Hillary Clinton has a lot demands on her time, so it’s not easy to get a spot on her dance card and have her come speak at your event. As we’ve been finding out, it’s also not cheap. Whether she needs to have a Presidential Suite set up for her use or has you pony up some serious cash (possibly with a discount and some free sneakers) you can count on breaking your piggy bank open if you would like a visit from the Democrat frontrunner. But it seems that there are plenty of additional details of what you need to be ready to do, and Andrew Malcolm has dug up the details.
The former Obama cabinet member required, for instance, several teleprompters so she could wander the stage and appear to talk spontaneously. Apparently the former Chicagoan is a thirsty speaker; she must have a case of spring water nearby (room temperature only). Plus in an off-stage room, she wanted “coffee, tea, room temp sparkling and still water, diet ginger ale, crudité, hummus and sliced fruit.” Also a computer, mouse, printer and a scanner must be available.
She agreed to pose for only 50 photos with a total of 100 people. In that VIP room and on-stage she required more room-temperature water — and plates of lemon wedges.
No press coverage allowed. She would permit videotaping of her appearance but only for archival purposes. A two-minute highlight video would be allowed on YouTube, but must be removed after exactly one year. The agreement even specified what size and shape pillows would be on Clinton’s chair and available off-stage if desired.
Some of the other details Andrew uncovers are equally revealing. For example, one school was told that Hillary would charge $300K (!) for her appearance. Sensing a rather hefty drain on their academic budget, they asked if they might not get a discounted rate for an educational institution. They were informed that 300K was the discount rate. (That must have been a depressing phone call.) Unfortunately it was later revealed that Clinton had done a gig at a different school for “only” $225K earlier the same year.
Apparently what Hillary charges to come speak is more of a fly by the seat of your pants decision rather than a set schedule of fees. But still, it’s good work if you can get it. And if that’s all personal income rather than building a war chest for the next election, I say good for her. This is America. Get out there and make what you can. But surely somebody on her staff realizes that a few of these diva level requests aren’t going to play well with people who are looking for jobs and cooking up mac and cheese for dinner. The custom brand room temperature water and mountain of lemon slices just aren’t that relatable for those who don’t regularly lay their heads down on 500 count pillow cases in five star hotels.
On the plus side, she didn’t ask for bowls full of M&Ms that were all one color.
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