"Minimum wage, by the way, goes up tomorrow to $6.55," Anderson Cooper told the Democratic presidential debate crowd on Monday. "In 2009, it will be $7.25."
The subsequent exchange resulted in wealthy pols trying to pander to the working class. "If you're elected to serve," a Pennsylvanian pair had asked, "would you be willing to do this service for the next four years and be paid the national minimum wage?" Sen. Barack Obama gave a thoughtful answer, saying for himself and his fellow candidates that "we can afford to work for the minimum wage because most folks on this stage have a lot of money." He added that "we don't have Mitt Romney money" but "could afford to do it for a few years. Most folks can't."
Obama's frankness and humor are appreciated. Maybe they will translate into more public approval for the Illinois hopeful.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. What a silly topic. I haven't earned only minimum wage since washing dishes at 16 years old. And that lasted only until my first $0.25 cent raise one month later. Any, yes I earned more than minimum wage while working at McDonald's a year later.
Actually Obama, Romney doesn't even make minimum wage. While running the Olympics, he took no salary and donated $1,000,000. His next gig was as Governor of Mass. where he again took no salary. And he has promised to take no salary if he becomes Pres.
The real question is: I make < $100,000. How much will my taxes go up if Hillary or Obama become president?
Travis at 3:05PM on Jul 26th 2007
2. Minimum wage is paid to low skilled workers. Highly skilled baseball players earn millions, as do those hardworking company executives who keep our economy humming. The U.S. President earns $400k per year plus expenses. The ones running for president aren't looking at the salary.
Steve Bonomo at 5:57PM on Jul 26th 2007