Why Do Businessmen Make Lousy Politicians?

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an exception, and there are others.   But so many captains of industry, or finance, or what have you, who get the political bug end up faring poorly, or looking foolish or clueless, or both.   Golisano.   Before him, Ross Perot.   Many candidates for other offices, like congress.

The name Carl Paladino was completely new to me.  Another one who made his bundle and decided that now it's time to go out and save the world.   Already making embarrassing gaffes and mistakes.

His campaign sent out an invitation to a political reception that doesn't tell you either who Carl Paladino is or what he's running for.


Why do businessmen who never made a wrong move in business seem to stumble when it comes to politics?   I think maybe because business and politics each require totally different skill sets and types of leadership.   Also a different knowledge base.

It seems to me that businesswomen who go into politics handle themselves much better.   I'm thinking of Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman.