Dubya Finds Work In Canada

Like most modern ex-presidents before him, George W. Bush is hitting the speaking engagement circuit. His first confirmed speech, billed as a lunch conversation "on his eight momentous years in the Oval Office" is scheduled for March 17 in Calgary, Alberta. The event will be private, so it's unlikely anyone will be throwing shoes.

Organizers wouldn't say if Bush will be paid, but of course he will. Do you think he's flying to Canada for lunch just for fun?

the Canadian firm organizing the lunch has paid sizable fees to Lance Armstrong, Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell and Alan Greenspan. Former President Bill Clinton was paid $150,000 for a March 2006 speech in Edmonton, according to a Canadian newspaper.

Political experts say Bush is starting to test the waters, to see what the demand is for his speeches and how much money he can make. He's likely to stick to private, "friendly" crowds and it'll probably be a while before he ventures too far out of the country (Canada doesn't count). As SMU political science professor Cal Jillson tells the Dallas Morning News: "It does sound like he's not going to play without a net for some time."

About 1,500 people are expected to pay to attend the Calgary event.

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