If anyone here happens to run a really big bank

[DefenseLawyer]

What is the actual value in real dollars to your company to have a politician give a speech to your board or to your employees? What is the purpose? Is it to learn some technical information for use in the business? Is it more like a "motivational speaker" for company morale? Is it some kind of prestige thing to give stockholders confidence? How is that value measured such that paying, let's say $225,000 for a speech is good for business? Obviously, I know it couldn't be simply to ingratiate themselves to the politician. Not being someone that runs a really big bank, I'm having a hard time figuring it out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I don't, but I'd like to; sounds like a nice gig if you can get it.

To your question: I have no idea why any person or entity would pay any speaker that kind of money to speak for an hour or so, if they thought they were getting equal value from that speaker's words. What I think is going on is that it's a sideways means of giving money to that speaker without the payment being counted as a campaign contribution. I'm not sure, but they might even be able to deduct at least some of it from their corporate tax as a business expense.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Wow, that had never occurred to me.

But surely the politician would see right through that crass ploy and refuse to go along with it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. LOL!

"But surely the politician would see right through that crass ploy and refuse to go along with it." You're such a kidder...

[Qutzupalotl]

5. Speaker fees are even better than campaign contributions.

They go directly in the pocket rather than into the campaign.

[JudyM]

4. You get right through to the speaker for any "follow-up questions"...

[Romulox]

6. Banks give out $225,000 all. the. time. without expect anything in return. It's what they do! nt