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Clintons Sell Stock to Avoid Bonds
Couple liquidates blind trust to head off political fallout
By Sam Gale Rosen
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Posted Jun 15, 07 8:57 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Nobody wants to see Whitewater II, least of all the Clintons. As Hillary barrels towards the White House, they've liquidated a blind trust worth $5 million to $25 million in an effort to avoid potential conflict-of-interest charges. The fund, invested on their behalf since Bill took office, included live-wire investments in oil companies, military contractors, and Arkansas favorite Wal-Mart.
Presidential candidates must disclose their assets publicly and are barred from holding blind trusts. The couple decided to liquidate—and take a serious financial hit—rather than face additional scrutiny. That's looking increasingly wise politically, the Times reports: Barack Obama's team is already circulating a memo playing off now-liquidated investments in several Indian companies and calling Clinton "Hillary (D-Punjab)."