John Snow and Me
Over the past few days, reporters have been calling my house to ask me about John Snow. I have missed all the calls (I have had an ec 10 exam to deal with, after all) and have not returned any of them (I am a bit tired of talking to reporters). But in case any of those reporters are reading this blog, here is what I would say in response to the two questions you want to ask:
1. "Professor Mankiw, what can you tell us about rumors of John Snow's resignation as Secretary of Treasury?"
Nothing. I never comment on such speculation. Why would I?
2. "Professor Mankiw, how did you get along with John Snow when you worked in the Bush administration?"
I had never met John before I interviewed for the CEA job. During my two years in Washington, I got to know him quite well, and we developed a good relationship, both personal and professional.
On policy matters, we usually saw eye-to-eye. In fact, in internal policy discussions, John was probably the other economic "principal" whose policy views correlated most strongly with mine.
That is not a surprise if one knows John's personal history. John is often described as a former railroad executive, which is true. But earlier in his career, John earned a PhD in economics (from UVa) and was on the economics faculty at the University of Maryland. His economics background was very clear from the first time I met him. John thinks like an economist, so it is natural that Treasury under his leadership worked well with the CEA.
1. "Professor Mankiw, what can you tell us about rumors of John Snow's resignation as Secretary of Treasury?"
Nothing. I never comment on such speculation. Why would I?
2. "Professor Mankiw, how did you get along with John Snow when you worked in the Bush administration?"
I had never met John before I interviewed for the CEA job. During my two years in Washington, I got to know him quite well, and we developed a good relationship, both personal and professional.
On policy matters, we usually saw eye-to-eye. In fact, in internal policy discussions, John was probably the other economic "principal" whose policy views correlated most strongly with mine.
That is not a surprise if one knows John's personal history. John is often described as a former railroad executive, which is true. But earlier in his career, John earned a PhD in economics (from UVa) and was on the economics faculty at the University of Maryland. His economics background was very clear from the first time I met him. John thinks like an economist, so it is natural that Treasury under his leadership worked well with the CEA.
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