Lot of money in quick time…Good job Bill.

Can't thow stones at Slick Willy.
He's gotta get two things in life.
One, he's gotta get paid.
And two………………………..
DrFill

Bill earned every penny of it. He paid 40 miliion on taxes and donated 10% ie nearly 10 million on charity. Whereas Obama paid only 1% to charity when he was contesting election. That shows that his are just the speeches, but no action!

Bill was selling Hillary's 2008 presidency. Now he has a lot of back tracking to do…, just watch those speech numbers drop faster than Hillary's poll numbers.

Actually, I think the original statement was correct…

Let's not forget the life-long pension–that is willable to the spouse, and life-long secret service protection, and life-long free medical care.

With such a great benefit package you would think we would be able to attract better candidates than we have to select from this year.

Man do we need a third party!!

I find it grossly obscene that anyone would pay Bill Clinton a quarter million dollars to give a speech. I'm sure he doesn't provide anything in these speeches that isn't already well-documented … what kinds of fools spend their organization's money to hear him revise history? Surely, there are better uses for these funds!!

Bill, only the second US President to be impeached, disgraced himself, Hillary and Chelsea, the American people and the Office of the President of the US. I guess "he felt the poor people's pain for so long", he decided to take advantage of his former president status and make all the money he could.

What a waste of money!!!!!

Well duh… These were at some point our leaders in America. They write books or speak and bam make millions because people are curious. We teach our children to learn about our history and what better way than to buy and read a book. The former presidents basically become famous and then write about it. Most average people would get laughed at if we were to write a book and then due to being unknown we couldnt get it published or if it were no one would buy it.. To think the American taxes just were not enough when they were in office for they show greed and want more…

I guess they need more, so Hillary is running for President.
I wonder how much she will make after her 4yrs. I guess we will never know.

OBAMA 08

Clintons are liars! They say one thing and do another! All lies! Nothing but lies. Wake up PA, NC and IN and give the boot to Billary once and for all! Please, for the sake of this great nation!!!

It's 3 a.m. and your campaign is imploding.
What do you do?
* quick accuse Obama or his surrogates of some absurd, made up crime
* BOYCOTT OLYMPICS
* PRETEND TO FIRE YOU CHIEF STRATEGIST, BUT KEEP EVERYTHING ON HIS DESK, BECAUSE HE'LL RETURN LATER
* ACCUSE OBAMA AGAIN, IN CASE EVERYONE FORGETS
* CHALLENGE HIM TO A BOWL OFF
* SEND BILL OUT TO THREATEN SUPER DELEGATES
* ACCUSE MICHELLE OBAMA OF SOMETHING
* LIE ABOUT AN EARLIER LIE YOU WERE BUSTED ON
* PAY OFF THE MEDIA TO SUPPRESS THE STORY
* CLAIM YOU HAVE WON ALL THE STATES THAT MATTER
* CLAIM YOU WON THE ELECTORAL STATES
* BLAME OBAMA'S ENTIRE FAMILY OF SOMETHING
* LOOK FOR BILL, TO RESCUE YOU
* START CRYING
THAT WILL BE A BUSY 3 A.M. CALL, I AM EXHAUSTED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT

Hs hasn't stopped coming back, But who is he talking to and who is paying those millions.

I think delivering speeches should be a public service for former presidents and political figures in general. They have plenty of benefits as is without having to pull in 5 college-educated-salaries' worth of money per spiel. These people generally only have bachelor's degrees anyway and they make more in a few minutes than we do in several years?

Hillary is crazy, I thought Nancy Pelosi already asked Bush to boycott the olymics why is hillary saying it now. Let me think to divert the attention from her failing week with Mark Penn, pregrant lady story, Bosnia story, 109M income from Unkown source, her NAFTA support which she lied to the Ohio voters. I can not even catch up with her lies anymore, when is this evil woman stop lying.

I'd sat the economy has been pretty darn good to the Clintons and they didn't have to borrow from China.

McCain a Warmonger? Yes, the whole bunch of them, Bush, Cheney
McCain,Crook and Liar Rove, Rice, Rumsfeld. They believed in the war. Not one of them had the balls to stand up and say to the American people, This has to be stopped, NOW. I am referring to "then. It made Cheney millions of dollars. Is it legal to make personal millions when you are
part of the government. The sins of the men who sold "some" of America on this war, will be written in the history books. The legacy
of Bush, which he can't wait for because Bush thinks it is going to portray the Greatest Wonderful President in History, when, depending
on who tells the story, could be just the opposite.
All Cheney can say when asked about how to cut the budget, is
get rid of the entitlements that "the people" pay into every week.
Any Republican that can sit pretty with his legs crossed on stage
is a complete egotistical money mongrel. War mongrel, Money
Mongrel and Hillary did'nt speak up. It is truly called "old politics" and it would take balls to stand up and tell the American people the truth
which Hillary still cannot do.

Hillary is also finished!!!! She stood by an let the big boys run the show
in front of her nose. Time to clean house. Many Republicans must
go, please.

OBAMA 2008

since BUSH has indebted us to China, I am curious to see who the

Clintons are willing to sell us off to- COLUMBIA maybe????

No. of course not.

But I bet the list of library donors and speaking fee payees would be quite telling of what they are willing to sell us off for and to.

REALITYKING. YOU DONT HAVE MUCH REALITY IF YOU ARE A O.B. CLINTON HATER. HE HAS YOU ALL BELIEVING HE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.WHAT A JOKE.CLINTON ARE SMART AND KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE. HRC WOULD BE A GREAT PRESIDENT AND OUR ONLY CHANCE FOR A DEM. IN OFFICE THIS YR.

The other two are not rerunning the presidency. Talk of carter and bush being dragged into mud!

This country has been so corrupt and so tired to foreign goverments. I wonder who is out there for American people!

Where are the Washingtons? Who amongst our elected elite is able to, after completing his civic duties, go back to the private sphere and live his life as a normal citizen? WHERE IS CINCINNATUS!?!

I want to see Obama a president. Clinton came from nowhere and would love to see another person from nowhere. 'I have a dream' was not just words!

You go boys….Sometimes the American Public is so stupid!!! What this country needs is more people with common sense!!

Why shouldn't they make the money. I would much rather see ex-presidents making money talking about history, than see Britney or Paris make millions doing nothing!!!

Hilary has a heck of a consolaton prize whe she decides to drop out:

1. A nice house in Chappequa NY with no BILL in it.

2. 110 MILLION DOLLARS.

3. Free health care for life.

4. Free Secret Service for life.

5. The right to say "I told you so" for the next 20 years.

Sheesh, sounds like a better deal than actually being President!

I'd jump on that, buy a big-arse yacht and sail around the world. Who needs the Presidency?

Go for it, Hillary! Hillary Early Retirement in '08!

All the boomers are doing it, ya know!

People pay for Bill Clinton's speaches and words because he is ADMIRED AND LOVED AROUND THE WORLD…..Plain and simple……

Remind me of what GW Bush was saying in Sept 2007:

Bush says his first goal when he leaves the U.S. presidency will be to hit the lecture circuit and make the kind of money his father and Bill Clinton have been making, “replenish the ol‘ coffers,” he said. He talks to the author of a new book about making a ridiculous amount of money this way. Quote, “I don‘t know what my dad gets,” he‘s quoted as saying, quote, “but it‘s more than 50, 75. Clinton‘s making a lot of money,” close quote.

I wonder what it will take for Americans to vote out liars!

No body is complaining for clinton's making too much money. All we are asking is when did the uncounted 15M came from. Also we need to know How much they made in 2007

The difference between Reagan, Bush, Carter, and all the others is this:

Their spouse was not a sitting U.S. Senator with Presidential Ambitions.

Bills "speaking fees" from foreign governments and large corporations are nothing more than bribes, plain and simple!

Many of our presidents have been honorable people. President Carter has certainly been instrumental in bringing about awareness and positive change for many who were previously ignored or forgotten.

But, Bill Clinton? Pres. Truman wrote about the prestige and dignity of the office of the presidency. Bill had the prestige, but he had no use for any dignity during the debacle that was the Clinton administration or since! Why do people reward that by buying his books and attending his speeches? Moths to the flame, I guess.

Si se puede! Obama 2008!

bill cinton is a joke and hillary is a bigger joke.. wake up americans
if hillary wins the next president will be good old bill again. maybe this time he can do it right and not get caught behind the oval office desk

Bill lobbied for Dubai in Port deal as ex-president recently. Got money for speeches???

Super patriot

How many presidents owe only 20% in taxes but pay over 30% like Clinton?

How many of them gave 10% to charity?

You can say what you want about the Clintons but they have proved that they have heart and character.

For what the presidential job entails post employment compensation is warranted. Hmmm 109 million over 8yrs is 13 million 625 thousand dollars a year. Hollywood megastars get 20-30 million dollars a PICTURE for being able to look good and speak someone else's words on the big screen. And if there's more than one picture a year…. Which job is harder and more important?

Supply and demand theory just like anything else in life…. Their demand is such… and their supply lucrative. But the supply and demand formula is different for each ex-President.

Referring specifically to Bill, other than the people jealous of him… all will agree that he has the charisma and traits that people want to see/hear…. and he does, and should capitalize on those. But he is also a good man for donating $10.2 of his many millions.

Well if you get to be President and live trough it then make the money only after you are out of office. That's what everyone would do in that position. To say they would not is a lie I don't care who you are.

P.S. Want to write some real news? write about tha olympics games being held in China and how much of human rights they violate. I hope they don't let the torch light up once in San Fransico. Come on liberal looneys from SFO rise up I am with you in this one.

Rafael

In the case of Bill Clinton, it is mainly a case of sexual intrigue + power + betrayal = big bucks. Hollywood couldn't write a more titillating script. Bush sr. could never hope to make that kind of cash in any kind of bio.

Folks…………I have the CLINTON burn-out syndrome. They have worn all the voters down and we just do not care anymore. Voters in PA PLEASE keep up the strength and JUST SAY NO!!!! Please stop this bleeding and vote for OBama and let Hillary take her ENDLESS issues and go back to New York. WE are begging you all to be realists and stop this…..next they will try to sew this thing up based on the states who have the majority of women that can hen-peck their husbands enough to vote for Hillary!!! That way she will get the male vote by hook or by crook !!!!!!! Yiu guys that can not make a decision with out your PLEASE man-up and vote how you feel.

It is not just presidents. Cabinet members and other executive branch officials go on to lucrative deals for lobbying firms, as CEO's, as board members, all trading on their access to power.Its a giant gravy train supplied by our tax revenues.

Absolutely nothing wrong with accepting money to give a speech!! Motivational speakers are highly paid individuals, why shouldn't an ex-president who did an excellent job be paid as such! Maybe we should put a cap on what anyone is allowed to earn in a life time….if you don't like the sound of that, then you have no argument.

Every thing about the Clintons 're simple deceit and pure tactic self enrichment program—Go from country to country collecting huge some from poor country in the name of Clinton foundation.

Americans!!! should wake up from slumber..

I really don't think it's anybodys business as long as they are paying thier taxes and not doing anything illegal. I sure don't want to put my tax returns out there for everybody to comment on. Let's move on to something that matters and really is news.

If someone is as overpaid as Mr. Clinton clearly has been for the past 6 years, it makes me wonder exactly *why* he was being paid so much. It's not like he has ever had anything of value to say. Let alone millions of dollars…sure.

I agree with Sean that the original statement was correct. Certainly in this particular case.

Kinda makes you wonder exactly what favors have been promised to foreign nationals for these excessively large "speech" payments. They must be expecting something in return for their money. His words alone aren't worth a dime.

it's also really helpful when you're an oil man, and your son starts a war in the middle east!

And how much did the other make?

Nope just focus on the Clintons. The media is obessed with them. He really did out maneuver you people for years.

109M…………………….BUSH/CLINTON….NAFTA…BUSH/CLINTON…..TAX CUT FOR THE RICHES….

10 MILLION FOR CLINTON FOUNDATION—CONFLICT OF INTEREST…. SELF EMPOWERMENT……………………………..

Well Well Mr. Bill's at it again………….as if 109 million of that money you got from foreigns due to shady dealings ("speaking events") weren't enough

Oh yes, the Clintons - of the people, by the people, for the people…. but for a price… a hugh price which the nation cannot afford. How disgusting to see this cashing-in at nearly $10 million per year of the post-presidency period. And Hillary and Bill can relate to the average guy or gal in Pennsylvania. Give me a break.

Perhaps this is why dear Chelsea can afford to canvas the country for Mom and Dad — she certainly doesn't need to get an honest job and work for a living either.

Wake up PA voters - put Obama over the edge in Pennsylvania and bring this race to a close for the Democrats.

The former most powerful man in America should exercise capitolistic fortitude by getting rich! Hell we should pay them more!

President Clinton is belove around the world. I have bought their books. He is smart, likeable, world stateman, and a very successful person. His foundation is doing a lot for AIDS in Africa. They paid their taxes, they gave a huge amount to charity. I sincerely don't see any thing wrong with the amount of money they have made.
They have contributed far more than overpaid sports' stars, they have done far more than most over paid CEO, and they have done far more than most overpaid journalists and commedians. You people should give it a rest. Most rich people do not pay a fraction of the percentage taxes that the Clintons paid.
Hillary will be a fantastic president should she the Democrats have the backbone to nominate her otherwise there will be President John McCain come January 2009.

Adams is absolutely wrong, and there is one thing more lucrative in life than to be a former president - being an oil executive or CEO of Wall Street firms who typicall earn several hundred million in ONE year.

He wasn't selling his ex-Presidency, he was selling Hillary's future presidency. Nobody was paying him $10M for speaking engagements seven years out of office. I wonder if the Clinton Library donations come with the same caveat the big money donations to the DNC seemingly came with - Deliver what we want or you have to give the money back.

It's good to know that Hillary and Bill have such a keen understanding of the average Joe. They know how to exploit him to fatten their own pockets.

Hillary you will NEVER be president.

The presidency is an extremely taxing job. There is no glamour in it -just a tremendous weight of responsibility and accountability. Ex-presidents need to be respected and to be able to continue to make valuable contributions. If they contribute a percentage of their post-presidential earnings and their time to charity, they should be applauded!

Good for Bill he was a good president , very smart and very much in demand as a speaker. None of the canidates running for president are paupers. I am not jelious of anyone's wealth .I just thank God for what I have.Bill needs something to do with his time an if he can be productive that is a blessing.

It's all about money. $250K a pop? I'd do it for half that…

Look at McCain's financial situation - his wife is worth millions, but he can't claim any of it - it's all in her name. He gets a pension and his congressional salary, and that's it.

He has the highest standards of integrity I've seen in a long time from ANYONE in Washington, on both sides of the isle.

At least the former presidents had dignity. Bil Clinton has absolutely none, disgraced his office and is rewarded for it. How sick is that!

Bill Clinton was a great President in my opinion! Look what we have now! If we don't look out we will have another 4 years of a Rep in office. There is only one person who can win the electorial college from McCain and that is Hillary Clinton.

Never realized how much money former Presidents can make! Interesting to see how much money people are actually willing to pay to attend a speech!

Add it to the long list of things that Bill Clinton is better at than any other president. Try selling tickets to a "W" speech in a year..

And, he proved it as President of this country as well as in his personal life.

And, the Clintons put their money where their mouths are in giving $10.2 million to charity.

The Clinton Foundation has also done many great things for many people here at home and around the world.

Bless Bill and Hillary Clinton!

In the case of Carter, you would only buy them to laugh at, as well. Moron as a president; senile moron, now.

And?? I am glad that the Clintons are successful, I would not want an ex President who is not , nor would I want a Presidential nominee that can not show a profitable and successful life. Who wants a leader who can show you how to become poor? The Clintons have made alot of money, they have paid alot of taxes and they have given alot to charity. I am proud of them both. If the Obama's had been as successful, I doubt we would be reading about it on a CNN ticker.

51 MILL. from only speeches?!??!

Yeah right..

I don't see what the big deal is all about. There is a life after the presidency, lucrative or not, for some if they choose it.

Yes We Can & Yes We Should!
Obama 08′

Photon Torpedo
Dallas, TX

Everyone (including ex-Presidents) has the right to make a living! It's not like we've been held up by gunpoint to buy anything they are selling. At least Bill Clinton has something to write about!

And Hillary has said 'words dont' matter' and 'talk is cheap'. I guess it depends on who is doing the speaking!

People do not pay $250,000 to hear a former president speak. The reality is, you cannot shut Bill Clinton up. The Dinner speech for a quarter million dollars is about payback, or pay it forward. People expect something for that kind of money. This all makes me ill!

Thanks for the interesting facts on ex-presidents.

Ultimately, I agree with the ex-pres pension. Considering there's really not much in the way of career advancement after you've became a president of the United States, it only makes sense to give them a generous retirement fund. We wouldn't want our ex-presidents showing up on the cover of the enquirer going through hard times. That would leave an impression that we don't take care of those that have served us. A president has to endure enourmous stresses while in office. Try putting yourself in their shoes and make one world decision. In doing so, try not to press the red button. Try to consider all of the factors and know that whichever decision you make, there are going to be people upset with your decision. Imagine having that stress on your sholders for 4 or even 8 years. Whether we like their performance or not, the american people voted them into the most stressful job in the world. Let's let them live out their remaining days as free from stress as humanly possible.

Bill Clinton made less than $30K per year during his entire tenure as Governor of Arkansas. The Clintons had NO MONEY. His family certainly wasn't wealthy. Bill & Hillary Clinton didn't even own a home of their own while they lived in Arkansas, not even a lake weekender.

So, anybody (Rev. Wright) who thinks that the Clinton's grew up priviledged are just dead wrong.

Bill Clinton is just smarter than most. He grew up with nothing but his own brains, won the Presidency twice, then went on to make his fortune. So What?

George W. Bush grew up rich, failed at business, cheated to win the Presidency twice, and hopefully will go back to Texas and never be heard from again!

Why don't Hillary and his followers argue for a presidential appointment system in which a former president choose our next president, like what Putin did in Russia or Castero did in Cuba. One more requirement though- it's better to ask the former former president, I mean Bill, to make the call. Would that be more ideal than choosing several "large" states to vote?

hey look it's the three stooges,ha ha ha….

As for the speeches, books, and other royalties related to thier lives.. America is a land of free market. If and when the american people lose interested in reading, hearing, or seeing what an ex-president has to say, they'll quit paying for it.

God bless America! Land of the FREE!!! + tax
except where probibited by law.

yeah Wolf,tell Hillary go to hail.All she needs to do is concede because she already lost .Stop divided the Democratic party.

Do your homework Obama supporters, Look back and see what Regan, George Bush, along with Clinton, they make their most money after the job as President was completed. Why complain now. You should have made your points back with Reagan. Your just look for something else to whine about. Well, Boo Hoo.

Clinton in 2008…..Get over it. How do you make your money. HMMMM!

BY ALLOWING EX-PRESIDENTS (OR OTHER TOP GOVENMENT OFFICIAL) TO SELL THEIR BOOKS AND SPEECHES DURING THE
FIRST 5 OR 10 YEARS AFTER LEAVING THE POST, A GIGANTIC
LOOPHOLE IS OPENED.

I HAVE NO SUPPORT TELLING THAT BILL CLINTON IS SUCH A CASE, BUT OBVIOUSLY ANY ILLEGAL PAYMENT CCOULD BE CAMOUFLAGED AS A COMPENSATION FOR A SPEECH.

TOM ALBO.

I think that is pretty good considering he was broke and in debt when he left the WH. Those are his words not mine. He had all those attorney fees and affairs to pay off and he still made a huge profit. Not bad, it is the American way.

I just hope George W. does not stay in the public eye after his term is over. I never want to see him again.

President Clinton was one of the best presidents we have ever had. I don't care what he did in his personal life. That is up to him, his wife, and he will have to answer to God. But we as a Nation owe him alot. We had both peace and prosperity during his terms as president. I think Senator Obama's supporters are in for a wake up call. And it won't be at 3 AM. Something is going to come out soon and Senator Obama will have to quit the race. It will be Senator Obama that will quit. I don't care what color someone is. I choose the person who has the most experience. Why does CNN only print Senator Obama's supporter's comments? Cause they want Senator Obama to win. Well, he isn't going to win cause something big is coming out and then it will be over for Senator Obama.

Nothing wrong with making lots of money but isn't it time we elected someone who isn't a multi millionaire.

Nobody. Nobody will want to ever hear the likes of a crook like
Bill Clinton again. Nor Hillary. Hillary will be very fortunate to keep
her job in the senate after this appalling run for President.
Oh, well, Dubai might pay Bill to speak. I think Dubai did pay him to speak and that
is where some of the above speaking engagements were.

I like Obama "speeches" much better.

Bill got the money from Dubai Shaikh who is looking for publicity for Dubai. I wonder if Bill Clinton has helped them to make Dubai so popular. Dubai does not have any income tax so Bill can earn there as much as he can and pocket all the money.

"People pay for Bill Clinton's speaches and words because he is ADMIRED AND LOVED AROUND THE WORLD…..Plain and simple……"

WAS admired.

I don't see anything wrong with him making money. He was a young man when he went into that office and he came out full of debt. He has a family to take care of. I think that if these entertainers can millions of dollars surely the ex-president ought to be able to make a living. Now unless there was a conflict of interest with some of the money with his wife being a Senator I don't see anything wrong with it.

If someone is as overpaid as Mr. Clinton clearly has been for the past 6 years, it makes me wonder exactly *why* he was being paid so much. It's not like he has ever had anything of value to say. Let alone millions of dollars…sure.

I agree with Sean that the original statement was correct. Certainly in this particular case.

Kinda makes you wonder exactly what favors have been promised to foreign nationals for these excessively large "speech" payments. They must be expecting something in return for their money. His words alone aren't worth a dime.

There is nothing offensive about this post. I am sure CNN will not engage in censorship to shape the public opinion.

So Bill made all that money from speaking.. "words, just words." I that phrase will be something else Hillary will have to drop from her stump speech.

Guess Bill & Hillary didn't rip off enough when they left the "Lie House", they need more. Who would pay to hear more of BiIl's lies?

So all you have are Clinton's stats? Why didn't you mention the other presidents income? Bill Clinton wouldn't make anything if he wasn't popular. So what did 50 cent rap daddy make last year? CNN seems selective in what they write.

Two things are very true, when running for president. One, you need alot of money, you can't run for president if you're a corn farmer from Nebraska. Two, you give speeches, that is what politicians do when they run for office, speak! I am tired of hearing people blog about Obama being a "smooth" talker. Why do you say this, because he's articulate, intelligent, has great ideas for this country, and is easy on the ears? No, you idiots are racist, ignorant, and have short attention spans. Thousands upon thousands of people line up to go to Obama rallies every day. Just recently, rock star Dave Matthews and his band gave a free concert in Indiana to help raise support for Obama. End your foolishness, and stop lying to yourselves and get behind this great man. Barack Obama for President '08!

Perhaps the other folks commenting on this article should have read the whole article. Bill Clinton is a smart man who people will pay big money to see and hear. As the article pointed out the ole Kipper ranked in a couple of million for a few speeches. Talk about a waste of money. Get your facts straight and stop bashing the Clintons because they are easy targets.

The Clintons' 109 millions is nothing compared with how much more they will make IF they are returned to the White House. Bill can be the cash registrar as the spouse of the President does not have to report gifts he or she receives.

Today Hillary demanded President Bush boycott Olympics 2008.
It was Bill Clinton and his half-president, Hillary who pushed for WTO and the most favored trade status for China in their administration. Bill signed it just before he got out of the office.

Anything Hillary now says about her anti-NAFTA or China position is only making her sound like a liar, which is nothing new.

Hillary and Bill should be the honorable guests to China this Olympics. They will have a genuine happy reunion in Beijing. China loves the Clintons and we all know why. Remember those suspicious donations in NYC Chinatown last year? More than 75% of Chinese polled in China would vote for Hillary. - NPR. McCain ranks the last. Obama, second.