Obama hires agency for speaking gigs, lawyers for book deals

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press



FRIDAY, FEB 10, 2017 04:15 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have picked the prestigious agency that represents Bill Clinton, Mia Farrow and others to handle their post-White House speaking gigs.

Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis says the Harry Walker Agency will represent both Obamas for speaking appearances. It’s the same firm that recently resumed representing Hillary Clinton for her future speeches.

Lewis says the couple has tapped attorneys Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell to handle their contracts for books that both plan to write. Barnett has represented Obama on past book deals. The Obamas haven’t yet set dates to release their books nor announced any scheduled speeches.

Vice President Joe Biden and wife, Jill Biden, have hired Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency to represent them but haven’t said what projects that might entail.

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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2017/02/10/obama-hires-agency-for-speaking-gigs-lawyers-for-book-deals/

[Aristus]

1. Speaking in public? Oh noes!

That was something Hillary did, and I guess it's supposed to be a bad thing!

[JHan]

3. Right?! ++++

[retrowire]

8. Don't play naive. We're better than that nt

[whistler162]

9. Proof that he is and always has been......

EVIIIIIILLLLLL in carnate!!!!!!!

[ehrnst]

12. ERMEGERD!!! And getting PAID for it???? (nt)

[canetoad]

2. Please, please

A Joe Biden action movie.

[irisblue]

16. him & Dr. Jill wheeling away from Paul Ryan in his sportscar

pittapat pittapat.

[OKNancy]

4. Hold on... he isn't supposed to make any money

Because, well, just because.

[ehrnst]

13. I heart that!!! (nt)

[LakeArenal]

5. This will drive the gops crazy..

How dare he capitalize on being a President! Who on earth would want to hear anything O has to say.... (me me me )

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Bring on the pitchforks and the torch wielding villagers. n/t

[GentryDixon]

7. Obama's first speech will send the orange one over the edge.

[trumputin must go]

10. Good for them!

I have no objection whatsoever.

[zentrum]

11. Not against them

.....making money but I wish being in politics wasn't so relentlessly a pathway to being a multi-millionaire.

The Obamas are already pulling in 14 to 24 million between the two of them based on their books. Isn't that enough?

I think this kind of thing contributes to distrust of all politicians and to people feeling they have no effect on the Washington bubble elite.

After all, Carter did not cash in:

Jimmy Carter seldom accepts speaking fees and when he does he typically donates the proceeds to his charitable foundation.

Maybe the Obama's will do this too.

[MontanaMama]

14. I would bet my paycheck

that BO and MO will donate their speaking fees to a foundation of some sort.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. After all, Carter did not cash in.

[onetexan]

17. That's Carter's prerogative

Every former president has that right to cash in. Both the Bushes had lucrative deals. Dubya, as dense as he was and despite his presidency being such a failure, raked in speaking fees handily and I don't recall reading that anyone said anything (who would want to listen to him is my question). Heck, even Chaney & Rummy cashed in. Just google it. Now is O's turn. He served his country well with tremendous dignity and despite putting up with crap from the far right throughout his 2 terms. He deserves to cash in now for his hard work.

[zentrum]

20. So comparing

....O to the war criminal family of the Bushes makes it all okay? Cheney and Rummy are scum. Together brought us a ruinous war and a Great Recession. Shouldn't have anything to do with our guy.

The President shouldn't "cash in". The Presidency is a symbol of the country like no other job. This really is the kind of sequence that jades people on politicians. That matters.

Besides, I say again---isn't the 14 to 24 Million they already have enough to recover from all "the crap he took from the far right"?

History. Example. Legacy. The country needs better examples than "cashing in". That's Trump's M.O. ---making millions as a result of being President.

[onetexan]

22. Your comparisons are a bit ridiculous

Trump won because he subverted the system - russian meddling, comey, voter suppression, etc., not to mention he is a supremely unfit for the office. Why his fluke win will be debated for years to come i'm sure, but there's more of it unraveling everyday so his inevitable impeachment will not be such a shock.
On the other hand, just search the web for the long list of O's accomplishments during his 2 terms. I agree the office of POTUS is not to be cashed in. But i will say that O's paid his dues and he has every right to reap the rewards of a job well done. Trump on the other hand is overtly in it to enrich himself. Case in point - damn guy used his office to attack Nordstrom for sacking his daughter's clothing line. He received $12.8M for campaign activities using his facilities. 'Nough said.

[nikibatts]

18. Would you rather they became lobbyists?

All the best to all six of them.

[zentrum]

19. Gee--I don't know.

How about starting up something like "Habitat for Humanity"? Jimmy used to go there and actually hammer nails himself. To set an example. To still lead. Because he saw his purpose in life as public service whether in or out of office.

Presidents aren't just ordinary citizens. They are icons for history. "Cashing in" seems like a sad legacy.

But you're joking---right? The revolving door from office to lobby and K street is the corrupt heart of Washington and I sure don't want to see Obama as being like this.

[moonscape]

21. How about a wait-see? Hiring a firm says nothing about to whom he will speak, what

about, for what fee, allocated how/where. And, on balance what else is he doing?