Former president George Bush isn’t exactly setting the lecture circuit on fire.

The first step in his plan to start making “ridiculous” money out on the lecture circuit (by doing what he does worst) is going to be a March 17 engagement in Calgary, Canada. When that engagement was announced last month, Bush’s new hometown newspaper, The Dallas Morning News, wrote:

The event is likely to be one of a number of events featuring Bush in the coming months, both domestically and abroad, say those close to the former president.

But we now learn that Bush’s first domestic speechification is not going to occur till June 17:

Former President George W. Bush will give his first post-presidency U.S. speech in Erie, Pa., on June 17 to the Manufacturer & Business Association, which serves companies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

It can’t be ridiculously high fees slowing down demand for Bush-speak, either. He’s charging $150,000 a speech (plus first-class airfare or private jet transport for four; is that his security detail, or just his colossal ego?).

That’s what Bill Clinton was charging four years ago:

Clinton’s speaking tour in 2005 included 43 speeches in 14 countries. He began in February and averaged about four speeches a month, usually charging about $150,000 per event. On occasion, the price was much steeper.

So why isn’t the Republican Benevolent Association rallying around Bush, like it’s supposed to do, with lucrative speaking engagements? Everyone who might have planned to throw $150,000 his way can’t be so badly clobbered by the Bush economy, can they?