What personal finances tell us about presidential candidates

FILE - In this May 3, 2014, file photo, Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker speaks in Milwaukee. In a 5-2 ruling Thursday, July 31, 2014, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld the 2011 law that effectively ended collective bargaining for most public workers, sparked massive protests and led to Walker's recall election and rise to national prominence. The ruling is a victory for Walker, who is considering a 2016 run for president and is seeking re-election this year. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)

Disclosures about the personal debt and finances of GOP candidates Scott Walker and Marco Rubio have drawn attention, but how useful is it to voters?

Presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is carrying more than $20,000 worth of credit card debt with some high interest rates. He's also got more than $100,000 in student loan debts on behalf of his children.

That's according to financial disclosures analyzed by National Journal.

This follows earlier reports about Sen. Marco Rubio's troubled personal finances. Both generated headlines that could be described as debt-shaming, but what do these disclosures tell voters about potential candidates?

Eric Sussman, who teaches accounting and finance at UCLA's Anderson School of Management, weighed in

"They have been quite vocal about the level of government debt and irresponsible spending, so maybe it's a little bit of 'do as I say and not as I do," he said.