America’s Priciest Window Dressing
It appears that people like me, who criticized Michael Steele for agreeing to head up a viciously racist organization, didn’t consider the possibilities.
I always figured that Steele was an idiot who accepted the position due to the high likelihood that an idiot like him couldn’t get a better paying job. But now I realize that he isn’t as big an idiot as I thought.
Steele is cashing on on his position, which is about the only good thing he’s done since he took it. That isn’t all his fault, of course; he was hired to smile, open the door, and serve his rich white masters. If he didn’t understand that then, he certainly does NOW. And he’s figured out how to make it work for him.
The guy may be a token servant, but he’s probably the best paid one on Earth.
RNC chair Michael Steele moonlights as a paid speaker, a fact that the Washington Times reports is riling up some past Republican leaders. According to the paper, Steele demands between $8,000-$20,000 for a speech and is represented by the same agency that represents former Bush White House officials Dana Perino and Stephen Hadley.
An RNC spokesperson told the Times the extracurricular speaking work is normal, but former RNC chairs contacted by the paper criticized Steele’s move.
From the report:
“Holy mackerel, I never heard of a chairman of either party ever taking money for speeches,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., RNC chairman under President Reagan and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “The job of a national chairman is to give speeches. That’s what the national party pays him for. We didn’t have a rule book back then, but being national chairman was and is a full-time job,” Mr. Fahrenkopf said.Former Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson, who served in that position from 1997 to 2000 and was President George W. Bush’s Veterans Affairs secretary from 2005 to 2007, said the job “demands so much of your time that you can work 24/7 and not get everything done, so taking time out to speak for the benefit of one’s own bank account is not appropriate.”
Steele is paid $223,000/year in salary by the RNC.
Now surely these former Chairmen realize that they actually had things to do other than polishing the silverware, opening the door, and impressing the lumpenproletariat? Their criticisms of Steele are harsh, in my opinion.
After all…what butler do YOU know that pulls down that kind of a base salary AND picks up those kinds of speaking fees?
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 am
Sounds like the other guys never thought of doing it.
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 am
Ok – all I can say is: ROFLOL
(you nailed again – as always!)
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:23 am
Like Oso said.
What gets me is that there are groups willing to shell out 20 grand to hear Steele. He’s as flaky as a box of Wheaties.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
LOL, I think Oso nailed it – they’re f’ing jealous that this idiot out-smarted them on a to get rich quick scheme.