Barack Obama
Related: About this forumThe Obamas face the paid-speaking circuit and all the questions that come with it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-obamas-face-the-paid-speaking-circuit--and-all-the-questions-that-come-with-it/2017/04/27/a723c280-2b65-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.htmlORLANDO When Barack and Michelle Obama left the White House, they both spoke longingly of a break from life in the public eye. But following a months-long vacation, they have started to tap into the lucrative paid-speaking circuit that has enriched so many other former presidents and first ladies with the potential to quickly net millions of dollars.
On Thursday, both made their first appearances as speakers-for-hire.
Hi, everybody, its good to get out of the house, said Michelle Obama, visibly relaxed, as she sat for a wide-ranging but free of partisan politics question-and-answer session before the American Institute of Architectures annual conference. Her husband, meanwhile, joined historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in New York for a closed-door address to employees of the A&E cable network.
It was not divulged how much they were paid for these first appearances. But the former president will collect $400,000 for a September speech to a health-care conference sponsored by investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, Fox Business reported this week.
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I have no problem with the Obamas making bank. I'm sure it WILL be used for good causes, in addition to helping the daughters. Charity begins at home.
Aristus
(68,357 posts)He's well out of it, and he deserves an active and dynamic post-Presidential career. That takes $$$.
WhiteTara
(30,166 posts)speaking circuit are black men and women.
I'm glad he's making money. He's earned every penny of it by living through the past 8 years of abuse at the hands of republicons.
edit to add...and racists (though I realize that those are pretty much the same thing)
comradebillyboy
(10,467 posts)promoting her book for which she will make a tidy sum.
WhiteTara
(30,166 posts)well paying book tours, so there is hypocrisy there...once upon a time, I might have said I was surprised.
wildeyed
(11,243 posts)If people think it is truly unethical, they should make a law. You know what other law they should make? You can't run for president if you don't show your tax returns. That would be GREAT.
WhiteTara
(30,166 posts)and then it was BIG deal.
comradebillyboy
(10,467 posts)citizen is what is really concerning. These purity standards are getting pretty absurd and remarkably petty.
DaleFromWPB
(76 posts)I fully support them earning whatever someone is willing to pay them.
They both have very unique experiences to speak about and will draw a lot of interest on the circuit.
Couldn't be happier for them.