He left office with the US embroiled in two wars, a Great Recession and with his approval rating a toxic 22 per cent. So the next stage in his career is obvious. George W Bush — who last year inspired millions of people to vote Democrat — is about to become a highly-paid motivational speaker.
On Monday the former Republican President will appear as the headline speaker on the popular Get Motivated seminar programme, which describes itself as an “action-packed, fun-filled, explosive, exciting, inspiring, skill-building business event that is world famous for its mega-watt superstar speakers and spectacular stage production.” He will appear again in San Antonio in December.
The Forth Worth event, in Mr Bush’s home state of Texas, will also feature Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York Mayor, and Rick Belluzzo, a former Microsoft executive.
The Get Motivated programme has been a huge business success, but the appearance of Mr Bush at a seminar about, among other things, “How to Master the Art of Effective Leadership” has produced guffaws.
“Only the BEST of the BEST appear on our stage!” declares the Get Motivated website. Monday’s event will be a “motivational mega-show that packs more inspirational firepower than a stick of dynamite!”
Yet, Mr Bush will probably have the last laugh: he is being paid a reported $100,000 (£61,200) for each appearance. His wife, Laura, is also speaking for Get Motivated at other events, meaning the former First Couple could have banked $500,000 by the end of the year.
Some analysts believe that the speaking engagements are part of Mr Bush’s ongoing drive, quietly overseen by Karl Rove, his former chief adviser, to shape his legacy.
Mr Bush is planning a book on his presidency, in addition to building a presidential library. Appearing on stage with winners and success stories is “an introduction to the George W Bush legacy project,” says Wayne Slater, a veteran Texan journalist who has written about Mr Bush since he was the state’s governor.
Get Motivated point out that every president since Ronald Reagan has appeared at their events. David Sherzer, Mr Bush’s spokesman, said that he will reflect on his presidency, including the lessons that he has learnt from his accomplishments, as well as his setbacks. He will also share his thoughts on decision-making and managing complex organisations.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to talk to a group of risk-takers and entrepreneurs,” Mr Sherzer said. “This is a neat venue. It’s close to home so he’s really looking forward to it.”
Tamara Lowe, the executive vice-president of Get Motivated, offers this advice on her blog for speakers: “It is a sin to bore people with a presentation … Add humour to your presentations. Study stand-up comedy. Move around on stage but don’t pace back and forth like a caged animal.”
What George said
“In terms of the economy — look, I inherited a recession, I am ending on a recession”
— Washington, January 12, 2009
“I’ll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office”
— Washington, May 12, 2008
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we”
— Washington, August 5, 2004
“The CIA laid out several scenarios and said life could be lousy, life could be OK, life could be better, and they were just guessing as to what the conditions might be like”
— New York, September 21, 2004
“I’m the master of low expectations”
— On Air Force One, June 4, 2003
“There’s no cave deep enough for America, or dark enough to hide”
— Oklahoma, August 29, 2002
“I know the human being and fish can co-exist peacefully”
— Michigan, September 29, 2000
“Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream”
— Wisconsin, October 18, 2000
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