CNN

Bush lied and people died, yet obviously to some he was a good president. None of you GOPers brainwashing has worn off from the past eight years. Its hard to imagine that our leader should be smart articulate people. Why is it ok for Bush to be on vacation 40% of hs time in office and receive tax payer funded salary, yet for Obama to write a book and make money from sales, not tax money, is wrong and he should be investigated and hes a dictator and all. Oh and whoever compared Obama money with McCains, that is a very poor comparison. For one Obama made 2.5 mill last year, McCain is worth over 100 million drastically different. Also Obama MADE his money. Few repubs have, McCain is rich because of his wife, Bush was rich because of his dad. Moral of this story: if you are an articulate driven leader who is either a democrat or a black man you are not allowed to make money, but white republicans just have money and thats ok. You just better not earn it.

The whole point of writing a book is hoping that everyone will enjoy reading what one has to say and, of course, earn money. Emphasis on *earn*!

Not to mention insuring his wife got a fat paycheck too...

In 2005 the hospital raised her salary from $120,000 to $317,000 – nearly twice what her husband made as a Senator.

Oh did I mention that her husband had just become a US Senator? He sure had. Requested a $1 Million earmark for the UC Medical Center where she worked.

LOL.... There's your change people!!!

I have a comment about this...so what?!?! At least he didn't make his money from shady oil wars and backhanded arms deals. But, I would never accuse anyone in particular of that.

Hey – I don't like him, I didn't vote for him. But if he wrote books that are making money, it is his money. Don't worry, he will raise taxes on himself too. You can be sure that I wouldn't buy one for .01

John March 19th, 2009 4:56 pm ET

He better not be writing his book on my time and dollar. The fool is going on Leno and filling out brackets, and lets the country fall apart.

"Fall apart," John - you mean the country had fallen apart PRIOR to his taking office. Have you ever had to clean up someone else's mess? If not, then you don't have a clue.

Perhaps congress should enact a law that people working for the government and earning wages through tax payers dollar, should have their other incomes taxed at 90% or refuse wages from tax payers?

What's your point? The headline made it sound like he took in an ungodly amount of money from some illegal dealings. He wrote two good books; people find the guy honest & appealing and want to know more about him; they bought his book. This is "news"?

Yes, he made his money honestly. He didn't get it from his father or steal it from someone's 401k. I'm not surprised some people are finding bad things to say about this. It is called envy. President Obama is smart and successful. A lot of unhappy people blame everyone but themselves for their problems. He is the type they love to hate.

well there is obama who earned his money legally and...

then there is george w who lied cheated and stole from the people

All you haters, you all should be ashame of yourself. Why should
Obama appologize for having money. He earn his money and
he worked hard for what he has. You people sound like you have
lost yous mind. It is not like he was born with a silver spoon in his
mouth. Who are you to say that Obama is work on your time. You
need to get real.

Sure would be welcome if he paid for his parties at the White House and the cocktail parties every Wednesday too. Since Fannie Mae received federal funds and he received contributions from Fannie, sure would be nice if he returned some of that loot. After all, Fannie is now government property in exchange for the federal funds it received to keep from going under. And, who did AIG make contributions to.

How Republicans can spin this into something negative is BEYOND me. It's refreshing to know that our current President earned his money – even if from writing a book – rather than being born into it OR profiting from War and the deaths of our soldiers. Keep up the great work, Obama! The sane people are behind you!!

They are both really good books, and inspired my kid to go into non-profit work.

Let's see. Obama gets $2.5 million for a couple of inspiring books versus my 21-year-old with no direction or sense of purpose in his life.

I'll need some time to figure out which one is more problematic for me.

Do you wingnuts really think we'd be better off with a stupid president (much like the last one).

Obama has improved international relations by eons already.

Can you see how that benefits us? Make sense? I guess if you're filled with hate and propoganda by your "party leaders", it's hard to see the forest for the trees.

Real America loves Barack Obama – our brilliant new leader.

What a Joke!

How to make Millions without doing anything except being "Present"

He will be a one term President.

Tax this bozo at a 90% tax rate. Maybe it should be 105%.

What? Does someone have a problem with Obama earning money from the books he wrote? He is a good writer. Too bad so sad if you dont like it.

Republicans would it make you happy if George Bush came out with his book titled:

The Audacity of that Idiot?? Because that is what Bush was.

The Messiah has his fawn in prey. What a bunch of gullible scurge you are. He bases his platform on fixing the economy, and we get nailed with news like this? It seems (Ahem, Clinton included), whenever, there is a Demo scandal, the flock turns a blind eye. That idealogy will come back to you in one way or another.

Why bring up Bush? I would LOVE to see how Obama would've handled 911. He probably would have invited the enemy for tea. Wake up.

You know, there is an irony in Obama making millions of dollars off of book sales. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, good for him! That is his right as a free citizen in a democratic, capitalist society and he should be applauded for working hard and getting ahead. Democrats are singing his praises for it. However, the moment a Republican is successful in their private life they are labeled as rich millionaires that are out of touch with society and the average American. How hypocritical. Just an observation. I don't want to hear another word about McCain's million$.

This guy is the biggest cheat. Nobody was buying his books but it was anti-Bush rhetoric which played a part. Now Congress has to step in ask him to pay 90% tax. What a clown....He also ahs to return all the campaign money left with him. Economy is bad and the man on the main street is suffering. Thanks to Barack Hussein Obama.

You know, there is an irony in Obama making millions of dollars off of book sales. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, good for him! That is his right as a free citizen in a democratic, capitalist society and he should be applauded for working hard and getting ahead. Democrats are singing his praises for it. However, the moment a Republican is successful in their private life they are labeled as rich millionaires that are out of touch with society and the average American. How hypocritical. Just an observation. I don't want to hear another word about McCain's million$.

Running for office has sure been profitable for the chosen one.

Luv it..do as i say not as I do...he is making that $$$ before he raises taxes

outrageous ! while he was enjoying the taxpayer-funded office of the president -elect (signage included ) , mr obama apparently was busy devising ways to personally profit from his soon to be held office. no wonder he is as ill-prepared as he is ; he apparently –and not surprisingly–put his personal gain above much needed preparation for the presidency.

Will you return the 100,00 you recieved from AIG Barack? Donate any of this money to Charity Barack? Thats right do as I say not as I do.

What's wrong with writing a book and making money? Some idiots act like this was a crime or something...it is nothing but jealousy because they themselves are too stupid to write anything.

And this is news because...

OMG, people first people scream that they are entitled to making millions they work for then they scream when someone else besides them does. President Obama is good at speaking, at writing, at reading, and at business what poor qualities in a leader.... Pathetic...

Boston Irish – yours comes when you get two bestsellers published.

Matt – as the article states, these were 2008 earnings, so the tax isn't due until April 15.

How is this news???? This is what happens when famous people write books that are even halfway decent, lol.

I apologize to Obama. I was criticizing him for running on the Prophet platform. Now I see it is the profit platform.

I have no problem with making money. Lies is another thing. This is another example of how he promoted himself a regular guy (drinks, basketball, worn out shoes, etc.) when that is not truth.

yeah Bush, etc,etc did it too. Politcs as usual.

OMG, people first people scream that they are entitled to making millions they work for then they scream when some besides them does. President Obama is good at speaking, at writing, at reading, and at business what poor qualities in a leader.... Pathetic...

With a population just over 300 million, why is the answer not to give taxpayer money back to the taxpayers? At one million dollars per person in the job force by the end of the year, you've got major stimulus to the economy. You pay it out monthly alongside our regular paychecks, if we quit our job then the stimulus money stops as well. Just the first three months the spending will create need for jobs, and a drop in the unemployment rate. Less big business would be in need of a bail-out, so the government would be able to pay off its debt and increase the value of the dollar. Giveing it to homeowners and lenders does not help ALL american people. I don't own a home, or qualify for most loans. But I pay taxes like everyone else. It is frustrateing to have my tax money help others but not myself.

@ Brian "Crooks",

The results of the election were 52% Obama, 45% McCain... that is a landslide??

Funny you suggest he's not a dictator. Let me think..... what exactly did Obama say to Republicans expressing concern about the Stimulus package.... oh yes... "I WON".

Hugo Chavez uses that same line with dissenting voices in Venezuela, Brian.

But you keep those comfy padded blinders on and have a free government refill of kool-aid.

why is this even an issue?

Anything above $250,000 can be taxed at 90% right? Obama should agree to that.

@ MARI -

We really don't know WHERE Obama was born, let alone a spoon in his mouth....besides...it's amazing how he started college with no money...and with 3 muslim roommates, and then suddenly after a trip to the middle east, has the money for Harvard...hmmm...and all the while his college buddies now are offered jobs....yeah, you're supporting a true American there, dipstick.

He's already re-writing history eh?

This is not news

I really don't see how Obama's book for younger readers would be any different than Meghan McCain's book about her father – and I certainly hope that the former will mention Obama's half-siblings, since I thought it was in terribly poor taste for McCain's older children to be excluded from the latter.

I also fail to see the problem with the other books or his earnings. Most presidental hopefuls memoirs of some kind to give interested voters a chance to know them better. It has been reported that Sarah Palin is in the process and Mike Huckabee has been promoting his new book on the major talk shows. Most former presidents write memoirs as well. Bush was apparently advised not to at this point because of his poor approval ratings, but will undoubtedly do so in the future.

If you didn't have a problem with McCain's children's book, Huckabee's latest, or upcoming works by Palin and Bush, then there's really no reason to resent Obama for doing the same. Unless of course you're an idiot who holds Republicans and Democrats to different standards.

Lets see how this shows up on his tax returns, what kind of a moron would support this fool by buying one of his books anyway!!

Okay, so he was working as a Senator and campaigning for President – and somehow he had the time to write a book? Wasn't he on the government payroll at the time? Aren't we entitled to the money he earned?

"Obama took in millions, report reveals"... that's an absurdly misleading headline given the current AIG debacle

Give him a break.He wrote a book, he generated revenue out of it, so
What?The only books i will not buy are the ones written by George
Bush Jr and Dick Chenny, because they are going to be based on
lies.

Seems like Obama is lining his pockets while the rest of America suffers under the crushing weight of his policies. He should put his money where his mouth is and donate his money to charities for the poor.

Well, at least he wrote brillient books unlike his predessor who probably never read a full book late alone write one!

That's great Mr. President . That is nothing compare to what Bush and Cheny has made of the Oil Companies and Haliburton . They rape the Ameican people and left us with the bill. Bush and Cheney have trillons of dollars wiating on them once they leave office,

Can we tax this joker 90% now too?

Barry, buddy, this is not coming out at a good time. But that's OK... continue to feign "outrage" (outrage, I tell you, OUTRAGE!) at contractually-mandated and congressionally-approved AIG bonues, and we'll continue to pretend we believe you.

That audacity of audacity, indeed.

America will be a better country...

...and Earth will be a better planet...

...when the racist Bush Republican conservatives...

...are cosmic dust...

I'll take someone who worked for his money over someone with a silver spoon. Furthermore, he wants to raise taxes on people making over $250,000. If Obama is making 2.5 million solely in book royalties, he's putting his money where his mouth is and raising his own taxes.

Oh no...... he actually had to write books to make money..... unlike President Bush and especially Cheney..... just go invade a country and milk their oil.....

Maybe 3rd graders need to learn what audicaty means. This is not a word that is hard to define.

The only other President I can think of who wrote a book before running for office is Jack Kennedy with "Profiles in Courage" so Obama is in good company. I read both books in 2006 and they convinced me to support him for President – that and his academic record, beginning with graduating from the best school in the State of Hawaii – Punahou.

2.5 million dollars is nothing compared to what this guy is going to make when he leaves office.

Obama's abridged book will become required reading in our schools. I am sure that both his books are already required reading for the Obama Youth. You know, the Obama Youth. That group that was out to brainwash our young kids that he was "the One". Similar to the youth groups run out of Germany in the late 1930's, also known as the Hitler Youth. People are losing their jobs, homes, and their lives are being destroyed and Obama is cutting book deals, appearing on Leno, and making his March Madness picks. The guy sure has his priorities straight. Obama first. The American people only when convenient.

There sure are some silly people making comments. Obama book money came from his book, not from bailout money. Why should he be taxed at 90%?
Just about every member of congress has written a book and no one seem to notice.
It's not really about Obama's book deal is it? We al know that.

Now will he pay taxes on this or just "forget" like the rest of his administration?

This is why he's not scared to talk about taxing the rich… He himself is a rich man, who does not mind paying his fair share. To all the conservatives out there who didn't know he was well off, do your homework!! Obama was a successful lawyer...... When he became involved in community organizing, is when he caught the political bug. The rest is history....... For those who think this man will be President for one term, think again...... The GOP has nobody who will be able to stop the Obama machine!! Just think, there are young people who couldn't vote this time, who will be eligible in 2012!! Who do you think they'll cast their vote for?? Palin? Huckabee? Romney? Jindal? Happy to say they'll vote for Obama!

I have no problem with someone earning money from their work. He wrote the books. We bought the books. So, what's the problem?!?!

It's called CAPITALISM...That's how America was built. There's nothing wrong with Barack earning a living too while in or out of the office. mjoyce i think you're smart or maybe not with this statement "may we should tax him 90% over his $250,000 limit.." Now let's see, AIG took bailout money and gave out $165 million in bonus money. They should be taxed 90% hands down. Wake up Genius

Are you people serious? So all of the millionaire and billionaire White presidents and presidential candidates of the past are not a problem but Obama is? Thank you for your comment Brian Crooks. I bet not one person has a problem with Cheney and Haliburton or generations of Bush's wealth but Obama is a monster to them. Look at it this way, if your problem is with a Black person being rich, there are entertainers who have way more money than the President so try not to loose any sleep tonight.

I love the part when as a child he hung around with Frank the Marxist! Will the real Obama , please stand up!

MY PRESIDENT !

EARNED A GOOD HONEST LIVING !!!!!
America applauds your HONESTY !!!!
I love this COUNTRY !

And what about Bush's memoirs where he is getting $ 7 millions? No reports on that crap!!!

Audacity of Hope was a very good book filled with eye opening ideas. A must read for all Republicans.

People are amazing, the same ones that are screaming that Obama is a socialist are the ones complaining that he is benefiting from our capitalist system.

And this is important why?

All it tells me is that all the talk about him being one of us is another one of his lies.

This guy is a millionaire just like every recent president before him.

He knows nothing of the problems Americans face today and hasn't for a long long time.

He has been spoon fed ever since he entered the political arena, from his days of early Chicago politics where he used cheap tactics to eliminate his competition to the vast fundraising efforts of those who were getting him elected to the state senate.

He is smart and a good talker I'll give him that, but one of us? Not even close.

Good for you President Obama. Keep on keeping on. I'm glad you are a person who's not concerned one iota about the haters who despise you because of who you are. The more they talk about you, the more God will bless you. So let them continue to bring it on.

May God bless the idiot repeatedly.

@ Mari says,

"Obama is a great example of how ANY ONE can SUCCEED in our Nation, given a good education, brilliance and …….. drive!"

-–

You forgot "Affirmative Action" and "Media Bias"

all the republicans are right..... it was so much more impressive having a man who never successfully ran a business, run the country

And to everyone who thinks they're being clever talking about taxing him higher, he's repeatedly said that his taxes would go up under his plan. You make it sound like he didn't realize when he said "people making over $250,000" he was talking about himself too.

He better not be writing his book on my time and dollar. The fool is going on Leno and filling out brackets, and lets the country fall apart.

He is a disgrace.

Good job Mr. President Obama get paid.

So...George W. Bush just got a book deal for $7 million dollars (I think). At least Obama writes his own books. I wonder if Bush even knows how to write; he certainly couldn't even correctly read speeches that were prepared for him in advance.

So... what, they're taking out the drug references for the middle schoolers? Has history ever been rewritten so quickly?

He already knows he falls into the rich people category and he is implementing policies that will affect his wallet. That's why I like the guy. He knows that people who are making the buku bucks can afford a 3% tax increase. Carry on Mr. President.

I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I would much rather see someone running for office make money from a book that he wrote than from crooked politicians and lobbyists. Honest money is never a bad thing.

@ Reality Check and Jon in CA, grow up.

First of all, President Obama was elected in an electoral landslide, so he's not a dictator. Secondly, these aren't books that sing his praises, they're autobiographies. Third of all, you're out of your mind if you think middle schools aren't going to want their students to read these books. By making them easier to read for younger kids, he's promoting literacy and making it easier to digest. To Jon, I've yet to meet the third grader who even knows what "audacity" means, so your point is completely absurd.

Check the tax records...I want to know whether he paid taxes on those earnings. Considering Geithner's and DeLay's inability to follow tax law, I'd like to know that their leader is at least paid-up in full.

Funny...with of the $$$ of the bush dynasty, I don't recall ever being provided such exact financial information about any other US president.

Why is it that the media is always hot to discuss earnings of African Americans (consider athletes, televangelists, etc.) while not so much with others in the same professions?

EARNED. His tax increases on those who earn over $250K will effect himself. This is a whole lot different than getting a $2.5M bonus for wrecking a company, so stuff it GOPer crybabies.

The comments on here are as hilarious as usual. He wrote a couple books, and he made money off of them because he was a Presidential candidate and people were interested in his story. Doesn't seem too shady to me.

But all the right-wingers will glady ignore the money Senator McCain and Governor Palin made due to their campaign.

This is why he's not scared to talk about taxing the rich... He himself is a rich man, who does not mine paying his fair share.

Wait those books were paid for with tarp money and therfore that income should be taxed at 90 percent.

How narcissistic to write an autobiography before you are "somebody".

He plans to write a non-fiction book? I guess that means how other books were all fictional. We could ask Bill Ayers.

Yes Dennis – The Audacity of Greed. Something Republicans know all about.

Cue the vapid criticism from Republicans.

mjoyce

Please explain your logic, or is it just hate.

Well, looks like he gets his bailout. Where's mine?

Some of the people who make comments on these blogs are so filled with hate. Any one of us can write a book and hope that it does well. Look at J.K. Rowling...from broke to millionaire. Why is it so awful for him to make money off writing books. People are green with envy and not happy unless they have something negative to say. It is really so sad. If you are unhappy, only you have the power to change your life.

"maybe we should tax him 90% over his $250,000 limit."

I'm sure if everybody else making that much had the same tax rate, he wouldn't mind. The top bracket was taxed 70% under Ike and Nixon, if it was good enough for those old scions of conservatism, it's good enough for the wealthy today.

WOW
Conservatives complaining about someone making money in the free market.........Who would believe it LOL

Way to go Barack!

Good for you President Obama. Keep on keeping on. I'm glad you are a person who's not concerned one iota about the haters who despise you because of who you are. The more they talk about you, the more God will bless you. So let them continue to bring it on.

@ THE FAR-RIGHT:

At least Obama EARNED his money on his OWN..... NOT because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth!

Aren't you the SAME people who want to continue the Bush tax cuts....... who are ALL for FREE MARKET CAPITALISM????

Obama is a great example of how ANY ONE can SUCCEED in our Nation, given a good education, brilliance and ........ drive!

BRAVO FOR HIM!

No one complained when regular person JK Rowling made BILLIONS from the Harry Potter series of books. Why complain about this? He wrote some books that people bought. Big deal. Stop hating.

I like Obama. this really is a non story. How many others have written books and profited off them?

guess what!? write two books, and YOU TOO could earn millions of dollars!

Now, Now, Now! Obama's earnings from his book has nothing to do with greed or what is happening in the economy right now. Obama earned that money when people bought his books to have as a keepsake, resell on Ebay for profits after getting his autograph and so forth. So, please do not put this in the same category with the deal Mr. Bush(wack) just inked. From when people don't have the right to earn money honestly? And by the way, Obama will pay his taxes on these earnings. So, get off it!

Please CNN, ask president Obama to break up the monopolies so that they can fail much easily in the future if need be. We wont be afraid that small small failures would have ripple effect on the broad economy. Break them up now!!!! Dont let them grow to the size of whole economy to the point that they become a source of headache for any administration in the future be it democrat or republican. Solve the problem now by breaking them up. Divide them into subgroups based on the product lines, and then you'll be able to let the market take care of the lemons. Once they grow too big, they create unintended trouble for all of us. Please break them up, break the up now now

If he is half as good a President as an author we are in great shape. I have both his books. Worth every penny.

I resent the "raked in" comment, as well. He did indeed earn that money.

No!!! Do not leak this to the public!!! If the Repubs learn that Obama actually made a sizable income from his books, they will have him roasted on the political spit. LOL!!!

Amazing how someone can write two autobiographies without having actually accomplished anything.

Excuse me except organizing communities of course. Well at least with his third autobiography he can cover his "Destroying the American Private Sector" years.

His book sales went up drastically when he became the nominee. Heck, I went and bought his book too. So, he is getting these profits because of how well known he is now. I would not be surprised if his book sales overseas increased tenfold during the campaign.

Well, are you going to "share the wealth" with the rest of us?

Correction: Silver foot in his mouth.

Sounds like a smart business man to me. At least we wont need crayons for his books like we would for Bush's

I am very concerned about the "abridged version" of the books. Both books are already written at a remedial third grade level, so I really don't know how much more he can dumb them down. Have any of you read these books??

I am very concerned about the "abridged version" of the books. Both books are already written at a remedial third grade level, so I really don't know how much more he can dumb them down. Have any of you read these books??

unbelievable...how many Presidents have written books before and after their time in office, and had lucrative deals for it? INCLUDING Republicans????

it sounds like the nasty neo-cons on here who are criticizing Obama for doing the SAME thing are just displaying "the gripes of wrath"....

Give the man a break. He wrote these before he started working for the people so he didn't do them on the country's dime. Even the deal after he leaves office in four years will be after he is off the clock.

If it's over $250,000 in jbook deals, let's get those taxes rolling in and "Spread that wealth" around.... what's good for the American public is good for our President, isn't it?

@ Dennis, it would be a book about Republicans

The campaigner In Chief -President Obama is a one term President

OK, if it is cool for ex-President Bush to sign up for writing a book (boy, I wonder how many ghost writers he will need!) based on his amazing decision making in office (HAH!), why is it NOT cool for President Obama to make money on two books he published before he even began to run for President? I've bought both, read both. Good books, well written, and literate. Everyone knew he had published books...duh, it is how most people became aware of who he was!

But the right-wing nutcakes are going to make a big deal out of this...leaving out, of course, any mention of the books that Cheney, Bush, Liddy, etc. have already signed to write for millions, based solely on what they supposedly did to make this a better country. At least President Obama's books are based on his own life and that of his father, not exploitive of his days in office. And if he does write a book about his days in office, how is this different from most of our previous presidents since about the 1970s?

Barack gotta eat!

President Obama is a walking Stimulus Package...WAIT, that sounds rather sordid when i say it out loud, but you guys know what I meant!

Obama/Biden
2008/2012

Houston TX

Okay Congress – go get the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good books, hard work. "Raked in" is perhaps less accurate than "earned".

yes Jimmy Boy....and some people even read....let alone write

Maybe he can wrie a new one the Audacity of Greed!

Wow he really is one of us.

Well, for those of us who are preppy suit lawyers with million dollar book deals and big corporate donations.

We have our debunked Obama myth of the day.

Better than the silver spoon president we just got rid of

I got no beef with this. If President Bush can make money on books and Cheney can make money from Halliburton, I think President Obama should make money off of his books as well. He's a really gifted writer and his life story is really compelling and inspiring.

This is going to push the haters over the edge!

CNN article states,

"Obama agreed to a $500,000 advance days before his inauguration for an abridged version of Dreams from My Father "suitable for middle grade or young adult readers."

....

How wonderful Obama has written a book about himself suitable for middle grade students.

Chinese students are taught about Chairman Mao in grade school, too. Castro preferred to have children singing his praises at events.

Funny how all dictators use propaganda to influence the minds of children.

maybe we should tax him 90% over his $250,000 limit..

Ah yes! A people's president.