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[Amir0x]

You are the last person I expected to talk about credibility.

come on Meus tell us about how big bad Obama is greedy for taking 400k from the totes evil Wall Street.

also give a finger wagging to theodore roosevelt who accepted money from some of the wealthiest companies and families in America and who was born into obscene riches and yet still managed to strike huge blows against the corporate fat cats.

it's almost like there are more colors than two.

 

[Deepwater]

this discussion would be so much better if everyone prefaced their comments with whether or not they are pro capitalism. might prevent some unnecessary arguing

 

[Maengun1]

Paid speeches might be the dumbest controversy from the election cycle. People are more stressed out over possible influence from being paid for a performance than they are over Citizens United and our completely fucked campaign finance system? Okay.

Every single person Bill Clinton appointed to the SC is a vote against Citizens United. Every single person Barack Obama appointed to the SC court is a vote against Citizens United. Hillary Clinton swore that her appointees to the SC would vote against Citizens United.

But they all gave paid speeches. So now we have Donald Trump, and Citizens United will stand forever.

But...let's still bitch and moan about those darn speeches. Gotta do something to pass the time in this apocalyptic hellscape.

 

[Yoda]

Really really really disappointing.

 

[KHarvey16]

Yeah man, me saying it's disappointing is definitely making "a big deal" out of it.

If it isn't a big deal, how is it counterproductive?

 

[Chumley]

There is absolutely a way to spin it.

Obama is taking g money from the wall street fat cats and funneling it into charities or election campaigns of Democrats to win back the house.

See? I've spinned it for you and I'm just some dude on a message board. Professionals in the Democratic party can do much better I'm sure.

If he actually does put every penny into those things, then sure.

 

[Dynomutt]

In the eternal words of Beyoncé...

Yup, nothing is owed. Get that paper and get it viciously.

 

[Obliterator]

Who gives a fuck.

Let Obama get that money, just like anyone else. If you are in demand charge for it. If they will pay you go for it.

If you have a voice worth being heard there is no issue whatsoever with getting paid for it.

 

[kirblar]

To be fair to Warren, she doesn't think someone being rich means they're bad, she just thinks we should tax the hell out of them.

Yup. Warren is not a socialist. (This is why I really like and support her, even if she's a few degrees left of me on a few things, we're in the same ballpark!)

 

[CrimzonSamurai]

80% of the people condemning this didn't even read Hillary's transcripts when they were released. They just kept parroting the Sanders campaign talking points.

She was up on Wall Street championing almost radically progressive policies. She was the most progressive major party presidential candidate in American history, and half of you would be glad to piss that away because some old hippie from Vermont who's cool with pro-lifers and racists as long as he gets their votes told you it was bad.

Fucking splitters.

 

[MooseKnuckles]

So it's a healthcare conference that's sponsored by an investment bank? Do we know who the conference is aimed towards, are the attendees in the financial sector or primarily in healthcare?

His main legislative legacy is healthcare reform - if you were putting on a healthcare conference he seems like a pretty good option to put up as a speaker. This seems like less of an issue than Hilary giving speeches to Goldman Sachs, which never struck me as a big deal anyway.

Get that paper Barry.

 

[Amir0x]

So it's a healthcare conference that's sponsored by an investment bank? Do we know who the conference is aimed towards, are the attendees in the financial sector or primarily in healthcare?

His main legislative legacy is healthcare reform - if you were putting on a healthcare conference he seems like a pretty good option to put up as a speaker. This seems like less of an issue than Hilary giving speeches to Goldman Sachs, which never struck me as a big deal anyway.

Get that paper Barry.

people only read misleading headlines and simplistic campaign slogans

 

[GrizzleBoy]

Do we at some point try to care about what he is actually giving these speeches for, the words he actually said in the speech or what he hopes to achieve by doing them?

Like, if a person got paid 400k by big pharma to give a speech about making drugs cheaper and more available for Americans, are they still just an asshole anyway because someone paid them too much money to say the words?

 

[Obliterator]

Obama should be paid when he speaks.

Hilary should be paid when she speaks.

Trump should be paid when he speak. (Well not as President. But post presidency for sure)

Bernie should be paid when he speaks.

These are influential people who are in demand. They should get some gratuity for their voices / opinions. Regardless.

 

[titiklabingapat]

people only read misleading headlines and simplistic campaign slogans

We really are in the worst timeline. I can't tell the difference between Bernie and Trump supporters anymore.

 

[faisal233]

Are you telling me that the president that protected the criminal bankers any way he could and was generally a neoliberal puppet, is getting rewarded now by these scumbags?

Absolutely shocking.

The bros are out! We need real liberals like Tulsi!

Spoiler

There is a certain irony in first-time liberals calling long-standing liberal the neoliberals.

 

[VendettaRed07]

What's indefensible is the person who used this line of attack in the first place.

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Great post; telling people not to explain themselves. You sir are above us all, we bow to your intellect which is too precious to share with us peons.

You shouldn't be so down on yourself.

I'll admit, it was a unnecessary to be that hostile but it's infuriating to see people who consider themselves intelligent and/or "liberals" to treat this as some grand betrayal. I hope they turn some of that energy toward walking into a voting booth and trying to get their friends and family to do the same next time.

 

[Amir0x]

Do we at some point try to care about what he is actually giving these speeches for, the words he actually said in the speech or what he hopes to achieve by doing them?

Like, if a person got paid 400k by big pharma to give a speech about making drugs cheaper and more available for Americans, are they still just an asshole anyway because someone paid them too much money to say the words?

they didnt care when Hillary's speeches turned out to be generally super progressive, why would they embrace nuance now?

 

[EatinOlives]

Someone help me out on this

Wall Street paying fat stacks to Obama to speak to them -> Wall Street gets richer? You all do know the direction the money is going, right? You all do realize Obama is not in office and can't change any policy based on his speeches, right?

This is exactly the kind of bullshit that poisoned the election, glad to see that people still haven't wised up even after what happened on November. But y'all keep losing your minds about nonsense like this.

The only thing worse than a purity test is a purity test based on ignorance and ill-informed knee-jerk.

 

[kirblar]

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

Generally former and current presidents tend to sit out of endorsements (openly, at least.) It's part of the decorum/norms involved w/ the office.

 

[B-Dubs]

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

Unless they are literal clones in every possible way other than their stances on wall street this scenario doesn't work.

Also, what donation? He's providing them a service and getting paid, this is a one-off freelance gig.

 

[KHarvey16]

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

What donation?

 

[Kelsdesu]

Well... What is the speech about?

Regardless; like others have said it will be used against him.

 

[faisal233]

come on Meus tell us about how big bad Obama is greedy for taking 400k from the totes evil Wall Street.

also give a finger wagging to theodore roosevelt who accepted money from some of the wealthiest companies and families in America and who was born into obscene riches and yet still managed to strike huge blows against the corporate fat cats.

it's almost like there are more colors than two.

But don't you dare mention a word about how the NRA has attacked Sander's GOP opponent before, or that Sander's state has one of biggest ak47 gun running company in the worlds, all the while Sander's pushes pro gun manufacturer policies. Not a word.

 

[riotous]

You shouldn't be so down on yourself.

I'll admit, it was a unnecessary to be that hostile but it's infuriating to see people who consider themselves intelligent and/or "liberals" to treat this as some grand betrayal. I hope they turn some of that energy toward walking into a voting booth and trying to get their friends and family to do the same next time.

Ah; didn't realize who you were being hostile towards. We are in agreement; I thought you were basically saying "don't bother explaining it to these people they don't understand", not "don't bother explaining it you are wrong."

 

[CrimzonSamurai]

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

Do you really believe Barry "They Cling to Their Guns and Religion" Obama gives two shits about pissing people off?

You play the game within the rules of the game. The rules of the game are: get money, spend it on the policies you support. That's it.

Why in the name of all that is physically extant would he endorse the more lenient-on-wall street candidate unless that candidate had some other far more egregious flaw?

Obama doesn't need the money or owe shit to the people who gave it to him.

 

[blame space]

Ah; didn't realize who you were being hostile towards.

I'd say that about covers it.

 

[2Smashed4U]

If it isn't a big deal, how is it counterproductive?

For the people that *will* make a big deal out of it, I think the potential upside is mitigated to some degree by the downside of doing this.

 

[dynamitejim]

Put Bernie away for a second please.

Just imagine in the future two candidates who none of us know or talk about are running. One tougher on Wall Street than the other. Obama decides to endorse the one who is weaker on wallsteet. His position and the dynamic of a race could be influence from this sort of special interest relationship

That is what I don't want.

If he is apolitical about this and doesn't endorse or really make much noise during a primary like he didn't the last time then I don't care. But it is a direct conflict of interest in party politics if he plans on taking large donations from corporations that already have too much control over our politics already.

Obama has accepted a ton of Wall Street money in the past. And if the people vote for the guy who isn't as tough on Wall Street because Obama endorsed him, then they didn't really give a shit about Wall Street to begin with. Trump shat on Hillary for Wall Street connections and then proceeded to put a bunch of Wall Street people in his admin and none of his supporters batted an eye.

 

[Thequietone]

Uh oh. Time to discredit him so we don't have to listen to him in 2018 or 2020. Just like they discredited Hillary.

 

[KHarvey16]

For the people that *will* make a big deal out of it, I think the potential upside is mitigated to some degree by the downside of doing this.

But those people are unreasonable and should be ignored. So, it's only counterproductive if some people make a big deal out of it and if everyone else pays attention to them. The good thing is no one really does in any place other than the internet.

 

[Tranqueris]

What would you rather Clinton be doing?

Clinton stays away: Boo! Do something goddammit.

Clinton gets involved: Boo! You're what's wrong with the Democratic party! Go away!

 

[EatinOlives]

Obama has accepted a ton of Wall Street money in the past. And if the people vote for the guy who isn't as tough on Wall Street because Obama endorsed him, then they didn't really give a shit about Wall Street to begin with. Trump shat on Hillary for Wall Street connections and then proceeded to put a bunch of Wall Street people in his admin and none of his supporters batted an eye.

You don't understand man, the REAL enemy is Obummer taking their money for speeches!!!!

 

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

There's a massive distinction between someone who will never hold office again profiting off of businesses and someone who is running for the highest office profiting off of businesses. One of them could be responsible for policy decisions that effect the people that have been paying them, and one of them won't be making policy decisions.

If you can't see that distinction you have to be pretty blind.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

I should be outraged because...

Hey guys, he's done being President. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any type of conflict of interests anymore.

But shit on a now private citizen making money on his own time because it's apparently the real liberal thing to do.

 

[Monocle]

Damn, what a waste. All of that money could have been spent on hookers and blow rather than the insight of one of this country's most distinguished public figures!

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

There's a massive distinction between someone who will never hold office again profiting off of businesses and someone who is running for the highest office profiting off of businesses. One of them could be responsible for policy decisions that effect the people that have been paying them, and one of them won't be making policy decisions.

If you can't see that distinction you have to be pretty blind.

And one profiting from their business through the use of their office.

 

[Kadayi]

In the eternal words of Beyoncé...

I never get why people equate money with success. It's such a depressingly narrow view on life.

 

[Amir0x]

I should be outraged because...

because income inequality is horrific so anyone who doesnt treat Wall Street like a plague is a "disappointing progressive."

 

[Azzanadra]

I don't think its too big a deal, but that may because I though Obama was a corporatist hack anyways.

I think this a bigger problem than just him taking the money, its a philosophical problem with America, a country that fetishizes money and wealth so much that one's wealth is intrinsically related to their quality of character.

In many way, Donald Trump in his prideful, arrogant and greedy character is the epitome of America and the ideology if its citizens. No man better symbolizes the American way than Donny.

 

[StayDead]

Taking 400,000 for a speech? It is the epitome of greed. Doing so as a former president that campaigned on income inequality, it is unfathomable.

I'm with you on this. Surely Obama has more money than he could ever possibly need right?

Just seems like pure greed, unless he's doing this to donate most of it to charity.

 

[kirblar]

I never get why people equate money with success. It's such a depressingly narrow view on life.

I don't equate money with success. I equate money with power.

 

[Ecotic]

I don't begrudge Obama for making money, but I do wish he would do it more 'productively' and in a way that doesn't tarnish his reputation. He could easily sit on the boards of Apple, Google, Tesla, and other tech companies and make a fortune. Or go into venture capital just for green industries like Al Gore does.

 

[Frozenprince]

Do we at some point try to care about what he is actually giving these speeches for, the words he actually said in the speech or what he hopes to achieve by doing them?

Like, if a person got paid 400k by big pharma to give a speech about making drugs cheaper and more available for Americans, are they still just an asshole anyway because someone paid them too much money to say the words?

Of course not. I saw a large dollar amount and wall Street and it made me have a sad.

 

[old manatee]

I never get why people equate money with success. It's such a depressingly narrow view on life.

But it's so easy to quantify.

 

[dr3upmushroom]

Goes to show that money talks. Obviously it's still to early to say "He's a hypocrite" or even "he'll donate it all!". I will say that this is unsettling, but hopefully he puts it to good use.

 

[platakul]

Can't believe they're letting him speak after he prosecuted all those criminals in 2009

 

[KHarvey16]

In many way, Donald Trump in his prideful, arrogant and greedy character is the epitome of America and the ideology if its citizens. No man better symbolizes the American way than Donny.

The condescending bullshit density here is off the charts.

 

[cw_sasuke]

Black person getting paid will always offend some people no matter of the circumstances.. Nothing to see here. Good for Obama to get that money if it helps him secure for his family and fund better projects down the line.