Bush paid $3,571 per minute for motivational speech. »
Posted By tehranchik 1 month, 3 weeks ago in NewsIn 2007, President Bush said that he was looking forward to making a “ridiculous” amount of money on the lecture circuit after he left office, noting that his father often made $50,000-$75,000 per speech. Bush is now making far more than President George H.W. Bush. Yesterday, he spoke to nearly 15,000 people at the “Get Motivated!” seminar in Forth Worth, TX. He mostly focused on “lighter topics such as picking out a rug design for the Oval Office that reflected his ‘optimism.’” The Dallas News reports that for this 28-minute speech, Bush received at least $100,000 — a rate of $3571 per minute:
Bush, like other ex-presidents before him, was reportedly paid at least $100,000 to appear at the motivation seminar. He will headline another in San Antonio. [...]
It was a rousing, upbeat celebration of positive thinking and conspicuous success. Speakers were introduced with peppy music, confetti drops and bursts of pyrotechnics exploding from each corner of the stage (but not for Bush – Secret Service orders).
Bush is reportedly receiving $150,000 for other speeches, which doesn’t include the private jet he sometimes receives.
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tehranchik
Well, I'm from and live in the Pacific Northwest. I did live in the middle east during the late 70's and early 80 ...
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berkeley1 month, 3 weeks ago
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pc251 month, 3 weeks ago
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and Bill Clintn is paid chicken feed right?
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http://middle-east-analysis.blogspot.com/2008/11/h...
The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has paid $500,000 to Bill Clinton for a single lecture he delivered in Kuwait City on Sunday on his assessment of Barack Obama's foreign and economic policies. -
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pc251 month, 3 weeks ago
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...
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Former president Bill Clinton, who came to the White House with modest means and left deeply in debt, has collected nearly $40 million in speaking fees over the past six years, according to interviews and financial disclosure statements filed by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).
Last year, one of his most lucrative since he left the presidency, Clinton earned $9 million to $10 million on the lecture circuit. He averaged almost a speech a day -- 352 for the year -- but only about 20 percent were for personal income. -
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philbrick1 month, 3 weeks ago
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I think Bush has done two speeches since he left office, one in Calgary, Canada (conservative oil region) and the other in Douche-bag, Nebraska or someplace.
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"W" you should have left the economy in better shape so people could afford to hear you talk. I'm pretty sure even Sarah Palin has made more money then you on the talk / speech circuit.-
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vor1 month, 3 weeks ago
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"W" you should have left the economy in better shape so people could afford to hear you talk. "
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Actually tickets to this event were less than 10 dollars excepting some "golden circle" seating and there were numerous other speakers.
I have no problem with Bush doing this. I have no issue with him speaking his mind (especially when it is essentially non-political) and profiting from these speeches. It is a post-presidential tradition of late.
He was a terrible national politician and leader but I don't hate the man personally. I blame those that voted for him far more than the man himself. They are the ones that rubber stamped the policies he implemented (but did not create). He (like McCain in '08) sold his soul to the neocon devil and the Far Right. It was the eventual downfall of both men. The full story has yet to emerge of the Bush years but it is clear he was under the control of Cheney on foreign policy for at least 6 of those 8 years. He catered to his "base" on economic policy which is hardly surprising. Yet he never would have been elected without the support of those that clearly voted against their own economic interests.
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BrianBenenhaleyComment removed: Hard Banned4 Replies
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skyking2p1 month, 3 weeks ago
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W should start his on foundation or maybe not. Too busy clearing that brush.
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The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas: health security; economic empowerment; leadership development and citizen service; and racial, ethnic and religious reconciliation. The Foundation works principally through partnerships with like-minded individuals, organizations, corporations, and governments, often serving as an incubator for new policies and programs. -
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CHAM1 month, 3 weeks ago
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Good Post Tehranchik
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Well my idea of what they get after leaving office is that it is "deferred compensation", in other words delayed Bribe Fees.
Wonder what they would get paid if they performed their most known lifestyles:
I can just see it now, Bush falling down drunk after sniffing and lifting and Clinton demonstrating how to dip a cigar.
Our two worst Presidents in the History of the United States. But don't give up on Obama, he is doing his best to catch up. I suppose his talent is speaking empty promises.
I think there out to be a law against High Positioned leaders Drawing mucho dinero from the taxpayers pockets while raking in millions in delayed bribe payments. We "little" people get means tested every day, but I guess it just proves we are separate and unequal.
Can't we just means test the rich and influential? -
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azsunsaver1 month, 3 weeks ago
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Who better to hire as a motivational speaker? After all, here's a guy who motivated MILLIONS of Independents and (former) Republicans to vote for Obama! Go George...and keep up the good work.
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He could probably also have a comedy gig going...simply draw two lines on his jaw, cut a slit in the back of his jacket, and have him sit on Cheney's knee. Sort of a take-off on his 8 years as the "President." -
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epiphannyy1 month, 3 weeks ago
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There is nothing wrong with a motivational speaker making big bucks to deliver an effective motivational speech. What I find ironic about this is that for eight years, when it really mattered, George W. Bush couldn't motivate his way out from under anything, not even his solid 27% approval rating. Truth be told, he's probably one of the worst orators the White House has seen in generations. So now, to see him being paid for motivational oration is kind of laughable, regardless of how big that pay actually is.
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Our country has seen some great orators over the years....it's just that George W. Bush would never be counted as one of them.
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