THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE PRESIDENCY – AT 10:14 A.M. ET:  Of course, we're talking about Saint Barack and Mother Michelle, so I'm sure every red cent involved will go to good causes, like putting Barack on Mount Rushmore.  From Fox:   

The White House doors may have closed on former President Barack Obama’s presidency, but for him and his wife Michelle, the path to lucrative new book deals and paid speeches is wide open.

The Obamas recently hired top-dollar attorneys Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell to handle their book contracts, and a high-profile public relations agency – known for repping the Clintons and Mia Farrow – to coordinate speaking appearances. The Obamas haven't yet set book-release dates or announced any scheduled speeches.

The Harry Walker Agency, which exclusively represents former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former vice presidents Dick Cheney and Al Gore, will handle the Obamas’ post-White House speeches, according to Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis.

In the private sector, the former president stands to earn more than half of his $400K annual presidential salary – per speech, Peter Shankman, founder and CEO of social media, marketing and PR strategy firm The Geek Factory, told FOX Business.

“No doubt [former President Obama’s] first speech could easily [command] $250k at minimum,” Shankman, whose firm’s clients have included American Express, Walt Disney World and The U.S. Department of Defense, said.

It’s not only the former president who will be fetching the big bucks. The former first lady will likely rake in an equal share, Shankman said.

“Michelle will also see numbers around [$250K per speech] for the first year as well,” he said. “Those fees probably won't drop anytime soon, when you stop and think about it, especially if Obama continues to be vocal, as he [has] said he would.”

COMMENT:  I wonder how much of this road to riches will be covered by the mainstream media.  I'm guessing it will be a non-story. 

But let Kellyanne Conway, in a throwaway humor line, ask people to buy "Ivanka's stuff," and the high hand of the ethical "experts" slaps her face. 

Presidents today are for sale, although I don't know of any great riches earned by the Bushes.  George W. Bush left the presidency and never marketed the office.  It's the Dems who seem to clean up, all the while bashing capitalism.

February 15, 2017