President Clinton coming to Grand Rapids

Analysis:

This short story is based off a recent Associated Press story that provided details about the money that he is paid for speeches at corporate retreats, trade gatherings, and motivational venues. WZZM 13 attempted to find out how much Clinton was being paid for his upcoming speech in Grand Rapids, but the public relations firm would not disclose the amount. While that would be newsworthy, a bigger service to the viewer would have been an explanation of why Clinton was coming to Grand Rapids. According to reporting in the Grand Rapids Press, Clinton will be speaking on the Iraq War and the work of his foundation. Had WZZM 13 reported those facts, the next logical step would have been to examine Clinton’s statements on the Iraq War and his administration’s Iraq policy.

Story:

Former President Bill Clinton is coming to West Michigan next Monday to give a speech at the Grand Rapids Economic Club’s annual dinner.

The President typically receives a significant sum of money for his speeches. New financial filings released today show the former President earned $10-million last year. General Motors paid him $200,000 for a New York Speech.

WZZM 13 contacted Michael Zalewski from Seyferth Spaulding Tennyson Inc., the public relations firm handling the Grand Rapids event. Zalewski says they are not releasing how much the President is being paid for his appearance in West Michigan.

The former President’s earnings must be reported as the spouse of a senator.

Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton hold two accounts. Each is valued at somewhere between five and 25 million dollars. One is an old-fashioned bank account; the other is a blind trust.