Phone messages on your answering machine from landlords, parents, bill collectors and university faculty build up so quickly you wonder whether you should use money from the party fund to hire a secretary or just disconnect your phone.

Almost any decision involving the house must be run by the president first, giving him the executive responsibility similar to that of the president of the United States.

Campaigning

Campaigning in the world of fraternities and in the world of politics aren't as different as one may think.

Trying to get a freshman to understand what goes into being a part of your fraternity, what makes it so special and doing your best to convince them that your fraternity is the place they should spend the next four years of their life isn't easy. Just ask any rush chair at any house on campus. Luring rushes by filling the air with promises of four great years ahead of them is somewhat like what a presidential nominee does as they campaign all throughout the country.

The only difference lies in the end result: Most fraternities can back up what they promise while most politicians do not.

Just ask Bush's father ("Read my lips, no more taxes!").

Diplomacy

As president of a fraternity, one is in constant contact with the university, alumni, nationals, parents, his own fraternity brothers, other Greek members, as well as the occasional low-life drunk who gets out of hand at a party and needs to be dealt with.

This constant interaction with many different individuals could have only helped Bush prepare for the ongoing relations he will soon be developing with leaders from foreign nations as well as the heads of interest groups and other political committees he will be encountering in his own country.

Well maybe it is a little bit of a stretch to say that being in a fraternity was a more important part of George Bush's life than, say, going to Yale or serving two terms as Texas governor.

But then again, after dealing with nagging parents, relentless university officials and out-of-control party guests, a conflict with Saddam Hussein wouldn't even make him flinch.