The Obamas face the paid-speaking circuit and all the questions that come with it

[steve2470]

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.html

ORLANDO — 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, it’s 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 Architecture’s 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]

1. He has, and will continue to, earn every penny.

He's well out of it, and he deserves an active and dynamic post-Presidential career. That takes $$$.

[WhiteTara]

2. Seems the only ones who shouldn't be on a paid

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]

4. Especially when the complaint comes from a person on a book tour

promoting her book for which she will make a tidy sum.

[WhiteTara]

5. Both Warren and Sanders have had

well paying book tours, so there is hypocrisy there...once upon a time, I might have said I was surprised.

[wildeyed]

7. I don't recall this being an issue until Hillary Clinton did it and then ran for President.

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]

8. It wasn't an issue anywhere until Hillary

and then it was BIG deal.

[comradebillyboy]

3. The pearl clutching over paid speeches by a private

citizen is what is really concerning. These purity standards are getting pretty absurd and remarkably petty.

[DaleFromWPB]

6. Good for Them!!

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.