[KQQL]

Bush savaged by former Treasury chief
By Alan Beattie in Washington
Published: January 9 2004 21:47 | Last Updated: January 9 2004 21:47


President George W. Bush's performance at cabinet meetings resembled that of "a blind man in a room full of deaf people", according to Paul O'Neill (pictured), who was fired as Treasury secretary in 2002.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1073280927272&p=1012571727088

[KQQL]

His comments frequently had an impact on financial markets, with one remark about the low likelihood of an IMF rescue package for Brazil causing a rapid fall in the Brazilian currency.

[KQQL]

Speaking about his first meeting with Mr Bush, which lasted about an hour, Mr O'Neill says: "I went in with a long list of things to talk about and, I thought, to engage [him] on.

"I was surprised it turned out me talking and the president just listening . . . It was mostly a monologue."

[cyncooper]

O'Neill's petulant attitude is going to reflect badly on him in the long run, and it will be his reputation that will be everlastingly tarnished, rather than his intended target of President Bush.

Very sad to behold.