The initial meeting between O'Neill and Reagan marked the beginning of their friction. O'Neill expressed his skepticism about Reagan's qualifications by comparing the roles of governors and presidents, suggesting that Reagan was stepping into a more significant arena. This was a remark O'Neill had previously made to Jimmy Carter, indicating his tendency to belittle governors. Reagan responded with apparent ease, but O'Neill's comment reflected a condescending attitude that irritated Reagan and his aides.

This tension highlighted a clash of perspectives, with O'Neill embodying a typical Washington elitism that Reagan found off-putting. The president-elect's team reacted strongly to O'Neill's dismissive tone, indicating that they were sensitive to any suggestion that Reagan was less capable than a seasoned politician like O'Neill. This moment foreshadowed the challenges they would face in their differing political styles and attitudes.