There also was nothing inherently evil about Clinton as a private citizen taking money to speak to private groups. Companies pay fat fees to hear from influential people because they want insight and enjoy the prestige that comes from access. They especially like to impress clients and employees. Clinton was a good get, but if Goldman Sachs could have booked Beyonce for $225,000, maybe it would have. This was not about buying influence: Goldman executives are savvy enough to know that paying Hillary Clinton in 2013 will get them no special treatment in 2017, should she become president. Besides, Wall Street firms have plenty of ways to lobby the government.