‘Clinton Inc.’ going strong, as Bill, Hillary raise $1B in political bucks over 20 years

Former President Bill Clinton and his former Secretary of State wife, Hillary, are big money-making machines, it seems, having raised a total of $1 billion-plus from various political causes over the last two decades.

The Wall Street Journal found the dynamic duo raised the considerable sum mostly through “campaigns, paid speeches and a network of organizations advancing their political and policy goals.” Moreover, “those deep ties potentially give Mrs. Clinton a financial advantage in the 2016 presidential election, if she runs, and could bring industry donors back to the Democratic Party for the first time since Mr. Clinton left the White House.”

The next presidential race is projected to cost even more than the $2 billion spent in 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported.

And the Clintons’ money-making magnetic ability is seen as giving the former first lady a clear advantage, in case she takes her political career in the direction of the White House’s executive seat.

“Clinton Inc. is going to be the most formidable fundraising operation for the Democrats in the history of the country. Period. Exclamation point,” said Rick Hohlt, a lobbyist and fundraiser for Republican Party presidential candidates, the Wall Street Journal reported. “It sure causes concern.”

The $1 billion from campaign speeches and paid appearances isn’t the only money the Clintons brought in from the political fold. Add in money raised from individuals, corporate sponsor and contributors and foreign governments, and the Clintons actually reaped between $2 billion and $3 billion for that same time period, the Wall Street Journal reported.

“At the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth between $5 million and $15.5 million, according to the most recent financial disclosure statements they were required to file when Mrs. Clinton was Secretary of State,” the Wall Street Journal reported. “Precise figures aren’t required by the government — only broad ranges.”