Bob Woodward’s new book reveals a ‘nervous breakdown’ of Trump’s presidency

[Fiddytree]

That "remove the papers" strategy is sick!

But you know what's worse? The President giving a directive to the Sec'y of Defense, who then blows him off & ignores it!

Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!

I'm beyond words, here.

Although Trump is not a capable leader, in a funny way this calls me back to Aaron Sorkin's dumb bit about "what's the virtue of a proportional response!?" in American President and West Wing.

 

[Fiddytree]

Keep in mind that this is Bob Woodward, not Michael Wolff.

Correct and Woodward's treatment of the George W. Bush administration is still something to be reckoned with, along the accompanying memoirs of Feith, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush.

 

[lurchadams]

I don't normally do this, but I'm not going to cut and past specific paragraphs from the article. The whole thing is so banana-pants that an isolated quote here and an isolated quote there wouldn't do it justice.

While we've known for well over a year now that the White House was defined by dysfunction, the pure extent of it still somehow managed to shock me.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a6bac0df952a

Generic trump supporter response: "I don't believe anything in this article."
My response: "Good for you. Nobody cares."

I think this is a pretty good quote to encapsulate the insanity and childishness in the oval office from your link:

Woodward depicts Trump’s anger and paranoia about the Russia inquiry as unrelenting, at times paralyzing the West Wing for entire days. Learning of the appointment of Mueller in May 2017, Trump groused, “Everybody’s trying to get me”— part of a venting period that shellshocked aides compared to Richard Nixon’s final days as president.

Edit: You're right, there's more:

After Trump left the meeting, Woodward recounts, “Mattis was particularly exasperated and alarmed, telling close associates that the president acted like — and had the understanding of — ‘a fifth- or sixth-grader.’ ”

In one small group meeting, Kelly said of Trump: “He’s an idiot. It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in Crazytown. I don’t even know why any of us are here. This is the worst job I’ve ever had.”

 

[Chomsky]

I wonder...having read a large portion of that article...has any contention in that article been corroborated by a named source?

I don't care if Woodward is the result of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Without named sources, his book is nothing more than a book of rumors.

Given the quality and track record of the journalist, these are more likely facts lacking public on-the-record confirmation. But that does not mean Woodward's claims are not necessarily factual.

Given the greatly disparate track records of Trump & Woodward, I would consider denials by either Trump or the Administration as near de facto confirmation of Woodward's claims. Let's see what they (Trump et al) attempt to discredit.

 

[Chomsky]

They remove the papers from his desk and he forgets what he wanted to do. That's how they prevent disaster 85% of the time.

As I was reading the article I couldn't help but wonder if publishing it would eliminate that as a viable strategy. Or is trump just so far gone that it simply doesn't matter?

Unfortunately the only way to cure the problem 100%, is to remove more than papers from the desk ...

 

[Chomsky]

Pre-ordered a week or so ago. I feel like I am going to be unable to read it for quite some time, however. Sigh. My recreational reading list keeps expanding, while work reading keeps calling me back.

Next Tuesday is (Amazon) delivery day! :thumbs:

(and Bob breaks seven figures in newfound wealth - I bet)

 

[Chomsky]

Although Trump is not a capable leader, in a funny way this calls me back to Aaron Sorkin's dumb bit about "what's the virtue of a proportional response!?" in American President and West Wing.

Not familiar, but thanks anyway.

 

[haymarket]

I don't normally do this, but I'm not going to cut and past specific paragraphs from the article. The whole thing is so banana-pants that an isolated quote here and an isolated quote there wouldn't do it justice.

While we've known for well over a year now that the White House was defined by dysfunction, the pure extent of it still somehow managed to shock me.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a6bac0df952a

Generic trump supporter response: "I don't believe anything in this article."
My response: "Good for you. Nobody cares."

Sounds like a must read for any American who cares about the country and the incompetent mental case who illegitimately occupies the White House.

Woodward is always a paragon of honesty and his research methodology is universally recognized as some of the best and most thorough in the field of journalism.

 

[Vadinho]

I am still amazed that people are now realizing our President is a total whack job unfit for the job. Sane people understood this during the election itself. We had to choose between a competent veteran of global politics and a horse's ass. Enough ingrates decided to pray the horse's ass did not **** on them too much, they were hoping the **** would hit someone else it seems. You know, those people.

 

[haymarket]

It's pretty frightening to read the President of the country needs to be controlled to such an extent. It's baffling anyone can in any way defend that.

The most despicable of all the Trumpkins are those who know what he is, accept what he is, tolerate all his foibles and faults - all in the name of his naming of judges who will kiss the ass of the rich and protect their own selfish interests.

 

[haymarket]

Next Tuesday is (Amazon) delivery day! :thumbs:

(and Bob breaks seven figures in newfound wealth - I bet)

and is deserving of every penny.

 

[Mycroft]

Given the quality and track record of the journalist, these are more likely facts lacking public on-the-record confirmation.

"more likely facts" does not equal "are facts". That means they are rumors.

But that does not mean Woodward's claims are not necessarily factual.

It doesn't mean there is any truth to the rumors, either.

Given the greatly disparate track records of Trump & Woodward, I would consider denials by either Trump or the Administration as near de facto confirmation of Woodward's claims. Let's see what they (Trump et al) attempt to discredit.

This isn't a contest between Woodward and Trump. Woodward needs to verify the factual accuracy of his contentions. If he can't...or won't...then his entire book is nothing more than a collection of rumors.

 

[Superfly]

Keep in mind that this is Bob Woodward, not Michael Wolff.

^^ Yeah. Bob Woodward is legit. It's not like we are talking about Omarosa's book or anything.

 

[Fiddytree]

Not familiar, but thanks anyway.

There were a number of President of the United States films in the mid-to-late 1990s (My Fellow Americans, Dave, American President, Air Force One). Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for American President, which starred Michael Douglas as the President and Martin Sheen as his Chief of Staff. Aaron Sorkin was at the helm of West Wing in 1999 and cast Martin Sheen as the President. Sorkin rants in his screen plays and likes to use the same bits frequently all throughout his work. One of them was "proportional response."

 

[Geoist]

I am still amazed that people are now realizing our President is a total whack job unfit for the job.

It is also amazing how some would take Trump’s word over Woodward’s.

 

[Lursa]

Ack! You got my hopes up. I ordered this weeks and weeks ago. You made me think it's out now.

It'll be sent automatically to my Kindle...but still have to wait until the 11th.

 

[Lursa]

Keep in mind that this is Bob Woodward, not Michael Wolff.

I read Wolff's book.

If even 1/6th of it is true...and some has to be, he has multiple first person interviews that back each other up...we're in deep deep ****.

Oh wait...that's not news!

 

[Cardinal]

Next Tuesday is (Amazon) delivery day! :thumbs:

(and Bob breaks seven figures in newfound wealth - I bet)

I'm sure it's a good read, but I wonder how much of my life I really need to devote to thinking about the guy. When the OJ Simpson story came out on Netflix I thought, "Yeah. No. That period in history was nauseating enough the first time around." When the dust settles and the Trump Story comes out on Netflix, I'll probably give that a miss too.

 

[Chomsky]

and is deserving of every penny.

I believe it will be so.

 

[Fiddytree]

It is also amazing how some would take Trump’s word over Woodward’s.

I think Woodward learned his lesson after getting reamed by Ziegler, don't you?

 

[PLizzy]

It's pretty frightening to read the President of the country needs to be controlled to such an extent. It's baffling anyone can in any way defend that.

Erick Erickson said on Twitter "We all know most of this stuff is true, even we pretend not to".

Pretty much everything Woodward reports, is exactly what other people close to the WH have reported. Remember when people criticized Michael Wolff's work? Well, now you've got a first class journalist uncovering the exact same thing.

 

[PLizzy]

^^ Yeah. Bob Woodward is legit. It's not like we are talking about Omarosa's book or anything.

I think the staff talk to people like Wolff and Woodward because really, they want this president to be forced from office, as they know how dangerous he is, and they want the world to know it as well.

 

[azgreg]

^^ Yeah. Bob Woodward is legit. It's not like we are talking about Omarosa's book or anything.

Or anything from Conservative Treehouse.

 

[azgreg]

Pre-ordered a week or so ago. I feel like I am going to be unable to read it for quite some time, however. Sigh. My recreational reading list keeps expanding, while work reading keeps calling me back.

Have you considered "Everything Trump Touches Dies" from Rick Wilson?

 

[Chomsky]

"more likely facts" does not equal "are facts". That means they are rumors.

You're playing logic games here. Facts may also be rumours (unconfirmed). They are not exclusive to each other.

Regardless, based upon his track record most of Woodward's stuff will be factual. Do with it as you wish.

It doesn't mean there is any truth to the rumors, either.



This isn't a contest between Woodward and Trump. Woodward needs to verify the factual accuracy of his contentions. If he can't...or won't...then his entire book is nothing more than a collection of rumors.