Dennis focused his message on job creation based on his own private-sector experience.

He has pledged to "use his private-sector experiences to address the challenges facing the party organization."

Many foundations believe that executives with private-sector experience have a lot to teach about leadership, and that may often be true.

And they worry that his lack of private-sector experience means he may be destined to make bad mistakes.

"This project provides us with an excellent opportunity to bring private-sector experience and expertise to the maintenance of our schools."

He considers himself a national expert in energy law and energy issues, but has no private-sector experience in the industry.

Mr. McCall says he should be elected because "I have the appropriate kind of experience, particularly my private-sector experience at Citibank."

Some bring highly successful private-sector experience to the table.

In a stump speech that he is still smoothing, he portrayed himself as a Washington outsider who would bring his private-sector experience to bear on reforming government.

Neely accumulated more than 20 years of private-sector financial experience before being appointed City Treasurer.