Despite being a prolific tab-keeper on what we all want, market research firm VNU was taken slightly aback when its own shareholders refused to endorse a planned merger that would have doubled the company's size.

FORBES: VNU Scraps $6.8B IMS Deal, Van Den Bergh To Quit

"Sele is a keeper, but you can only offer so much before it no longer makes sense from a market standpoint, " Bush said.

CNN: NHPrimary.com: Bush learns the joys of retail politics