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Bush, George W.

Rumsfeld Denies Urging O'Neill to Refrain from Criticizing Bush Administration

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has disclosed that he telephoned former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill twice, expressing his disbelief about O'Neill's critical book on the Bush administration. Rumsfeld rejected allegations that he urged O'Neill to refrain from writing the book, stating that he had not read "The Price of Loyalty" by Ron Suskind. The Pentagon's top official insisted that O'Neill assured him the book was focused on policy and substance, contrary to rumors that it was a "sour grapes" account.

Key Takeaways:

  • Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld telephoned former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill twice, expressing his skepticism about O'Neill's critical book on the Bush administration.
  • Rumsfeld denied urging O'Neill to refrain from writing the book, stating that he had not read "The Price of Loyalty" by Ron Suskind.
  • O'Neill assured Rumsfeld that the book was focused on policy and substance, contrary to rumors that it was a "sour grapes" account.
  • The book, written by Ron Suskind, includes the accusation that President Bush had been looking for a reason to go to war with Iraq from the start of his administration.
  • O'Neill defended his cooperation with Suskind, stating that he had only passed on unclassified documents to the author.
  • The Pentagon's top official, Rumsfeld, defended President Bush for his leadership style and engagement during cabinet meetings.
  • O'Neill denied doing anything improper in relation to the Treasury document marked secret, shown on CBS's "60 Minutes" program.

Statistics:

  • 19,000 pages of documents were sent to O'Neill by the Treasury Department's general counsel, which he passed on to Suskind without opening them.
  • Two telephone calls were made by Rumsfeld to O'Neill in an attempt to persuade him otherwise.
  • The Bush administration's focus in its first months was on strengthening "no-flight" zones over northern and southern Iraq and closing loopholes in international sanctions.

Sources:

  • "Rumsfeld Dismisses Criticism of Bush From Former Cabinet Member", by Ron Suskind, published in "The Price of Loyalty" (book)
  • CBS News, "60 Minutes" program, Sunday's segment about the book
  • NBC News, "Today" program, O'Neill's interview on Tuesday
  • Pentagon news briefing, Mr. Rumsfeld's statement on Tuesday

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