Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWaPo: 'Middle Class Joe' Biden has reaped millions in income since leaving the vice presidency
As Biden traveled the country before announcing his presidential campaign this spring, his sponsors provided VIP hotel suites, town cars and professional drivers, chartered flights and travel expense reimbursements that for some of his appearances reached at least $10,000 per event, according to contracts obtained by The Post through public records requests.
The Washington Post found at least 65 instances in which Biden gave a speech or appeared at a book event; in at least 10 instances he did not take a fee, although in some of those cases he was reimbursed for travel expenses. Bidens campaign said he has given less than 50 paid speeches, but declined to be more specific about exactly how many he delivered, or how much he earned in total.
...Paid speeches provided another profitable money stream. Most of Bidens speaking engagements involved universities or existing lecture series. He appeared in 2017 at a finance and technology conference run by Anthony Scaramucci, who two months later would have a brief stint in the Trump administration, and at a health care conference run by JPMorgan Chase.
Although Bidens campaign said his paid speeches amounted to under 50 since he left the vice presidency, it would not provide a list of them. Four contracts, however, were obtained by The Post through public records requests, some of which have been previously reported. They show that he charged between $150,000 and $200,000 per speech.
More at https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/once-the-poorest-senator-middle-class-joe-biden-has-reaped-millions-in-income-since-leaving-the-vice-presidency/2019/06/25/931458a8-938d-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html?utm_term=.717bff9b00b0
Release the list of paid speeches and all transcripts!
Or maybe nominate someone who wont enable Trump to run pretty much exactly the same campaign he did in 2016.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
hlthe2b
(101,703 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lochloosa
(16,018 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)Wow, that's news!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,347 posts)Biden was so broke when he left the VP slot that Obama helped him with medical bills. He needs to make a living.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Zoonart
(11,747 posts)at the time he became VP, Biden had one of the most modest net worth of anyone in Washington. This was attested to by Brennan who, at the time, had seen all of his financials, for intelligence vetting purposes.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brooklynite
(93,839 posts)Former politicians are invited because they're a draw for the conference or meeting, and the speaker offers knowledgeable perspective on issues of interest. What do you imagine in actually occurring?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)To see how paid speeches would be used against him in the GE. As if we didnt have a chance to learn that lesson already.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
brooklynite
(93,839 posts)...were Sanders supporters suggesting that Clinton was a corporate sell-out. I don't recall it being an issue in the GE.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
sacto95834
(393 posts)I truly don't understand why Biden and Clinton accepted such extraordinary speaking fees if their time in public office isn't done. It always will come up and used by the opposition.
Like many here, I don't think it immoral to accept these fees after the fact when you are a private citizen and retired from public life. At that point, it's nobody's business and you don't have to answer questions about them unless you feel like it.
However if you are still in public life, to accept these types of large fees will NEVER play well and there will always be a suggestion of undue influence. Why commit an unforced error when you don't have to?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Its a very straightforward point but so difficult for many here to accept. Blind partisanship is blind.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
going back to the well, it appears.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....only twice, both times by candidates or supporters of candidates who are far behind the front runner.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)Stupidest shit ever and we arent going to repeat it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,189 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,150 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)But the speaking fees are ridiculously large. It's unseemly at best. $200,000 to speak to a select audience for an hour compared to what we pay for public school teacher to do that with a bunching of unruly children full time. It's unseemly even compared to what he got to do his much more important previous job. Our society is out of whack in how and why it values certain jobs.
I'd rather pay the Vice President $2 million and give him a generous pension while prohibiting speaking fees, lobbying and book deals after his term is up. That way at least we will know he isn't worried about medical expenses while doing his real job, or hurting for cash when he leaves office.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SWBTATTReg
(21,856 posts)millions of dollars vs. many different professions (not just teachers). Minimum wages have been stuck at stagnant levels for literally decades (at the federal level) and still there are some who are insisting that there isn't a problem with the current federally mandated minimum wage. Pathetic.
Everything else has been going up and yet the republicans still insist that minimum wages need to be kept at their current low levels?!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sacto95834
(393 posts)Many politicians who retire from public life, especially one like Biden who has been in Congress since the 70s have a very generous retirement. He was a Senator and the Vice President. I'm sure his pension surpasses many, many typical Americans. That said, like most Americans, the question always arises: is that enough?
It must be very difficult to turn down speaking fees in the hundreds of thousands dollars for an hour's lecture. Likewise, invitations to sit on Boards of Directors that often pay generous stipends for attending a meeting.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)I question our society for offering. Theoretically, it's all based on merit, but in practice it's not true. Rather a self-sustaining elite has gotten control of an ever greater share of the wealth and decided that a few hours of an ex-VP's time, is worth more than an entire 8 years of being VP.
When did ex-VPs become so valuable? Who decided that and why? John Nance Garner didn't get that kind of money, so what changed?
I suggest to you that what changed is that sometime in the last 50 years our economy secretly changed. Actually working for a living became less valued while access to money itself became the ultimate value. Being VP certainly gives you access to rich people, and when your public service is up, you can use that access to get paid handsomely for talking about whatever you feel like talking about.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Vegas Roller
(704 posts)Matt Viser has too much free time on his hands. He spent months trying to nail which coffee was served in the Obama white house!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Bettie
(15,997 posts)FFS, we need to stop eating our own!
Every former VP and Pres. gets paid for speaking engagements. It isn't new and it isn't unusual.
No matter who we nominate, Trump will run the very same campaign he did in 2016, because he has NO other ideas. He'll change the names and tweak the insults, but it will be the same and we should be prepared for that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
secondwind
(16,903 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)We should have learned that by now. If youre going to run for public office again, just abstain from that. If not, go for it and run up the score as much as you can.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
mcar
(42,206 posts)Why are they a disaster? What is wrong with a world leader being paid for a speech?
It was a made up issue before; it's a made up issue now.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)We rationalize the simplistic as ethical, but at the end of the day, commercial branding is the most deciding factor in popularity contests.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mcar
(42,206 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,122 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mcar
(42,206 posts)Writing books is authentic, giving a speech isn't?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,122 posts)"Authentic" is another word with a new meaning that nobody except the members of that religion understands.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,122 posts)Oh wait. Bernie did that so it is authentic.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Bettie
(15,997 posts)running has ever given a paid speech for a corporate group? Ever?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Id like to know.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)Itll cost you at least $125k to book Queens of the Stone Age. $500k to book Foo Fighters. $150k for Janes Addiction (who havent even had a hit since the mid 90s). When he was alive, $1.2M to book Price. Jay-Z will run you $600k. Bruno Mars around $500k.
$125-200k for Biden? Pretty good deal, comparatively.
Time is money. And when you are in demand, you can charge top dollar for your time.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Pays for the chateau in France for a week and then some. That's what you do when you're not running for anything ever again.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)Theres nothing nefarious about it. He is currently a private citizen, and can do as he pleases.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I imagine there are tools at your disposal to easily access that information. But only if you'd sincerely like to know; otherwise, I can only imagine denying ourselves that information is a preventative cure to our narratives being weakened.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Only travel gets reimbursed. Apart from the Senators running only O'Rourke and Inslee interest me. Let me know if you hear something about them.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LibFarmer
(772 posts)Senator BS will be doing paid speeches too after leaving the senate.
He is already raking it in with books.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TheFarseer
(9,308 posts)Theyre going to have to carry him out of the Senate like Strom Thurmond.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LibFarmer
(772 posts)The speaking engagements give lots more dough and perks ... plus an ego boost.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,605 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LibFarmer
(772 posts)He will hit the lecture circuit and make money.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)How did this line of attack work out last time?
How about abstaining from ridiculous hyperbole?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,161 posts)But maybe if you click your feet together three times and wish real hard itll come true.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mcar
(42,206 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
shanny
(6,709 posts)since Senators cannot be paid for speeches
whataboutism about...nothing
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)since they can take speaking fees before becoming senator... and take money (lots of money) for other things like being an "expert witness."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
shanny
(6,709 posts)So you think it appropriate to stigmatize someone for being successful before being in public office...but not after?
you're a hoot, wyld, I'll give you that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)I don't think it's appropriate to stigmatize someone for being successful before being in public office OR after being in public office. The OP, a Warren supporter, obviously didn't realize Warren has taken money from people - including lobbyists - for her time.
Additionally, my initial comment was directed at the OP, who is a Warran supporter and was attempting to smear Biden. Unless YOU are the OP, it wasn't directed at you, the irony was lost on you, and you're not very good at this.
Better luck next time. And quit before you further embarrass yourself.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Whatever. Run with that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)Quick! Google it, get your spin in order, and report back.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
hedda_foil
(16,368 posts)Let's see what you've got on cash from a lobbyist and we'll see if there's an issue there.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)... as if YOU can make the determination of what's an issue and what isn't in comparison to Joe Biden's speaking fees.
So we already know she was paid $90,000 to be an expert witness in a class-action lawsuit against U.S. banks. At the time she did the work she was head of the Congressional Oversight Panel monitoring the $700 billion bank bailout.
According to WaPo, some ethics attorneys said her work created at least the appearance of a conflict of interest given her leverage over banks as head of the watchdog group.
In 2011 she had to amend her financial disclosure report to include $5,000+ from Aspen Publisher's group, a lobbying firm lobbying for Sallie Mae.
She was also paid $10,000 by the same firm for "educational programs."
Her FEC filings show several other payments from lobbyists since 2012 and 2017.
There aren't issues to me just as a paid speech from Biden isn't. Are either issues to you?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to BeyondGeography (Original post)
irisblue This message was self-deleted by its author.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....people who paid to hear them, and on their way out they're handed a "free" book written by the speaker, who receives royalties and advances based on sales of the book?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)Book buyers?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)$200k for speaking at a health care conference sponsored by JP Morgan compared with individual Bernie fans spending 20 bucks for a book. This needs to be said?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)....one that except for one other candidate in the past has never been an issue before.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)at least that's my understanding. No different than getting to speak directly really except there's a book passed around to hide what you are really being paid for.
It's a common practice and not illegal, but I think it should not be legal.
Also I think Senators should be paid a lot more than they are while other sources of income are restricted
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Vegas Roller
(704 posts)which makes devotees get in touch with their inner spirituality and exclude all thoughts from their minds except devotion for the speaker as they bow in faith and unquestioningly believe every word uttered by said speaker.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
brooklynite
(93,839 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)What is he hiding?!?!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)....will probably be released soon. He clearly has no qualms about releasing them, and there was nothing onerous contained in those 18 years.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)One politician has made his returns available for decades.
Another bullshitted Americans for years saying he was going to release them and didn't.
Yes, it's very important.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,161 posts)Youll embarrass yourself.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)makes more money when they leave the White House. There is nothing unusual about this. As best I can recall, Joe never used his public position for money while he was in office.
This sounds too much like a replay of 2016 when Hillary was repeatedly attacked for her paid speeches.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
stonecutter357
(12,682 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Botany
(70,281 posts)Why are we doing the other side's work?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,836 posts)Could not have said it better
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scoopster
(423 posts)It's not his income that matters, but how he fights to help people who are less fortunate than he is.
Also, I'd rather choose someone who's actually successful, instead of the repeatedly certified business failure we have now.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dreamland
(964 posts)Joe is living the American dream, so is Sanders. What does it matter that they made millions. What matters more to me is that they were once middle income e people and who can remember their roots. They were not born with everything handed to them. They knew suffering and they know how life is not a bailout. So if someone charges for speeches and someone is willing to pay to listen , how different is that from paying for a $100 concert ticket?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)the fact that they can command such large fees for speaking or write automatic bestsellers is a symptom of a social problem - the making of our politicians into celebrities, and as we've seen from Reagan to Trump, making our celebrities into politicians. Entertainment and politics have merged.
The reward for a distinguished career in public service is no longer the mere gratitude of the masses and a nice retirement, but an open invitation from the wealthy elite to join their ranks. This problem has nothing to do with Biden, but it says a lot about the structure of our society.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
quickesst
(6,280 posts).... that Biden has been accused of since he entered the race, this too will end the same way..... Crickets. Take the latest attack. Last week you couldn't turn around without running into a post accusing Joe of "praising" a segregationist, which of course turned out to be a blatant lie. After that was proven, and the polls indicated he had not lost any support, and as a matter of fact, had actually gained more support, you can scroll the latest threads and see for oneself those threads have virtually disappeared. It's as if someone suddenly turned on a light in the middle of the night. Even the media who was running with this crap full bore has virtually come to a screeching halt. This will end up in the scrapheap, but I predict it will get there much sooner then most.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(44,744 posts)Last edited Tue Jun 25, 2019, 10:59 AM - Edit history (1)
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Watchfoxheadexplodes
(3,496 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Clarity2
(1,009 posts)we'd take down our own candidates with our own circular firing squad? It's the only thing he's been right about.
Big deal. I have no problem with any politician making money from speeches. As long as they're not making
their money in illegal ways, like from....Russia. Or sending their money to offshore accounts. Jeez, celebs make
millions on movies and tv series. Athletes also make millions during their career. We don't always think it's justified,
but it's an honest days work at least. Try to look at it that way, rather than comparing it to the average middle class salary.
And if he's making speeches at corporations we don't necessarily agree with, he is no doubt trying to flip the script and
make them see things in a different way. Why not get paid for it in the process?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OnDoutside
(19,906 posts)candidates !
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
MineralMan
(146,189 posts)This is just too damned funny. At this time in 2015, we were being regaled by accounts of how Hillary Clinton was parlaying her celebrity by making expensive speeches and writing books, too.
Supporters of another candidate used stories about that to try to pin a label on her.
Now, we're seeing the same tired nonsense directed at Joe Biden.
Fuck that shit!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)great speeches and get rich. It is interesting to see the number of Democrats attempting to take down the front runner of the Democratic Party. We have seen this before in 2016 and it looks like we are headed for a repeat in 2020. Remember, be careful what you wish for........
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SouthernProgressive
(1,810 posts)There is no depth too low. Sick right wing smear.
In a bit of irony, considering the content of the op, I appreciate the transparency.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BeyondGeography
(39,276 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
SouthernProgressive
(1,810 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)Joe Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ecstatic
(32,566 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LibFarmer
(772 posts)This will not sway a single Biden voter.
However, Biden voters' anger at the divisive campaign of Senator BS increases exponentially with each attempt that either fails to hit the target or fails to explode.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Polly Hennessey
(6,745 posts)Now we are after him because he makes a living- a good one. Next up: Joe Biden goes to the bathroom. How dare he admit to that. 🤔
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tishaLA
(14,176 posts)I'd consider it extraordinary if a speaker flew somewhere and *wasn't* reimbursed for travel expenses.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
blue neen
(12,306 posts)We really shouldn't be using him as a source on DU.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/matt-viser/?utm_term=.0ef923a60c7f
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,161 posts)Remind me where Ive heard that demand before. Oh, thats right, 3 years ago from people trying to tear down Hillary. The Hillaryization of Biden continues.
Btw, good for Joe for making some scrilla.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Afromania
(2,767 posts)This snuff job they are trying to pull on Biden is becoming obvious. Particularly with news of people being tired of trump. At this point I think they know Biden will runaway with it if he's nominated. The media wants another dog and pony show.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,998 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emulatorloo
(43,979 posts)candidates. We arent doing baseless smears this yeat
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
peggysue2
(10,811 posts)Democrats are going to scream about speaking fees? From Biden or anyone else. Really? After everything that went down in 2016??
Since when was doing Republican work a good strategy going into a presidential election, an election that will determine the course of our lives and those of our kids?
Get a frigging grip! This is a nothingburger wrapped up like a newz story. Manufactured to create buzz and wishful damage. Nothing more.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Oh please.
And FFS, referencing Trump's smears as to why Democrats should ditch another Democrat? Surely you can do better.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OhZone
(3,212 posts)including an old friend from college who because schizophrenic after having her second child.
So sad.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,122 posts)people. It must be Shakespearean!" Bernie Sanders
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JI7
(89,172 posts)and usually when it's women and minorities who get paid.
since joe is a white man it won't be much of an issue.
and if you want to go by what Republicans will do that's like saying we shouldn't support Warren becsuse they will bring up the whole native American thing.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thegoose
(3,115 posts)Personalities sign with speaking agencies who negotiate the best deals for their clients. They don't just sit there and demand to be paid a fortune.
Anyhow, I'd rather see people with experience, intelligence and something real to offer than the Kartrashians who get paid equal amounts of money just to show up at a fucking "party" with their surgery-enhanced breasts and enormously inflated asses.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
KT2000
(20,544 posts)while serving as senator or VP. I don't think there are limitations on income for private citizens. With his background and experience he would be a highly paid speaker.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,347 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NYMinute
(3,256 posts)still trying desperately
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wyldwolf
(43,865 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Fla Dem
(23,342 posts)So what? They did their time in government, are they supposed to go around in sackcloth and ashes for the rest of their lives?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden