Outside the Beltway

The Corner has an extended transcript of former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill’s appearance on the Today show. I find this rather telling:

COURIC: Very quickly, will you vote for President Bush in November?

O’NEILL: Probably. I don’t see anybody that strikes me as better prepared and more capable.

On the one hand, it’s not surprising that a guy Bush appointed to a major cabinet office would tend to vote Republican even if he disagrees with many Administration policies. But given that he has written a book saying that the Bush team is woefully inept, saying that the Democratic contenders are even less qualified to hold the office is a harsh judgment indeed.

(Hat tip: Dodd Harris)

2004 Election

Dodd Harris

11 responses to “O’NEILL’S BACKHANDED ENDORSEMENT”

djspicerack

January 13, 2004 at 1:14 pm

But hey, Bush is “out of it” and “disengaged” in the Cabinet meetings. Would I vote for him? Sure!

That makes lots of sense!
James Joyner

January 13, 2004 at 1:17 pm

As I say, it either means that O’Neill was being hyperbolic about Bush or he really thinks Dean and Co. are dolts!
Kevin Drum

January 13, 2004 at 1:39 pm

I don’t know about that. For a lifelong Republican politico and former cabinet officer to say only “probably” is actually pretty damning….
James Joyner

January 13, 2004 at 1:42 pm

Kevin: True enough. On the other hand, he’s saying that of a president about whom he obviously feels some personal bitterness–he was fired, after all. One would think he’d be endorsing Clark, Lieberman, or somebody as being a saner choice. That he can’t bring himself to do that says something. I’m not sure what–but something.
John Lemon

January 13, 2004 at 2:46 pm

What did Katy Couric’s face look like after he said this? I didn’t see it. I could only imagine how distorted it was.
Barbar

January 13, 2004 at 4:43 pm

O’Neill has not written a book.
Liz Tudor

January 13, 2004 at 8:30 pm

This signals the end of Paul O’Neill’s integrity. Who will trust him after this? He signed on to an administration and then began acting like HE was president. What a clueless buffoon.