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Divernan

(15,480 posts)
3. So if Obama can't find time, what about an appearance by Michele or Biden? the Big Dog?
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 11:03 AM
Aug 2013

It's damned heroic for a person to agree to be a candidate when the odds are great against them going in. It's called flying the flag for the party, and if the party wants to get people to do this, the party owes them some support - if not financial, at least a personal appearance by a high-ranking, well-known politician.

I suggest that Bill Clinton can forego the $1/2 million speaking fees he's currently expecting, and take a couple of months every two years to campaign, pro bono, for Democratic gubernatorial and congressional candidates, whether their races are close or not. "Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees." In other words, Clinton has used his status as ex-president to market himself to attain great wealth. I think this obliges him to give back to the party.

Read more: The Net Worth Of The American Presidents: Washington To Obama - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2010/05/17/the-net-worth-of-the-american-presidents-washington-to-obama/#ixzz2ctiubbq0
The Wall Street Journal, in evaluating the wealth of U.S. Presidents, identifies Clinton as the wealthiest living American ex-president. You got that right - wealthier than either of the Bushes.

His current worth is estimated at $55 million.Where did all that money come from? Speaking fees. CNN estimates he may have raked in as much as $89 million in speaking fees since he left the White House in 2001. " Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees. Clinton’s net worth was reduced in 2008 when his wife, Hillary Clinton, wrote off more than $13 million she loaned her campaign for her own presidential bid. Her campaign debt, once over $25 million, was just retired in January.

Read more: The Net Worth Of The American Presidents: Washington To Obama - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2010/05/17/the-net-worth-of-the-american-presidents-washington-to-obama/#ixzz2ctiubbq0
Bill Clinton has earned a whopping $500,000 speaking advance to deliver a 45 minute speech at the 90th birthday bash for Israeli President Shimon Peres — putting Clinton’s price tag at roughly $11,100 per minute...."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bill-clinton-paid-500-000-speaking-advance-45-minute-speech-earning-11-100-minute-article-1.1361928#ixzz2ctfPeS2n

Earlier this week it was reported, including by TheBlaze, that former President Bill Clinton had charged his hosts $500,000, one year in advance, to deliver a 45 minute speech at an event honoring Israeli President Shimon Peres’s 90th birthday later this month.

That news sparked an outcry in Israel, because of the size of the honorarium and because a well-known non-profit group, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) was footing the bill for the speech along with the Peres Academic Center.

Now, the KKL-JNF says it is pulling its funding for the Clinton speech, with one member of the group telling the Israeli site Ynet, “we decided to wash our hands of the event.”

The half-a-million dollar payment was reported to be going to the William J. Clinton Foundation, not directly to the former president’s personal pocket.



Given the New York Times expose re the jumbled financial record-keeping/lack of boundaries between Clinton's Foundation, his wife's political activities and his personal wealth - one wonders where that money ended up. Further, after much negative publicity about this $1/2 million fee paid a year in advance for a 45 minute speech, Clinton indicated he would turn the money back to some Israeli charity.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/18/richest-us-presidents_n_2702647.html
In our updated list, the only currently living president who makes the wealthiest list is Bill Clinton, who now has an estimated net worth of $55 million. Clinton continues to make millions of dollars in speaking fees. This January, following an email from Bill Clinton to supporters, Hilary Clinton’s 2008 campaign debt was paid off
.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/07/group-says-it-is-withdrawing-funding-after-outcry-over-500000-bill-for-bill-clintons-israel-speech/

A final comparison of Clinton to Truman. A quote from Truman's book, Mr. Citizen, published in 1960, expressing his opinion on declining offers of corporate positions at large salaries:
"I turned down all of those offers. I knew that they were not interested in hiring Harry Truman, the person, but what they wanted to hire was the former President of the United States. I could never lend myself to any transaction, however respectable, that would commercialize on the prestige and dignity of the office of the Presidency." Consequently, Harry Truman's net worth never reached one million dollars (calculated by the Wall Street Journal in 2010 dollars).
Why not? Does he put his best buddy Chris Christie ahead of the Democratic party? forestpath Aug 2013 #1
No he doesn't JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #9
That is so wrong in so many ways but....maybe he will support her nearer to election..n/t monmouth3 Aug 2013 #2
So if Obama can't find time, what about an appearance by Michele or Biden? the Big Dog? Divernan Aug 2013 #3
I think we can safely discount the Truman-Clinton comparison. DFW Aug 2013 #4
How did he go to bat for us? JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #10
He at least did not hesitate to ask for federal help immediately DFW Aug 2013 #14
That's the only thing he did JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #17
It's my brother in law DFW Aug 2013 #24
It just burns me up. New Jersey Democrats need to wake the fuck up Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #41
As of two years ago Bush had made $15 million in speaking fees. former9thward Aug 2013 #36
So, someone suggests Obama should campaign for Buono and you write a rant about Clinton????? Beacool Aug 2013 #8
You can't dispute any FACTS, like him gaining $55 million net worth since leaving White House Divernan Aug 2013 #13
you expect speakers to work for free and not ask for donations for their personal charity? Sunlei Aug 2013 #16
It has actually helped millions of people. Beacool Aug 2013 #19
you're right the Clintons have helped millions of people. saved a lot of lives too. Sunlei Aug 2013 #21
Not for free, but for the standard $5,000 - not half a million. Divernan Aug 2013 #25
I worked with charities where people donated 250k plus because they can afford it... Sunlei Aug 2013 #26
I was CLEARLY referring to speakers' fees. Pay closer attention, please. Divernan Aug 2013 #35
he could speak free in return' for a 'donation' to his foundation. Sunlei Aug 2013 #37
What's your problem?????????? Beacool Aug 2013 #28
Your rant is misplaced. Beacool Aug 2013 #20
Clinton campaigns selectively. AtomicKitten Aug 2013 #27
So??????? Beacool Aug 2013 #29
It's self-serving, as always. AtomicKitten Aug 2013 #33
Bouno has clearly made some headway closing the gap to 10% davidpdx Aug 2013 #5
Um, no you're wrong brooklynite Aug 2013 #7
Without any help JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #11
Yes, they have behaved disgracefully. Beacool Aug 2013 #31
That's Buono. CBHagman Aug 2013 #6
he nad christie made a deal mgcgulfcoast Aug 2013 #12
She's on the same page as the President, why do you think Mrs. Bouno needs the President to 'stump'? Sunlei Aug 2013 #15
Plus 100000 JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #18
Christie is terrified of the next hurricane. I was raised on the NJ shore. The last hurricane flood Sunlei Aug 2013 #22
You are correct JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #23
EXACTLY!! If Democrats need the Democratic President to tell them to vote Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #42
I live in NJ. Beacool Aug 2013 #30
We have a member here JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #32
Thanks, I'll check it out. Beacool Aug 2013 #34
chiming in tabbycat31 Aug 2013 #38
thanks JustAnotherGen Aug 2013 #39
Exactly! You are right. There is simply no excuse for Democrats Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #43
Why the fuck should he? NJ Democrats seem to be creaming their pants Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2013 #40
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