The seven houses of John and Cindy McCain

Those of you still curious, and still confused, over how many houses John and Cindy McCain really own, this Zillow blog post was written for you. Zillow's Diane Tuman counts up the McCain properties and stops at seven (three in California); she also notes that the New York Times counted up to 11, Politico counted eight, and the Washington Post counted six.

She's got photos, addresses and links to Zillow's "Zestimates" of how much each of the various McCain properties are worth. (The McCain ranch in Sedona, Ariz.?  Zillow says it's cheaper than a typical Westside L.A. starter home, at $613,000)

For the record, the L.A. Times counted at least eight McCain houses: "McCain and his wealthy wife, Cindy, have four homes -- in Arizona, California and Virginia -- worth about $9 million on local tax rolls. The McCains also own at least four other residential properties as investments or for use by other family members, public records show. All of the properties are held in the name of Cindy McCain and her dependent children through partnerships, limited corporations and trusts."

In the same story, The Times laid out the unusual circumstances under which Barack Obama purchased his $1.6-million Chicago home:

Obama and his wife, Michelle, bought their only home, a three-story Georgian revival house in Chicago's leafy Kenwood neighborhood, for $1.6 million in 2005. They probably could not have done that without help from Antoin Rezko, an early political patron. Rezko paid $625,000 to buy the adjoining lot from the home's owner, who wanted to sell it in a package deal. Obama later bought a narrow strip of the Rezko lot. In June, a federal jury convicted Rezko of mail fraud, money laundering and other crimes. None of the charges related to Obama or his home."

-- Peter Viles

Your thoughts? Comments?

Photo: Mailboxes line the edge of the dirt road that leads to McCain's house in Sedona, Ariz. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[mike]

obviously one of these two is slightly more in touch when he says he understands the plight of the current working class man or woman............................

but not by much

[the problemwithcaring]

Apparently, presumed VP pick Mitt Romeny own 54, if we include the ski lodge, but really who's counting?

http://www.publicintegrity.org/blog/entry/689/

And I SWEAR I don't care, MyLessThanPrime!

[normanpheeny]

Mile said - Obama "undersands the plight of the current working class man or woman." I guess the current working class person gets assistance purchasing a home from a convicted felon? The current working class person goes to a church preaching hatred for America? The current working class person hangs out with terrorists from the Weather Underground? Geez, I do not know of ANYONE like that, working class or not, except for one person.

[Pat]

Let's see: McCain got wealthly through hard work and rich through marriage, but there is not ammunition to bad-mouth the man, so we go after the concept that he can't remember how many homes he owns.

On the other hand, Obama gains his wealth through hard work as well, however much comes form a controversial book. He was a member, for 20+ years, of a controversial church group, and he owns thanks some of the current home he purchased from a convicted felon.

What do they say about apples and how far they fall from the tree?

Hell, screw that, let's change for change sake, becuase change is good, and who cares what direction the change goes and who leads it!

[E]

NEWSFLASH!

Politicians at the top of the foodchain are filthy rich.

Everybody seems to hate them for it also.

But the same people sure do love their celebrities and athletes that are even wealthier.

What a strange world we live in.

[bkl]

I am in a second marriage. My wife owns several houses; I own none. They are not "our" houses; they are hers. She even bought two of the houses without telling me about them. We are now in the process of divorcing. The houses are hers, not "ours."

It is incorrect to talk about Cindy McCain's houses as belonging to John and Cindy McCain. If they divorce, he has no claim to any of them.

[Anon.]

Celebrities and athletes are not public servants.

[Nick]

Obama comes from a revolutionary background and promises change, freedom from the oppression of capitalism and greedy rich people and corporations, and new politics to benefit the common people. Chairman Mao promised the same things, both ideologically and in substance. It remains to be seen if Obama will be as successful as Mao was, and whether or not the people will like the eventual result they have brought upon themselves.

[Anonymous]

Who cares? He's not a RE developer, he's a politician. Shouldn't he be more concerned with politicking than keeping track of his wifes/families investments? It's obviously not high on his list of priorities. I like that he doesn't know.

[Bilal Muhammad]

normanpheeny is clearly confused as to who obama is and what he does. therefore, the only remedy to improve this ignorance ailment is education. normanpheeny, did was antoin rezko a convicted felon when senator obama bought that piece of land? what was his relationship to obama? and why has there been no substantial evidence found concerning any dubious dealings between senator obama and antoin rezko? secondly, does obama go to a church preaching hatred (toward america)? do you even know what the reverend wright was saying? anyway, please get your information correct before taking advantage of a freedom (of speech) that is our fundamental right, but is also something that should be used with care. WITH FREEDOM COMES RESPONSIBILITY, normanpheeny. THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE SPEAKING LEST YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE AN UNDEREDUCATED AND FRIGHTENED AMERICAN WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

[Waldo]

So many people are quick to complain about politicians of either party who are wealthy, intelligent, and articulate. I'd be worried about anyone running for president who didn't have the skill and achievement level to have an above-average standard of living. I'd be worried about electing someone who can't speak eloquently, even if they may sound coached or rehearsed. And I'd be worried about electing someone who didn't do well enough in college to be labeled an academic elitist. I am tired of the past 8 years that have lowered the bar for what a president should be. "Folksy," "plain-spoken," and "in touch with the common person"? That's what local politics are for: Give me someone who can LEAD the common person, including me.

[normanpheeny]

Mr Mohammand, you are so blinded by Obama's stardom, that you do not see the facts. Regarding Rezko, yes obama did know: http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/
757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.article. Obama himself called the deal "boneheaded." Regarding Wright, I know what he said, it was hate. In Obama's own words: "what became clear to me was that he was presenting a world view that contradicts what I am and what I stand for." The only one looking uneducated is you Mr. Mohammand.

[Amazing_Happens]

Any change from the current administration is by definition a change for the better.

[Terri]

Cindy what does your Husband mean when he says Sarah is his soulmate and when has this become a qualification for a VP.

We are stuck with this person with no experience because she is your SOULMATE.

[dmg]

Let me preface this by saying I think the issue of who can relate more to the "average American" is ridiculous since the American people are being asked to hire someone for a job, not to pick their new next door neighbor or a babysitter for their kids. The person's positions on free trade, defense, budget, etc, ought to have a lot more weight than how much they can "relate" to certain demographics.

Nonetheless, McCain's campaign has tried to paint Obama as an elitist who's out of touch with the American people, in one ad the voice-over even contains "being a celebrity must be great. But for the rest of us times are tough". To say that about your opponent and then show yourself to be so wealthy you can't remember how many houses you own is incredibly inconsistent, and I think that's what people are keying in on.

[Louise R]

Cindy, You are going to be a Great First Lady..Do not pay any attention to all those crazy people saying ugly things about you and John..our next President! also about Sarah Palin and Todd and Family they are down to earth family just like you and your family. WE Love YOU!..If there's a family I would love meet it is your's.. Louise/ Ed