The Postpresidency

This chapter discusses the emergence of the “office of postpresident,” in which former presidents became increasingly public figures, complete with generous pensions for ex-presidents and their wives, substantial office space, free postage, funds to hire staff and maintain an office, and discretionary funds for the former presidents. It examines how former presidents made millions of dollars writing and promoting their memoirs and other books and going on the lecture circuit. The chapter also emphasizes that former presidents lent their names and joined together to raise millions of dollars for disaster relief. They also established their own foundations and become involved in international philanthropy. The chapter highlights what has separated Obama from other ex-presidents: he felt it increasingly necessary to assume a more active political role than other recent ex-presidents or what he intended for himself.