Posted on 08/10/2005 1:21:39 PM PDT by jdm
Noted journalist Bob Woodward offered his insights on topics ranging from Nixon to Bush, current political issues and the role of journalism during a speech to an overflow crowd at Paepcke Auditorium on Tuesday night.
Not once did he mention Mark Felt, the former FBI assistant director nicknamed "Deep Throat" who was Woodward's key anonymous source in uncovering the Watergate scandal. Woodward's latest book chronicles the story of "Deep Throat," but the audience members clearly had more current issues on their minds.
Using numerous anecdotes from his 35-year journalism career, Woodward didn't make definitive conclusions about issues but let facts speak for themselves.
Interviewing President George W. Bush for his book "Plan of Attack" was "not typical," said Woodward, who is assistant managing editor at the Washington Post. Answering 500 questions, the president was very direct and used weighty words like "duty" and "zeal" to describe "liberating people." Woodward spoke of Bush's intense belief that what he is doing is right and how overcoming obstacles made him even more determined.
"It was almost a mind trip on how he looks at things and what he values," Woodward said.
Woodward refrained from ultimately judging Bush, noting that, "If you go back into history you'll find many instances of presidents making unpopular decisions. History teaches you that the most important trait a president can have is simply courage, and courage often means walking the road alone."
Of Nixon's presidency, Woodward said, "The real chill goes down your spine when you see the smallness of Richard Nixon. Too often [he used] the power of the presidency to settle a score."
Nevertheless, Nixon was a very intelligent president, Woodward said. "He understood that the hating is what had done him in." Woodward quoted the president's farewell speech to his staff, in which he told them, "Always remember others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself."
Woodward's half-hour talk, punctuated several times by well-received jokes, was followed by 11 questions from the audience. He theorized that Hillary Clinton would earn the Democratic nomination in 2008 and would run against Dick Cheney, and he rejected the likelihood of a third party being a threat to Democrats and Republicans. He discounted the fear that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts would help overturn abortion rights if elected to the bench.
He spoke of his continuing faith in the press, which depends on owners who support their newsrooms and reporters who are driven to get to the truth. Decrying the impatience of today's journalism, with its fixation on up-to-the-minute updates, Woodward said that news services should stick to their responsibility of getting all the facts.
"He theorized that Hillary Clinton would earn the Democratic nomination in 2008 and would run against Dick Cheney."
Any idea as to Woodward's right/wrong ratio, in terms of his past predictions?
Duplicates:
Cheney in 2008? Does anyone really believe this?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1460744/posts
Woodward forsees Cheney-Hillary fight in 08
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1460594/posts
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
No one used the original title except me -- that's why the previous one's didn't show up in searches.
If Cheney doesn't run it will be the first Presiential without a sitting Pres. or Veep since 1928.
I should say where neither the Pres or the VEEP seek the nomination.
>> Duplicates.
I just call 'em. I don't grade 'em (or even report
'em to the admins). It's mostly so people can see
the existing comments and avoid even more duplication.
> No one used the original title except me -- that's
> why the previous one's didn't show up in searches.
Yep. You can also post a dupe if someone else is
posting at the same time, or if they have an key
error in their title. The site posting script needs
to alert users to similar title, source urls & content.
7 posts and nobody mentions the Helen Thomas factor in all this.
Woodward got lucky in 1972 and has ridden that one trick pony since. He's one poor excuse for a "journalist."
Your last name isn't Woodward - is it?
I still don't see Cheney running. I don't think his chances would be that great. I say that as a HUGE fan of the man.
I actually disagree with that. Woodward's book is what I use in arguments with libs re the Iraq war. Woodward's quote from Clinton's CIA director Tenet about the "slam dunk" is pretty effective in defeating the argument that Bush "deceived" us about WMD. Also, I think he speaks well of Bush regarding Bush's "courage."
To decent human beings, that is not a "fear." That is a "hope."
Man! What reporters is he thinking of????
Got that right. And if one pi**ed-off government bow wow hadn't been passed over for promotion, Woodward would still be in the obit section.
His one claim to fame was no doubt embellished IMHO!
He did however get very lucky and he rode that one stroke of luck for a long long time.
When I listen to him talk he constantly reminds me of a slow witted doofus.
I would have loved to see the expression on Helen Thomas' face when she heard the news. LOL
I hope he's wrong about Cheney, I don't think he could win overall tho' I hold him in high regard.
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