POP goes the Weasel (Bob Woodward)...

[Flubadubya]

All around the cobbler's bench the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought 'twas all in fun, then POP... goes the weasel!

If Bob Woodward has done what I think he has done, the man will go down in history as the world's greatest journalist ever, a true genius.

Could it be that Bob's first book (puff piece) about Bush (the mighty war president) was for no other reason than to "get in good" with the pscyhopath? Could he have already seen or suspected the "dark side" of what was going on in the White House? But Bob did win the White House over, and the man spent days on end with Shrub, apparently stroking his ego and making him think he was his very best friend, writing about the great and noble adventures of the world's "very best leader".

Having locked on to firm footing and great respect at the White House, Woodward comes back to do a sequel to his first book. He is welcomed with open arms. He is granted virtually unilimited access to at least 75 of the White House staff, even being allowed to record their dialog. I'm sure Junior couldn't have been more pleased than to anticipate how, once again, his best buddy would extol his great virtues and courage as "The War President".

Well, look what really happened. I don't think Chimpo could have seen this one coming, and oh, how utterly cunning of Mr. Woodward!

Yep, POP goes the Weasel! Great work Bob!

[Corgigal]

1. Well it appears

that this adminstration trusted him and this is the most secretive bunch since Nixon. Yep, he just might have stroked them to get even closer and this adminstration should have known better. I like to believe the player got played.

[peekaloo]

2. A spook in sheeps' clothing?

Condi's on the defensive so I'm waiting to see the other "players" reactions.

"History....pshaw....we'll all be dead". :scared:

[PATRICK]

3. They were on high alert too

regarding Woodward and missed completely(as they have almost all other simple truths) Woodward's unique skills with courting Republicans that were portrayed quite simply in the movie. The movie, for crying out loud! Do any of them watch movies other than "Patton" or "Left Behind" fantasies? So Woodward quickly churns out a puff piece on the gallant crew while carefully crafting the scoops for the right moment.

Over and over the affable W was warned that these guys are not his friends. But he is really really the "popular" president now and can say what he wants when the earpiece is out.

I still say Woodward is a little rootless(not ruthless) as an investigator without a partner. If the media would put the primary school jigsaw together it would quickly make up for that failing but it is not to be expected in today's sorry crowd.

[lectrobyte]

4. W was warned that these guys are not his friends

Yeah, but if you can't make a mistake <snicker>, and if you think someone is your friend, then they are your friend. Until the book comes out, anyway. I'd suggest Woodward avoid aircraft, have someone else start the car, etc.

[qb]

6. I wonder if * looked in Woody's eyes (as with Pootie Poot) & saw his soul.

[kentuck]

5. Very interesting theory, I must say...

ANd one that would probably be to the benefit of the country and the Dmeocratic Party to promote as true, whether it is or not... :)

[Flubadubya]

15. Now, the question is...

What will the "mainstream" media do with it, i.e. television? I heard Bill Hemmer and the new political analyst on CNN (young black gentleman, can't remember his name). This fellow commented on how many books were out now and how much attention was being paid to them.

Hemmer was trying to make the point that "TV" media talks about these books "a few days" after they come out and called it their "half life", that's it, then they're done. Hemmer just wishes it would all go away. The analyst (damn I wish I was good at names) said the books really did have an impact, and reminded Billy that Joe Wilson and President Clinton still had books coming out soon.

With all the "book" press (at least) I don't think the story can die (even if L'il Billy Hemmer wishes it would). This time I think the drip, drip, drip may just break the dam... I certainly hope so.

Lookit, if the right-wingers really start going after Woodward's credibility, then you know there's something to it. Good luck denting Woodward's creds Wingers! :evilgrin:

[agingdem]

7. My thinking is this...

the media created Bush...and the media (prior to 9/11 had started to sour on him. After 9/11 Bush couldn't come off as the inept moron he is so the media had to imbue him with gravitas so the world would unite behind us, hence, "Bush At War". However, very few people bothered to give true meaning to the crap coming out of the White House until Richard Clarke used Woodward's book and Bush's words to skewer Bush and his sychophants. Bob's new book isn't much different from the first, only this time the rose-colored lens are off.

[Stuckinthebush]

8. I believe you are totally correct in this analysis

Bob Woodward is brilliant.

[Lugnut]

9. I concur if.....

This is what he truly did. Woodward has disappointed me with his schmoozing of *. If this scenario is reality, I'll reconsider my feelings toward him.

[PATRICK]

10. Schmoozing was always his skill

at reaching the GOP side. Without Bernstein it looked as if he had absolutely no moral compass. All tea and sympathy and no pursuit of the truth. But it turns out that is exactly what he does as much as it was a mystery how he got so much cooperation in the Watergate era.

Reminds me of the parable of the two sons. One sounds like something you like but does nothing, while the other ticks you off but gets the job done. That leaves most people totally befuddled as they judge by words not actions all too much of the time.

So you have to step back and see in the long run exactly what Woodward is DOING with his annoying and cloying access privileges. One may guess too that his possible work as a CIA favorite has been put into play now that team Bush is tackling the heart of Intel and is possibly marked to take a hard fall.

Who else could get the Bushies on tape in this way?

[seabeyond]

11. i htink woodward

was in the same drunken fog of power and laughter as the rest

i think he is pop going the weasel along with admin

[Kanary]

12. You can only pull off a coup ONCE

Once the cover is blown, it stays blown.

Kanary

[Hamlette]

13. Did anyone actually read the first book? Bush at War.

I did. And I've always been amazed when people call it a puff piece.

Granted, Bush came off sounding more sane than I think he is and Woodward didn't really go after him but the rest of the people in his administration came off just as Clarke portrays them.

Clarke and O'Niell say the Bush administration was obsessed with Iraq from day one. Woodward basically said the same thing. He didn't say they were obsessed but he did say they had been planning a war in Iraq "months" before 9-11. Since they had only been in office for less than 8 months before 9-11 it is easy to conclude they were planning the war from day one.

Woodward flew under the radar with his first book in large part (I think) because we didn't yet know there were no WMD in Iraq. We were not then ready to say "these guys were nuts to focus on Iraq."

But all the evidence is there. In his first book.

I think Bush trusted him because. . .Bush didn't read his first book or if he did he didn't "get it". (It was subtle when I read it when it first came out. Re-reading parts of it last night made it clear Woodward was sounding the alarm then.)

From the NYTimes today I'm guessing most of the read damning info came from Powell and that Bush had no idea he sounded so crazy when he said things like: "My father is not the kind of father you go to for advice. I go to a different father." (Wonder how Poppy and Babs are feeling about that is morning.)

[Unknown Known]

14. The RW loon attack dog army are all over the media today

Saying Woodward is lying. So, I guess he lied in his first book, too:crazy: