Romney: If Elected, I'll Give My Presidential Salary To Charity
Mitt Romney, the richest in a crop of very wealthy Presidential candidates, will not take his Presidential salary if elected, according to the Associated Press:
Republican Mitt Romney, conceding that his business career helped him make more money than he expected, said Tuesday he would likely give his presidential salary — and more — to charity..."When I got started, I went to school and I never anticipated that I'd be as financially successful as I was, and then my business went far better than I expected it would," Romney, a former venture capitalist, told a woman who asked him how the country's political system could be corrected if most of the presidential candidates are millionaires....
Later, speaking with reporters, Romney said he would likely accept the presidential salary of $400,000 annually but donate the money. While governor, Romney declined his $135,000 annual salary..."I presume I would take the salary and then I would donate at least that amount — or more — to charity."
By one count, the Presidential field boasts at least 10 millionaires and is collectively worth a quarter billion dollars. We know that being a millionaire isn't what it used to be, but still -- will any other candidates follow Romney's lead?















Doesn't Dick Cheney already do that? [guffaw]
But seriously, sounds like a good start considering everything is paid for and you don't really need money for normal things.
Seems I remember a George Washington thing about his declining a salary but put the entire Continental army on his expense account?
May 29, 2007 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
John F. Kennedy did that, and it didn't become public knowledge till after his death.
May 29, 2007 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
He must be a communist.
May 29, 2007 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
What empty symbolism.
Romney is only doing this to make it appear he is something he isn't: empathetic to the poor. I don't want a President who uses his salary as a campaign point. I want one who will redirect the federal budget toward charity instead of war.
May 29, 2007 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus Christ, who cares? Who do these idiotic, empty, vapid gestures actually appeal to?
Oh, right .... I forgot Mitt's target audience.
May 29, 2007 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's funny, really. From my understanding, the founders specifically gave salaries to Pres and other office holders so that they did not have to be independently wealthy to hold office. Ironically, this basically mocks the founders' intent since nowadays you kinda have to be independently wealthy to run for office.
May 29, 2007 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink