Clintons bank $109 million since 2000

“I have absolutely nothing against rich people,” said Sen. Hillary Clinton at a Democratic convention in North Dakota. “As a matter of fact, my husband - much to my surprise and his - has made a lot of money since he left the White House doing what he loves doing most- talking to people.”

In fact, since leaving the White House, former President Bill Clinton’s speech earnings alone have accumulated  over $50 million. His two books, “My Life” and “Giving” raked in almost another $30 million. Less than eight years since he left office, Clinton has amassed a multi-million dollar fortune, according to The Associated Press.

Hillary Clinton’s autobiography published in 2003 brought in more than $10 million. She had published another book, “It Takes a Village,” in 1996, the earnings of which were donated to charity. She has also made over a million dollars in salary as a United States senator.
Over the past eight years, the Clintons have contributed over $10 million to charities, which surpasses the amount donated by average taxpayers of their income level.

The average household in Pennsylvania, currently one of the principle states in competing for the Democratic nomination, makes $44,000 per year, according to the AP.
“The Clintons have now made public 30 years of tax returns, a record matched by few people in public service,” said a statement by Jay Carson, a spokesperson for the Clinton’s.

In the time since the Clintons left the White House, Sen. Barack Obama and his wife’s combined incomes were the highest in 2005, at $1.6 million. Half of their approximate 2006 income came from sales of his Barack Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope.”
Obama had no comment on the Clintons’ current financial records.While both couples’ incomes far surpass the United States median of $48,200, the vast disparity could be a liability for Sen. Clinton as she strives for the image of being relatable to the American public.  

“I would agree that this is going to be a negative for the campaign,” said Larry Schwab, political science professor at John Carroll University. “The income level is a lot higher than many people were expecting.”

As far as election money goes, both Clinton and Obama passed the $100 million-mark in raising campaign funds last year, according to the AP.
By the end of September, Clinton had acquired $80 million, along with another $10 million from her Senate account which she put into her presidential campaign account. According to the Federal Election Commission, Obama raised $79 million during that same time.

Both amounts raised thus far are considered prodigious, based on Democratic fund-raising endeavors of the past. In 2003, Howard Dean’s $41 million was considered impressive.

Schwab said that the dramatic increase in campaign funds for the candidates can be explained by the Democratic Senate election victories in 2006, because enthusiasm in support increases with an upward turn. “When a party is on its way up, people are more likely to participate in campaigns and give money,” said Schwab.
“It’s unprecedented,” said Michael Berman, a fund-raising organizer from the Walter Mondale Democratic campaign in 1984. “What we did [in the past], it’s not even relevant anymore. The amounts just keep growing. I don’t know if there is an upper limit.”