Keynoters: They Can Turn a Phrase on a Dime

While some of us bask on the beach, others of us will end up shivering away a nice summer day in an overly AC'd hotel ballroom, fighting to stay awake through a "plenary session" or "breakout discussion" at the Big Annual Conference. Our one reward (besides the cocktail receptions)? Getting to hear the "keynote" by a Washington type who probably knows nothing about the field but who's been paid big bucks to edify, motivate or at least, hopefully, entertain us. Here's a look at where some power players are yakking these days, and how much they usually get paid, according to speakers' bureaus.

· Eleanor Clift, TV pundit, Newsweek editor: California Women Lawyers 33rd Annual Dinner, Anaheim, Calif., September.

Typical fee:$8,000

· Jim Larranaga, George Mason University basketball coach: Virginia Forum for Excellence business conference, Arlington, September.

Typical fee:$7,500-$10,000

· Mort Kondracke, TV pundit, Roll Call executive editor: Capitol Hill conference of PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, D.C., July.

Typical fee:$7,500-$10,000

· Frank Luntz, political consultant and pollster: National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show, Charlotte, September.

Typical fee:$10,000-$15,000

· Lee Woodruff, wife of Bob Woodruff, the ABC news anchor wounded in Iraq: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Annual Conference, Washington, July.

Typical fee:$10,000-$15,000

· Terry McAuliffe, former DNC chair man: Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association Executive Conference, the Greenbrier in West Virginia, June.