Bush at War Part III: State of Denial

[1549]

Bob Woodward--of All the President's Men fame--is going to release the third book in his Bush at War series. The first book was Bush at War (about the administration in the months following 9/11), the second, Plan of Attack (the administration's decision to invade Iraq), and now State of Denial.

The book will be released on Oct. 2nd. Here is a glimpse from 60 minutes:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/28/60minutes/main2047607.shtml

(CBS) Veteran Washington reporter Bob Woodward tells Mike Wallace that the Bush administration has not told the truth regarding the level of violence, especially against U.S. troops, in Iraq. He also reveals key intelligence that predicts the insurgency will grow worse next year.

In Wallace’s interview with Woodward, to be broadcast on 60 Minutes this Sunday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. ET/PT, the reporter also claims that Henry Kissenger is among those advising Mr. Bush.

According to Woodward, insurgent attacks against coalition troops occur, on average, every 15 minutes, a shocking fact the administration has kept secret. "It’s getting to the point now where there are eight-, nine-hundred attacks a week. That's more than 100 a day. That is four an hour attacking our forces," says Woodward.

The situation is getting much worse, says Woodward, despite what the White House and the Pentagon are saying in public. "The truth is that the assessment by intelligence experts is that next year, 2007, is going to get worse and, in public, you have the president and you have the Pentagon [saying], 'Oh, no, things are going to get better,'" he tells Wallace. "Now there’s public, and then there’s private. But what did they do with the private? They stamp it secret. No one is supposed to know," says Woodward.

"The insurgents know what they are doing. They know the level of violence and how effective they are. Who doesn't know? The American public," Woodward tells Wallace.

Woodward also reports that the president and vice president often meet with Henry Kissinger, who was President Richard Nixon’s secretary of state, as an adviser. Says Woodward, "Now what’s Kissinger’s advice? In Iraq, he declared very simply, ‘Victory is the only meaningful exit strategy.'" Woodward adds. "This is so fascinating. Kissinger’s fighting the Vietnam War again because, in his view, the problem in Vietnam was we lost our will."

President Bush is absolutely certain that he has the U.S. and Iraq on the right course, says Woodward. So certain is the president on this matter, Woodward says, that when Mr. Bush had key Republicans to the White House to discuss Iraq, he told them, "I will not withdraw, even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me."

Woodward reported for two years and interviewed more than 200 people, including top officials in the Bush administration, to learn these and other revelations that he makes in his latest book, State of Denial, published by Simon & Schuster, part of the CBS Corp.

 

[Gunny]

Poor Bob .... never has regained his "shining moment" form circa 1972. He breaks ONE (count 'em) story and you lefties try to portray everything he says as gospel.

 

[MtnBiker]

I wonder how many times Bob has been to Iraq?

 

[RyzinEnagy]

President Bush is absolutely certain that he has the U.S. and Iraq on the right course, says Woodward. So certain is the president on this matter, Woodward says, that when Mr. Bush had key Republicans to the White House to discuss Iraq, he told them, "I will not withdraw, even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me."

He has gained greater respect from me for saying that. And exactly what point are you trying to prove with this??

 

[Gunny]

I wonder how many times Bob has been to Iraq?

I was wondering exactly the same thing. One would think since he is privvy to info even the troops on the ground in Iraq don't know about he'd have at least left his office once or twice.

 

[Kagom]

I doubt the insanely high number of insurgent attacks per week. Maybe somewhere between 15 and 50 (probably a lot less than 50, but it's only a range I made up! MWA HA HA HA! I AM BETTER THAN YOU WOODWARD, BETTER!).

 

[Gunny]

Seems to me I just heard the President of Iraq say during his visit that attacks were now down from a high of 15 a day to 5 a day in Baghdad. But then, who is HE?

 

[trobinett]

Bob Woodward--of All the President's Men fame--is going to release the third book in his Bush at War series. The first book was Bush at War (about the administration in the months following 9/11), the second, Plan of Attack (the administration's decision to invade Iraq), and now State of Denial.

The book will be released on Oct. 2nd. Here is a glimpse from 60 minutes:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/28/60minutes/main2047607.shtml

I know, your a cheerleader for "Book of the month club".

Hate to break it to you 1549, but none of Bob Woodwards' books have ever made the list.

Keep trying.

 

[theHawk]

Maybe Bob is a pretty smart guy though, I mean if anyone publishes an Anti-Bush book the liberals will buy it up in a frenzy. Sounds like a good way to make money off the libs.

 

[dilloduck]

Maybe Bob is a pretty smart guy though, I mean if anyone publishes an Anti-Bush book the liberals will buy it up in a frenzy. Sounds like a good way to make money off the libs.

Since we will all hear it be used as a "source" for further partisan bashing, we won't even have to buy it to know what it says .:happy2:

 

[1549]

I know, your a cheerleader for "Book of the month club".

Hate to break it to you 1549, but none of Bob Woodwards' books have ever made the list.

Keep trying.

I suppose it depends on what list you have been looking at. Both Bush at War and Plan of Attack were #1 on the best sellers list. And you went as far as to say: "none of Bob Woodward's books"...please, I am sure even the great trobinett read All the President's Men