On John Edwards and his bargain basement speaking fee

[wyldwolf]

So John Edwards charged a $55,000 speaking fee last year. So what? That broke down to a mere $31. per ticket with student ticket prices starting at $17.50. Yeah, I know how it looks with Edwards running a campaign theme on poverty. But get real - some of us just paid a real whopping $200. per ticket to hear Edwards speak at various state JJ Dinners. These were fundraisers for the state parties. The college speech was entertainment for students - and priced cheaply, I might add.

I think the BIG issue that needs discussing is why average Democrats with average salaries typically can't afford to see national-level Democrats speak. I would be very impressed if MORE Democrats spoke for lawn-seat prices. It might not raise a lot of money for state parties, but it could haul in some operating capital for county parties and allow average rank and file Democrats to actually see their leaders in person.

[Vinca]

1. There's just something about getting paid $55,000 to speak on poverty . . .

That's more than I make in a year.

[napi21]

2. It's more than I make a year too, but we're not running for anything!

Besides, I doubt anyone would pay ANYTHING to hear ME speak about anything at all!

Look. People pay a LOT more than that to attend a concert, or even entrance to a theme park, for goodness sake!

This is one of the ways candidates make the money they need to run for office! I wish campaigning was totally federally sponsored, but it's not, so get over it!

[wyldwolf]

3. I admit it can be seen that way

But these kids were not impoverished kids. They were middle class to upperclass kids at one of the nation's top public research universities seeing a former Senator and vice presidential candidate. In reality, they could have paid more.

I'm really nuetral on the whole thing. I wouldn't expect Edwards to speak for free and, as national level speaking fees go, this was a decent price.

My point is kids got to see a top name Democrat at a real affordable price.

[jefferson_dem]

4. And charging students for that matter. For Edwards, in this case, image meets reality.

n/t

[Vinca]

5. Yeah, that bothered me, too. Does Edwards have one of those

"image" people? It might be a good investment to hire one.

[dave_p]

6. It's a lot, but I don't blame him

The real issue's campaign funding and spending limits. Of course he needs a war-chest, and do others with less earning power. The system sucks, and Democrats need to democratize politics and media coverage.