He is The Messiah!

Mmm-mmm-mmm,
Barack Hussein Obama.

Mmm-mmm-mmm,
Barack Hussein Obama.

[A Casual Observation]

"I see you all bitch slapped
Evil Anne! Good work fellas!"

Yeah, right. As if. In your
dreams. "You ignorant slut",
as Dan Ackroyd would put it.

[Jane]

And to think that that video clip of
Kate Upton will be the closest that
these creepy losers will ever get to
having a date on a Saturday night.

Where's your date Anne? Stood up again? At least we spend Saturday night among friends. Apparently you have none.

Sad and pathetic.

[narciso]

Btw, they are running an old Bogart and Bacall
film on Channel 2, the character's named Harry Morgan,

[narciso]

'To Have and to Have Not'

[narciso]

Nothing to see here, these aren't the droids;

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/02/death-threats-ho-hum.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+powerlineblog%2Flivefeed+%28Power+Line%29

[A Casual Observation]

Brunhilda @ 9:19 - Whoa, did I hit a nerve? he he he he

Ah yes, your virtual reality, make believe "friends" here.

[hit and run]

Don't listen to them* Anne. They're all just jealous of your wit and charm. Teh fact that your wit and charm doesn't win anyone over is just proof that your wit and charm are above their ability to appreciate your wit and charm.

Trust me,I appreciate your wit and charm.

------------------
*Them? You and I know that it's probably just one person. Stupid sockpuppets.

[May the best be the bottled pink flamingo eggs.]

Cracklin' Rosie, meet Kate Upton.
===============

[narciso]

I concurr as with the earlier thread about Bacall;

[hit and run]

I'm going to say it. I truly hope Anne emails me at some point. My LUN goes to my blog, from which you can click the email me link.

I really think we would be great email friends. Especially apart from the imbeciles here. I really do.

[narciso]

Did you meet Sylvia, hit, who thinks we are all trolls,

[hit and run]

Sylvia broke my heart.

[Ignatz]

--heh. Just the same Ig, It takes a pretty big man to swing a Stihl 880.--

Heh is right, scott. After a few hours swinging an 880 I feel much closer to 5'3" and 120lbs.

[hit and run]

Ignatz:
I feel much closer to 5'3" and 120lbs.

Did I mention that I am watching Pride and Prejudice on E!?

It's the 2005 version with Keira Knightley.

I think I prefer the Colin Firth made for tv version.

But then,that makes me feel 5'3" to have said so out loud.

[Ignatz]

--Did I mention that I am watching Pride and Prejudice on E!?

It's the 2005 version with Keira Knightley.--

Hit, If it makes you feel any better my daughter absolutely loves that Keira Knightly version.
And yep, she is precisely 5'3".
Kindred spirits you might say. :)

[Ignatz]

Me, I prefer the Greer Garson one any day of the week.

[hit and run]

It does make me fell better,Ignatz.

Doesn't mend the hole in my heart that sylvia gorged.

But I'm happy someone enjoys watching the story of Elizabeth Bennett.

[A Casual Observation]

Here I figured you prissy, little boys for Judy Garland fans.

[sbw]

Colin Firth version, hands down.

Jennifer Ehle was the perfect Elizabeth Bennett. Benjamin Whitrow's Mr. Bennett was superb. Barbara Leigh-Hunt was a wonderfully dour Lady Catherine. Elizabeth's takedown of Lady Catherine was priceless.

Painful watching Knightley's poor performance.

[Captain Hate]

I wish I could say that were true, Captain, then this sort of trash, purveyed by one of MM's most gullible, would have no traction;

Well there are certainly a lot of dummies to appeal to, including some of my fellow morons @ AoS who still slavishly say mean things about her in lockstep with the schizzo Ewok. With friends like that we may already be doomed.

[Danube of Thought]

"Mitt's required by his church to tithe 10%."

And all those Catholic wimmins are required by their church not to use contraceptives.

[narciso]

Was this thread instalaunched, or was that the regular village idiot, dropping by, the tithe is an obligation, not a legal requirement

[Danube of Thought]

A word about Riviera: the record score on the back nine is still, so far as I am aware, 29. Recorded by--get this--Jerry West. That's right--Mr. Clutch. The Logo.

[hit and run]

Here I figured you prissy, little boys for Judy Garland fans.

You failed to mention to whom you were referring.

Or do you think a response to everyone is a response to the singular commenter here.

Don't tell me you've broken my code.

[Ignatz]

While I hope all our gents enjoyed the 7:10 post it was particularly geared toward the long suffering MarkO and DoT, to assuage their ongoing date with doomsday.
Hope it helps, fellas.

[Ignatz]

--Here I figured you prissy, little boys for Judy Garland fans--

I'm figuring that makes you Margaret Hamilton.
Or one of the flying monkeys.

[Danube of Thought]

We know that this ACO person is not very smart. What is mystifying is why she shows up here. I think it is something closely related to whatever it is that motivates teenagers to spray graffiti or commit acts of vandalism.

What is the source of the lust to debase oneself and invite contempt and derision? I don't much care....

[Captain Hate]

I had no idea Jerry West was a good golfer; although I don't find it surprising.

[hit and run]

Don't speak ill of my Anne with an "e".

Her middle name is Shirley, and yes I am serious.

[Porchlight]

I'm figuring that makes you Margaret Hamilton.

No offense, Iggy, but please do not insult Margaret Hamilton by comparing her to our troll. Read her story sometime if you haven't. She was a wonderful person, and a single mom in Hollywood with a homely face trying to get by. She was horribly burned filming that first scene in Munchkinland, but recovered in time to save her role in the film.

[Porchlight]

Agree wholeheartedly with sbw re: the definitive Pride & Prejudice.

[Danube of Thought]

Speking only for myself, I enjoyed that 7:10 p.m. post immensely. If this site keeps improving I can probably abandon the daily pornsurf--JOM becomes a one-stop shopping experience. What a country!

[Kate Upton]

You're welcome.

[bgates]

If this site keeps improving I can probably abandon the daily pornsurf--JOM becomes a one-stop shopping experience.

Well, that ruins the name of the site for me forever. "Just One Minute", indeed.

[Stephanie]

Snort!

[Frau Beate Uhse]

"Well, that ruins the name of the site for me forever. "Just One Minute" Indeed.
There's always "Sixty Second Man."

[Danube of Thought]

"...come up and see ol' Dan"

[narciso]

Seriously what is wrong with these people

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/02/excellent-news-epa-takes-over.html

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I mean the vid not the moves.

That's a GIF animation -- you put it in just like any other image. In this case, it's something like

<img src="http://media.fukung.net/images/42938/d95bc39f2979cc2cb5f6fc4abc1516ba.gif"/>

[Charlie (Colorado)]

These are the qualities that matter.

Um, speak for yourself Janet.

[(Another) Barbara]

What is mystifying is why she shows up here.

"She" is not a she. Not that it matters.

[Ralph L]

It's the 2005 version with Keira Knightley
Shouldn't she have done Emma instead, or would that have confused her little brain--sorting out her love interest, even more than her character's confusion?

Laws, I'm sounding like narciso this morning.

[TallDave]

Sorry Tom, you're wrong. Barack Obama wins, he gave away trillions of other people's money.

[pagar]

Clarice,Another great article at American Thinker.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/leni_riefenstahl_congratulations_on_the_hhs_regulations.html

[narciso]

I could almost hear, Madeline Kahn narrating that

[Extraneus]

.

[narciso]

No, not cryptic enough, Ralph,

[Clarice]

Thanks, narciso and pagar..I am just Leni's medium you know and she does sound a lot like Lili von Shtupp when she speaks to me.

[Jack is Back!]

Clarice, ausgezeichnete Stücke.

Important science news: Gecko feet sucrete a glue that can hold up to 700lbs on a wall.

[Ignatz]

--Posted by: Extraneus | February 19, 2012 at 07:33 AM--

OK, I draw the line at topless stuff.

[C Rhoads]

Blow also failed to mention that Santorum has 8 children. Presumably this means he needs to devote quite a bit more to ensuring the current and future success of his children than the Obamas do. And surely, ensuring the success of your children is a good deed that benefits society as a whole, even if not falling under the technical definition of charity

[A Casual Observation]

Babs @ 2:24 am

You almost get it, but not quite ..., well, not that it matters.

[A Casual Observation]

Blowhard @ 11:04 pm

Lighten up, old grouch, before you give yourself a stroke.
It is not like your lame "derisions" are effective anyway.

[hit and run]

They get a rise out of you. Which, unless you are brain dead (not and open and shut case) are exactly what they are intended to do.

That word "effective". I do not think it means what you think it means.

All of us laughing aren't laughing with you.

But don't take that the wrong way. I'm totally in love with you.

Because you are so whip smart and you use the @ symbol. But mostly because you are so whip sm@rt.

[Dan S]

I was curious about the list of charities the O's gave to so I did go through the tax return. I was impressed that there were few political nonprofits (a few looked like they probably were, but less than 10%, I'd say.)

I was amused that a professed Christian did not report any giving to the church. There were a couple charities slightly affiliated with the church (in the past, mostly), but the single largest gift was to the Fisher House Foundation. That gift was the bulk of the total.

Not a bad list at all, just missing a very significant sector for one who continuously claims to be Christian.

[A Casual Observation]

@ 4:09 p.m.

LOL, you live in your own little world of insanity, don't you?

[A Casual Observation]

"Did you meet Sylvia, hit, who thinks we are all trolls."(?)

Posted by: narciso | February 18, 2012 at 09:47 PM

If you weren't so obtuse, you might have realized that when, in her naivete, Sylvia referred to trolls, she meant sock puppets, apparently unaware of the difference.

But then, in your anxiousness to be cutesy, you invariably show deficiencies in your reading comprehension, and you often overlook the obvious, from which a reasonably astute observer might conclude that you are clever only to those here who are as loopy as you are. Y'all have a nice day. :)

[hit and run]

LOL, you live in your own little world of insanity, don't you?

Um,ye@h: I've never been shy @bout the f@ct th@t I live in my own little world of ins@nity.

I we@r it @s a b@dge of honor.

Your powers of perception stupefying.

[Road Runner]

@ 6:54 p.m.

Your typing leads us to suspect that we got you flustered.
If this banter is to continue, you should change your name to Wylie Coyote. Just say'n. >>> Beep! Beep! >>>>>>>>

[Ignatz]

--you should change your name to Wylie Coyote--

A misspent youth informs me that should be Wile E. Coyote (Hard-Headipus Ravenus)

[narciso]

Super genius, don't forget that, Ig, although we are more of the Bugs variety.

[hit and run]

Your typing leads us to suspect that we got you flustered.

How m@ny of you @re there? I just h@ve one voice in my he@d.

[A Casual Observation]

@ 10:08, 10:11 & 10:29

Well, if it isn't Moe, Larry and Curly stuck on stupid. Better to be thought a fool than to speak and prove it, fellas. :)

[Road Runner]

Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck >>> Beep! Beep! >>>>>>>>>>>