A Conversation with George W. Bush
By Christina Bohnstengel
It has become the nouveau tradition for former American presidents to take up their new career, post-office, in public speaking. As such, former president George W. Bush has followed the trend, despite his reputation as a man of malaprops.
The fee to hear the former leader of the free world stumble over his own tongue? It’s a six-figure number, although if you book him close to his home in Dallas, Texas, you get a reduced rate of $100,000. Additionally, President Bush’s rider includes private jet transportation or first class tickets for four.
The private jet requirement is not such an unheard of request for this line of work. President Gerald Ford also requested one for his speaking engagement in 1979, for which he charged $12,000.
The public speaking career of the former presidents can be traced back to the 33rd man to hold the office, President Harry Truman, who reportedly wrote with contempt about “being offered a great deal of money to do very little work.”
Since then, all the former presidents have lined up to share their wisdoms and insights. President Reagan received $2 million for two separate speeches totaling 40 minutes. President Clinton claimed $6 million in 2008 for his various speaking engagements.
President George W. Bush will entertain the audience on March 17 in Calgary, Alberta, with his first gig entitled, “A conversation with George W. Bush.”
Via Seattle Post Intelligencer
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