Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s success as an author pales in comparison to that of his boss, according to financial records released Thursday by the White House.
Financial disclosure reports for both Mr. Biden and President Obama, required by law each year, detail the investments and outside income for both men.
The documents show Mr. Obama continues to enjoy royalties from his three books. “Dreams From My Father” generated between $50,001 and $100,000 for the president last year, while “The Audacity of Hope” pulled in between $15,001 and $50,000, according to the records.
The president’s other work, “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters,” brought in between $5,001 and $15,000 in royalties.
By contrast, Mr. Biden made less than $201 last year from his memoir, “Promises To Keep,” the records show.
The president, vice president and other high-ranking government officials are required to submit the reports each year under the 1978 Ethics in Government Act. The act is meant to ensure no officials have financial conflicts of interest.
“Neither the president nor the vice president has any conflicts of interest, and their reports have been reviewed and certified by the independent Office of Government Ethics,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said Thursday. “We are continuing this administration’s practice of posting these forms online here in the interests of transparency.”
The full Obama and Biden reports are available online.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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