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http://www.washingtonian.com/capital_comment/2005/0305capcom.html#bigtalkers Big Talkers Get Top Dollar
Looking for a speaker for your next meeting? Pols, pundits, and athletes are happy to oblige—if you’re willing to pay big bucks.
Network types and A-list journalists are cagey about what they charge—talkmeister John McLaughlin, Posties Bob Woodward and David Broder, and historian Michael Beschloss disclose their fees only upon request from potential clients.
But many top talkers aren’t shy. Former House majority leader Dick Armey, billed as “folksy” and “entertaining,” is available for $20,000 to $40,000 an appearance.
Associations are willing to pay because well-known speakers “add a level of interest to the meeting,” says Susan Sarfati, head of the Center for Association Leadership.
Here’s what some of Washington’s big talkers get.
$50,000 to $75,000Bob Dole, former Senate majority leader
$30,000 to $50,000Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security adviser
Darrell Green, ex-Redskin
$20,000 to $40,000Oliver North, radio personality and Iran-Contra figure
Zell Miller, former US senator and governor of Georgia
Ann Coulter, conservative author
Alexander Haig, former general and White House chief of staff
William Safire, former New York Times columnist
Jeremy Rifkin, futurist
$20,000 to $30,000John Breaux, former US senator from Louisiana
Geraldine Ferraro, former member of Congress and vice-presidential candidate
James Brown, host, Fox NFL Sunday
$10,000 to $20,000Laura Ingraham, conservative commentator
The Capitol Steps, satirical political-entertainment group
$5,000 to $20,000Charlie Cook, political analyst
Fred Grandy, former congressman and TV star
Mort Kondracke, columnist
Norman Ornstein, political analyst
Larry Sabato, political analyst
$5,000 to $10,000Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and strategist
Peter Hart, Democratic pollster
Andrea Mitchell, NBC news reporter
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