John Kerry's pick of North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as his running mate guarantees the 2004 presidential election will be contested by the richest set of candidates in U.S. history, according to Forbes magazine.
Edwards, a successful trial lawyer, has a net worth of between $12 million and $60 million, while Kerry's wife has a fortune worth more than $500 million.
Meanwhile, President George W. Bush ranks among the richest U.S. presidents ever, based on the approximately $15 million he made selling his share in the Texas Rangers baseball team.
And Vice President Dick Cheney's estimated personal fortune, based on his stock options and salary from Halliburton, is at $50 million.
It almost makes you wonder why they're running for jobs that pay a measly six-figure income.
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Can't they just work for free?
And how much does the prez make?
Between 1789 and 1873, the president of the United States made a whopping $25,000 a year.
In 1873, the salary was doubled to $50,000 and then increased to $75,000 in 1909.
The president started making six figures in 1949 with another 25K raise, which was doubled to $200,000 in 1969.
The last raise the president got was in 2001, when the salary was again doubled to $400,000.
Source: Time Almanac
And how much is Nader worth?
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And Green Party candidate Ralph Nader isn't a stranger to a large bank account, either.
According to FrontPageMagazine.com, Nader's net worth is about $3.8 million, more than half of that in corporate stock.
Maybe they should change the name of his political group to the Greenback Party, eh?
And speaking of money
All of the above mentioned people could probably take advantage of a new feature on airline Virgin Atlantic - in-flight mixology.
The airline's new perk puts a mixologist - bartenders to poorer slobs like you and The Rail - on board the Upper Class lounge.
A spokesperson for the Distilled Spirits Council says the airline has "once again taken the lead in cutting-edge hospitality."
Geez, talk about having your nose up in the air.
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Today's best bet
Our Spectacular Solar System, 7 p.m.
Planetarium in Bridges Hall, MSUM campus, Moorhead
