President Obama released his family's 2009 federal income tax return Thursday, and it shows an adjusted gross income of $5.5 million -- and huge royalties from his two books. According to the Washington Post, royalties from "Dreams from My Father" totaled about $3.3 million, and those from "The Audacity of Hope" totaled $2.3 million. By comparison, his salary as president was $400,000.
There's a lesson here. Being president is cool, but the real money is in brand extensions. If I were Obama's business manager, I'd be thinking now about movie adaptations, a White House-based TV reality show (invite the Jersey Shore crew in for the summer) and maybe a line of home decorations for Michelle. He'll never have to practice law again -- and he may need the extra money if the Tea Party activists keep him from being re-elected.