Discussion Thread - Bob Woodward - In Depth on C-SPAN2

C-SPAN

[leadpenny]

In-Depth: Bob Woodward

Author and investigative reporter Bob Woodward talks about his journalism career and his writings and responded to audience telephone calls, faxs and electronic mail. He is the author of 12 nonfiction books, including two, All the President's Men and "The Final Days, that grew out of his and Carl Bernstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on the scandals surrounding the Nixon administration in the early 1970s. His latest book, Bush at War" is a behind-the-scenes look at President George W. Bush's administration and its war on terrorism. Mr. Woodward has written books about five presidential administrations, former Senator Bob Dole, former Vice President Dan Quayle, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Supreme Court, the CIA, and the late comedian John Belushi.

[leadpenny]

This Live three-hour call-in program will be re-aired at 5 Eastern

[baseballmom]

Thanks for the head's up. Bump

[Guenevere]

Has anyone read Bush at War....?

Care to give me your personal review?

[leadpenny]

I have not read it but since I don't watch football unless I'm with my sons I figured on getting a leg up. Some of the interviews I have seen have given me the impression that Woodward is impressed with President Bush.

[leadpenny]

I just wish I could make him talk about 2MPH faster. Distracting.

[leadpenny]

Woodward surely has not been slamming Bush. It could be that he is trying to set up the Administration for something later but right now Woodward is not out to get anyone. I could be wrong.

[Guenevere]

Just listening to this Live discussion on C-Span, I get the same impression.

[leadpenny]

Woodward: I don't think he bluffs. There is now doubt he will pull the trigger if he needs to.

[NewYorker]

I am currently on page 253 out of 352. The first 120 pages (roughly) are excellent but then it deteriorates and it's as if you're trapped in the meeting from hell where everyone talks in circles and nothing gets accomplished. Since the war in Afghanistan worked out successfully this is clearly a failure on Woodward's part to bring this section to life.

The most interesting aspect of this book is that the first 100 pages are a fascinating and detailed account of the President's leadership through the days between September 11th and the attack on Al Qaeda and the removal of the Taliban regime.

All in all, it's worth reading.

[baseballmom]

Good show so far. Other than the usual ignorant, idiot callers. Woodward is calling them on their errors (as he sees it), in his own quiet, methodical way. Doesn't seem like he has any ulterior motives, other than to sell his book.

Just FYI. Will be repeated on C-Span 2 this afternoon at 5:00 EST.

[leadpenny]

Other than the usual ignorant, idiot callers.

Caller tries to make a point by asking what it says about our political system where someone without a worldview (whatever that is) can become President. Woodward answers by saying he got elected. He got the most electoral votes.

Then the predictable Carlisle Group question. The seminar callers will never stop.

[leadpenny]

I like the way Woodward is deflecting these regularly scheduled seminar callers. He is basically telling them that everything else pales in comparison to the War on Terror. He's on the verge of telling them to get a life.

[leadpenny]

Woodward: Why have we turned our attention to Irag after 9-11?

His answer: After the body-blow of 9-11, a reasonable assessment shows that Irag is the biggest threat and presents the biggest danger in seeing it happening again.

________________

And there comes another seminar caller talking about Skull and Bones.

[Guenevere]

Thanks so much!!!

I listened to a lot of the interview on C-Span and thought he gave President Bush high marks.

The book was given to me, so it's not like I paid money for it :)

Might as well read it.

[NewYorker]

I just watched the CSPAN interview and it is clear that Woodward doesn't fully comprehend that since September 11th President Bush has done a brilliant job of leading the war against the terrorism. But by simply reporting the facts in his book, Woodward shows over and over that the President provided the framework for the response, kept his team focused and on-track and made the tough decisions. Woodward gathered the facts and reported them without understanding their import.

[Guenevere]

#15...Good point!

I think Woodward (although sounding impartial)...perhaps grudgingly & surprisingly to himself, sees Bush in an appreciative light and must report what he sees.

The fact that he doesn't see the 'whole picture'...or realize truly what he has experienced with Bush, is because his liberal lens are off-focus :^