Martha Raddatz On New Bush Book: Lame Ducks & Lipstick
EmailABC’s Martha Raddatz from Washington: President Bush has long said that he will let history be the judge of his presidency. Well, a big page of history will be hitting the bookshelves next week with the release of Bob Woodward’s "The War Within." The Washington Post released some excerpts from the famed Watergate reporter’s fourth book on the administration which portrays President Bush as "tentative and slow to react to the escalating violence in Iraq" but standing up to his military advisers when some on his national security team began advocating for a surge. There were tantalizing quotes about a senior commander questioning the president’s "understanding" of the nature of the war, as well as allegations that the administration has been doing extensive spying on the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Malaki. "We know everything he (Malaki) says," Woodward reports he was told. So with those excerpts in hand I headed into White House Press Secretary Dana Perino’s briefing this morning ready for fireworks. Okay, so questions about the number of troops in Iraq came first, then the economy, and more questions about the economy. I asked the first question about the book, zeroing in on the spying charges, which Perino had clearly come prepared to answer. "I would just point to the fact that we would not comment on any of the assertions in the book regarding the allegation that you brought up," Perino said confidently. "What I can tell you is we have extensive cooperation with Prime Minister Maliki." She threw in a few lines defending the president, and then answered a brief follow-up, bracing for more. It didn’t happen. Perino seemed as surprised as I was. Reporters quickly moved onto Secretary Rice’s trip to Libya and the Pakistani elections. Perhaps it is because Woodward’s book was preceded by former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s blockbuster, "What Happened" which asserted that the president and his chief advisers did not hesitate to "spin, hide, shade and exaggerate the truth" when it came to the war in Iraq. Or perhaps it is because it is not such a huge surprise that the US may be spying on the Iraq government. I figure we’re likely spying on everyone in Iraq. But the most likely reason is that President Bush is a lame duck. Take it from me. The press is paying so little attention to him that he actually looks excited to see us when he ventures out. The briefings are so sparsely attended that practically everyone there could get a front row seat. I spent my first two and a half years covering the Bush presidency filing stories for World News almost every day. But with a riveting election, and a withering economy, the White House just isn’t garnering the attention it used to. I can only imagine what the remaining few months will be like. But here is the problem for me: In terms of television coverage, the only difference between being a lame duck president and covering a lame duck president? Lipstick.
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So now that this “lame duck” has done the dirty work he was installed to do–preside over a false-flag “terror” attack psyop and its cover-up, initiate a condition of endless war (with shifting “enemies”) for profit and resource control, normalize outrages against the Constitution, International Law and human decency, etc–there’s no need to hold him accountable for his crimes, right, Ms. Raddatz?
He’s just a poor, well-meaning “incompetent” who deserves our pity, right?
No need to point out, for example, seven years after the fact, the treasonous failure to defend the US public on 9/11 that justified all this neo-fascism on display in the streets of St. Paul?
No amount of lipstick will conceal the truth of what this administration and its “advisers” have done.
Nor will it hide the complicity of the corporate media.
Posted by: neo | September 5, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Ms. Raddatz is far from defending the President. She is merely stating the truth: the media, and I mean all of it, not just the “MSM,” has moved on from covering Bush. As White House reporter, this means that she is as in demand as snowshoes in Miami. She is a fair, honest, and courageous reporter who is now going to spend several months covering a political non-entity–causing her to become a journalistic non-entity. In lipstick.
Posted by: Erik | September 5, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
History will judge his presidency. Hmmm, depends on who writes history, if they do, then Lincoln, JFK, Roosevelt, and other notables will look like losers next to him. On the other hand,…oh wait, there is no other hand.
Posted by: Jake | September 5, 2008, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
The disrespect for the highest office in this country is embarrassing. Though the democratic party has tried desperately to turn Americans against Bush, there are many, and I mean many of us who like and respect George Bush. Though it may seem were are the minority, we actual aren’t. We just don’t go running around spreading rumors. We honestly have better ways to spend our time… God Bless America…God Bless Our Troops…God Bless George Bush… A proud American..
Posted by: cj78415 | September 5, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
And WHY would we be interested in Bob Woodwards book? Hey, look at the person who wrote it! Not like it’s a fair and balanced assessment…..not! I guess Bob can’t help himself! I hope that Bob does the same “investigative reporting” if Obama gets elected. Why isn’t Bob Woodward investigating Obama’s ties to Frank Marshall Davis or William Ayers? Maybe it would make Obama look bad? Nah!
Posted by: justrighttoo | September 5, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
The problem with the Bush administration was Donald Rumsfeld. Senator John S McCain stood up to Bush and Donald Rumsfeld and spoke up for the generals and commanders on the ground.
Posted by: FortuneFavorsTheBrave | September 5, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
To cj78415: The Democratic party didn’t have to try to turn Americans against Bush. He did that all by himself.
Posted by: Veronica | September 5, 2008, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
You missed my point completely Veronica…They tried too, but it didn’t happen. If they got you to agree with them..well..that was your choice..
Posted by: cj78415 | September 5, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Bush is looked at around the world as the local village idiot. They don’t need a book to tell them that.
Posted by: Jim Bob | September 5, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
20 years from now people will be longing for GW. Look at Regan is was consider a incompetent senile old man when he left office under suspicion from Iran/Contra gate (Ollie North, Fawn Hall), now everyone talks lovingly about him.
Posted by: david | September 5, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
Dems put Bush in.
Woodward usually works for CSIS out of Toronto.
Posted by: FDE | September 5, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
David,
Not everyone talks lovingly about President Reagan (at least I assume you mean him). He gets a great deal of credit for single-handedly defeating the Soviet Union, when macro-economic events took their toll for year.
George W. Bush took our country from a position of moral authority, world respect and economic prosperity, and through his inaction and stupidity, managed to reverse our fortune in each of these categories. If history holds him in high regard, it will only be the result of the further failure of America.
Regardless of who wins this year’s election, Americans as a people will spend 20 years digging out of the hole he has created for us.
Posted by: bigdaddycanelxa | September 5, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
O.K. So everyone wants to throw stones, but how quickly we forget. We were attacked and President Bush “TOOK” the required action(s) to prevent it from happening again…So I’m not a big Bush supporter, but we’ve not been invaded or attacked since….and that boys & girls is the primary job of The President of The United States of America
Posted by: t5z3g7 | September 5, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Typical neo-con propaganda, where was there respect for the office when they went relentlessly after Clinton. Now they suddenly respect the office. New information for all neo-cons, we respect the office, we don’t respect the person the occupies it.
Posted by: Bill Dull | September 5, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Well, I have shovel. I guess that is just what I will be doing for the next 20 years, but if the McCain and Palin ticket gets the election then the hole may get deeper than expected which may take a lot longer to dig out of.
Posted by: mere | September 5, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Raddatz — “I figure we’re likely spying on everyone in Iraq.” Glad to see that rumors of a biased media are so completely exaggerated.
Posted by: tony | September 5, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
“So I’m not a big Bush supporter, but we’ve not been invaded or attacked since….and that boys & girls is the primary job of The President of The United States of America”
A) We were never in danger of an invasion
B) Since when is this the ONLY “primary” job? How about dealing with internal crisis like hurricane Katrina, the housing or energy crisis?
Not only is President Bush an incompetent stubborn moron…he appointed to ALL levels of government unqualified people including “buddies” and “religious zealots” who went to clown colleges.
Posted by: Steve | September 5, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
I didn’t know Bush wore lipstick.
Posted by: Michael | September 5, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
To cj78415: “They” didn’t do any brain washing or anything to change my opinion George Bush did that all on his own. He lied repeatedly and I don’t like liars. When Clinton said I did not have sex with that woman he lied and my opinion of him changed. Unlike many Americans my political party nor the media tell me how to feel. I don’t like liars and George Bush is a liar. By the way David – well said.
Posted by: linda | September 5, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
t5z3g7 are you for real? He took action against the wrong country and wrong people. I don’t like what you said so I can bomb you? Destroy your community? WHY because he is President of the United States that makes it alright? WRONG! As the president he should have gotten the facts straight before the start of the war.
Posted by: linda | September 5, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
WORST…PRESIDENT….EVER.
Posted by: BushISaMORON | September 5, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
woodward is a great journalist with amazing sources
Posted by: ryan | September 5, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
Having traveled to 89 countries since 1965, I have seen great admiration for the US. We knew we were loved and respected by all walks of life in every country. We were so proud to be an American and of course I still am, but the respect from them is gone. What can we expect since we try to force our beliefs on them and get hostile when they try and do it to us. I spent 7 years in Saudi Arabia, and of course I am a Christian, but they never tried to convert me to their ways. They would not allow us to have church or possess bibles, but that didn`t stop me from my religion. My body is my temple and I carry it with me! I pray, with Barrack Obama as our President, that our trust and goodwill, will flourish once again with our allies abroad once again. We can`t wait twenty years. China will need the oil more than us, so Saudi Arabia won`t even need us and our currentleverage will be gone. SOMEONE PLEASE WAKE WASHINGTON DC UP….
Posted by: A Smart Blond | September 5, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
cj78415 – Love you right wing Bushies say every problem with this looser President is caused by the media. Bush/Cheney and McCain cause all their own problems without any help from the media.
The disrespect is for Bush and the rest of you Neo-Con nutjobs, and rightfully so. The office is still respected.
Posted by: dan | September 5, 2008, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Well the Bush adminstration was spying on Americans, listening to phone call,s reading emails…why should it be a suprise they were spying on our allies.
Posted by: scott jeffries | September 5, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
There will be two judgements:one the history of mankind, in which good & evil depends on the circumstances & writers when it is written. The other judgement is by the Almighty (The omipotent of any religion). In the latter judgement there is no dependency, no bias, because HE knows exactly what you think, what you did, evil or good, HE know it all. AND the guilty shall be punished with eternal fire and torture (water boarding? nobody come back from death yet to reveal).
Posted by: Sutter197 | September 5, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
everybody is crazy, my head is spinning
Posted by: mary | September 5, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
Bitter liberals are the enemy of this country.
Posted by: yearight | September 5, 2008, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
I was always taught that (lying was the same as stealing); in that case Bush & Cheney are in a lot of trouble come judgment they are going to be very supprised
WE reached the top, peace & prosperity before bush & cheney, during the last 8 yrs we have been going downhill fast. If McBush & Pain oops I meant Palin were going to pick up speed heading downhill Worst president i history!!! No JOKE!!!!
Posted by: thetruth | September 5, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
Pardon my grammer Bush and McBush, make me sick!!! I am a Vietnan veteran and McBush has been against every thing for vets,voted against them!!
Posted by: thetruth | September 5, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Yes, history will judge George Bush, and he has done a fine job. The U.S. has not been attacked again, and we are seeing success in the middle east. The U.S. ‘spying on Iraqis’, who cares?
Posted by: Light group | September 6, 2008, 1:26 am 1:26 am
Hey, Tony. Why wouldn’t we be spying on everyone in Iraq? We’re already spying on everyone in the United States!! Wake up, brother. It’s later than you think.
Posted by: Huh?? | September 6, 2008, 1:57 am 1:57 am
“Bitter liberals are the enemy of this country.”
And complicit, easily influenced and manipulated conservatives are the enemy of truth.
Posted by: Huh??? | September 6, 2008, 1:59 am 1:59 am
Is there anyone in America at this point finds this to be a shocking revelation about the Bush administration? Some will criticize it, some will defend it, but none are shocked or disbelieving of it.
Posted by: Rick_VT | September 6, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am
justrighttoo
The problem with the Bush administration was Rumsfeld? You’re kidding, right? My God, you people are hopeless. None so blind as those who WILL NOT see.
Posted by: Pongo | September 6, 2008, 11:08 am 11:08 am
You are correct Bush will go down in history…But as the biggest “BUTT HEAD” in 232 years of this countries history.
Posted by: P-51 jock | September 6, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
t5z3g7 posted: “O.K. So everyone wants to throw stones, but how quickly we forget. We were attacked and President Bush “TOOK” the required action(s) to prevent it from happening again..”. Reply: (1) WHY ARE WE “ATTACKED”? (2) WHO ARE THE ATTACERS? It appears that Iraq is a bystander that was shot by an “intended stray” bullet in the head that leads to the amputation of Saddam Hussein’s head by hanging.
Posted by: Sutter197 | September 6, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
In GOD we trust. In COUNTRY we love, In PEOPLE we serve, In Bush we hate, In McCain we fear, In Palin we doubt, In Obama we hope, in Biden we support, In me I vote.
Posted by: Sutter197 | September 6, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Is it really God’s war as Sarah Palin said? Maybe that explain why that those people responsible for the genocide and killing of hundreds of thousand of innocent middle east innocent people including children and women, are not persecuted as criminals.
Posted by: Sutter197 | September 6, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
“I spent my first two and a half years covering the Bush presidency filing stories for World News almost every day.” Gee, Martha, and not in a single one of those stories did you reveal that most of the Presidential Press Conferences were a sham, with the questions handed out by the White House, the order of question taking predetermined, with the Press still waving hands and pretending to be trying to get a question in! And for anyone who thinks this is so outrageous a claim I must be nuts, please watch Dan Rather and the head of CNN News both admit that’s what happened on the Bill Moyers’ PBS Special, “The Selling of the War”. On the presses duty to the American people, Rather said, “We dropped the ball.” And Martha, you were one of those holding it, weren’t you?
Posted by: Mickey | September 6, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
History will tell the Bush story. Senior Bush wasn’t able to finish what he started; Junior Bush tried to clean it up. Both failed miserably and the US suffered humiliation and deterioration at home and abroad.
If history books don’t tell it, we citizens will pass it down.
Posted by: soose | September 6, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Bush saved us from attack??? I’m sure we were attacked on his watch!!! Clinton kept us safe from foreign attacks after the first WTC attack. He gave Bush all the intel and he ignored it. The rest is history!
Posted by: mary | September 6, 2008, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm
Soose! What? Your boy Bill sat idle while we were being attacked, Several times! Ceaser fiddled while Rome burned!
Posted by: Light Group | September 6, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
“20 years from now people will be longing for GW. Look at Regan is was consider a incompetent senile old man when he left office under suspicion from Iran/Contra gate (Ollie North, Fawn Hall), now everyone talks lovingly about him.”
Reagan legalized abortion. He put California’s mentally ill out on the streets.
Under Reagan we trained the terrorist in Afghanistan. The Reagan administration hold the record for scandals. Reagan cut and ran from Beirut, showing terrorist they could beat us.
Reagan sold arms to Iran.
This is the best the GOP had? :-)
Posted by: Mike Johnson | September 6, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
It will not be difficult for “history” to judge President George W. Bush. He is and will always be the worst president in this nation’s history. It is unfortunate that the MSM and others have “moved on”. It was the last few days of the Nixon presidency that told the tale better than any others. It is the last days of Bush that could also paint the true picture of this incompetent, uncaring man.
Posted by: Sheldon Gilman | September 8, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am
In politics, there is the “expressed motive” – the one our leaders want us to believe – and there is the “real” motive – power, economic gain etc. Wasn’t it convienient that so many world leaders were in Beijing when the Russia/Georgia crap hit the fan? They were all on TV witnessed by millions of people enjoying the Games! It’s pathetic! We sell arms to the same people we fight. We feed and send aid to countries that hate our guts. It’s Yen time for America, not Yang time! We must replensih and refresh ourselves and our government and economy, and let those who don’t want to be like us go their own way.
Posted by: Gerald | September 8, 2008, 10:45 am 10:45 am