Ted Kennedy Paid a Lot to Talk About Himself

Senator Edward M. Kennedy has just signed an agreement with Grand Central Publishing to write his memoirs. According to the AP, he reportedly will receive money along the lines of $8 or $9 million, similar to what Hillary Clinton and Tony Blair got for their memoirs. NYT is saying it will be $8 million. As if he needs the money.

The high advance suggests that Kennedy might actually talk about the juicy stuff--drinking, Joan, Chappaquiddick (snarky comments on that expected in 5,4,3,2 …), and maybe a little Kennedy Clan dirt.

Jonathan Karp of Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, said to the NYT that "there’s no limit to what [Kennedy] can talk about with authority and distinctive personal perspective.” There's no limit to what he can talk about, period. The man could go on for hours and hours about the little sailboats that are probably printed on his weekend pants. These memoirs are going to make for a hefty tome.

Bostonist really can't wait for the audio book. Kennedy better read that sucker himself because we just love to hear him talk. We might like the sound of his quavering, drama-packed voice even better than he does!

Image of the Senator from Wikipedia.