VIDEO: JOHN KERRY EVADES REPORTERS ON YACHT CONTROVERSY

If Massachusetts Senator John Kerry (D) was planning to avoid paying nearly $500,000 in sales tax on the purchase of his yacht by leaving it moored in Rhode Island, where he would be able to avoid the tax, it looks like he will have a more difficult time doing so now that it's becoming a public relations disaster for him. Of course, politicians have an answer for everything. The question is how many people will believe his claim that he's not trying to get out of paying taxes; he's concerned about long term care for the yacht, which apparently can be better administered in Rhode Island.

Via Fox Boston:

If the "Isabel" were docked at the couple's summer vacation home on Nantucket, they would be liable for $437,500 in one-time sales tax. They'd also have to pay $70,000 in annual excise taxes. Instead, Rhode Island has repealed those taxes.

A Kerry spokesman says the boat is being kept at Newport Shipyard not for tax reasons, but "for longterm maintenance, upkeep and charter purposes."

I guess, in fairness to Kerry, $437,500 can buy a lot of maintenance.

Fox Boston is now reporting that Kerry may still be liable for the tax because "Isabel" was docked in Massachusetts for a short time within six months of purchase.

Here is the video of Kerry being confronted by reporters about the controversy. The quote of the exchange is the last one:

"Can we get out of here please?"