Seal of the President of the United States
The way candidates manage their own finances suggests how they might handle this country’s $13 trillion economy. MSN Money Columnist Tim Middleton has been scrutinizing each candidate’s financial statements and has uncovered surprising details. Scroll down and click on the links.

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton  © Alexandra Buxbaum/Retna

John Edwards

John Edwards © Rick Friedman/Corbis

Rudolph Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani  © Gerald Weaver/AP Photo

John McCain

John McCain © Cheryl Senter/AP Photo

Barack Obama

Barack Obama © Matthew Cavanaugh/epa/Corbis

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney © Robert Spencer/AP Photo

Fred Thompson

thompson - © Jeff Kowalsky/epa/Corbis
  • Hillary Clinton © Alexandra Buxbaum/RetnaHillary Clinton: Midas touch at work

    After eight years as first lady and six as a New York senator, this presidential candidate is very rich -- but looking at a big tax bill next year.

  • John Edwards © Rick Friedman/CorbisHow John Edwards makes his millions grow

    Investments in limited partnerships, an offshore hedge fund and subprime-mortgage lenders have made this wealthy presidential candidate even richer.

  • Rudy Giuliani © Gerald Weaver/AP PhotoGiuliani's portfolio is full of dogs

    The Republican presidential hopeful and former New York City mayor has way too many dogs in his portfolio. He's rich, but he's not making his money work for him.

  • John McCain © Cheryl Senter/AP PhotoMcCain's wife controls family's riches

    The candidate's spouse runs an investment portfolio of an estimated $36.6 million to $53.4 million and chairs one of the nation's largest beer distributorships.

  • Barack Obama  © Matthew Cavanaugh/epa/CorbisA look at Barack Obama the investor

    The Democratic presidential hopeful may be a fresh face in politics, but he is treading familiar -- and conservative -- ground with his investments.

  • Mitt Romney © Robert Spencer/AP PhotoRomney, richest candidate, hedges his bets

    Founder of a private-equity firm, this Massachusetts Republican is a sophisticated investor with a complex portfolio worth as much as $387 million.

  • thompson - © Jeff Kowalsky/epa/CorbisThompson shies away from stocks

    The Republican presidential candidate keeps his millions in bank accounts, and his retirement is secured by three pensions rather than a stock-dependent 401(k).