Nobody wants to write about this particular culprit in this financial mess.

I thought about it when talking with a college senior.  He is about to graduate.  He is filled with confidence.  In his first jobs he says he will take any kind of experience that will prepare him for great things to come.  Anything, he says, will help round him out to conquer the world.

With four little words I turned his steel backbone to jelly.  “Why not try sales?” 

He truly turned white.  “I couldn’t do sales.  I just couldn’t.”

I explained how valuable sales experience is.  It forces you to face your own shortcomings.  It teaches you volumes about human nature. It teaches you the arts of persuasion.  And you can use the tools of persuasion in most occupations, from politics to law to managing armies and managing companies.  I explained how one of the top surgeons in the world is also one of the most effective persuaders I have ever met.  

“Couldn’t do it,” he confessed.

Unfortunately, neither could George Bush.  Or Nancy Pelosi.  Neither could persuade members to come together on sensible legislation to deal with this crisis.  (I am writing this on Monday - after the bailout bill has gone down in flames.)

This is a major failure of Bush’s presidency.  Yes, he did persuade Congress on the Iraq invasion.  And on tax cuts.  He failed to rally any support for his Social Security ideas.  Or for school vouchers.  Or for a number of solid ideas he presented.

He tried a number of times to get congress to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Congress gave him the back of its hand. 

He has tried to push through the big bailout package.  If anything ever emerges from Congress it won’t look much like what the President proposed.