Ex-RNC chiefs rip Steele speaking fees - Party chairman charging $8,000 to $20,000 (Moonie Times)

[jefferson_dem]

Ex-RNC chiefs rip Steele speaking fees
Party chairman charging $8,000 to $20,000

Michael S. Steele, Republican National Committee chairman, is using his title to market himself for paid appearances nationwide, personally profiting from speeches with fees of up to $20,000 at colleges, trade associations and other groups - an unusual practice criticized by a string of past party chairmen.

Mr. Steele, elected in January to the $223,500-a-year RNC post, is working with at least four outside agencies in Washington, New York, Boston and Nashville that book the speaking engagements. He charges between $8,000 and $20,000 for an address, plus first-class travel and lodging expenses.

One of the booking agencies, Leading Authorities -- Great Events Start Here, with offices in Washington and Chicago, has a color photo of Mr. Steele on its Web site, where he is advertised as "Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland."

Harry Sandler, who handles Mr. Steele's bookings at Newton, Mass.-based American Program Bureau, told The Washington Times that Mr. Steele "tends" to charge between $10,000 and $15,000 for an appearance and that he received roughly that amount for a Sept. 21 speech at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Steele has an upcoming speaking engagement at DePaul University in Chicago, for which he will be paid $12,500.

"Holy mackerel, I never head of a chairman of either party ever taking money for speeches," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., RNC chairman under President Reagan and CEO of the American Gaming Association.

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Moonie Times Link - http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/22/ex-rnc-chiefs-rip-steele-speaking-fees/?feat=home_cube_position1

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. He gets PAID for blathering like a nincompoop?

I should think the GOP might want to pay him to shut up.

[Pirate Smile]

2. Oh, good. It is about time for another Michael Steele screw up.

[Skittles]

3. he is a well-paid whore

[tabasco]

4. He's almost as funny as the vapid ice queen.

Mind boggling that anybody pays the moron to speak.

[Clio the Leo]

5. Rap artists get paid extra.

.... yo.

[Historic NY]

6. all for his hip hop bullshit.