普利策新闻奖得主、曾任《华尔街日报》高级记者的罗恩·萨斯坎德,根据小布什政府的第一任财长——保罗·奥尼尔——的亲身经历撰写了《忠诚的代价》(人民文学出版社2004年8月出版),披露了有关布什政府及白宫鲜为人知的内幕,在全美产生了轰动效应。保罗·奥尼尔曾历任美国铝业公司的董事长和首席执行官,被美国舆论界誉为“美国当代最聪敏的人”。出任财政部长之后,受老布什嘱托,辅佐在诸多方面缺乏必要经验的小布什。由于奥尼尔的独特身份和资历,使得他能够从旁人不可能具有的高度,多方面抖搂布什及其政客们的老底儿。奥尼尔对布什总统解决国内经济问题的领导能力和水平提出质疑,并从不同层面,将小布什与自己有所接触的几位美国前总统作了切实的比较。相比之下,无论作风还是才干,奥尼尔都对小布什深感遗憾。现摘录其中部分段落,以飨读者。 Pulitzer Prize winner for news, Ron Saskander, a former Wall Street Journal journalist, wrote “The Price of Loyalty,” based on the personal experience of Paul O’Neill, the first Bush Treasury secretary. (People’s Literature Publishing House, August 2004), revealing a little-known inside story about the Bush administration and the White House, had a sensational effect across the United States. Paul O’Neill has served as Chairman and CEO of Alcoa, and was hailed by the U.S. public opinion as “the most intelligent person in the United States ”. After assuming the post of Minister of Finance, Bush, who was entrusted by the elder Bush to supplement necessary experience in many areas, Owing to O’Neill’s unique identity and seniority, he has been able to shake the eldest son of Bush and his politicians in all aspects from the height that others can not possibly possess. O’Neal questioned the ability and level of President Bush to solve the domestic economic problems and made an effective comparison on several levels with several former U.S. presidents whom Bush himself had contact with. O’Neal, on the other hand, deeply regrets George W. Bush, both in style and in his ability. Now excerpt some of the paragraphs to readers.