In response to an FT Blog by Larry Summers on 3rd May 2017, entitled ‘Steve Mnuchin’s big claims show him in poor light’
"Last week, I suggested that I felt sorry for Steven Mnuchin, the US Treasury secretary. He found himself forced by circumstance and his president to say and do things that undermined his and Treasury’s credibility.
I wish there was an external force that could be blamed for the secretary’s comments on Monday but they look from the outside like unforced errors.
At Michael Milken’s annual conference for investment professionals he crowed to the bankers present that “you have me to thank for the increases in your stock prices”. I cannot conceive of any of the 11 other secretaries I have known making such a statement" - Larry Summers
Not a good gag really, though one I'm sure his boss would enjoy.
But I agree - I've never heard anything like that from the other 11 Treasury Secretaries you mention, 12 including yourself. A fabulous collection of empty suits and bloated address books nevertheless; the list includes some of the greatest bailout pleaders and financial illiterates in modern history. One of those guys was so cocky he went on to lose hundreds of millions of dollars for his University’s Trust Fund and he’s still not driving a taxi.
On balance it sounds like poor Steve needs some advice on how to turn incompetence and arrogance to his advantage by blaming every mistake on other people. He needs that certain 'Teflon' non-stick quality...you should give him a call Professor.