About Those Speaking Fees ~HRC GROUP

[Her Sister]

...As an organizer, I’ve attended those conferences (to work) and dealt with those speakers. Depending on how famous they are, you dealt with their team — not with them directly. They stick to their allotted time — a half hour, an hour, sometimes fifteen minutes. They shake hands afterwards, and either linger to eat at the “honors” table or simply leave. Their speeches are general — they thank the host, list their personal achievements, share their visions or experiences, break the ice with a few jokes, make some conference-related general remarks and thank everyone for listening. Done deal.

And that’s the short of it. It is neither unusual or untoward that a person who lived a life in public service — who was First Lady in Arkansas, First Lady of the United States, Senator, Presidential candidate and Secretary of State — would be offered $225K (or even more) to speak.

Despite the innocuousness of these events I can honestly say that were I in Secretary Clinton’s shoes, I would not release those transcripts unless every candidate released the transcripts for every single speech or public talk they ever gave. And here’s why.

First and foremost, transcripts are notoriously monotonous. There are no voice inflections in the written word — except what the reader puts there. There is no speaker’s face to watch, no body language to read. There is no narrative text that would explain the ensuing dialogue. Consequently, what was a joke, or even sarcasm, can come across as dead serious.

Second, and let’s be honest, not only would Senator Sanders’ campaign folks and the GOP pounce on those pages like a pack of starving sharks on a school of minnows, but the media would tear apart every single word. Pundits would have an entire summer of words to read and spin and regurgitate and debate ad nauseum. And it’s a fairly sure bet that very little of any regurgitation would give Secretary Clinton the benefit of the doubt.

Third, there’s the not insignificant matter of baseless accusations, innuendo and the artful smear. If a professional acquaintance called me a liar, or accused me of being corrupt for no other reason — and with no proof or basis — than I, as a private citizen, spoke at an event they did not attend is it really, TRULY, up to me to prove that I’m not? Should not my accuser be required to present something other than theory to blacken my name? Especially if my accuser and I are competing for the same promotion? Or should my record speak for itself?

Fourth, one would have to suppose that among all those speeches with all those attendees at all those events there would be someone, somewhere, that is not a Clinton supporter. There would be someone, somewhere, who would approach a candidate — Cruz, Trump, Sanders — or a media outlet, or a newspaper, with a six-inch-headline-worthy scandal about her saying something untoward — like the Romney 47% disaster which occurred — and was filmed — WHILE he was running for President.

More Here: http://m.dailykos.com/story/2016/4/15/1515992/-About-Those-Speaking-Fees

[Thinkingabout]

1. People who have never been in the poistions do not understand. She knows she is good.

After having W trying to give speeches for eight years he has not followed the speaking trail Bill Clinton has enjoyed. Now President Obama is a really good speaker, he will be able to hit the speaking trail. After Hillary is president she will get more money for speaking. Good for them, they deserve it.

[Her Sister]

2. That's funny about W !!

Last edited Sun Apr 17, 2016, 10:59 PM - Edit history (1)

He is not a curious person. Probably nothing smart, great or interesting to add to any discussion! I agree on HRC, Prez Clinton and Prez Obama to just being a pleasure to listen to their opinions and their take on many (probably any!) subjects.

[Kath1]

8. You rock, sister!

You don't have to be smart or interesting,. I'm neither of both. Just bring your mind and your heart.

[Her Sister]

9. Kath1 You are soooo kind! I edited to be clearer!!

I edited b/c maybe misleading!!!

Thanks for saying I rock!!! You rock too!!

[pandr32]

3. Good post!

Thank you for linking and posting!

[Haveadream]

4. Wonderful article!

Second, and let’s be honest, not only would Senator Sanders’ campaign folks and the GOP pounce on those pages like a pack of starving sharks on a school of minnows, but the media would tear apart every single word.

It explains exactly what we all know would happen. Why on earth would Hillary open herself up for more of the insane attacks? People are obsessed with her! She must really, really threaten them. I'm glad she is holding firm and also glad she was well-paid for her experience and insights!

[BlueCaliDem]

5. I have no interest in reading her speech transcripts. Then again, I'm not a KKKarl Rove or Koch Bros

lackey, and neither am I a Sanders supporter panicking because he's LOSING. But I am a liberal Democrat and am known to be fair-minded.

If they want Hillary Clinton to release her speech transcripts, fine. But the standard should be applied to ALL candidates, without conditions and without delay. Why pick on her? Why single her out? Because she's a woman and shouldn't be making $225k a speech? Is that what bothers them?

Unless and until they all sign a pledge to release all their speech transcripts - and Sanders has them, too, since he traveled extensively throughout Cuba and other communist countries - then this issue is moot. Sure. The M$M that have given her the least favorable coverage all throughout this primary would LOVE to have something they can latch on to and distort, but she's not stupid, and I am encouraging her NOT to release anything until the others do as well, and at the same time.

http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2016/04/when-it-comes-to-news-coverage-hillary.html


For chrissakes, Sanders hasn't even released eight years of complete tax filings (which is normal for presidential candidates in the primaries) and now he's demanding to set a new standard? Why? To deflect from that fact that he's hiding something in those tax returns?

#ReleaseTheReturns, Sanders. Then we can talk about creating a new standard for presidential candidates, and not before.

*EDITED to add link

[2naSalit]

6. Thanks for posting.

I don't think she should release them either.

[spooky3]

7. I've had the misfortune of having to sit through

A lot of speeches at events like this. They are typically just as the author described them and I totally agree with him.

I also agree with Barbra Streisand, who pointed out that many men get paid a lot more per speech than $225000, so it's time to stop with the innuendo.

[LiberalFighter]

10. I totally agree. Also, she is a private citizen.

Those conferences don't bring speakers like Hillary because they have to. They do it because they want to.

Some people would not recognize humor if it stared them in the face. And for it to be a transcript would confuse them. Anyone experienced with speeches know that humor is essential.

[Cha]

11. KICK!

[Hekate]

12. Amen, Sister